You are here: SriPedia - SriRangaSri - Archives - Mar 2003
SriRangaSri List Archive: Message 00107 Mar 2003
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
- Subject: SRI RANGA SRI VOL.04 / 18 d/03/30/03
- From: "Ram Anbil" <Ramanbil@xxxx>
- Date: Sun, 30 Mar 2003 03:07:45 +0000
- Bcc:
SrimatE Raamaanujaaya Namaha //
SrimatE Nigamaanta Mahaa Desikaaya Namaha //
SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anupadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya/
SrIman! SrI Ranga Sriyam anupadravam anudhinam Samvardhaya//
KAvEri VardhathAm kAlE, kAlE varshathu vAsava: /
SrI RanganAthO jayathu Sri Ranga Sri cha VardhathAm//
===========================================================
SRI RANGA SRI VOL.04 / ISSUE # 18 dated 30th March 2003
===========================================================
1. GOTRAS AND PRAVARAS ? AN OVERVIEW ?
PART 6: THE GLORY OF BHARGAVAGOTRAM
(Anbil Ramaswamy)
Based on Monograph of MahaamahOpaadhyaaya Sri Srivatsaankaachaar Swami, now
Head of Dept. French Indolgical Research Institute, Pondicherry
And ?MaharishigaL Charitram? by Mimamsa SirOmaNi Mimamsa Vidvan Mimamsa
Kovida, Ubhaya Mimamsa Saaragjna, Veda Vedanta ChooDaamaNi Sri N.S.
Devanathachariar (referred by Sri Srivatsankachariar Swami)
-----------------------------------------------------------
2. ?SAPTA SARGA PARAYANAM OF SUNDARA KHANDAM? ?
PART 6: Some Interesting points:
(Anbil Ramaswamy)
A few special points from ?Sundara KhaNDam? highlighted in a short speech on
the occasion of PaTTa abhishEkam of Sri ?Sita-Rama? on the conclusion of
?Sapta Sarga ParayaNam?
(These could not be accommodated in this issue due to space constraints and
will be featured in the next issue)
-----------------------------------------------------------
3. DESIKAMRUTHAM I:
SRIMAD RAHASYA TRAYA SAARAM
SARA NISKARSHA ADHIKARAM
THE QUINTESSENCE-3
SRI SADAGOPA IYENGAR SWAMIN (OF COIMBATORE),
?SRIKAARYAM? OF THE BOARD OF ADVISORS OF ?SRI RANGA SRI?
-----------------------------------------------------------
4. DESIKAMRUTAM II
SWAMI DESIKA?S SIMILES ?UPAMA? Part 28 (113,114 and 115)
By Sri Anbil Ramaswamy
-----------------------------------------------------------
5. FROM MAHABHARATA:
YAKSHA PRASNAM? Part 20: Prasnams 60 and 61
By Sri M.K. Ramaswamy Iyengar Swami, Senior Officer of Govt. of India (Retd)
-----------------------------------------------------------
101 Regular issues have been released, so far (besides several Special
Issues) -
- 27 Issues of Vol. 1
- 15 Issues of Vol. 2
- 42 Issues of Vol. 3 &
- 17 Issues of Vol. 4
These issues have been archived for public view at -
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/srirangasri.
We strongly urge you to kindly peruse the "Regular Issues" archived in the
?Files? Section and view the Contents at ?srsindex.html? (Not the individual
postings allowed encouraging "Reader participation").
We are sure that you will be convinced of the quality of the contents.
IF you are satisfied with the quality and contents of
?Sri Ranga Sri?:
Tell your friends to join by sending an email to ?
"SriRangaSri-Subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"
IF not:
Tell us, as to how we may improve.
Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy
Editor & Publisher
?Sri Ranga Sri?
===========================================================
IMPORTANT:
The ?Files? Section also contains the full text of ?Art of Living?? (a write
up on the Life and works of Swami Desika) by Sri M.K.Sudarshan of Kuwait.
Kindly also peruse the following files at the sites indicated:
http://members.tripod.com/~sriramanujar
(Maintained by Sri Madhava Kannan from Singapore) ? for
- Biography of Bhagavad Ramanuja ?
- Biography of Swami Desika ?
- Acharya Vamsa Vriksham ?
