Saturday, June 2, 2018

KALAS OF SRI MATA (Soundarya Lahari 21)

While in the nineteenth sloka of Soundarya Lahari Sankara describes the Bahya or outer meditation of Maha Tripurasundari, here he explains the subtle meditation or “ Sukshma dhyana” on the embodiment of Chit or Awareness! “Antarmukha samaradhya bahirmukha sudurlabha” She has to be worshipped from within! It is extremely difficult to realize Her through external worship and show! “ Sahasrarambujaruda Sudha sarabhi varshini’”-Seated on the lotus with thousand petals, she rains nectar or Sudha all over other parts! Sri Mata is similar to the flash of lightning and seated above the six Chakras in our body! ”Thatil lata Samaruchi shatchakropari samsthita.” “Kamya Kama kalarupa kadamba kusuma Priya”-She is desire herself!

She is the personification of erotic play and lover of the Kadamba flower. “Kalavati kalalapa kanta kadambari priya”-She is full of kalas, talks much on them and loves the kadamba forest!  She is also the dynamic force, the form of awareness as well as the inert energy and the inner core of it!,”Chitsakthis chetana rupa Jada sakthir jadathmika.” She is full of Chit or Awareness, Bliss and the embodiment of vijnana or science! ”Chinmayi paramananda vijnana ghana rupini” She is at the center of the Sun and called as Bhairavi and Bhagamalini! “ Bhanumandala madhyasta Bhairavi Bhagamalini” She has the sun and the moon as her ear studs! ”Thatanka yugalibhuta tapanodupa mandala”.

Sankara says, “ You are seated above the six lotuses, in the Sahasrara! Your Kala is the form of the sun, moon and Agni and similar to the flash of lightning! Whoever meditates on your Kala, shorn of Kama, krodha and other impurities shall be drenched and carried away in the flood of extreme, ecstatic Bliss”

It is not possible for ordinary devotees to practice subtle meditation or Sukshma dhyana!  Only those advanced in spiritual devotion can attempt on such dhyana! What is this Bahya Dhyana? It is gross outer meditation with rituals, show and ostentation. For that matter, no God or Goddess shall favor such a bhaktha! Inner, subtle meditation is called “Abhyantara Dhyana!”-- inner subtle meditation! Sthula dhyana, outward meditation is also called gross or concrete meditation! Sukshma or subtle is otherwise called Abstract Meditation! In other words, meditation on Sri Mata as BRAHMAN without name and form is subtle meditation! On the other hand meditating on Her with name, form and attributes is gross or sthula!

Who are the blessed and fortunate few that can behold Sri Mata’s ‘Kala’?  It is not for all! Only those who are in total control of the “arishadvargas”, the six inner adversaries like kama, krodha, lobha, moha,mada and matsarya are eligible for the view of Devi’s Kala! They should be free from ego, arrogance and lust to qualify for that unique state! ‘Sagunopasana’ is easier than Nirgunopasana’. Sahasrara is “ Mahapadmatavi” -- forest of the great Lotus with one thousand petals! ‘Kala’ is Sri Mata herself as the embodiment of Chit Sakthi or Awareness! or Absolute Consciousness! By its power it manifests as the three Bindus or Kalas of Sun, Moon and Fire!


No comments:

Post a Comment