Deivathin Kural Series - 177

Om Namah Sivaya.

Deivathin Kural # 177 of 02 Apr 2007.

1. These e-mails, are chapter wise translations of the lectures given by, Sri Chandra Sekharendra Swamigal, of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. Every day, after the daily Puja, He used to talk, on various aspects concerning Hinduism. These are published, in Tamil, by Vanady Padippagam, T.Nagar, Chennai, as Deivathin Kural, in seven volumes of a thousand pages each. To-day's talk is titled, 'Gnanambikai' in pages 820 to 826, of Deivathin Kural, Volume 1.

2. 'Sri Vidya' is the name for paying special attention to Ambal in devotion. 'Vidya', means knowledge. 'Avidya' is ignorance or absence of Gnanam. Ambal is the Mother who nurtures Her children with the milk of human kindness, awareness and knowledge. So She is also the first teacher and Guru. Keno Upanishad from the Sama Veda says that, She imparted knowledge to all the Devatas too. The story is as follows in the subsequent paras.

3. Once in the battle between Devas and Asuras, Devas won. They forgot the fact that they fought with the power of Parabrhmam and that their victory is a blessing of that supreme power only. They fell into the mire of self aggrandizement and pride. It seemed likely that Devas were fast acquiring the very detestable qualities of the Asuras, for which they were defeated. To save them from delusion, the power of the ultimate, stood before them within visible distance, as a column of fire, whose top or bottom could not be discerned. Devas were wondering as to what is this form? May be some 'Yaksha'? They sent 'Agni' the Fire God, to find out. As he approached with the question, 'Who are you?', he was met with the same question.

4. Agni said, "I am Agni, the God of Fire. I am also known as 'Jathavedas'. "OK. What can you do?", was the next question. Agni answered, "I can burn anything to ashes'. "Oho! OK. Burn this", so saying, the unrecognizable entity(let us call it 'yaksham'), kept a 'thurumbu', that is 'a small piece of straw', in front of Agni. Despite his trying his level best, Agni could make no impression on the 'thurumbu'. Agni went back to the Devas quite chastised and ashamed. This was a bit of a come down for all the devas, especially when they were in a mood to celebrate. They could not accept this loss of face for one of their powerful heroes. They sent 'Vayu', the God of Air forward.

5. As before, Yaksham asked, "Who are You?" "I am Vayu, also called Mathariswan. I can move anything by blowing a draft of Air at it!" Vayu was told to try and lift that bit of a particle, 'thurumbu'! Vayu tried heaven and earth! The 'thurumbu' was not moved! Mr.Vayu, could not even ask the Yaksham, as to what is his name. He returned crestfallen. Devas collectively thought, "What is this 'Yaksham' and what is this 'thurumbu'? When we were thinking of a grand gala celebrations, we have had to face this rude shock! There seems to be some limitations to our capabilities." Their leader Indra, realised that this 'yaksham' thing was far superior to all the Devas. With the deflation of pride and ego, humility came back.

6. Often we resort to Victory parades and celebrations, as though we have achieved something great. This is rather on the increase in our country. After a few days, the so called victory disappears. Somebody else is celebrating and we burn effigies! Then their story also changes. The eternal, permanent victory is 'Atma Jayam' or 'self realization'. That and all other worldly victories occur only by the blessings of divine power.

7. Having gathered himself, the king of all Devas, Indra, approached the 'Yaksham', with humility and reverence. 'Yaksham', to impart Gnanam to devendra, now was standing in the womanly form of Ambal. Kenopanishad says, "In that very spot in the sky, the effulgent form of Himavathy Uma was seen". Indra prostrated before the melted gold like brilliance of Ambal. He asked Her, "What was that Yaksham, that was seen here a few minutes before?", he asked. Ambal in the role of Gnana Acharyal, told him, "That Yaksham form was Brhmam itself! For all this universe, you and all the Devas and Asuras too, Brhmam is the basic cause and foundation. That indivisible might is evident in all life forms, in bits and pieces."

