Hari OM
Application - that is what 'Workings-days' are about!
With passion, the guru-king now begs…
tÅv< àsId Égvn! kué mYynawe
iv:[ae k&pa< prmkaéi[k> ikl Tvm!,
s<sarasagarinmGnmnNt dInm!
%ÏtuRmhRis hre pué;aeÄmae=is.35.
Namaim naray[padp»j<
kraeim naray[pUjn< sda,
Vadaim naray[nam inmRl<
Smaraim narayptÅvmVyym!.36.
Tattvam prasiida bhagavan kuru mayyanaathe
Vishno kRpaam parama-kaarunikaH kila tvam,
Samsara-saagara-nimagnam-ananta diinam
Uddhartum-arhasi hare purushottamo'si ||35||
Namaami naaraayana-paada-pankajam
Karomi naaraayana-puujanam sadaa,
Vadaami naaraayana-naama nirmalam
Smaraami naaraayana-tattvam-avyayam ||36||
Therefore, Oh Lord, be gracious upon me, an orphan. Oh Vishnu, show mercy. You are the most compassionate, Oh eternal one. You should uplift me who has sunk in the ocean of worldly existence and suffering. Oh Hari, You are the Supreme Person.
I salute the lotus feet of lord Naaraayana.
I perform always the worship of Lord Naaraayana,
I chant the pure name of Lord Naaraayana.
I remember the undiminishing essence of Lord Naaraayana.
#35 offers an unambiguous appeal for help from the Higher. Supplication to and recognition of that power into which we can tap, if but only know how. The 'how' is presented clearly in the following shloka.
As this entire text has been indicating, we are to surrender our ego and place it before the altar of that which is Higher - Pure Consciousness, given form here as Naaraayana. One of the many names of Vishnu. In providing the shloka this way, Kulashekhara is emulating the style of Sri Narada Muni, the wandering sage who's entire life was spent in calling the Lord's name thus and spreading the word of His Glories.
Advaita requires of us that we release all imagery and look to within to negate the outer impressions. However, the limited human beings that we are, going from everything to nothing is almost impossible. Pure Consciousness has no time, no space, no dimension whatsoever and it would be overwhelming if we did not take ourselves there step-wise.
This is where the place of ritual and 'tools' of spirituality come in very handy. We require symbols. Even the most sparse of Christian churches (despising 'idolatry') will have a wooden cross upon the wall. Humans need an image to anchor their thoughts and focus their minds. The mistake must not be made, however, of thinking the idol worshipped holds any power as such. The power is within us and all around, in every part of the cosmos. Use your images and symbols, whichever form you choose, as inspiration. Know that music and art are part and parcel of worship if you focus them in that direction. Ensure that every deed and every word holds the essence of the Higher in them!
 |
| Sri Narada Muni |