The secret of the Raasa Krida-Srimath Bhagavatham

In Srimath Bhagavatham, there is an episode of the Raasa Krida. In this episode, all the Gopikas are irresistibly drawn towards Krishna's flute music, drop what they are doing & dance under the moonlight. Controversially, this includes the married Gopikas & this leads to Parikshit (son of Abhimanyu, grandson of Arjuna) questioning Suka (the narrator) on the appropriateness of this act.

In another episode, the Kanchipuram Shankaracharya, Sri Chandrasekhara Saraswati, tells an Upanyasaga (spiritual lecturer) that his young adulation of Krishna's Raasa Krida, eventually led him to become a Sanyasi. This episode has the merit of Sanyasa Yogam.

This is bizarre. Here is Krishna dancing with multiple women. And a saint says that this causes Sanyasam (renunciation).

What's going on?

Examine the Raasa Krida episode in some more detail. Here, Krishna multiplies himself and there is a separate Krishna for each Gopika. Each Gopika believes that she alone has Krishna to herself and the dance is for her alone.

A parallel is seen in a later episode of Srimath Bhagavatham. After defeating Narakaasura, Krishna releases, marries & lives with 16108 wives. When Naarada visits every wife, he sees a separate Krishna living with every one of them. Every wife thinks that Krishna is living with her alone.

What does this mean?

Imagine an ocean. An infinite ocean of bliss. Still, unmoving. Bliss itself, unaware that it is bliss, desires to experience bliss. This wind of desire stirs up the calm ocean. There are now multiple waves in this ocean. Every wave is different, unique in shape, speed. Every wave thinks that it is separate from the ocean, has its own attributes & characteristics. And every wave is dancing on the ocean. It traveled everywhere seeking happiness, but it itself was bliss. Now, having experienced something other than bliss, the wave has to let go of its desire & it will merge back into the ocean of bliss. It was never really separate from the ocean, it only deluded itself that it was separate.

We life forms are the waves. We are all unique in our attributes & characteristics. We are all dancing our own unique dance of life. God is within us with the dance, with all of us in our dances. We believe that our own unique dance of life is ours alone. We are the Gopikas. We are the waves. The eternal bliss of the ocean is Krishna. The Paramaatman has multiplied into individual Jivaatmas (souls), providing life and dancing with us. We are all married permanently to the ocean of bliss. There is no escape from eventual eternal bliss. How soon the wave lets go of its unique desires, realizes that it is part of the ocean and merges with the ocean is up to the wave. It is up to us.

The Shrutis also say that truth is multi-layered. In spiritual progress, we all go from lesser truths to greater truths.

Our mind keeps us busy. Fulfilling desire after desire. Eventually, there will come the music of the divine. When that happens, like the Gopikas, we will leave everything and go to dance with the divine. This is what the Saadhus, Rishis & great saints have repeatedly done.

Why the number 16108 for the number of wives? In Ayurveda, there are 72000 nadis (tubes that pulse). Of these, 16108 are important. Narakaasura, the demonic son of earth, keeps them imprisoned. Narakaasura represents our own ego that has imprisoned these nadis. During self-awakening (divine dance of the self), these nadis get awakened.

This dance is called Raasa Krida. What is Rasa?

Nandikeshwara नन्दिकेश्वर defines it in अभिनयदर्पण Abhinaya Darpana 37 in a famous verse.

Yato Hasta tato Drushti; Yato Drushti tato Manaha; Yato Manaha tato Bhavaha; Yato Bhava tato Rasaha.

‘Where the hand goes, the eyes should follow; where the eyes are, the mind should follow; where the mind is, the emotion expressed; where expressed, the Rasa will manifest.’

Rasa loosely means flavor. Rasas are defined in Bharatha Muni's Natya Shastra, the treatise on dance. They are created by a Bhaava or state of mind. The Bhaavas are Rati (love), Hasya (laughter), Shoka (sorrow), Krodha (anger), Utsaha (energy-similar to the Tamil Urchaham), Bhaya (fear), Jugupsa (disgust) & Vismaya (astonishment). The Rasas are Shrungaaram (beautification), Haasyam (comedy), Raudram (anger), Kaarunyam (compassion), Bibhatsam (disgust), Bhaayanakam (fear), Veeram (valor) & Adbhutham (wonder). There is one final Rasa not caused by a Bhaava, rather one that exists outside of Bhaavas. This is called Shaantham (peace). All these Rasas are called the Nava-Rasas (nine flavors).

