Thursday, July 16, 2009

ಪದವಿಗಳು

ಪದವಿ - In common kannada parlance, ಪದವಿ means a degree or a post or a position. This is a very common word in ಕನ್ನಡ used as:
1. attribute (post or position)
2. adjective (degree)

But, you get another meaning to this word at a different level of consciousness.
1. ಸಾಲೋಕ್ಯ ಪದವಿ
2. ಸಾಮೀಪ್ಯ ಪದವಿ
3. ಸಾರೂಪ್ಯ ಪದವಿ
4. ಸಾಯುಜ್ಯ ಪದವಿ

The above list is in the ascending order to obtain "THE GOAL - the final emancipation - Moksha".

Each individual has his or her own capabilities to reach anyone of the above mentioned padavi.

1. ಸಾಲೋಕ್ಯ: this is a situation where You are in the loka of the Supreme. For easy understanding, assume you are a devotee of Ganesha and He has a loka and due to your constant devotion and prayer, you are allowed to enter the divine realms of Ganapati Loka. This means that you enter His house but cannot reach Him yet. This level is the first level and quite a powerful level in today's Kaliyuga ergonomics.

2. ಸಾಮೀಪ್ಯ: 2nd level of consciousness where your realisation level is fit to 'go' near Ganapati and serve His divine feet. Reaching this level will enable us to 'talk to Him' at his place sitting at his feet.

3. ಸಾರೂಪ್ಯ: penultimate level where we become like Him - in action, in words etc...This is a consciousness level where He and You become one - there is no differentiation (concept of Advaita), BUT there is still a chance to losing that 'non dual' entity as this depends on the ripeness of minds.

4. ಸಾಯುಜ್ಯ: Last level where You merge into Him without having to bother about the cycle of birth and death (ಪುನರಪಿ ಜನನಂ, ಪುನರಪಿ ಮರಣಂ ). This is THE most difficult level to achieve, yet, we have many who have attained this stage and have been enjoying the bliss of Oneness with the Supreme.

May Ganapati give us the strength, remove the obstacles to reach the 4th level.

ಭುವನೇಶ್ವರಿ ವಿಜಯೇತಾಂ

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Asthami Chandra

"अष्टमीचंद्र विभ्राज दलिकस्थल शोभिता " - one who has a shining forehead like the half moon (moon on the eight day)

The above verse, which is very easily recognisable is from the powerful Lalita Sahasranama sthotra.

It would be of interest to note the following from the above verse:
1. why is moon used in the shloka? what is the significance?
2. why is an astami moon referred above? generally accepted notion amongst Hindus are Astami not being an auspicious day.

Lalita Sahasranama is found in Brahmanada Purana and is found as a dialogue between Hayagriva (form of Vishnu) and the sage Agasthya. Though it is Hayagriva mentioned the thousand names of the Mother to Agasthya, there is a very interesting story that reveals how these names were given to the Great Mother by her attendants!!

A study of Astrology reveals that the planet Moon is the indicator (karaka in astrology terminology) for mind (manas) and mother. It can also be found in various astrological texts that mentions that when the Moon in a person's horoscope is strong and not impure, such persons have a good, clean mind and also a long living mother. Therefore it is only natural that moon be directly related to Mother with two aspects:
1. from a mind perspective - she is Maya (feminine power capable of subduing the strongest of persons - Shiva)
2. as a mother - she is the Mother of all Mothers.

Astami is the middle of the moon cycle - be it from new moon (amavasya) to the full moon (Poornima) or Vice versa - which indicates Balance. When you look at the moon in the sky on an asthami, you will not be able to distinguish if the moon cycle is towards Amavasya or Poornima. This is the main significane of the Mother, herself having the asthami moon - which indicates that at the end of it all (when it comes to the final emancipation), she is reachable as a Mother to the persons who are balanced in life and after.

Srimata charanaaravindarpanam

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Guru Ganesh

Sri Gurubhyo Namah
Sri Ganeshaya Namah