LIFE - CHARIOT ANALOGY

Atmanam rathinam viddhi sariram rathameva tu |

Buddhim tu sarathim viddhi manah pragraha meva cha ||

Indriyani hayanahuh vishayamsssteshu gocharan |

Atmendriya manoyuktam bhoktetya hurmanishinah ||

(Katthopanishad 1.3.3 &1.3.4)

(Atma is owner of the chariot, body is the chariot, intellect is the driver and mind is the bridle. Senses are horses, worldly objects are the paths passed by the horses. Learned scholars say that the Jiva -Individual soul - engrossed with the 'gross body, senses and mind' is the one  who experiences this life).

A variant version  of this comparison between body and chariot is to be found in  Annamacharya keertana, 'Gurrala Gattani Teru Konka Kendaina Bari'.

'The Jiva, (Individual Soul) is driver of the chariot called 'body' drawn by horses called the 'sense organs'. The owner of this chariot is the Almighty (Universal Soul).  These powerful horses are capable of pulling the chariot to any extent without fear or hesitation.  The Jiva is driving with a sense of arrogance about the capabilities of his horses.

'This chariot has at its back a pair of peep holes, a cross bar at the base of the yoke for resting the feet of the driver, his keen sight functioning as the bridles of the horses (senses). The Jiva is driving majestically.

'The five colourful screens of the chariot are the five Elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space). The flags of the chariot are the two hands of the Jiva and above all the head of the Jiva is the top of the chariot. The Jiva is driving the chariot made of five elements.The actions  of the Jiva, both of sin  and piety are the axle nails of the chariot. The food taken by the Jiva is the wooden  planks used for pressing the wheels forward  in difficult terrains.  And the one sitting gracefully in the owners' seat of the chariot and caring about it  is the Almighty.

We are thus exposed to the knowledge about our actual status vis a vis the journey of life . The owner supervising above all others of his own  creation. And such awareness is quite useful in our spiritual pursuit.

"Gurrala Gattani Teru Konka Kendaina Bari"

"Life - Chariot Analogy"

Om Shanti!                                                                                                                                           

'