FUMBLE WITH KNOWLEDGE !

'Awareness' and 'Reality'! When they drift apart, the underlying surreptitious 'Cause' , once comprehended, is but a 'Surprise'! To elaborate, We are all pretty well 'aware', in minutest detail,  the best attributes behoved of us to pursue in this worldly existence to realize 'Salvation'. To be more specific, understanding the ephemeral nature of worldly possessions, discarding 'Selfishness', indulging in more and more dissemination of love and compassion, gradual involvement in acquiring spiritual knowledge through holy scriptures, participating in religious discourses, paying visits to the holy saints and shrines and spending more and more time in inward journey ! But in 'reality', we are all not being able to escape from succumbing to worldly attractions, passions and consequential misdeeds! The 'Root Cause' for this however turns out, rather 'surprisingly',  to be the 'Play of Illusion' by the Almighty. Once we are able to comprehend this, is it not wise for us to turn to the same Almighty by way of total surrender for our Salvation !

The way of our being caught unaware in the Illusions of this world despite of our 'knowledge' and the noble way of escape from it, is being dealt in the sankeertana, "Adi Ne Neragana Antalo Bhramatu Gaka", by the poet savant Annamacharya......

'O Lord! I am well aware of all the noble requisites for the realization of salvation. But still I surrender inadvertently to the Play of Illusion of the Almighty and indulge in all worldly matters. Please provide me the right knowledge and intelligence to extricated myself from this entanglement.

'What of use having plethora of worldly knowledge. It is not at all helpful (for salvation).  Instead, contemplation on the Almighty showers a million benefits. Notion of deriving entertainment with pleasure in the engagement of the strange persons is mistaken and fruitless. Instead, spending more and more in the company of the spiritual nobility pays off dividends.

'Curiosity about the news of happenings at various places around the globe is cause of one's woes. Instead, sparing time on perusal of holy scriptures (purifies the mind) and becomes cause of peace and piety. Indulgence in  agriculture and business remain as physical strain in the end. Even the performance of deeds as per one's customs and  traditions leaves one with dissatisfaction in the end.

'O Lord ! All the relationships we enter into are but our  open willful entanglements. (I realize)The service to our 'Sadguru' is the means of deliverance.  Hence, O Lord! You are the One to grace us with double effect; One, By taking  care of us in passing through this worldly existence and  two, By granting blissful eternal life in the other worlds!'........

Our human nature of side tracking into the mud,  cleansing and repeating the same time and again with full knowledge is detailed here with a view to correct ourselves from being carried away by the baits of seemingly pleasure troves of 'mirages' of this world!

"Adi Ne Neragana Antalo Bhramatu Gaka"

Earthly Pleasures; A Mirage!

Om Shanti!

ENDLESS KARMAS ?

Karmas generate Bandhas; to extricate from these Bandhas one  undergoes rebirth and indulges in further Karmas, again amassing a bundle of Bandhas in the process! Thus the vicious circle of births and deaths to experience the Karmas and Bandhas is alternating eternal activity the end of which is not to be found by the human being in near future.But one need not worry at all! There is a 'death knell' for the seemingly endless Karmas too. It is again by being shrewd enough to bank on the grace of the Almighty through 'Surrender'! Let us see how it works.

For the inquisitive learned souls who are weary about the vicious circle and wish ardently for an escape mechanism, Annamachaarya's message through sankeertanas is quite inspiring. One such kriti on the related subject is, "Ennadu Diravu Yi Panulu"......

'O Lord ! The Karmas - Actions - ascribed to us by You are never ending.  It is all due to Your 'Play of Illusion'. It wields the lives of the 'beings' in multi faceted forms in this world.

'The heads of various faiths and religions do not agree with each other on any issue nor settle for common conscience. They continue to harp on multifarious Gods and Goddesses.  And they pose themselves as the ultimate authority on the authenticity and veracity of their religious practices.

'The education imparted in the various scriptures and studies differs from person to person, place to place and time to time.  Their methodology follows different routes.  They too do not concur on any single proposition. Men are of the nature of always entering in to arguments and try to contradict with each other's opinions.  They while away in rhetoric.

'O Lord! Your  devotees are all blessed lot on being moulded by Your  grace. They always maintain composure in all diversities.  Their mentors (Gurus) have taught them this stature!'.....

Thus we have a clear vision of the vicious circle caused by the Play of Illusion by the Almighty Himself and also the adapting technique to the situation by approaching the 'root cause of all', through unconditional total surrender Within ! The cherished outcome? Liberation through a composed, ever-blissful living !

"Ennadu Diravu Yi Panulu"

One Being; Multi Cults?

Om Shanti!

FACTORS THAT MOULD.........

In Indian Vedanta Philosophy, one has no escape from 'Prarabdha Karma Phala' - bearing the results of  his previous birth.  To certain extent, this life is being ordained by the Almighty too.
Besides these, cravings of his own mind also have their share in deciding his life on this earth. Till being awakened in respect of 'self' and  embarking on the pursuit of salvation, he has to continue endless traversing of this cycle of births and deaths inescapably.