- Srimad Rahasya Traya Saram
- and other links.
http://www.srivaishnava.org/sgati/
(Maintained by Sri Venkatesh Elayavalli from California)
SDDS Volume 1 / Issues 1 to 33
SDDS Volume 2 / Issues 1 to 26
SDDS Volume 3 / Issue 1
SaraNAgati Vol. 1 / Issues 1 - 24
SaraNAgati Vol. 2 / Issues 1 - 04
For ?Hinduism Rediscovered?
and other links
http://www.srivaishnavam.com
(Maintained by Sri R.M. Venkat from Bahrain) for -
- Dasavatara Stotram meanings
-?Srimad Rahasya Traya Saaram? and other links
in the ?Philosophy? section
============================================================
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
============================================================
1. GOTRAS AND PRAVARAS ? AN OVERVIEW ?
PART 6: THE GLORY OF BHARGAVAGOTRAM
(Anbil Ramaswamy)
Based on Monograph of MahaamahOpaadhyaaya Sri Srivatsaankaachaar Swami, now
Head of Dept. French Indolgical Research Institute, Pondicherry
and ?MaharishigaL Charitram? by Mimamsa SirOmaNi Mimamsa Vidvan Mimamsa
Kovida, Ubhaya Mimamsa Saaragjna, Veda Vedanta ChooDaamaNi Sri N.S.
Devanathachariar (referred by Sri Srivatsankachariar Swami)
-----------------------------------------------------------
PART 6: THE GLORY OF BHARGAVAGOTRAM
The Chief Pravartaka of Bhaargava Gotram is Sage Brighu.
Several Gotras with thousands of adherents belong to one or the other
subdivisions of this Gotram. (e.g) Srivatsa and Vadoola etc.
The other 4 Rishis who constitute Pravara Rishis besides Brighu are
Chyavana, Aaapnavaana, Ourva, and Jamadagni.
Each one of these is hailed for his individuality and greatness. But, it is
Sage Brighu who outshines all of them.
What more proof is needed than the declaration of Lord KrishNa Himself when
He said ?mahrsheeNamm Brighur aham??
Another aspect by which Sage Brighu covered himself with glory is the fact
that like Ksheera-Samudra Raja, Rajarishi Janaka and Periyazhwar, he became
the Father-in-law of the Lord Himself! Mahaalakshmi was born as the daughter
of Brighu Maharishi and his wife Kyaati (daughter of Kardama Prajaapati).
And, that is why Mahaalakshmi is known as ?Bhaargavi?
You know that Sriman Narayana is the Supreme Lord who alone can grant
Moksham. And, it is not possible to attain Moksham without the Purushakaaram
of Sri Mahaalakshmi. Mahaalakshmi, as Nammaazhwar puts it, is never
separated from the Lord. The merciful Thaayaar (Sri) is the one to look up
to, whether you want spiritual liberation (Moksham) or material prosperity
or both. And, wealth is the sine-qua-non for material prosperity.
?AruL illarkku avvulagu illai, poruL illarkku ivvulagu illai?
Do you want to strike it rich right here and now?
There is a secret recipe for this.
What is this recipe? Where can we find it?
It is found in ?Atahrva Veda - Uttara bhaagam?. It is called ?Sri Lakhmi
Narayana Hridayam?. The beauty of the Stotram is that first you recite
Naryana Hridayam. Goddess Lakshmi will hasten to where Narayana is
remembered. Then, you recite Lakshmi Hridayam and this will please her.
Then, again you conclude by repeating Narayana Hridayam. A clever way to
lock in both Lakshmi and Narayana in your own Hridayam! And you are assured
of realizing what you need both here and hereafter.
Do you know who is the author of this magic formula?
It is none other than Sage Brighu who has blessed us with this recipe! After
all, he is the father of Mahaalakshmi as stated above. His prescription will
surely earn the favor of the divine couple for us.
Of the 10 major Avataras of the Lord, we come across the name of Rama three
times - Rama with the axe (Parasuraama), Rama with the bow, (Sri Raama) and
Rama with the plough (Balaramaa). The first of these three namely
Parasuraama is known as ?Bhaargava Raama? to indicate that he was born in
the lineage of Sage Brighu.
A few of the other famous personalities belonging to the Bhaargava Gotram
are:
· Sounaka, who learned all the PuraaNas from the renowned Sootha PouraaNikar
and publicized them to the world.
· Sage MarkaNDeya who won over the Lord of death and who was the sole
witness to the VaTapatrasayee during the great deluge.
· Sage Dadeechi who gifted his backbone to Indra to be used with Vajraayudam
to kill Vritraasura.
· Uddangar who helped JanamEjaya in performing the terrific serpent
sacrifice ?Sarpa Yaaga?
