THE ESOTERIC
KANDAR ANUBHUTI
OR
THE SECRET TEACHING ON
GOD-EXPERIENCE
(A Treatise on Adwaitic Realization)
OF
SAINT ARUNAGIRINATHAR
| THE ESOTERIC KANDAR ANUBHUTI OR THE SECRET TEACHING ON GOD-EXPERIENCE (A Treatise on Adwaitic Realization) OF SAINT ARUNAGIRINATHAR | |
 | by N.V. Karthikeyan |  |
| verses contents 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 .. 46 this verse in PDF version (4 parts) p-1 p-2 p-3 p-4 complete download of this book |
VERSE-36 நாதா குமரா நமவென்று அரனார் ஓதாய் என ஓதியது எப்பொருள் தான் வேதாமுதல் விண்ணவர் சூடுமலர்ப் பாதா குறமின் பதசேகரனே.Naathaa kumaraa namavenru aranaar, Othaai ena othiyathu epporul thaan Vedaa muthal vinnavar soodumalarp, Paadaa kuramin pada sekharane. "Prostrations, O Lord Kumara!" - So saying when Siva, the Great, Commentary After practising Sadhana under the direct guidance of his Guru for quite some time, equipping himself with the boon for freedom from sex (verse-34) and prayer for the grant of the Lord's Feet to finish off all Karmas (Verse-35), the seeker feels it is time for him to plunge into intense Sadhana and attain Liberation or Moksha. The above-mentioned verses depict the earnest longing and spiritual unrest of his soul to get a total freedom from all Karmas and the bondage of Samsara, for which he feels the need for initiation into the highest type of mystical meditation. So, even as Lord Siva bowed to and sought Pranava-Upadesa from Lord Skanda, approaching his Guru and bowing to him with due reverence, the seeker beseeches his Guru to initiate him into the secret of Pranava ('OM') or Brahman. Since pure Pranava or 'OM' is considered as the Mantra of the Sannyasins only, it is implied that the Sadhaka seeks initiation into Sannyasa, which will enable him to destroy all his Karmas and attain the Goal of life. OM, Atman and Brahman are identical, says the Mandukya Upanishad. Why did Lord Siva bow to Lord Skanda and request Him for Upadesa on Pranava or 'OM'? The occasion for this is narrated in the Tamil work, 'Skanda Puranam', as follows: Once, Brahma, with the other gods, went to Mount Kailasa to pay homage to Lord Siva. After paying homage to and taking leave of Siva, they wended their way back through the abode of Lord Skanda. Lord Skanda, as yet a small boy, was playing with the others. Brahma, out of his pride of being the creator, paid no heed and bypassed the Lord (Skanda). Skanda wanted to teach a lesson to him and called him to His presence. Brahma came and bowed to Lord Skanda, and stood before Him with folded hands. "What work do you do?" asked the Lord. "Creation," replied Brahma. "How do you do the work of creation?" "With the help of the Vedas." "Do you know the Vedas?" "Yes." "If so, chant," said the Lord. Brahma started chanting the Rig-Veda, beginning with "OM." "Stop," said the Lord, "do you know the meaning of OM?" Brahma tried to explain Om, but could not do it satisfactorily. Skanda, thereupon, ordered Brahma to be imprisoned and took over the job of creation upon Himself on the ground that one who does not know full well the meaning of Pranava (Om), which is the source of creation, is not fit to do the work of creation. The gods who had accompanied Brahma went to Lord Siva, reported the matter to Him and prayed for the release of Brahma from his imprisonment. Siva came to Skanda and ordered Him to release Brahma. Though unwilling, for the reason stated above, in obedience to His father's wish, Skanda released Brahma. Brahma and the other Devas realising the greatness of Skanda bowed to Him, placed His Feet on their heads and with His permission left for their respective abodes. Hence the verse says, "O Lord Skanda! Brahma and other gods adorn their heads with Thine Lotus-Feet." Incidentally, Siva, keeping Skanda on His lap, enquired of Him as to whether He knew the meaning of OM and if so, to reveal it to Him. Skanda said that the secret of Pranava is not to be told in public but is to be revealed secretly only when approached with an attitude of discipleship. Though Himself the Svarupa of OM, and also that Skanda was Himself in another form, yet eager to hear the sweet exposition of OM from the boyish lips of His Son, Siva, assumed the attitude of a disciple and bowed to Him saying, "Natha! Kumara! Namah" (Prostrations unto Thee, O Lord, O Kumara), and asked for Upadesa or Teaching. Into the willing ears of Siva, Skanda silently gave Upadesa of the meaning of Pranava. Siva was highly pleased to hear the secret exposition from Skanda, since the latter did it exactly as Siva revealed it to Him earlier. Siva admiringly said, "Yes, You are right; the meaning of Pranava is precisely the same. Even as the Vedas conclude saying 'Subrahmanyom' and 'Sadasivom,' we two are the meaning of Pranava. Those who know its meaning thus, become equal to Me, i.e., attain Me. To know the meaning of the Pranava is the foremost Sadhana for attaining Brahman for those well-versed Sadhus who are settled in their understanding and Sannyasins who are filled with Suddha-Sattva. How can Brahma who is possessed of the pride of his position know the meaning? Even Yogis who have purified themselves of their sins in Dhyana do not know this; only My devotees out of My grace know it. Dear child, since You are verily Myself, You know this mysterious Pranava. Of all Yogis, none but Sage Agastya is fit to know the Pranava. Therefore, give Upadesa of OM to Agastya, who will become your foremost disciple. Let this Parampara (lineage) of instruction thus continue." It is evident from the above that Siva took Upadesa of OM from Skanda not because He knew it not but to reveal to the world that Skanda was none other than Himself in every respect. The incident also indicates the method of approach and attainment of spiritual wisdom from a Guru. Also, but for Siva's getting the secret revealed from Skanda, a doubt might arise in the minds of people as to whether Skanda knew the meaning of Pranava at all, though he imprisoned Brahma for the ignorance of it. Thus, the Pranava-Upadesa-incident has many secrets hidden in it. Such a great Lord, who is OM itself, who revealed the secret of Pranava to Siva, should place the Feet of Valli Devi on His head reveals the simplicity and gracious nature of His and shows that He is eager and seeks to help true devotees. Valli Devi did severe penance to attain the Lord. From her childhood, she was determined to marry the Lord and thought of Him always; nothing else in life interested her. Even then, the Lord tested her devotion pretty well before accepting her. But when He was thoroughly satisfied with the genuineness of her love for Him, He even took delight in placing her Feet on His head. The Lord verily becomes the slave of His true devotees. He gives Himself completely to those who give themselves to Him unreservedly. Such is the graciousness and simplicity of the Lord! |
| contents 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 .. 46 this verse in PDF version (4 parts) p-1 p-2 p-3 p-4 |
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