ATMA BODHA 50

 

ATMA BODHA 50

“TEERTVA MOHARNAVANM HATVA RAGADWESHADI RAKSHASAN

YOGI SANTI- SAMAYUKTHAH ATMARAMO VIRAJATHE’

“AFTER CROSSING THE OCEAN OF DELUSION AND EXTERMINATING THE MONSTERS OFLIKES AND DISLIKES ( RAGA DWESHAS) THE YOGI WHO IS ONE WITH PEACE DWELLS IN THE GLORY OF HIS OWN REALIZED SELF…….AS AN ATMARAM.”

When there is total transformation of the ego centric Jiva It realizes Its pure nature as the Eternal Self. It is then it crosses over all delusions representing the non-apprehension of Reality-----the causal body. What are the  delusions referred to as “moharnava” by Sankara? They are the mental impressions  accumulated throughout his past existence. No doubt, the yogi has, through constant meditation, crossed all “non- apprehensions” about himself.  This is possible only when the devilish  ‘ raga dweshas” are destroyed within the seeker.

After crossing over the ocean of delusion (moharnava) and having destroyed the monsters (rakshasas) of negative tendencies exhibited by the individual mental equipment the aspirant or meditator steps into the realm of SELF. He seeks to rediscover for himself the voiceless peace  he has temporarily lost. What is the nature of SELF?  SELF is of the nature of Peace- Auspiciousness-Beauty—(Santam Sivam- Sundaram). This experience of the SELF, the Eternal ,is permanent and later it is an unbroken experience of infinite peace and bliss. He is the One who revels in the Atman and hence is termed  ATMARAM.

The crucial word ATMARAM is poetic and highly suggestive to a student of Indian Upanishads and Hindu classics. Sankara brings in the entire story of the Ramayana to drive home the point in the stanza. Valmiki,s hero Rama is a representation of the ideal man undergoing all the vicissitudes of mortal life. Valmiki was not merely a poet but a realized soul.  This aspect of sage Valmiki is totally lost by students in enjoying the beauty of valmiki,s poetic beauty. Sankara, hints at the deep significance of  Ramayana  taken as a whole.

The very name of Valmiki’s hero is significant and suggestive.  “Ram” means “the one revelier who revels everywhere in all bosoms.” The Self, Ram wedded to Sita, its own nature of peace, lives on joyously with unperturbed equanimity  both in Ayodhya and in the jungles of his exile. Rama’s sorrows start  when his consort peace ( Sita) is kidnapped by Ravana the ten headed monster. Ravana represents lower animal nature. Even today, the five jnanendriyas and the five Karmendriyas symbolize the ten heads of Ravana. In the land of Sanatana Dharma ,the garden of spirituality there is no room for secularism and materialism.  Ravanas cannot be governors in an era of Rama Rajya.

To bring back his lost consort, Rama has to cross the ocean, reach Lanka, Kill Ravana and rediscover SITA His lost Peace. Sankara mentions in this stanza that the ocean to be crossed over is the delusory attachments and fascinations and negative tendencies natural in a deluded mind. With the purification of the inner personality, Peace, the Eternal Consort of the SELF is regained. Thereafter, the man of realization rules over the kingdom of life, from his capital called the EFFORTLESS ( Ayodhya) .