· And, countless other brilliant Sages too numerous to be enumerated in this
short write up.
There is an important portion of Taittriya Upanishad named after Sage Brighu
and is called ?Brighuvalli? which deals with the expatiation of Vedanta.
In the Mahaabhaarata, we see the famous discussion between Bharadawaja and
Brighu known as ?Brighu Bhaaradwaaja Samvaadam? where the eternal rals
(Tattvas) are discussed threadbare.
The name of Sage Brighu is associated with several holy places (PuNya
Kshetras) like ?Brighu Desam?, holy waters (PuNya theerthas) like rivers
?Brighu Theerrtham?, ponds like ?Brighu PushkaraNi?, streams like ?Brighu
PrasravaNam? and holy mountains like ?Brighu Thungam?.
The popular notion is that fire and water do not go well together.
Scientists are now rediscovering the nexus between the two by means of
scientific experiments. Long before mankind started these experiments, it
was the Rishis of Bhaargava lineage who first discovered this nexus and
declared it to the world! Though generally, Rishis have great association
with fire, the attachment of Bhaargava Rishis? to fire is one of its kind.
Rik Veda attests to this fact:
Imam vidhantO apaam sadhastE
pasum na nashTam padairaNu gman /
Guhaa chatantamusir OjO namObhir ichchanthO
dheeraa BrighavO vindan// (Rik Vedam 10.46.2)
Fire was hiding in a secret place. What was this secret place? It is water.
None could find this out. But, it was because of the extreme attachment to
fire that prompted the Rishis of Bhaargava Vamsam to search for and find out
fire from its hide out. Rik Veda likens this to the anxiety and efforts of
the owner of a missing cow in somehow finding it by tracing its footsteps!
This is the meaning of the above statement.
There is a Mantram in Rik Vedam which Ritviks utter:
?Oh! Agni! I call upon you, in the name of such great Rishis like Ourvar,
Brighu and Aapnavaanar?
ayam iha prathamO dhaayi dhaatrubhir
hOtaa yajishtO adhvarEshveeDya:/
Yam apnavaanO BrighavO viruruchuh
vanEshu chitram vibhvam visOvisE/ (Rik Vedam 4.7.1)
In spite of his close association with fire, an occasion arose when Sage
Brighu spelled a terrific curse on fire. The whole world came to a
standstill. The celestials including Brahma were stupefied. All Yaagas came
to a dead halt because of this curse. What was the curse, how did it come
about, was it solved and if so how?
There is long story behind this. We will see this in the next issue.
--------------------------------------------------------
To Continue
===========================================================
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
===========================================================
2. ?SAPTA SARGA PARAYANAM OF SUNDARA KHANDAM? ?
PART 6: Some Interesting points - Part 2
(Anbil Ramaswamy)
A few special points from ?Sundara KhaNDam? highlighted in a short speech on
the occasion of PaTTa abhishEkam of Sri ?Sita-Rama? on the conclusion of
?Sapta Sarga ParayaNam?
(These could not be accommodated in this issue due to space constraints
and will be featured in the next issue)
===========================================================
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
===========================================================
3. DESIKAMRUTHAM I:
SRIMAD RAHASYA TRAYA SAARAM
SARA NISKARSHA ADHIKARAM
THE QUINTESSENCE-3
SRI SADAGOPA IYENGAR SWAMIN (OF COIMBATORE),
?SRIKAARYAM? OF THE BOARD OF ADVISORS OF ?SRI RANGA SRI?
-----------------------------------------------------------
The Quintessence-3
At the end of the SAranishkarsha AdhikAram, Swami Desikan summarizes the
contents of the chapter in the form of a Tamizh pAsuram and a KArikA in
Sanskrit.
"amayA ivai ennum AsaiyinAl aru moondru ulagil
sumayAna kalvigaL soozha vandAlum togai ivai endru
imayA imayavar Etthiya ettirandu eNNiya nam
samaya Asiriyar sadirkkum tani nilai tandanarE"
The boundless mercy of our Acharyas in gifting us with the Rahasya trayam is
detailed in this pasuram.
"aru moondru kalvigaL" refers to the eighteen (6x3=18) vidyAsthAnAs or
systems of learning which form the basis for all education. These consist of
· the four VedAs (the Rg, Yaju:, SAma and atharva VedAs),
· the six VedAngAs or indispensable bodies of knowledge which aid and assist
in arriving at the purport of the Shruti (SIkshA, Cchandas, Kalpam,
JyOtisham, Niruktam and VyAkaraNam),
· the four upaVEdAs (AyurvEda, DhanurvEda, Arttha shAstra and GAndharva
Veda) and
· the four other compendiums called ?Upaangas? which too are of immense
assistance in comprehending the extremely subtle and significant sayings of
the Shruti, viz., MImAmsA, Dharma Shastram, PurANAs and the NyAya Shastram.
