Recently I came across the
following passage on Ganesh Chathurthi – extract of which is reproduced below:
Our ancient Rishis were so deeply
intelligent that they chose to express Divinity in terms of symbols rather than
words, since words change over time, but symbols remain unchanged.
Let
us keep the deep symbolism in mind as we experience the omnipresent in the form
of the elephant God, yet be fully aware that Ganesha is very much within
us. This is the wisdom we should carry
as we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.
Now read the
following quotes in Times of India on Shivarathri day
Shiva is the experiencer and the highest object of experience. Shiva is
the goal of Sadhana. There is nothing other than Shiva. – Shiva dhun
Shiva is that blissful and innocent consciousness which exists in every
atom of the universe and also in us. Celebrating the Shiva Tattva in oneself is
called Shiva Ratri. Shiva is your Self,
your innermost core, the purest Self. – Sri Sri Ravi Shanker
Shiva is the formless absolute reality—the nature of pure
Consciousness—Shiva is trilochana –The third eye is the eye of Wisdom. The other two represent love and justice –
Swami Tejomayananda
Every sub-atomic particle is an
energy dance. A pulsating process of creation and destruction… without end… For
the modern physicists, then Shiva’s dance is the dance of the sub-atomic matter
- Fritzof Capra
Talking of Yoga and Meditation – let me cite Vinayagar Agaval by Avvaiyar once
again: - The key sentence in this first 16 line is 13th line
சொற்பதம் கடந்த துரியமெய்ஞ் ஞான
அற்புதம் நின்ற கற்பகக்
களிறே
Explanation
சொற்பதம் கடந்த : – Meaning that he is
beyond letters ,words and their meanings.
துரியமெய்ஞ் ஞான : “Thuriyam” is explained as a state
of realization of God - highest state of
meditation .
சித்தம் தன்னை அவனில் நிறுத்தி
இருக்கும் நிலையைத் துரியம் என்பர்
Explanation: Thuriyam: A continuous state of mind focused
on Self
Vinayagar is said to be permanently in this state and is termed கற்பகக் களிறே – who
gives everything.
The next set of lines – shows the realization and awakening of Kundalini
step by step through yoga.
மூலா தாரத்தின் மூண்டெழு கனலைக்
காலால் எழுப்பும் கருத்தறி வித்தே
Explanation:
Mooladharam in our body also is the place where dirty and
waste is excreted from our body. This is also the place where all nerves in the
spinal cord end. This is the place for Ganesha.
In yoga science you close the mooladharam to commence pranayamam and
other yogic exercises. Some of the people who regularly practice Meditation
have told me that during deep meditation
they get to a state unexplainable by words, but they would desire to remain in
that state forever.
Avvaiyar’s Agaval points out the True self realization – as
she sought to find it within her using Yoga and highest level of Meditation.
என்னை யறிவித்(து) எனக்கருள் செய்து –
Explanation:
Made me realize “my
self” and blessed me
Bhagavat Gita preaches Karma Yoga, Bakthi Yoga and Gnana
Yoga as three different routes to reach the Self realization. For the commoners, it will be difficult to go to Gnana Yoga as
it requires a totally different mind and body control, discipline. Hence the
most followed is Bakthi yoga – in which rituals and idol worships are stepping
stones.
Where are we now after all this?
Whether it is Bhagvat Gita
( second centure BC?), Avvaiyar who lived in 13th Century AD,
or Thirumoolar who lived in 8th Century AD Or Kanchi Paramacharya who lived amongst us –(19th and 20th
Century AD) -we have all seen him many times – his saintly life and his
preachings), Pandit Sri Sri Ravishankar
or Tejomayananda who are amongst us today (21st Century) - All of them at from different points of
time in the past and present have all stated the same thing – i.e. God is
formless. He is Within us. And He
is outside us .
To realize this truth – True Self – both Idol worship
(assisted by Rituals) as well as Meditation are the mediums to reach the True
Self.
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