These deciding factors of moulding  and shaping one's life on this earth are dealt in the sankeertana, "Tana Karma Vasam Binchuka", by poet savant Annamacharya.

'The human being on this earth can't part with certain things such as pitiable and wretched conditions, cravings of the mind, mean and difficult situations, entanglements, unquenchable thirst, physical body, relationships with other beings and span of his life time.

'Similarly, devouring looks of lust, provocations in self and in others, intent smiles, differences, ecstasies, getting flattened with high spirits, not being on talking terms, being stubborn, having infatuations ; all lasting only till one's mind is preoccupied with them.

'Similarly, the being's fears and anxieties, awareness, familiarity of persons, incessant thoughts, (egoistic) intelligence; all accrue with the grace of the Almighty only. It is unwarranted to try to understand the ordaining of the Almighty.  If this were known, man would become Almighty. And Almighty would become Man!'......

Once the  factors that mould our existence on this earth are revealed, and since Divine Ordainment is unquestionable, it is a conclusive corollary, in pursuit of salvation, to make our efforts in harnessing the subtle factor within us - the Mind !

"Tana Karma Vassm Binchuka"

Moulding From Clay!

Om Shanti!

VANITY OF EARTHLY PLEASURES

Pleasures and pains experienced in this earthly existence are but potential harming agents when observed closely at them. Their functionality is same - that of dragging one in to bondages over and over in the cycles of births and deaths.  Nothing to be found so special about this at anytime.  It's rather a matter of routine for the earthlings.

The vanity of these ephemeral pleasures and pains and a wise escape from them is described by Annamacharya, with various similes, in his sankirtana, "Emi Gala Dindu Enta Kalam Baina".......

'Human desires and passions are like insurmountable mountain.  If any infatuation crops up, it entangles like a wall separating from all other issues and persons in to the less priority ones. Senility is weak and fragile like that of a pith.  This body like wound always itching for something or other.  The passions of sensual pleasures are but like a fig looking beautiful and shiny outwardly but infested with worms when opened apart.

'Mind is brittle like bell metal; broken into pieces when slips down. Wealth is like melting iceberg.  It vanishes within no time.  Sensual pleasure is a delusion lasting  about a wink of eye. Glamour is fleeting like 'minchu' - a toe ornament worn by groom only on the occasion of wedding and discarded next moment.  Help done to others is easily  forgotten by them like the 'muttu penchu' - a piece of clay touched by the untouchables and thrown away.  Over all, concern about these ephemeral ones detailed above is great delusion in itself.

'This birth is like a restriction (bondage).  Nobody ever knows when the relief would be forthcoming for him.  Contemplation is like the ankle, stay put along with oneself lifelong.  'Karma bandha' - entanglements of actions is like the 'paka' - thatched shelter; which can't be deserted at any time.  But when the grace of Almighty is sought with reverence, all the heat of mundane acts turn one's life into a mine of mirths'........

Spiritual awakening is the cherished  motive behind the sankeertanas of Annamcharya, that too in a pleasant way of quoting  day to day objects as similes, targeted at the commoner. So the educated would find it more easier to follow his message  about the path of realisation !  

"Emi Gala Dintu Enta Kalambaina"

Pleasure of Treasure !

Om Shanti !

VAISHNAVITE DE FACTO !

How people are to be judged? Is it by their physical appearance or from the actions emanating from their heart?  Certainly, the answer in case of a 'true seeker' is:  A devout follower of the Almighty is to be identified with his noble traits of love and compassion about fellow beings;  being selfless and detached from worldly matters; and being complacent in eking out his livelihood with simple means. Thus anybody can realise the Almighty irrespective his following of any sect or tradition.

A 'Vaishnavite' in literal sense is an ardent follower of Lord Vishnu.  In appearance, he anoints (marks) 'namam' on forehead and sometimes additional symbols on arms as a sectoral formality of being called Vaishnavite as such. In the view of Annamacharya however, follower of righteous path of spirituality alone is to be honoured as the true 'Vaishbavite' and not the one with external appearance mentioned above.  We find this notion in his sankeertana, 'Valedanu Varide Vaishnavamu'....

'Anyone is eligible as of his choice, for accepting the 'Vaishnavism' (astute devotion of Almighty).  It does not have any bar of caste, creed or geographical boundaries whatsoever.  Its fragrance spreads far and wide.

'Gradual nullification of all desires and passions and detachment from all worldly matters of pleasures and pains, is Vaishnavism.  Being in full control of 'ever attempting to raise its ugly head' emotion - the anger; is Vaishnavism.

'Being able to get rid of the dualities of pleasures and pains storming the body like whirlwind is Vaishnavism.  Being able to extricate from becoming slave to the subjugating powers of the senses is Vaishnavism.

'Gradual renunciation from all worldly participation in  rites and rituals passed down by customs and traditions and surrendering 'in toto' to the Almighty is Vaishnavism.  Finally, the state of one's incessant  and perpetual attention with awareness of the Almighty within is 'Vaishnavism de facto'!.......