8. First in the form of Yaksham, She brought the Devas down to size. That was for removing the pride. Once that was done, immediately, Her compassion came forth. She assumed the role of Guru! Since the King of the Devas was the first to recognise the fact of Yaksham's Suzerainty and Deva's subservience, 'idam + tra = indra', he got the name of Indra.
Other Devas, only saw the Yaksham. But he had Ambal's darshan and got upadesa of brhmarahasya.

9. In this Upanishad, while giving his commentary, Acharyal while giving his meaning to the words, 'bahu shobamana', says, "Shoba is brilliance. Out of all things which are brilliant, Gnanam or Vidya is best. The embodiment of that knowledge, awareness, Gnana or Vidya, is Uma Himavathy. She reveals Her brilliance openly by wearing golden ornaments. More than that, the knowledge par excellence is, 'sarvagya thathvam'. That is Parameswara. She is undifferentiated from that as the swaroopa of all knowledge." Knower, known and knowledge as One, is Her. Thayum Anavar Swamigal, when he says in Tamil, "chitta misai kudi konda arivana deivame!", he means Her only.

10. The point about 'Yaksham', who appeared in the form of a fire ball, whose top or bottom could not be known; we are reminded of Arunachaleswara of Thiruvannamalai. This story is related to Sri Kalahasthi too. When I went to Kalahasti, I did 'Giri Pradakshinam'. There I climbed a hillock enroute, and had darshan of 'Sahasra Lingam'. That is, in one statue of Lingam, a thousand smaller lingams are sculpted. One of them is known as, 'Yaksha Lingam'. Another one is known as, 'Indra Lingam'. In the Kalahasthi main temple, the Ambal's name is, 'Gnana Prasoonambikai'. Prasoonam, means a flower or bouquet of flowers. When we look at all this collectively, it is clear that, the Kena Upanishad event, all the Devas being shaken up by Yaksha, and Uma's Gnanopadesa to Devendra, etc., must all have happened in and around Kalahasthi!

11. To pray to Ambal, we do not have to find new routes at all. Places like Kalahasthi, are available, where great Rishis like Kannappa Nayanar and before that all the Devas have done their best to offer their prayers. All we have to do is to visit such places and prostrate. Amma will do the needful.

12. Like the fragrance and flower, milk and its taste, wrd and its meaning, She is the inseperable Gnana Shakthi of God Parameswara Himself. Similarly, She is the inseperable Sister of Sriman Narayana too. She is the
Vaishnavi, when she disposes off the Asuras. At the time of Krishna's Janma, She took birth as Yasoda's child, Vishnu Maya Sri Durga. We celebrate Her in the Autumnal Navarathri. She is the destroyer of all evil. As Durga came in to being with Krishna Ashtami, She appeared with the birth of Sri Rama too in the Spring season. This is called Vasantha Navarathri. This time She comes in the most comely roopa as Gnanmbikai. As Chandika She eradicates Evil and as Gnanmbika, She imparts the highest Knowledge.

13. I said earlier that Uma is the Pranava Swaroopa. Music is Her body. However much we may be proud of our body, the slightest scratch will make it ugly. Our skin hides much non-displayables. Probably that is why, it is called 'hide'. But inside all this, there is a cherishable element. But Her very being is, 'nada mayam, shabda mayam, vaang mayam'. The 51 Matruka Aksharas are Her being. All the Knowables are totally in those Aksharas. That is Gnanambokai.

14. All that changes ever is not Truth. The only constancy of this world and worldly life is, change. But there is something, which is not a thing, which is ever unchanging and constant despite changes. To know this in experience, is real Knowledge. Gnanmbikai parasakthi gives this Awareness. She is the Divya Mangala Swaroopini. Let us know Her or try to know Her, through constant meditation / dhyana.

Sambhomahadeva.