srigurubhyO namahA |
The 192nd mantrA speaks clearly and drives home the idea that this life is momentary.
The 192nd mantrA speaks clearly and drives home the idea that this life is momentary.
மாறு திருத்தி வரம்பிட்ட பட்டிகை
பீறும் அதனைப் பெரிதுணர்ந் தாரிலை
கூறும் கருமயிர் வெண்மயி ராவது
ஈறும் பிறப்புமொ ராண்டெனும் நீரே. I.5.6.192
பீறும் அதனைப் பெரிதுணர்ந் தாரிலை
கூறும் கருமயிர் வெண்மயி ராவது
ஈறும் பிறப்புமொ ராண்டெனும் நீரே. I.5.6.192
The deed is
drawn, the terms clear specified,
Yet torn to shreds it is--of this men think not much;
The shining dark tresses to full grey turn,
Even so birth and death are one--not two. I.5.6.192
Yet torn to shreds it is--of this men think not much;
The shining dark tresses to full grey turn,
Even so birth and death are one--not two. I.5.6.192
Com - The deed is drawn, the terms clear specified, Yet torn to shreds it is—(Though)The
beautiful silk cloth that has been woven with much care after the strands of
silk have been untangled (from the cocoon) and straightened will one day be torn
to shreds. of this men think not much; people do not understand the perishable
nature of things very well. The shining
dark tresses to full grey turn, similarly for one’s dark black hair to turn
to grey and then white with age Even so
birth and death are one--not two the time between birth and death in this
earth is only something very momentary. (One must be aware of this truth of the
momentary nature of life).
*As
is evident, I have based the commentary on the words of original rather than
try explaining it through the English translation of the verse. The gist of
this verse is to convey the truth that our time here on this earth is
momentary. Everything in this phenomenal world is perishable and one day will
perish. Birth and death (when seen from a higher perspective) appear to happen
so fast that the time between these (what we know as life) is nothing more than
a few moments. Thus one must realise this and take all effort to seek the Lord
before the short space of time we are here for is exhausted.
thirucchitrambalam ||
9 comments:
exactly.
fully agree with your descriptions.
Sunil
Swami,
Ethu shivam?
Ethanai nokki praarthanai/ jabam.
Ethirpaarpugal illaatha pothum, pl explain to which route we have to divert our concentrated prayers.
At 61 years, after having worked as a teacher for 38 years, still confused about a lot in life.
Instead of translating what some sage said, which may be appropriate in that age, pl, swami, tell, where should one meditate? where should one look to.
Shivam enbathu enna?
Is that a word?
Is that a symbol?
Is that a power?
Is that a myth?
Is that a Obama like?
Swami, at 60 +, all that i wish is a death in peace.
But there are so many questions like the above which i am not able to find an answer.
Request you to please give an elaborate answer for all my queries.
Even a separate post will make my happy.
Sri.
Chennai.
srigurubhyO namahA |
@ Sri,
Though your comment and the various questions they pose need a lengthier email or post to discuss properly, I am going to attempt a quick reply in this comments section for it. This is because I sense an urgency in your query and it is perhaps unfair to leave to wondering till I find the time to write a full post on it. Please find below some quick responses and I hope it will be of some help to clear your confusion. I am also going to cut and paste your original questions for easy reference -
Ethu shivam?
sarvam shivamayam jagat - this manifest universe and countless other such world systems, be they in seed state or manifest, are all in essence shiva. Really, there is nothing apart from shivam.
Ethanai nokki praarthanai/ jabam.
praarthanai endral iraivanidam thEvaiyAna vishyangalukkaga vEndi kolludhal. japam endru sonnal adhu oru vagaiyAna kriyai. Both are for specific aims. We pray to obtain the grace of the dEvatAs (consider this as accumulating a more lighter and clearer energy from those celestial beings who are possessed of such high vibrations). This aids in chitta shuddi or the purification of the internal instruments (mind, intellect,ego etc). Chitta shuddi in turn is necessary so that you may recognise shivam everywhere!!
Japa (of mantrA) however works to the same end in a different level/manner. It also leads to the unlocking of other specific and super natural powers/energies within oneself so that the blinding ignorance that keeps us from cognising the truth is destroyed.
@ sri, (cotd)
Ethirpaarpugal illaatha pothum, pl explain to which route we have to divert our concentrated prayers.
Expectations by themselves are not a problem. Being disappointed/angry when they do not come true is the problem!Not even a fool works to do something without a reason/expectation of some fruit...so there must be the expectation of a specific goal/fruit for one to be involved enough in the process to acchieve it. The second part of your question as to where or how to direct one's prayers is subjective and depends on the spiritual maturity of the individual concerned. There is no point in prescribing complete detachment to one whose mind is as yet unready for such unconditional living. Thus what method to proceed and even the pace in which to proceed is a matter of concern for the guru and the individual.
