GOD

GOD

© Sabari Ganesh; “All Rights Reserved” 
authorsabariganesh@gmail.com

  https://sarahah.top/u/authorsabariganesh

GOD is ONE; GOD is in EVERYONE!

GOOD is GOD; GOD is in GOOD!!

GOD transcends GOOD!!!

            The essence of Adwaitham. However, Dwaitham is more explicit in the materialistic plane of activity. Dwaitham postulates the existence of GOD as a separate and unique entity, so very different from any other. Also, the supremacy of GOD is unquestioned and unchallenged by the common man. It has been a universal perception that temples, mosques and churches are the abode of GOD; hence the pilgrimage that every theist undertake in their life time - either to Mecca, or Jerusalem or any other. However, history evidence that the various forms of GOD that we worship today are actually the divinity of human incarnations!

            Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are the trinity and primordial energy that form the essence of this materialistic universe. Sanath Kumar is the psychic son of Brahma. He is ever transfixed in the non-duality of the Aathma. However, once he envisioned a dream. In the dream, he visualised himself leading the army of Devas; destroying Raakshasaas. Sanath Kumar was surprised at this dream; primarily due to two reasons. When a person is transfixed in Aathma, how can there be a separate entity called Dream? Also, the dream personified his being good and destroying evil - indicating duality - Dwaitham.

            Upon enquiry, Brahma revealed the earlier incarnation of Sanath Kumar as the one learned and adept in the Veda. Devas are the presiding deities of the vedic fire rituals performed for the welfare of the world; Raakshasaas are those that aim to destroy the good effects of it. The narration of the war between Devas and Raakshasaas got imprinted in his mind that he became furious and determined to head the army of the Devas and annihilate the Raakshasaas. Brahma spelled out, it is this particular determination of his earlier birth that is indicated as dream; however, as he is transfixed in the non-duality of the Aathma in this life called Sanath Kumar, the dream shall manifest in his succeeding birth!

            Sanath Kumar, ever engrossed in the Aathma, could only ignore this dream. When a person is engaged in truth all along his life; gains an unintentional capability that whatever he utters shall manifest. Hence, the master of the Universe, Shiva had to take up the responsibility of fulfilling Sanath Kumar's dream. He, along with his consort Parvathi appeared before Sanath Kumar, even without being invoked; only to be ignored by him in the worldly parlance! A person stops reacting, the moment one gets stabilised in Adwaitham; as there is no separate entity other than oneself.

            Shiva was elated at the stature of Sanath Kumar. However, in an effort to test him threatened of the consequence arising out of his anger and curse, as he has been ignored. Sanath Kumar in a composed manner replied that no curse however powerful it may be; can harm the Aathma - that one is! Shiva, happy with this response, now tried to seduce Sanath Kumar with his offer of a boon. Sanath Kumar citing the futility of any boon for one who is ever in supreme bliss; hinted that it is Shiva who seem to be interested in boon and curse, hence offered to give him a boon!

            Shiva, seizing this opportunity to fulfil the dream of Sanath Kumar, supplicated him to be born as his son; for which Sanath Kumar agreed. However, he intimated Shiva that it is laid down in the sastras that nothing should be given unasked. Since he alone secured the boon, Shiva singularly might create a conducive situation for Sanath Kumar to take a form. Parvathi, shocked and saddened at being deprived of the good fortune demanded equal rights in the results of her husband's efforts. However Sanath Kumar negated her stance stating that he does not wish to accept a body that’s been formed out of connubial union and vaginal birth. After much debate, both Sanath Kumar and Parvathi compromised.

            Earlier, Shiva vanished in thin air, when Bhasmasura threatened him with the boon obtained from Shiva himself. Parvathi, who at that instance was in the pretence of an ordinary lady, unable to tolerate the separation from her husband, psychologically melted in sorrow and fright. Her mortal frame that melted in reality formed a lake called Saravanam. After Bhasmasura was destroyed by the Mohini incarnation of Vishnu; Shiva appeared again. Parvathi too assumed her mortal frame but the lake remained. Parvathi and Sanath Kumar agreed that the life force emanated by Shiva shall be borne by the Lake Saravanam, which is the manifestation of her mortal frame.

            As agreed upon, when Shiva emanated his élan vital, the Aathma of Sanath Kumar ascended. Ganga carried it to lake Saravanam and lo emerged sextuple unified by Parvathi to be called Kandan. Since he emerged out of the lake Saravanam - the mortal personification of Parvathi, he is called Saravanan. Even today, the main mantra to invoke him is 'Saravana Bhava'.

