" The water in the swimming pool provides quiet pleasure to the swimmer, who effortlessly floats on his back. but the same water arouses ghastly fear in one who knows not how to swim. So is the ocean of life. A source of dread and anxiety to the ignorant and the un-initiated, and not to the Wise One who has realized the Truth." 'Spring Leaves' by KMG
Hello to you all ! Somvaar Suprabhaath !
Among the Vedic Mantra-s, an important and powerful Mantra is the Dwaadasaakshari (12 lettered) Mantra :
" Om Namo Bhagavateh Vaasudevaaya ".
The way this Mantra is usually understood is : ' Om! Salutations to the Godhead Vaasudeva '. By 'Vaasudeva' the general, obvious understanding is, Vaasudeva the son of Vasudeva, and refers to the personal God Lord Srikrishna. However, the Advaitic interpretation (as revealed by my Guruji Sri. Yellamraju Srinivasa Rao) for the entire Mantra, is as follows :
'Om', not merely a holy symbol or sound, but has deeper significance. Pranava Naada, the First Vibration in creation, the sound with which every Vedic Mantra starts, the sound synthesizing the three basic sounds ' A , U and M ' representing a variety of trios, like ' creation, sustenance and dissolution' , ' waking, dream and deep-sleep states ' etc.
' Bhagavateh ' : Not merely a name for Godhead, but has its root in the word 'Bhagam'. " Bhagoasyaasteeti Bhagavaan " i.e., Bhagawaan is one who has 'Bhagam', whose six characteristics are : ' Gnyaana, Aiswarya, Bala, Veerya, Tejus, and Sakti '. Actually, these six, on final analysis, can be reduced to 'Gnyaana and Aiswarya', the latter word implying 'mastery or commanding nature'. These can even be referred to as 'Gnyaana Sakti and Kriya Sakti' i.e., ' Planning and Execution ', or as per scientific terminology, 'Potential Energy and Kinetic Energy'.
Next, by 'Vaasudevaaya' is meant not just the person of Sri Krishna, son of Vasudeva, but implies: " Vasati - iti - Divyati ", That which 'Exists and Glows, or Appears'. This points to the Universalized Saamaanya (not the particularized with qualities and attributes) Existence - Consciousness - Bliss, the Niraakaara, Nirguna, Omnipresent Supreme Divinity, the Sut-Chit-Ananda. To That I offer my Salutations !
Now we come to today's topic.
Thrill, pleasure, joy, happiness, fulfillment, trtanquility - - - Bliss. Varying shades. From lighter to deeper. From lower to Higher. from mundane to spiritual. From transient to transcendental. Enduring Bliss is the ultimate goal, the supreme objective of life. A steadfast State of Universal Awareness, beyond mind and thought, beyond all confines and dimensions. - - - - Sounds good. But hark ! Nothing worthwhile comes easy. One has to work towards it, and persevere with a strong Will, step by step, with confidence. Now, here are a few tips to tread on that 'Raaja Maarga', the path revealed by Vedanta :
T H E T R I O O F F O U R S O M E S Part 1
The primary pre-requisite for a sustained effort for a proper comprehension of the Advaitic concept, is purity of mind. One has to gain control over the mind, by mind alone. Hence, the mind has to be in a fit state. Just as a rusted mirror would not reflect a true image, just as milk would break if boiled in an unclean vessel, so also, progress is impossible with a polluted and impure mind. Towards this, the understanding and implementing the following Trio of Foursomes, would indeed be of much help.
The First Foursome: This can be named as "Durguna Chatushtaya" (the despicable foursome), and is to be distanced to the utmost. This comprises of :
1. Ignorance 2. Contemptible propensities 3. Selfishness 4. Narrow-Mindedness.
1. Ignorance: Not being aware of that which is benevolent, and helpful in the pursuit of Truth, of that which enlightens the mind and endows it with enduring peace and happiness. Being ignorant of that knowledge which reveals one's True Nature.
2. Contemptible propensities: The six despicable qualities that are often churned out of our minds are : avarice, wrath, lust, miserliness, pride, and jealousy. These pull down the individual, and are the one's internal enemies, which have to be vanquished.
3. Selfishness: An attitude that the entire world is only meant to satisfy the self's needs and desires, and oblivious of other's needs and conveniences.
4. Narrow-mindedness : Looking from a restricted angle, lacking a broadminded outlook. Lack of an equanimous approach.
One has to keep oneself as far away as possible from the above foursome, to ensure purification of the mind, and its proper tuning.
At this stage, let there be a break. We will continue next week.
Wishing you all a splendid week ahead, Krishna M. Gutala
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