Instead of translating what some sage said, which may be appropriate in that age, pl, swami, tell, where should one meditate? where should one look to.
Ha ha...it is not so. What thirumUlar has said is the truth and truth remains true always! It is not dependent on the age one lives in or even the country...like the words of the vEda they are ever true and shine like a beacon to guide the lost souls to their true potential. There are various esteemed paramparas or spiritual lineages in our land and there are as many paths as the number of souls. It is very difficult to make generic pronouncements as to how one should meditate. This depends on the nature of the person and one has to adopt methods that work with our own strengths and those that help conquer our weaknesses. Being a fully responsible human being and conducting one's life in accordance to the dharma sastras and ones traditions and state in life is always a good start. One must engage oneself in activities that help acchieve chitta shuddi and bhUta shuddi and gradually purify this body and mind and rid them of their natural and inbuilt faults. Only then is it possible to grasp the real nature of self.
@sri (cotd)
Shivam enbathu enna?
As mentioned above, shivam illAdadhu ennanu kEtta easya badhil solla mudiyum! sarvam shivamayam.
Is that a word?
it is also a word.
Is that a symbol?
it is also a symbol/ representation of something that is simply beyond all description as it has no qualities to describe it by.
Is that a power?
it is TREMENDOUS power!
Is that a myth?
if by myth you mean 'lie' or fairy tale, then certainly not.
Is that a Obama like?
I dont know what that means.....
Swami, at 60 +, all that i wish is a death in peace.
But there are so many questions like the above which i am not able to find an answer.
sir, it is not possible to find answers for all questions and it is not possible to rid one's mind of all confusion/doubt unless one acchieves atma swarUpA or self state. Only in that super conscious undivided and unified state will we stand free of doubt. The purAnAs and tantrAs are full of examples of even the greatest of great siddhAs and sages blinded by doubt and confusion. This shakti known as mahAmAyA is capable of deluding even the likes of vishnu and brahma never mind us mortals! So, my advice would be to first drop any sense of agitation or restlessness you may feel (by not knowing the answers to all these questions) and try to approach it with a calm and curious mind. This life, the world we live in and everything here is perfect and full of beauty - only we lack the eyes to see it as we are preoccupied always with our own personal agenda.
Hope this answers your query somewhat. May the grace of sri dakshinAmUrthy the dispeller of all doubts always be with you.
thirucchitrambalam
Swamiji,
To a large extent, you have explained and cleared some misconceptions.
Anaithum shivam enil, neeyum shivan, naanum shivan enil, how come you are full of confidence and clarity and how come i am full of suspicions and mutual disbelief? Engo idikkirathu.
aayinum, will try to read and re read your explanations and arrive at some clarity.
Thanks for the efforts swami.
Sri
srigurubhyO namahA |
@ Sri,
Anaithum shivam enil, neeyum shivan, naanum shivan enil, how come you are full of confidence and clarity and how come i am full of suspicions and mutual disbelief? Engo idikkirathu.
This is your perception. Indeed, like everyone else I have doubts, misconceptions, faults everything.I am just the same as everyone else. Nothing different.
But coming to the other part of your question, one has to understand that until the idea duality is complety removed there will always be two levels (if not more) of simultaneous reality. One is what we call 'real' in transaction terms, i.e that which we take to be real for the easy conduct of day to day affairs. This is vyavahArika or transactional level of reality. In this there is difference and multiplicity.There is you, me, the tree, the mango etc and each is different to the other.They have their own fuctions/actions and purpose. There is also another level of reality which is the paramArthiga or transcendental level of reality. In this level, everything is always shivam - SIMULTANEOUSLY.
For example, the goldsmith fashions out of pure gold various ornaments. One which is round and fits the wrist is called bangle, the one which is decorative and worn around the neck is called necklace, the ornaments on the ears are fashioned in a design to be earrings...and so on. Though on a day to day transaction level, the bangle and the anklet and the necklace are all different things and serve different purposes, on a transcendental level they are all just pure gold. The goldsmith is aware of this, he can transcend the form and recognise the gold that is underlying all this variety. Similarly, the wise man will also understand that underneath all this apparent diversity there is the single substratum of shuddha shivam.
Thanks again for the wonderful explanations. I am indebted to you at this old age !!
What will i pay you for the clarity you have given here?
Wishes. My wishes and good will. Am sending across in abundance.
Sri.
srigurubhyO namahA |
@Sri
There is no need for any thanks. Knowledge is meant to be shared. As a teacher for so many years you have done the same thing.
Thanks though for your wishes.
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