In Tamizh, a flavorful soup with multiple spices is called Rasam.

This dance of life takes us through multiple emotions. This is the Raasa Lila. Lila means play. This is a play where we experience multiple Rasas. This is also the Raasa Krida. Krida means crown. When the dance truly becomes a dance with the divine, we will experience the crown or highest point of the emotions in a positive manner including the final inevitable Shaantham (peace).

List of Rasas:

Śṛṅgāraḥ शृङ्गार: Vishnu. green

Hāsyam हास्यं:  Shiva. white

Raudram रौद्रं: Shiva. red

Kāruṇyam कारुण्यं:  Yama. grey

Bībhatsam बीभत्सं:  Shiva. blue

Bhayānakam भयानकं: Yama. black

Veeram वीरं: Indra. saffron

Adbhutam अद्भुतं: Brahma. yellow

Śāntam: शान्तं:  Vishnu.  white

Continued in Male & Female Divinity

References:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=+rasakreeda+
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasa_(aesthetics)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasa_lila
https://books.google.co.in/books?dq=16,000+nadis&hl=en&id=CBEqgAIh7XcC&lpg=PA46&ots=mdUOxvVlR4&pg=PA46&sa=X&sig=voHEpEuOF-1xZSBcYD6czR0yFtk&source=bl&ved=0ahUKEwiIj9mBm5nRAhUMOI8KHdbeCJQQ6AEIMzAE#v=onepage&q=16%2C000%20nadis&f=false
https://www.quora.com/Why-did-the-Hindu-God-Krishna-have-16-000-wives/answer/Pranav-Chaitanya-1

https://twitter.com/subhash_kak/status/1308806461460545539

Saptapadi & Apadharma

Dharma is that which uplifts, that which is correct.
Adharma is something regressive & incorrect.

What is Apadharma? What is the Samskritam prefix: Apa?

Swaram is a musical note. Apaswaram is music that's off-key.
Aparaatham is an offence. Aparathi is the offender. Niraparaathi is someone who is wrongly accused & innocent.
Aachaaram is performing a good, clean action. Aachaarya is someone who teaches by their high actions. Apachaaram is doing something that shouldn't be done.
Maanam is self-respect. Apamaanam is humiliation. (In Tamil, this has become Avamaanam).
Sagunam means an omen or a sign of things to come. Apasagunam means a bad omen.
Smara means to remember. Apasmara is a wrong sense of remembrance, representing our current state. Apasmara is symbolized by the demon at the feet of Nataraja.

In the Mahabharatha, Bhishma explains Apadharma to Yudhishtira right before his death in the Apadharmanusasana Parva.

There was a prince named Satyavrata. Satyavratha abducts a bride while she is getting married. He argues a technicality: he abducted her before the seven step ceremony was completed. What is the seven step ceremony?

During Hindu marriages, the bride & groom take seven steps (Saptapadi) around the fire (Agni). Sometimes the groom leads, sometimes the bride. The couple have to guide each other. Why, seven steps though?

A circle has 360 degrees. The earliest exposition of 360 degrees in a circle comes from a blind Angirasa Rishi in the Rig Veda, Dirgatamas Auchatya. Why 360? The ancient Rig Veda (Aitareya Brahmana 7.17) approximated a year to 360 days (to be corrected by the much later Yajur Veda Taittiriya Samhita 7.1.0), leading to 360 degrees still in vogue for circles. In the Hindu decimal number system that would eventually be adopted throughout the world, in the numbers 1-9, 360 is not divisible only by the number seven. Seven steps means that nothing can divide the relationship.

In the story of Savitri, Yama (death) takes away her husband, Satyavan's atman (loosely translated as soul). Savitri being a realized atman, perceives Yama & follows him. Yama realizes that he is being followed and asks Savitri to return. Savitri states that if anyone walks seven steps with someone else, they are technically friends. She has walked more than seven steps with Yama. Hence, Yama is now her friend. As a friend, he doesn't have a right to ask her to turn back. After some dramatic episodes, she fetches back Satyavan's atman.

As adolescents in college, there were debates if it is ok for friends to fall in love & marry. However, the seven steps around the fire as a witness (Agni Saakshi) is an affirmation of friendship between the husband & wife. Being friends for life is a requirement.

Returning to Satyavrata's argument, Rishi (sage) Vasishta rejects his argument on technicalities, since he had essentially sinned by abducting an unwilling bride. He advises Satyavrata's father (Tribandhana, meaning the three bonds of Moha-delusion, Dvesha-hatred & Raga-excessive desire), the king to banish the prince. The prince, from being a Kshatriya (warrior & royal), is now banished to be a Chandala (outcaste/untouchable). Note how the Varna (color, loosely translated as caste) of the prince has changed.

