Aathmaram
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Sabari Ganesh; “All Rights Reserved”
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Hinduism postulates that God is formless as referred by Adwaitham, and the
umpteen number of forms referred by Dwaitham ultimately rests on the former.
Lord Shiva is the master of the universe. Parvathi is Shiva's consort. The
alternate form is Lord Vishnu. Mahalakshmi is Vishnu's consort. Both Shiva and
Vishnu are very unique in every aspect and quite opposite to the other when
considered in the materialistic plane of view.
In an effort to bring more clarity to our statement, let us imagine auctioning
the properties of both Shiva and Vishnu. The following are the properties of
Shiva - skull, bone, snakes, skin of tiger, ash from burnt corpse, residence
happens to be graveyard, if dug inside his body - poison! Would any of us be
interested in purchasing his properties? Even so, would it be possible to
assess the price of his properties? Absolutely not.
In the case of Vishnu - dress made of pure silk, scented flowers and garlands,
panchajanyam - the conch, sudarshanam - the discus, residence happens to be
vaikuntham with ocean of milk and nectar; surpassing all, Mahalakshmi - the
ultimate goddess of wealth and prosperity, in his bosom! Would any of us be
able to afford his properties? Certainly not.
Even though Shiva and Vishnu represent the same divinity, they are two unique
and opposite poles in the materialistic view point. Both their properties -
priceless in their own unique manner. Parvathi, Shiva's consort; failed to
perceive the divinity, and understand profound truth behind the uniqueness of
Shiva. She, hence compared her situation with Vishnu's consort, Mahalakshmi.
The act of comparing oneself with another is a symptom of lost divinity.
Self-pity and jealousy filled Parvathi to an extent that she could no longer
remain silent. She fully well knew the detached state of Shiva's mind and
understood that she cannot transform HIM. Still, propelled by her agony and
desire, she praised Shiva being the master of the universe and at the same time
requested him to build her a beautiful house similar to that of Mahalakshmi,
Vishnu's consort.
Shiva, smiled inside and told Parvathi that it is her fate to bear the rain and
chill weather of the Himalayas, and she is not destined to possess a house of
her own. Parvathi, encapsulated in Maya, chided Shiva that in spite of his
omnipotence, such words from him were mere indication of his lack of interest
and love towards her. Shiva, unable to pacify his wife, like most of us; chose
an island surrounded by the sea, similar to Vishnu's residence; and built a
beautiful palace, and towns for Parvathi. As stipulated in the scriptures,
Shiva and Parvathi performed the house warming ceremony. King Ravana too was
present in the function!
It is a custom to satisfy the guests with their object of desire without fail.
Ravana, who was the last person to be gratified, when the opportunity arose
requested Shiva, the ownership of the newly constructed palace and towns. Shiva
and Parvathi now had no other option than to surrender their new possession to
Ravana; and hence returned to Himalayas. It was when, Shiva reminded Parvathi
that it was her fate not to possess a house of her own.
However, Parvathi was so very attached to the splendid palace built by her
husband Shiva, that she kept thinking of it all the time. This eventually made
her take birth as Seetha at King Janaka's house. Our thoughts and desire is the
substratum of our birth. Lord Shiva incarnated as SriRam in Ayodhya. Post
marriage, Mother Kaikeyi, who was so long very fond of SriRam, ordered him to
leave the house and head to hermitage. The fate of Parvathi, incarnated as
Seetha is the reason!
In spite of all this turmoil, Seetha failed to realise the truth; along with
SriRam started heading south towards the island where her husband had built a
palace exclusively for her, once upon a time. She was so very attached to the
beauty of her house that compelled her to gain possession of every thing of
beauty and elegance - even the illusive golden deer! Her passion on the palace
was so great that it also exceeded her love towards her husband. It was this
passion that pulled Ravana to her, and her depreciating love towards her
husband made her lose him, by way of Ravana kidnapping her to Srilanka - her
house!
Seetha, separated from her husband sat in loneliness and isolation in Srilanka.
Without her Lord - SriRam, she found herself unable to cherish the pleasures of
the magnificent palace and royalty, that once belonged to her. The pain of
separation from her beloved made her realise that it was only because of her
attachment to materialistic pleasures that she had to lose the warmth, comfort,
blessings and love of her beloved.
When the understanding of truth dawn upon her, Maya disappeared and Seetha
realised the ultimate truth. Her realisation brought SriRam successfully to
Srilanka and she united with him in peace.
It was Parvathi's destiny - never to own a house; that she had to leave her
house built by Lord Shiva. Incarnated as Seetha, her destiny drove her out of
her house in Ayodhya to hermitage. It was Seetha's passion to her house in
Srilanka which exceeded her love of SriRam that separated her from her husband
by way of Ravana kidnapping her. She, in spite of reaching her house in
Srilanka was devoid of happiness due to separation from her Lord SriRam.
Even after returning to Ayodhya, She was once again made to leave her house due
to the vile comments of a dhobi aka laundryman. However, this time, that she
learnt her lesson, she remained in peace at the ashram of Sage Valmiki. Begetting
Lava and Kusha, sons of her husband SriRam, in her duty to continue the family
race; she refused to adorn and grace the palace of Ayodhya, even upon
invitation.
When we compare, we lose our divinity. Desire is the root cause of all sorrow.
It is our attachment to materialistic luxury that separates us from our Lord.
Fate reigns. There is absolutely no free will. Destiny is certain. When Lord
Shiva incarnated as SriRam, Parvathi as Seetha; Nandhi - the bull incarnated as
Hanuman. It is the reason for Hanuman to be so very devoted to SriRam. This
happens to be the story of AathmaRam. Jai Sri Ram.
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