Religious discourse: From darkness to light

Religious discourse: From darkness to light: Kalidasa describes Raghu’s ascetic life as a journey that led him from the darkness of ignorance to the light of Infinite Reality. This is the state of realisation that the Upanishads describe as Brahman...

The Hindu, June 6, 2016

Kalidasa describes Raghu’s ascetic life as a journey that led him from the darkness of ignorance to the light of Infinite Reality. This is the state of realisation that the Upanishads describe as Brahma Jnana and Atma Jnana, pointed out Sri N. Veezhinathan in a lecture.
In the Chandogya Upanishad, the well-versed Narada seeks the realised sage Sanatkumara’s guidance to gain that higher truth which can give release from sorrow. The sage elicits from Narada the extent of his knowledge. Narada says that he has studied all branches of learning — art, science, music, philosophy and even the sacred scriptures. Yet he feels an emptiness as his inner being longs for peace and freedom from sorrow. Sanatkumara then explains that only reflection and meditation on the Brahman can help one transcend sorrow and that all other kinds of empirical knowledge are limited in nature. Reflecting on the power of one’s own mind, speech, will, ability to discriminate and concentrate on the beyond is the best method to be adopted. Still it is only through insight and intuition that one realises Brahman as the very principle of life. He then has to continue to meditate on Brahman as power, food, water, fire and ether, and, as memory and hope.
An aspirant for this jnana begins with faith and reverence in the scriptures and in the Guru. He practices the yoga of self control which helps to purify the senses and the heart. He discerns that the association of the body and the self is not the real phenomenon and sees his self as inseparable from the infinite reality. Then the constant thought of the self is predominant and all bonds are severed and one gains freedom. Viveka, discrimination, and Vairagya, detachment, are the essential qualities of mind in the path to realisation.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NAVAGRAHA STOTRAM

NAVAGRAHA STOTRAM* According to astrology, the positions of the nine planets in the twelve constellations of the zodiac and their movements are considered to be quite significant. The nine planets ‘Navagraha’ affect every aspect of human life. They play an important role in the activities, physical and mental health and life of any individual. The unfavorable positioning of any of these planets can be the cause of problems, bad health, and stagnation for many people. However, there is a solution to avoid the ill effects of the position and movement of the ‘Navagraha’ in our lives. Navagraha mantras (or stotram) are simple mantras which work as powerful healing tools to reduce the negative effects of any of the nine planets. These mantras are Hindu holy hymn addressing the nine planets. Benefits Of Navagraha Stotram And The Way to Practice The Navagraha Stotram is written b y Rishi Vyasa and is considered to be the peace mantra for the nine planets. They are powerful m
Read more

THE SUNSET OF THE CENTURY

*SUNSET OF THE CENTURY: Rabindranath Tagore THE LAST SUN OF THE CENTURY SETS AMIDST THE BLOOD-RED COLOURS OF THE WEST AND THE WHIRLWIND OF HATRED. THE NAKED PASSION OF SELF-LOVE OF NATIONS IN ITS DRUNKEN DELIRIUM OF GREED IS DANCING TO THE CLASH OF STEEL AND THE HOWLING VERSES OF VENGEANCE. THE HUNGRY SELF OF THE NATION SHALL BURST IN A VIOLENCE OF FURY FROM ITS OWNSHAMELESS FEEDING FOR IT HAS MADE THE WORLDITS FOOD, AND LICKING IT, CRUNCHING IT AND SWALLOWING IT IN BIG MORSELS, IT SWELLS AND SWELLS TILL IN THE MIDST OF ITS UNHOLY FEAST DESCENDS THE SUDDEN HEAVEN PIERCING ITS HEART OF GROSSNESS…   *Note: “The Sunset of the Century”, translated by the poet, from Naivedya; The English Writings of   Rabindranathtagore, Volume II,Delhi 1996, page 466. Quoted in his article ‘Critiquing nationalism’ by K Satchidanandan (Frontline, November 14, 2014). The article takes you to a much broader spectrum. HAPPY READING(READ MORE STAN
Read more

The King of Ragas: Sankarabharanam

                       The King of Ragas                      --------------------------     Long ago  serpents were put to lot of hardships.They  were afraid of other animals. They had to seek refuge in the hermitage of sage Saraba.The sage was a true devotee of Lord Shiva.He used to pray Shiva with melodious songs. As he sang a particular raga the snakes were much inspired and they began to dance,. Slowly the serpents became friendly with the sage. They brought water in their mouths for the pooja.They secreted  a special fluid in which the flowers got stuck to their bodies.The sage was much astonished by the service of the snakes.As the sarpas became very close to the sage ,they requested him to help having Darsan of Lord Siva. As requested by the sage Shiva appeared in the form of  a  Kapalika and stayed in the ashram.The music and dance of the snakes continued. The snakes rendered service to the kapalika as they considered him  a Shiva bhakta.Shiva was much pleased with t
Read more