VEDAS:
Rg, Yajur, Saama and Atharva Vedas.
VEDANGAS:
If the four Vedas form the body of the VedaPurusha, then the six Veda angas
consisting of SIkshA, Chandas, Niruktam, VyAkaraNam and JyOtisham form his
body parts or angAs.
1. The SIKSHA SHASTRA forms the nose of the Vedapurusha and tells us how and
where each akshara or letter of the Veda mantras should emanate in our body
(as we know, some sounds originate from the palate, some from the throat,
some from the stomach etc.), the declension or Svaram applicable to each
word, the length of time each letter and word should occupy during
pronunciation (MatrA). Thus, Svara, MatrA, Balam, Samam, SantAnam, etc. are
some of the topics dealt with in SIkshA, which is comparable to a limited
extent to the modern science of Phonetics. If Vedas are being recited in the
same fashion since time immemorial, it is this SIkshA shastra, that we have
to thank.
2. VYAKARANA SHASTRA or Grammar forms the Mouth of the Vedapurusha. Words
by themselves may not mean much, unless there are set rules as to their
usage and more rules for their usage in combinations, forming sentences.
Vyakarana performs the important function of imparting significance to
Veda vAkyAs. For each Shastra, there is a BhAshya (just as there is the Sri
Bhashya for Brahmasutras). The greatness of the Vyakarana shastra would be
evident when we note that its Bhashya is known simply as the "MahA Bhashya"
(authored by Pathanjali Rishi, based on the SootrAs of PANini).
3. CHANDAS SHASTRA forms the tiruvadi or holy feet of the Veda Purusha and
deals with the rules of composition, principally poetical - the number of
lines to each metre, number of aksharAs or letters in each line. The
importance of Chandas to the Veda mantra can be understood from the
injunction to indicate the Chandas, each time a mantra is uttered ("Asana
mantrasya .....Sutalam Chanda:...").
4. NIRUKTA SHASTRA forms the Veda PurushA's ears and constitutes the
Dictionary or Lexicon for Vedamantras. It is this Etymological shastra that
tells us the root of each word, the meaning of each word and of words that
are not in ordinary parlance. YAska's is the most popular of niruktAs.
5. JYOTISHA SHASTRA or Astrology occupies the all-important position of the
eye of the Vedapurusha and enables performance of Yagas, Yagyas, etc. at the
appropriate time. Apart from analyzing the movements of planets, this
shastra tells us how they affect the fortunes of those below. This science
also contains a fair amount of arithmetical studies.
6. KALPA SHASTRA - Having undergone Veda adhyayanam, learned the proper mode
of enunciation through the SIkshA Shastra, studied its etymology through the
NiruktA and its Grammar through VyAkarana and fixed up the propitious time
for performance through JyOtisham, one has to take recourse to the Kalpa
Shastra to identify the meritorious deeds or Vaidika karmas to be performed,
appropriate to one's VarNa, Ashrama etc. The Mantras to be uttered during
the performance of various karmas, the vessels and other items to be used,
the Devata to be propitiated, etc. are laid down by Kalpam, which,
appropriately, is known as the Vedapurusha's hand.
UPAVEDAS:
Each of the upavEdAs deals with a subject of significance-
1. The AYURVEDA is a comprehensive system of medicine, laying down elaborate
guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of all diseases known then to
mankind.
The beauty of Ayurveda is that the medicines prescribed (consisting solely
of natural herbs, roots etc. and related extracts), are totally devoid of
injurious side effects and provide for a permanent cure, ensuring a long and
healthy life.
2. The DHANURVEDA is the art of wielding the bow and arrow and a host of
other weapons of war intended for the King and his army, to be used for the
protection of his subjects. Even in war, Shastras emphasize the necessity
for meticulous adherence to the tenets of Dharma, for ensuring that the
battle is fair, with either side not resorting to unjust means.
Thus "All is fair in love and war" is a maxim to which our elders did not
subscribe, being endowed with an overwhelming sense of justice and fair play
in all human activities. It is this sense of fairness that prompted Sri Rama
to give a lease of life to Ravana, ("indru pOi nALai vA") when he was left
without his arms, armor and chariot at the end of a day of ferocious battle.
