At His glance, impurities vanish - mantrA 117

srigurubhyO namahA

The next mantrA is the 117th in the series. Simple in the way it is constructed, this verse is deeply evocative and clearly conveys the message of the import of a guru in the spiritual progress of the jIvA.


சூரிய காந்தமும் சூழ்பஞ்சும் போலவே
சூரிய காந்தம் சூழ்பஞ்சைச் சுட்டிடா
சூரியன் சந்நிதி யிற்சுடு மாறுபோல்
சூரியன் தோற்றமுன் அற்ற மலங்களே. I.1.5.117.






At His Glance, Impurities Vanish

The sunstone sleeps in cotton enclosed,
The sunstone burns not the fragile stuff;
Let but the sun's rays fall! How it shrivels and flames!
Even so the impure wilts before the Lord's cathartic glance. I.1.5.117.


Com - The sunstone sleeps in cotton enclosed, The jIvA and the impurities / pAsA that cover or enclose the jIvA are akin to the sunstone (sUryakAnthA gem) and the pure fluffy cotton that is placed around the gem. The sunstone burns not the fragile stuff; (normally) the sUryakAnthA gem does not burn the cotton that surrounds it,(though it is quite proximate and flammable). Let but the sun’s rays fall! How it shrivels and flames! But, when the sun’s rays shine on the sUryakAntA gem and then through that on to the cotton, it is quite capable of setting the surrounding cotton on fire completely. Even so the impure wilts before the Lord’s cathartic glance. And in a similar fashion, the intellect of the jIvA is capable of burning through the enclosing pAsA/ bondage (to reveal the supreme Self state) while in the presence of the true siva guru.

# In this simple yet beautifully picturesque mantrA the sage reveals the glory of the competent guru and the transformative power of his grace in the life of the seeker. First of all, to appreciate this verse better, let me explain what the gem known as sUryakAnthA is. The sUryakAthA is a legendary/mythical gem that is supposed to be formed from the condensed rays of the sun. Though it is said to be cool to the touch, the gem has the power to produce great concentrated heat when in the presence of the sunshine. The example presented by the sage can also be understood by imagining a magnifying glass in place of the mystical sUryakAnthA gem.

The term 'sUryakAnthA' gem refers here to the jIvA. The term ‘panju’ or ‘cotton’ refers to the pAsA (ties) as elaborated before. Like the ties of attachment and delusion that surround us totally, the cotton is said to be enclosing the gem. The term ‘Ariyan’ or ‘sun’ refers to the guru.

So, if we consider the example of a magnifying glass (the jIvA) which is placed above some fluffy cotton (the pAsA or bondage); the glass does not have the capacity to burn the cotton by itself though the cotton is flammable and is proximate. However, if we allow the sun’s rays to shine on the glass and then focus it on the cotton, we will find that it is possible for the glass to now set the cotton on fire by harnessing and magnifying the heat of the sun. So too the jIvA when in the presence of the guru – through the grace of the guru, the sishyA or the disciple is able to harness the necessary spiritual heat to then focus it on the pAsA or ties that bind him to a limited and delusional reality. Following on from the previous mantrA, we can see that it is only through the upadEshA from a competent guru that one is able to free oneself from the bondage or avidyA and realise the Self state or shivOham state. The jIvA, though limited (due to the effect of the pAsA or bondage) is capable of burning the pAsA that bind it when in the presence of the true guru.

To sum, the sage states that it is only through the upadEshA from a siva guru that one is able to rid the ties that bind.


thirucchitrambalam