On Surati (सुरति)

The word सुरति  (Surati) is used by learned men to mean Sati(सति) or Smriti (स्मृति)  meaning "to have continuous remembrance".

This is one way to love the Indwelling One.

Today I read a post which explains Surati to mean Sruti(श्रुति) meaning "that which is heard".
This may be indicative of the Inner Sound or Speech which is continuously heard.

So we could understand Surati as the Remembrance of the Inner Sound as our path to realising the Self.

Worldly issues and cares do come in the way. But realising firmly that we have no role in the world or its ways except to perform the role assigned to us. Yes we must do our jobs well with constant remembrance of the Self( here Sruti) at all times.

May Sruti bless us All.!!!

Vanattin Meedu song( Some thoughts)- I

வானத்தின் மீது மயிலாடக்கண்டேன்,
மயில் குயிலாச்சுதடி. 1

துள்ளல்லை விட்டு தொடங்கினேன் மன்றாடும் வள்ளலைக்கண்டேனடி 2

ஜாதி சமயச் சழக்கைவிட்டேன்
அருட்ஜோதியைக் கண்டேனடி,
ஜோதியைக் கண்டேனடி. 3

பொய்யையோழித்து புறப்பட்டேன் மன்றாடும் ஐய்யனைக் கண்டேனடி.4

The above song by Sri Vallalar reiterates our understanding that Sabda is All. (शब्द एव सर्वं)

Below is the brief explanatory notes on the first and second stanzas of the song.

வானத்தின் மீது-(Vanattin meedu) -
On the sky

மயிலாடக்கண்டேன்-( Mayiladak kanden) I saw the peacock dancing

மயில் குயிலாச்சுதடி-( Mayil Kuyil accudadi)
The peacock became a Cuckoo.

Vanam refers to the sky. But a peacock does not dance in the sky. It dances on earth. Vanam here refers to Akasha or space and the dancing peacock represents all the beautiful things of nature(Creation)which takes place in space. All the creation blossoms in Space.

But how does the Mayil become a Kuyil? 
The Mayil( peacock) represents beauty of Creation, the Kuyil( Cuckoo) is known for its soft cooing sound.

This represents the fact that all creation is nothing but the Resonance of The Word or Sound. So Saint Vallalar saw that all creation was only a Resonance of the Sound. Even gross objects of the world are nothing but the Vibrations of the Sound. So on for all things from the  Atom to largest Galaxy.

துள்ளல்லை விட்டு(Tullalai vittu)-
Once having known that all creation is only the word, I left aside all vain pursuits,

தொடங்கினேன்( Todanginen)-
pursued the Source of Creation, The Sound,

மன்றாடும் வள்ளலைக்கண்டேனடி
(Manradum Vallalaik kandenadi)-
And lo behold, saw the Vallal, Great Benefactor, who dances in the Manram.

The vibration of the Sound is the Dance of the Lord and the Universe is the manifestation of His Divya Nadanam ( Divine Dance) of Naadam.

Mukti (Liberation) A Paradox

LIBERATION (Mukti), also known as Gnanam, is pursued by many. But when I heard the following story some doubts crept in to my mind. The story goes as follows:-

A ripe sadhaka( named Ramesh) of about an age of 45 years had a chance encounter with God. He was most delighted. He had a nice chat with God. God enquired about his health and commended his efforts in successfully controlling his weight.

Then God and Ramesh talked about Ramesh's wife and how she was doing well now. She had become very religious, a nice turn,  God said.

God also enquired about how Ramesh was progressing in his life.

All issues from home to country to world were discussed. It was so nice talking. Ramesh enjoyed God's company thoroughly. God was so pleasant a person to talk to. It was superb.

Then it was time to go for God. Before leaving God asked, " Do you need anything from me?". Ramesh replied, " Yes my Lord! I want LIBERATION".

God gave him a smile and said, "Ramesh, why don't you ask for something better? Ask for more wealth, happiness, or even Siddhis which will help you help the world."

Ramesh got upset. He said, " Do you mean I am not fit for LIBERATION or is it that you don't want to give it to me?"

God said, "No my dear, I just thought you could enjoy your life with some more comforts".

Ramesh - " But with LIBERATION I will be called an Ananda. People will follow me. I have lots of devotees. How nice that will be? Please give me that"

God- " You can have that but let me tell you that Liberation is not necessarily that."

Ramesh - " But God? Why are you confusing me? "

God-" It is a secret which most people don't discuss.

1. You are aware that presently your body is a house where two people live. One is Ramesh, that is you. The other is the Silent Me.
2. I am always liberated so I don't yearn or talk about Liberation.
3. You don't know Liberation so you seek it.
4. LIBERATION is actually Dying while living in the body.
5. Who dies? Only one who can die here is Ramesh, You.  Once you are dead, will you care whether you are liberated or not? When you are liberated, there will be no Ramesh to claim that he is liberated.

So is it really worth it? Most importantly you can't enjoy all that you enjoy now.

All your sorrows may be due to being Ramesh, but you have happiness because as Ramesh you can enjoy them.

Dear Ramesh, there is no hurry. Give it a good thought and I will come back again later."

Saying so, the Lord left leaving poor Ramesh wondering whether Liberation was really the Goal of his life ?

What a nightmare?