3. ARTTHA SHASTRA is the precursor of present day Economics, the science of
management of finances, public and private. Modes of raising revenue through
just and adequate taxes, which are not burdensome, norms of State
expenditure to ensure that all citizens are well-provided for etc. are dealt
with in detail in arttha shAstra. Knowledge of this upavEda was
indispensable for all rulers wishing their kingdoms to be welfare states.
4. GANDHARVA VEDA deals with performing arts like Music, Dance etc., which
not only entertain but uplift too. When Divya Prabanda pasurams are set to
music (as they were by Sri Nathamuni), the enthralling combination of the
words steeped in devotion and the strains of bewitching swarAs, tugs at even
the stoniest of hearts. That music and dance do a power of good in enhancing
devotion, is brought out by Sri Nammazhwar-
"Adi Adi agam karaindu, isai pAdi pAdi kaNNeer malgi".
UPANGAS:
The four other Shastras (known as the UpAngAs) which aid and assist in
learning and interpreting Shruti, are as follows:
1. MIMASA - analyses the true purport as also intention of Veda
mantras. While Niruktam merely furnishes the meaning of words, MimAmsA goes
into the significance of each and every mantra and its usage. This Shastra
is of two parts, the Poorva MImAmsA (dealing with the Karma Khanda or the
part concerned with the performance of sacrifices) and the Uttara MimAmsa
also known as JnaanakhAnda (elucidating the purport of the Brahma Sutras and
Upanishads).
2. DHARMA SHASTRAS - tell us the righteous way of life. Each and
every moment of our lives, we commit sin after deadly sin, knowingly or
unknowingly. Dharma shastras, by laying down the do's and don'ts, lead us on
the right path.
3. PURANAS - While Veda Mantras are mostly in the form of
injunctions to do or refrain from certain acts, Puranas and ItihAsAs, by
enunciating the same principles in the form of palatable stories (which are
of course real), ensure better reception and retention on our part.
4. NYAYA - is the embodiment of Logic. Though Vedas may call for
axiomatic acceptance of key concepts, it is the Nyaya Shastra, which
provides appropriate reasoning for the same, to ensure better acceptability
by the human mind, which is always given to questioning. Also known as
"Tharkam", this endows Shruti with a sound basis of logic and reason.
All the aforesaid eighteen VidyA stthAnAs or bodies of knowledge (four
Vedas, six Veda angAs, four Upavedas and four upAngAs) fall into one or the
other of the categories Swami Desikan enumerates as
"asAram, alpa sAram, sAram and sArataram"
While being formidable avenues of learning by themselves, they would not
help us attain MOksha.
Hence the description of these as "SumayAna KalvigaL", bodies of knowledge
which are but burdensome.
---------------------------------------------------
-To Continue-
============================================================
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
============================================================
4. DESIKAMRUTAM II
SWAMI DESIKA?S SIMILES ?UPAMA? Part 28 (113,114 and 115)
By Sri Anbil Ramaswamy
-----------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 30: ACHARYA KRITYA ADHIKAARAM
113
? ?thum imam sarva sampannam aachaaryam pitaram gurum? enrum sollugirapaDiyE
paramaachaaryan aana sarvEswaran mudalaaga sadaachaarya sampradaaya
samaagatangaLaai simhi-stanyam pOlE vijaateeyarkku rasam teriyaada rahasya
arthangaLai sangrahENa sErthu thaangaLum anusandithu??
Meaning:
?Like the milk of the lioness can be relished only by its cubs and not by
others, the delightful flavor of the meanings of the three great secrets
(mantras) that the true Acharya collects together and imparts to us cannot
be appreciated by strangers who are outside our Satsampradayam?
114
?vipareetas tathaa asura: enrum sollappatta aasura prakritikaLukku maraithu
seeriya dhanam uDaiyaar sEmithu vaazhumaap pOlE charitaartaraai
vartippaargaL poorva aachaaryargaL?
Meaning:
? Like a wealthy person who would keep his cherished treasure hidden,
guarding it and seeing to its proper use at the appropriate time, true
Acharyas of yore would keep the Sastras hidden from the sight of undesirable
elements and bequeath it only to the deserving disciples?