            Since the virility of Shiva is Agni; Kandan is invoked as the presiding deity of every fire ritual performed as ordained by Dharmasastra. The traditional worship of every Hindu is the Panchayatana Puja. It is supplication to five vital forms of the same divinity. They are Ganesh - Ganapathyam, Sun - Sowram, Mahavishnu - Vaishnavam, Parvathi - Saaktham, Shiva - Saivam. Adding to this; Sri Adisankara invigorated the worship of Muruga terming it as Gowmaaram. Hence, Muruga is not mere the local deity of the thamizh speaking sect but a vedic incarnation.

            Our thoughts determine our birth. The inherent wisdom of the Vedic scholar and the merits accumulated by ardent learning and practice of the Veda, resulted in the succeeding birth as Sanath Kumar, son of Brahma. Brahma is a Brahmin who is an exponent in the practical application of the Veda. His advocacy of the Veda is of the superlative stature to the extent of reciting all the four Vedas at the same instance. The objective and focus of Veda is self-realisation - Adwaitham - precisely the state of Sanath Kumar. The unintentional merit of Sanath Kumar remaining transfixed in the non-duality of the Aathma, coupled with his earlier determination to annihilate the Rakshasas gained him the stature, son of Shiva - the highest of the trinity. The inherent beauty is characterised by the beneficiary being the donor of the boon!

            The other incarnations are Thirugnanasambandhar and Kumarilapattar. Santhokya Upanishad details that Sanath Kumar, Guru of Devarishi Narada is Saravanan, who assumed the role of Shiva's Guru; hence called Swaminathan. Of all the incarnations of the Aathma - The Vedic Scholar, Sanath Kumar, Saravanan, Thirugnanasambandhar and Kumarilapattar; Saravanan touches the peak of divinity. The celestial peak of human's divinity is revered GOD.

Gandharva Veda

Gandharva Veda

© Sabari Ganesh; “All Rights Reserved” 
authorsabariganesh@gmail.com

  https://sarahah.top/u/authorsabariganesh

 

            This entire world was once the land of the Veda. The essence of Veda are the Upanishads. Upanishads focus on intellectual reasoning of the ultimate truth - the goal of human birth - Adwaitham. However, Dwaitham is more explicit in the materialistic plane of activity. The practical application of the Veda is the focus of the Dharmasastra. Every activity of man is streamlined and guided by the Dharmasastra.

            According to the focus and discipline, many branches of Dharmasastra exist. For instance; Arthasastra focus on one's positioning and conduct in a society; Krishisastra focus on agriculture; Bhaagasastra focus on preparation of food; Dhanurveda focus on methods of defence and military warfare; Ayurveda focus on healing the human body afflicted with disease, and healthy living. A close scrutiny would deduce that each one of the above has a specific materialistic utility.

            Nevertheless, there also happens to be one specific focus of Dharmasastra that fulfils no such utility. It neither fills our coffers, nor provide us food to satiate hunger; does not heal our body when afflicted with disease; and neither does it guide to protect ourselves from enemies. Such a seemingly trivial concept and its related application, however forms a vital part of Dharmasastra; revered as Upaveda of Samaveda, called 'Gandharvaveda'.

            A refined analysis on the focus of Gandharvaveda would establish substantial reasons for its reverence. In this materialistic world, human activities aim at attaining happiness through the sensory routes of perception. The prominent focus of Gandharvaveda is to qualify and rationalise the attainment of pleasure and satisfaction through the various senses.

            Traditionally, the tangible and perceptible manifestation of Gandharvaveda is called Sangeetham. Bharathasastra is a prominent authority in Gandharvaveda. It includes Geetham and Naatyam. The rules of dance forms - Naatyam followed as laid down in Bharathasastra is popularly called as Bharathanaatyam. Sangeetham predominantly perceived as mere vocal recitation of songs and keerthanas based on Raaga is incorrect and limiting. Sangeetham is defined as -

"Geetham Vaathyam Narthanam Cha Thrayam Sangeetham Uchyathey."

            According to this definition, rendition of songs and keerthanas; dance and drama form an integral part of Gandharvaveda. In the Veda, description of various worlds and life forms are evident; of which, Gandharvas are those who are more closely associated with these art forms. They are also depicted to be singing and dancing in ancient mural paintings. Gandharvas are the presiding deities of the senses, and sensual pleasures. Hence the name Gandharvaveda.