Satyavratha commits two other sins & gains the name: Tri-shanku (thrice sinner).

Next comes a terrible drought. Sage Viswamitra is starving. (Viswamitra was once, Kausika, a powerful Kshatriya (warrior) king. Finding his weapons useless against Vasishta, he decides to perform penance (Tapas) & become a Rishi. This is another example of a Varna change.) Viswamitra sees some dog's meat in a Chandala's house & steals it. The Chandala, however, catches him in the act. The Chandala is none other than Trishanku.

Trishanku argues that Viswamitra is committing these sins. Stealing, that too from an excommunicated & now Chandala's house, eating meat (prohibited for a Rishi/Brahmana), that too of a dog (considered base meat to be avoided) and further, the meat of the lower portion of the body (the most base part). Viswamitra argues that he needs to eat to survive in these desperate times. Trishanku relents.

Yudhishtira questions Bhishma on this episode, and how this can be right. Bhishma responds that this is Apadharma; in desperate times, acts that would be considered wrong in normal circumstances are allowed & considered valid.

Later, Viswamitra would use his powers of penance (Tapas) to create a separate heaven (swargam) for Trishanku. The term Trishanku swargam means a good place that is not quite the real thing but somewhat in-between. Viswamitra gains his name because of his helpful nature to the world (Viswa means world, mitra means friend).

References:
http://indiafacts.org/asymmetrical-application-dharma-unlearnt-lessons/
https://swarajyamag.com/ideas/a-culture-of-discrimination-or-a-culture-of-emancipation-a-critical-look-at-romila-thapars-latest-book
https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/trishanku
https://www.exoticindiaart.com/article/savitri-and-satyavan/

Ramayana: the secret of the Maya cave

In the Ramayana, once Sita is kidnapped, Sugriva sends out search teams in four directions. The team to the south comprising Hanuman, Angada, Jambavan & other Vanaras (monkeys) come across a cave during their search.

This cave is described as a Maya cave. The Vanaras, intending to search the cave, get stuck inside, and are unable to figure out a way to exit. They chance upon a Yogini called SwayamPrabha. The Yogini says that it is not possible to get out of the cave with open eyes and asks them to close their eyes. Then, she helps them exit the cave.

If I wish to explain an important concept, I can describe it in a dry factual manner. But how appealing would it be? If I make it into a story that even a child can remember and make it interesting, chances are that it would survive through the ages, won't it?

Let us examine this story in more detail. Maya means illusion. This cave is a cave of illusion. Once you are stuck in Maya, you cannot leave. Once we're stuck in our own illusion that we are this body, mind, ego, we cannot get rid of this illusion. The Yogini's name is SwayamPrabha. Swayam means self, Prabha means light. SwayamPrabha means light of the self. The only way to get rid out of this cave is through the light of the self. And it is not possible to exit with open eyes. It is not possible to get rid of our illusion using our sense organs (Jnana Indriyas).

In this beautiful story, the concept of Self realization is cleverly hidden.

References:
https://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/kish/sarga50/kishkindha_50_frame.htm
https://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/kish/sarga51/kishkindha_51_frame.htm
https://valmikiramayan.net/utf8/kish/sarga52/kishkindha_52_frame.htm

The different ways of acquiring knowledge

How can we acquire knowledge? What are the different ways?

Here, I shall talk about what ancient India came up with. Pramaanam (प्रमाण) is a way of acquiring knowledge. Different darshanas (ways of perceiving the truth) accept different Pramaanams.

1. Pratyaksha (प्रत्यक्ष) Pramaanam: Perception. What I can perceive exists. The Charvaka Darshana (atheism) accepts only Pratyaksha as a valid means of knowledge. I cannot perceive the divine; therefore divinity doesn't exist.

2. Anumaana (अनुमान) Pramaanam: Inference. Eg: If I see smoke, I can infer that there's a fire. The Vaiseshika Darshana accepts Pratyaksha & Anumaana Pramaanam. It is fundamentally a study of the material world, relying on direct perception & inference.