115
?ippaDi rahasya trayathaip patrina keezhum mElum uLLa paasurangaLai ellaam
vEdaanta-udayana-sampradaayam aana madaippaLLi vaarthaiyai achaaryan
pakkalilE thaam kEttu aruLiya paDiyE kiDaambi appuLLaar aDiyEnaik kiLiyaip
pazhakkumaap pole pazhakki vaikka avar tiru uLLathil irakkam aDiyaagap
perumaaL theLiyap prakaasippittu maravaamar kaathup pizhai ara pEsuvitta
paasurangaL?
Meaning:
?Like a parrot being trained to repeat what has been taught to it, KIDambi
AppuLLaar made me learn these words, just as he had learned them from his
own Acharya (his father). All these words of mine on the three secrets
(mantras) found in the earlier and later chapters are in accordance with the
spiritual tradition of MaDapppaLLI Aachchaan (the preceptor in charge of the
cuisine), who propagated the truths of Vedanata like UdayaNa of yore who
commented on Tarka Sastra. Therefore, these are the words of those who
illumined his mind with utmost compassion and guarded by him without
forgetfulness and taught to me without error?
-----------------------------------------------------------
To Continue- ?Sishya Kritya Adhikara?
============================================================
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
============================================================
5. FROM MAHABHARATA:
YAKSHA PRASNAM? Part 20: Prasnams 60 and 61
By Sri M.K. Ramaswamy Iyengar Swami, Senior Officer of Govt. of India (Retd)
-----------------------------------------------------------
PRASNAM 60
YAKSHA:
? KIM NIYAMYA NA SOCHANTI??
? BY CONTROLLING WHICH MEN WILL HAVE NO OCCASION TO GRIEVE??
YUDHISHTIRA:
?MANO YAMYA NA SOCHANTI?
?MEN ARE FREED FROM GRIEF BY CONTROLLING THE MIND?
NOTES:
ManO hi hEtu: sarvEshaam indriyaaNaam pravartanE?
(VR V.11.42)
It is the mind, which decides what the sense organs should do, or what is to
be done about what the sense organs have conveyed.
Hanuman arrived in Lanka to search for Sita. He waited for the night to set
in to start the search. While searching, he came to RavaNa?s bedchamber.
There were many many good-looking women; all princesses in their own right
and all of them were deeply in love with RavaNa. They were sleeping and all
their charms stood exposed. As if to drink in their charms with an
unwavering and unwinking gaze, the lamps glowed steadily without any waver!
Hanuman, the confirmed bachelor that he was, was deeply troubled that he had
to set his eyes on such a scene. But, extremely wise (Jnaani) as he was, he
quickly consoled himself that he had not committed any sin even unwittingly.
Since his mind remained unruffled and unaffected, without a trace of any
longing for a female company. He thus reminded himself of the sage wisdom
contained in the above line.
Ramana Maharishi (1879-1950) referred to as Bhagavaan Ramanar by his
devotees used to advise that the real thing is to achieve ?manO naasa:? the
extinction of the mind. This refers to the complete eschewal of all thoughts
since, without thoughts, the mind ceases to be like a container and becomes
flat. Everything drops off it, just like water dropping off the lotus leaf.
Another point is worth remembering. When YudhishTiar refers to the mind, he
is, in fact, emphasizing on the will. Though it is customary to regard the
senses as wild horses and the mind as the expert rider who controls them and
keeps them on course, the mind is fickle and gets swayed easily. The will
alone controlsthe mind and it is full of poise and discrimination. It is the
will, which tames the mind, and the mind thereafter remains unaffected by
the swirl of the senses.
PRASNAM 61:
YUDHISTIRA:
?KAIS CHA SANDHI: NA JEERYATE??
?FRIENDSHIP WITH WHOM NEVER WANES???
YUDHISTIRA:
?SADBHIH SANDHIH NA JEERYANTE?
?FRIENDSHIP WITH THE VIRTUOUS NEVER WANES?
NOTES:
?Saadhu Jana maitree sukhadaa?-
Friendship with good souls is forever the source of happiness.
Why?
?sajjanaah SasinaH kiraNa samah?-
Like the cool rays of the moon, good souls are always pleasant to be with.
Why does YudhishTiar think that friendship with good souls never wanes?
It is because such persons are not self-centered; they do not seek anything
for themselves. They do not seek enhancement for themselves in any
friendship. On the other hand, because they are elevated souls, a mere sight
of such persons elevates the mind of the onlooker. Because they are totally
non egoistic, they are permanently friendly with everyone.
------------------------------------------------------------
-To Continue-
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
============================================================
_________________________________________________________________
STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE*
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
[Date Index ]
[Thread Index ]
[Author Index ]