Ramana Maharshi on Aham

On "Aham" Sri Ramana Maharshi has said in one of his verses (Mangalam verse for his translation of the Vivekachudamani) as follows:-

அகம் எனும் மூல அவித்தை அகன்றிட அகம் அகம் ஆக அல்லும் பகல் அற
அகம் ஒளிர் ஆத்ம-தேவன் பதத்தினில் அக-மகிழ்வு ஆக அனிசம் ரமிக்கவே.

agam enum moola aviddai agandrida agam agam aaga allum pagal ara
agam olir aatma-devan padattinil
aga-magizhvu aaga anisam ramikkavee.

Analysis of the verse:

1. அகம் எனும் மூல அவித்தை அகன்றிட

Ignorance at its greatest level is the ignorance that I need to work for my salvation. Neither am I an enemy nor an ally to my progres towards enlightenment. I don't have to reach anywhere or achieve anything.
So Sri Ramana says, to rid ourselves of ignorance of I, remember that the thought that I have to achieve enlightenment is sorrow. Treat it thus and proceed.

2. அகம் அகம் ஆக அகம் ஒளிர்

Aham shines(ஒளிர்) as Aham and Aham.

In அகம் அகம் ஆக , the first अहं represents the अक्षरमाला ( sanskrit A- Z) with अ the first letter of the Sanskrit alphabet and ह is the last letter of the alphabet Hence it represents all words (Speech) which can be produced using the alphabet (शब्दमाला).  ( This meaning of Aham as the शब्दमाला has been used in the Siddha Geeta of Maha Ramayana)

Those who are aware of the inner sound, this represents the Naadam heard within all the time. Aham (अहं) is ever present in us and all around. Its vibration is the cause of our existence as also of this Universe. It will also be the cause of the disintegration of the Universe and it's future regeneration.

The second अहं is  like the English statement A to Z meaning EVERYTHING IN THE EXISTENCE. Every item in this universe has a name which again is a word formed by a combination of letters between अ and ह and hence अहं here encompasses all items from Atom to Galaxy within its gamut.

The first Aham is Sabda, the cause. The second Aham is Universe, the effect.

Aham shines as Aham the sound, Aham the Universe, the cause and the effect.

3. அனிசம், அல்லும் பகல் அற

When does the above happen?

It happens 'Anisam, Allum Pagal Ara' (அனிசம், அல்லும் பகல் அற ) meaning at all times, irrespective whether it is day or night.

4. ஆத்ம-தேவன் பதத்தினில் அகம் அகிழ்வு ஆக ரமிக்கவே

Fully engaged (with surrender, renouncing all efforts) In that state of the Atma Devan( Shining Self) remembering that the local I and its efforts are sorrow ridden.

Full meaning:

In order that we rid ourselves of the gross ignorance that I have to seek and attain enlightenment,

Dropping the local sorrow ridden I,
Fully engage(renouncing all efforts) in the state of the Shining Self.

Which is shining at all times as both the Sabda(Aham) and its effect, the Universe(Aham).

ऊँ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ।

Aham Asmyaham(अहं अस्म्यहं)

For many years I have been trying to fathom the meaning of a Sanskrit sentence which goes like this- अहं अस्म्यहं।(Aham Asmyaham)

On the face of it , it means I Am I( अहं अस्मि अहं).
But my analysis today of the two Ahams threw up a new and interesting line of thought.

The first अहं represents the अक्षरमाला ( sanskrit A- Z) because अ is the first letter of the Sanskrit alphabet and ह is the last letter of the alphabet. This represents all words (Speech) which can be produced using the alphabet (शब्दमाला).  ( This meaning of Aham as the शब्दमाला has been used in the Siddha Geeta of Maha Ramayana) Those who are aware of the inner sound, this represents the Naadam heard within all the time. Aham (अहं) is ever present in us and all around. Its vibration is the cause of our existence as also of this Universe. It will also be the cause of the disintegration of the Universe and it's future regeneration.

The second अहं is like the English statement A to Z meaning EVERYTHING IN THE EXISTENCE. Every item in this universe has a name which again is a word formed by a combination of letters between अ and ह and hence अहं here encompasses all items from Atom to Galaxy within its gamut.

अस्मि connects the two Ahams.

So अहं अस्म्यहं could  mean-

"SPEECH" 
"IS"
"A TO Z"

शब्द एव सर्वं- Sabda Eva Sarvam

Further ओंकार ( Omkar) represents the Resonance of OM (the Shabda) which is this beautiful universe.
Similarly अहंकार will also represent the Resonance of Aham (the Shabda), the whole universe.
 
May the remembrance of the Sabda(Aham or Om) at all times bless us with all happiness and show us the path to enlightenment.

SEARCH FOR THE ONE GOD

Who can be the One dearer than Thee?
You even make my Aloo delicious  and coffee.

From Dawn till Dusk you are with me,
During sleep when I dream I know it's only Thee.

All my learning is Your Grace,
My property, from the crown up to the lace.

In between comes this fear of the unknown,
Who else can it be but you in a scary gown.

I have seen through your game, fair and square,
Why not try something new, not the usual fare?

Now you talk of the final sleep,
When all here cry like bleating sheep.

Sad they don't know it's only your lap,
Where all lie down till the next lap.

It's a continuous experience with the dear One,
Away from you, for even a second, can be none.

Then let's rejoice, sing and dance,
For its all Glory of the dear One.
Flowers bloom and the Autumn bares,
Life comes so near and leaves unawares.
The process goes on and on,
Who can fathom it's beginning & when it's gone?

Rejoice Rejoice Rejoice for ever....