3. Shabdha (शब्द) Pramaanam: Shabdha means Word. The word of a trusted source can be trusted. Eg: I've never seen the North Pole. But trusted sources tell me that it exists. Therefore, it must exist. Samkya Darshana & Yoga Darshana accept Pratyaksha, Anumaana & Shabdha Pramaanam. Experienced meditators have had spiritual experiences, whose word can be trusted. There is Prakriti, that which is material. If you remove all that is material, including your own mind which is material in nature, only Purusha (non-material) remains. Yoga will still your mind and help you experience Purusha in a state of Samadhi. The Samkya/Yoga derived Buddhism also accepts Pratyaksha, Anumaana & Shabdha pramaanam. Trusting an untrustworthy source is dangerous, though.

4. Upamaana (उपमान) Pramaanam: Comparison or Analogy. If you are describing something new to someone who has never perceived it, say a new creature, you will compare it will something that the user knows about to give him an idea. Nyaya Darshana accepts Pratykasha, Anumaana, Shabdha & Upamaana Pramaanam. Nyaya is a system of logic. For a non-truth seeker, this is a problematic Pramaanam to employ in debates.

5. Arthaapatthi (अर्थापत्ति) Pramaanam: Inference from circumstances. If I tell you: Devadatta is obese & Devadatta doesn't eat in the day, what can you infer? Devadatta must eat in the night. The (Purva) Mimaamsa Darshana accepts Arthaapatthi, in addition to Pratyaksha, Anumaana, Shabdha & Upamaana Pramaanam. Mimaamsa means critical investigation. It encourages leading a normal life with good thoughts & actions.

6. Anupalabdi (अनुपलब्धि)/Abhava (अभाव) Pramaanam: Non-existence. I search for my keys in my pocket. My pockets are empty, but there are no keys. Hence, the keys are not in my pocket, they have to be somewhere else. Uttara-Mimaamsa/Vedanta & the Kumarila Bhatta sub-school of (Purva) Mimamsa accept Anupalabdi Pramaanam in addition to Pratyaksha, Anumaana, Shabdha, Upamaana & Arthaapatthi Pramaanam. This talks about multiple ways to the truth, using Karma (action), Jnana (wisdom/meditation) & Bhakthi (devotion).


References:

http://vedham.blogspot.com/2019/05/an-introduction-to-hindu-traditions.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pramana
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mīmāṃsā

The spiritual culture of Pichai (begging)

It is now Sep 2018. Who is the CEO of Google? Sundar Pichai. What is Pichai?

In Tamil, Pichai means alms, that which you give to a beggar. This is derived from the Samskritam Bhiksha.

Now, why would someone name his son as Pichai? Isn't this a demeaning term?

In the olden days, any Brahmachari (unmarried spiritual student) should seek alms until his spiritual studies are complete to reduce his ego. He would seek alms to the lady of a house with the words: Bhavathi Bhiksham Dehi (Lady, please give me alms). Now, this doesn't seem as bad as before. But it still doesn't seem like a good name for a son, right?

When a married couple doesn't have a child but are seeking one, they would pray to God for a child. Sometimes, they would pray that if they are blessed with a child, they would name the child Pichai, meaning the child is something that God gave as alms to the couple.

Sometimes, well off people would deliberately give up everything and live as a beggar. This is a form of Tapas (austerity) for a prayer or to deliberately reduce our own ego. The true story of a wealthy businessman who lived in this manner inspired the Tamil movie: Pichaikaran.

There is a wonderful contemporary song composed by Ilaiyaraja on the concept of Pichai. Beseeching in tone, yearning & pleading, what does this song talk about?

What is our human body for? Is it to experience the joys & sorrows of the human condition & depart? Or is there something more? Maybe the purpose is to find out for ourselves the ultimate truth? Maybe this is a tool for that purpose?

Maybe this body of flesh, nerves, bones & blood is a Pichai/Bhikshai Pathiram (begging bowl)? When nothing is truly mine and everything is yours (God's), what can I truly seek with this begging bowl? Is this simply something given by my parents? Or do I exist in this body instead of a pure form because of past Karma? What is the truth? I'm here in this begging bowl because I don't know the truth in the form of a puppet. And you (God) are the puppeteer.

Not once, not twice, you made me take several births. Is it new Karma or old Karma? You make me suffer moment after moment. This life where I hanker after material pleasures is meaningless. I am yearning for your grace.

You look at me with eyes that bless, flowery feet that bless, embrace me with your blessed hand and bless me.

In this song, Ilaiyaraja refers to God as Ayyan. Ayya is derived from the Samskritam word, Arya, which means someone noble. Ayyan can mean father. It also means someone respectable. Ayyan is also used for Shiva.

Reference:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=bhikshai+pathiram