What more humanitarianism can we expect from Annamcharya, a great disciple of Ramanujacharya, the philosopher - saint beyond caste and creed! Let us fully derive benefit of their profound spiritual trove !

"Valenanu Varide Vaishnavamu"

Vaishnavite !

Om Shanti !

WHAT IF SATAN NEARER, WHEN SAVIOUR WITH YOU !

Human life is replete with all dualities.  Good, bad; pleasure, pain; piety, sin; strong, feeble; gentle, wicked; rich, poor; happiness, sorrow; heat, cold; light, dark; dynamic, static; active, dull; to mention only a few dimensions.The tendencies in one's life are to acquire bad things easily when compared to good ones. Destruction and devastation can occur within no time but to build a thing, it takes concerted effort, money and time. To be spoiled by bad company is matter of minutes but to become gentle by courting only the company of noble persons is difficult to realise even in months and years. Uphill hours, downhill minutes. In general, to acquire good things it requires much devotion and effort.  Even in the case of one's becoming aware of the Supreme Knowledge by turning inwards, grace of the Almighty is essential.

Human nature of tendencies is explained in grass root level simplicity, in the sankeerana of Pedatirumalayya, "Papamu Cheruva Pranuniki"........

'Sin seems to be within reach of the being, but where is 'piety'?  Why it is not nearer to the beings?

'Emotion of anger triggers very fast within us.  But 'peace' is not to be found anywhere nearby. Unbridled desires and aspirations are looming large within our mind.  But the sense of 'detachment' is not to be sighted anywhere nearby.

'Looks of passion and lust are in my own sight.  but where is the sight of 'Spiritual Wisdom'?  My tongue utters in the vein of timid and pitiful condition.  But it doesn't know what is being 'bold, brave and chivalrous'.  What a pity?

'Lo! My body is ridden with ignoble and impious deeds. But I am not able to find anywhere nearby, the 'righteous deeds' behoved of me to perform.  However, despite all the above mentioned perplexities of life undergone by me, I am happy to assert that I am being blessed with fulfilling the purpose of this life by the grace of the Almighty' !.....

We are all of normal intelligence which accepts the fact that 'to err is human'. And our wisdom lies in the act of realising the way of disentanglement from the avoidable tendencies in the dualities detailed above and treading the path of enlightenment in the company of the spiritual nobility!

"Papamu Cheruva Pranuniki"

When Saviour is With You!

Om Shanti!

SAMA BUDDHI- CRUX OF VEDAS

'Samam Sarveshu Bhuteshu Tishtantam Visweswaram': The Gita words reveal residing of the Almighty in all beings of this creation in equal measure.  And His power of Maya, illusory nature in the Individual Soul, is such that every being on this earth from tiny ant to mighty quadrupeds,  lives with a feeling of honour that their birth is the most  'supreme and comfortable' one, compared to the other forms of existence. The basic urges of hunger, fear, sleep and mating are common to all beings of this earth.  Only those who know the spiritual truths about the Almighty's play of Illusion acquire 'Sama Buddhi', trait of equanimity - unaffected and composed state - in all conditions of duality - pleasure and pain, dire poverty and opulence; and regard all beings with equal respect due to the awareness of presence of Almighty in them.

Vedas have dealt with this trait of 'Sama Buddhi' at length and we come across a sankeertana too by Annamacharya on this topic; "Sama Buddhe Indariki Sarva Veda Saramu".....

'The crux (essence) of all Vedas boils down to one noble quality;  'Sama Buddhi' - gesture of showing respect to all beings in this creation with equal measure, ignoring the duality of mean and high births. Since the Almighty resides in all beings in equal measure.  the getting of births are as per the 'karma phalas' - effects of actions of previous births - of the individuals under the surveillance of the Almighty however. Hence it is invariably the Almighty only in whom one has to seek the source of salvation.

'From the perspective of the human beings, an ant, mosquito and fly are all tiny insignificant insects in creation.  But from their perspective, each insect considers its life  as the most 'comfortable and honourable' one, when compared to the lives of other beings on this earth! This stance of theirs is again on account of play of Illusion by the Almighty.

'All beings in this creation, marine, birds, animals and homo sapiens (human); have the same cycle of life namely births and deaths; and same basic urges of life namely, hunger, fear, sleep and mating. Every being comes into this world empty handed and leaves this world empty handed.  Then, is there any one carrying anything along with him while leaving?  Absolutely nothing!

'Is it not true that no being has any sort of choice or control over its mode of births and deaths, longevity (span) and way of living in this world ? Then, why judge one being superior to the other, when the Almighty resides in all of them equally?  Being aware of this knowledge, it is wise for one, to seek refuge in the Almighty within and feel secured and comfortable'........

Almighty ordained this precious life to us with much affection and love. Let us feel comfortable with it and justify our existence by accomplishment of acts willed by the Almighty; of course by imbibing the 'Veda Saram', -  'Sama Buddhi'!

"Sama Buddhe Indariki Sarva Veda Saramu"

Message by Alexander;
Leaving Empty Handed!

Om Shanti!