Give in charity now and here - mantrA 193

srigurubhyO namahA |
The 193rd mantrA is one that is shrouded in paribhAsha or symbolic words. Though the external meaning of verse is something that makes sense by itself, the esoteric and hidden meaning conveyed through this verse is of great importance to the sincere adept who is intent on cultivating the light body. In the later tantrAs, this topic will be revisited and I will provide a more detailed commentary of the actual process at that juncture. Suffice it to say here that I have explained the current verse by keeping in mind the greater context of kAyAkalpA and other such yOgic methods capable of transforming this limited body into something far superior.

துடுப்பிடு பானைக்கும் ஒன்றே அரிசி
அடுப்பிடு மூன்றிற்கும் அஞ்சொ஢ கொள்ளி
அடுத்தொ஢ யாமற் கொடுமின் அரிசி
விடுத்தன நாள்களும் மேற்சென் றனவே. I.5.7.193

 Same the rice of life that in all body-pots boil;
The Five are the fuel that feeds and kindles the burning Three,
Gifts of rice in charity give, lest birth flame anew,
The days missed of such deeds are for ever lost to Thee. I.5.7.193

Com - Same the rice of life that in all body-pots boil; vindhu (semen/sexual fluids) is like the rice (that is cooked) in the pot like body where the central channel or sushumnA nAdi is like a ladle. The Five are the fuel that feeds and kindles the burning Three, the sOmasUryAgni (the moon, the sun and fire) mandalAs that are present within the body is like the fire (to cook with) for which the five types of vAyu (vital airs) are the fuel to keep it burning. Gifts of rice in charity give, lest birth flame anew, One must practise the method of preserving this vindhu Shakti or seminal fluids and then transmuting it through the medium of fire to exchange it for the nectar that oozes from the lunar orb . The days missed of such deeds are for ever lost to Thee. (Instead) people sadly waste the limited time they have on this earth through expending this sexual energy wantonly and without proper awareness of what actually is happening.

*Once again, the Tamil original is different in construct to the English translation and I have provided the commentary following the original verse. The term ‘அரசி‘though meaning rice ordinarily is used here with a different and more esoteric meaning. It is to be understood as a reference to vindhu or semen. The sage speaks here about the yOgic process through which the adept transmutes the sexual fluids through the agency of the fire into something that is altogether more valuable. The five vAyus or vital airs (prAnA, apAnA, vyAnA, udAnA and samAnA) when controlled (though the technique of pranayama), help the adept to cultivate the agni mandala or orb of fire. Focussing the breath to flow through the central channel of sushumnA, he is able to merge the ten kalAs of the agni mandala into the twelve kalAs of the sUrya mandala or solar orb and then finally the solar orb into the sixteen kalAs of the Chandra mandala or lunar orb. Through the conservation of semen and the correct flow of breath, he begins to cultivate his light body. This indestructible body is referred to through the words ‘nectar of the moon’. Thus the sage advices the devotee to make haste and begin the process of cultivating the immortal body (of light) through the divine path of sivayOgA, instead of foolishly wasting one’s days and more importantly wasting the vital energies that will enable one to accomplish this yOgA.  

thirucchitrambalam ||

Wealth is a boat in dangerous waters - mantrA 173

srigurubhyO namahA |
In the 173rd mantrA the sage makes a veiled reference to vajroli sAdhanA or the practise of the conservation of the male sexual fluid to increase longevity and spiritual growth.

மகிழ்கின்ற செல்வமும் மாடும் உடனே
கவிழ்கின்ற நீர்மிசைச் செல்லும் கலம்போல்
அவிழ்கின்ற ஆக்கைக்கோர் வீடுபே றாகச்
சிமிழொன்று வைத்தமை தேர்ந்தறி யாரே. I.3.6.173

How fast we cling to stock of cattle and riches gay
Less stable even than the boat which midstream upturns!
They but see the dissolving body and know not
The Binding Knot to salvation eternal. I.3.6.173

Com - How fast we cling to stock of cattle and riches gay the two kinds of material wealth; that which has been inherited from ones ancestors and that which has been earned through one’s own efforts, which we take such enjoyment from Less stable even than the boat which midstream upturns! Are akin to the boat that topples midstream when up against the current (i.e.unstable and unreliable). They but see the dissolving body though we see very clearly that this body is perishable and life is short The Binding Knot to salvation eternal. We do not take the necessary steps to conserve the higher wealth we possess body and know not and thus do not know the method to attain immortality.

*This mantra though primarily aimed at pointing out the unreliability of material riches, contains another veiled reference to vajroli or the method to conserve the semen. This is a central theme in the siddha tradition and there are entire manuals devoted to the various components of the practise. Though it will be beyond the scope to explain the practise details here, it might be of interest to the serious reader to know something of what is being said here. The word ‘simizh pOl’ in the last line refers to saving, conservation etc. It is also suggestive of a jewel box/ treasure chest etc. The sage advices the sincere seeker to give up his pursuit of mere material riches, for they are unreliable and would lead us to difficulty. Instead we must learn to cultivate and conserve the real wealth – i.e. the life force which is equated physically to the sexual energy and semen. If this physical semen was conserved and the necessary yOgic practises followed, then it is possible that this bodily fluid can be transmuted into a quasi energetic field. In the brain, there is a region which is symbolised by a small jewel box. This box is normally said to be closed (i.e. these powers are latent) and through the conservation of the semen it is possible to unlock this box. When opened it is said to contain wonderous and brilliant gems, whose raiant effulgence will transform the semen into light. The sthUla vindhu/ shuklam is transformed into para vindhu /shuklam. This light semen is again assimilated into the physical body, which transforms the gross body into a super natural body – one that is capable of ‘jumping over’ even death!

thirucchitrambalam |