            Gandharvaveda encompasses all kinds of art forms that focus on amusing the human mind through sensual delight. As per this narrative, many activities of the present era would come under the auspices of Gandharvaveda. Some worth mentioning would be drawing, poetry, puppetry, folk songs & dance, magical tricks, verbal games, puzzles, movies and even journalism.

            Of the four Purushaarthaas - Dharma, Artha, Kaama, Moksha; the pointer of Gandharvaveda is Kaama. Kaama indicates pleasure experienced through the senses and Artha indicates earnings necessary. In the ancient model of society, both Artha and Kaama are encapsulated by Dharma and Moksha. Hence, the manifestations of Gandharvaveda are rationalised by Dharma to aspire Moksha.

            Kaama to be disciplined by Gandharvaveda derives importance from two notable facts. The instinctive nature of the human mind to get fascinated by any activity that amuses it; making the person lose proportion of the resources spent. Also, as they are sensual; inherently impermanent; though dignified to an extent; eventually dethrones the mind from spiritual progress. However they are admissible to the scope of effectively relaxing and rejuvenating the mind to perform the traditional activities - individual and moral duties with enhanced vigour and vitality.

            The traditional activities of a person are demanding and intrinsically repetitive in nature. Psychologically, though any repetitive task grants perfection, and since ordained by Dharma escalates the person to higher realms of spirituality; taxes the human mind. Hence the indispensability of Sangeetham, as decreed by Gandharvaveda. This vividly indicates that the prime focus and main itinerary of every person is necessarily one's traditional and moral duties; with Gandharvaveda assisting to unwind and revivify the mind.

            The Purushaarthaas - Artha and Kaama though essential, possess the innate ability to sacrilege the moral and vital requisites of a peaceful materialistic life that bestows spiritual progress. Hence justly encapsulated and pruned by Dharma and Moksha. The cascading effect of which is better sense of esteem, respect and moral dignity of the artists involved. A substantial evidence is the reverence of India as the land of seers; also as a source of multiple tradition and culture.

            The present scenario however is antagonistic. The binding limits  - Dharma and Moksha which so long streamlined the activities appealing to sensual pleasures, are disregarded. Monetary wealth has become the pointer to intelligence and a substratum to demand respect. Happiness is identified with sensual pleasures to an extent that the sole purpose of life is to delve and dwell in it. When the value system migrates from morality to wealth, sense of proportion loses ground. Degradation in every aspect is the result.

            The professionals involved in performing the forms of Gandharvaveda shoulder the prime responsibility of limiting the art forms as stipulated by Dharma. In ancient India, the customary way of life evolved to be called Sanathana Dharma that we have termed now as a religion - Hinduism. In any other religion, one would be able to identify a person to have created or formulated it, but Sanathana Dharma. When Sanathana Dharma was identified as a religion, comparisons commenced; faux intellectual reasoning destroyed humility resulting in the downfall of man. Nevertheless; followers of every religion prescribing the lordship of a singular entity must introspect and ensure their activities adhere to the moral code of social ethics; bearing in mind their liability to their unique lord.

            The manifestations of Gandharvaveda is called Fine Art - 'Lalithakala'. It indicates professional finesse and moral elegance. As it has a direct impact on the mind of the audience; its misuse is more devastating than any other. The terminology per se becomes inappropriate if it eventually recidivates the audience to the wildest of sensual pleasures. Consequently preserving the aesthetic sense of the art form is a vital responsibility of the professionals involved.

            The neglect of one's traditional duties, as stipulated by the Dharmasastra is a prime rationale behind inappropriate content demand, and loss of proportion in resources spent on the various forms of Gandharvaveda. The manifestation of Gandharvaveda possesses remarkable ability to entice the human mind. This effectively makes it a double edged sword - when applied on concepts of moral values in an ethical manner escalates the recipient's mind to higher realms of spirituality else ensures the downfall of moral values in a society; exponentially.

            Understanding and realisation should dawn in the minds of everyone associated on the supply and demand side of these art forms that they actually deal with a vital aspect of the Veda. This should awaken the moral conscience enabling them adhere to the highest level of ethical sense and moral conduct. Adhering to one's traditional routine as stipulated by the Dharmasastra is a vital prerequisite - the only way to prevent the destruction of humanity and downfall of mankind.