Vol 01.014 | Pre-SaraNAgati Issues |
26 October, 1996
|
In this Issue:
1. NOTE FROM THE EDITOR 2. FROM RAHASYA TRAYA SARA Notes on the references cited in the Adhikaras 20 Niryana Adhikara, 21. Gathi Visesha Adhikara and 22. Paripurna Brahmanybhava Adhikara of Rahasya Traya Sara 3. From Chapter 3 of " Hinduism Rediscovered" "Sources of Knowledge"- (Contd) Aagamas, Nibandhas and the 64 Kalas |
Dear Bhagavatas,
In this issue, we have included the Notes on references cited in the
20th, 21st and 22nd Adhikaras of Rahasya Traya Sara. In most cases, you
will find abbreviations for the scriptural texts quoted. As the list containing
the expansion of these abbreviations is quite long, we will be posting
them separately to help in locating the relevant references. The Notes
part for the other Adhikaras included in our Prapatti chapter will be posted
when the entire series is posted completely.
May I remind you of my request to intimate me your surface mail address, Telephone / Fax numbers? I thank those who have responded. I would repeat my request. Those who have not responded so far may kindly furnish them now, provided of course, they do not have any conscientious objections!
Dasoham
Anbil Ramaswamy
NOTES on References to Scriptural and other texts cited in Adhikaras
20,21 and 22 of RTS.
1. TM, verse 2
Ichuvai tavira yaan poi indiralokam alum Achuvai perinum venden arangama
nagar ulane
2. BG 4 / 1
"Imam viwaswate yogam proktavan Aham avyayam Viwaswan maanave praha
manur ikshvakave abraveeth"
3. BG 4 / 5
"Bahuni me vyateetani janmani tava cha arjuna janyaham veda sarvani
na tvam vedha! Paranthapa!"
4. Kirk,p.153
5. Bhagavata sloka
' yasya anugraham ichami dhanam tasya haraamyaham Baandhavais cha viyogena
brunam bavathi duhkitah Tena duhkena santapto yadi maam na parityajeth
Tam prasadam karishyami yat surairapi durlabah
6. 3 Ms, Vol.5, p.1416
7. BG 8 /23 to26
Yata kale tu anavrittim avrittim cha eva Yoginah Prayata yaanti tam kalam vakshyami bharatarshaba Agnir jyotir ahah suklah shanmasa uttarayanam Tatra prayata gachanti brahma brahmavido janah Dhoomo ratris tatha krisnah shanmasa dakshinayanam Tatra chaandramasam jyotirr yogi prapya nivartate Sukla krishna gathi hi yete jagatah saswatte mathe ekaya yatianavrittim anyaya avartate punah8. MB Anusasana Parva 220.
Satam cha ekaa hridayasya nadyas | taasaam moordhanamabinihsrutaikaa || Tayo urdvam aayan amrutatvam eti | Vishvanganya utkramena bhavanti ||16. Varaha Charama Sloka
17. BG 8 / 6"Yam yam vapi smaran bhavam tyajante kalebaram
Tam tameva kaunteya! Sada tad bhava bhavitah:
18. Kurm. P.1.12.269
Brahmana saha te sarve sampraapte prati sanchare |
Parasya ante krutam atmanah pravisanti param padam"
19. MB., Santi Parva., 313 ( 26 to 31)
20. V. S. , verse 12 20
"Tad vishnoh paramam padam |
sada pasyanti soorayah |
Diveeva chakshuratatham |
Tad vipraso vipanyavo jagruvam sassamindate |
Visnoryah Paramam padamparyaptyaAnantarayaya sarva stomo |
Ati ratram uttamam ahar bhavathi |
Sarvasyaptyai sarvasya jityai |
sarvameva Tena aapnoti sarvam jayathi |
21. Bhagavata sloka
" lokeshu vishnor nivasanti kechit |
Sameepam richanti cha kechit anye
Anye tu roopam sadrusam bhajante
Sayujyam anye sa tu moksha uktah ||"
22. Ahir. S., 37 / 25 and 26 " prapyate paramam dhama yato na avartate
yatih"
23. BG 8 / 15 and 16
" maam upetya punar janma duhkalayam asaswatam |
Na apnuvanti mahatmaanah samsiddim paramam gathah ||
Aabrahmabhuvanal lokah punaravartino Arjuna! |
Maam upetya tu kaunteya! Punar janma na vidyate ||
24. PATM.,4.5.2 poyinaal pinnai ith disaikku enrum pinai koduthalum
poga vottare"
25. Brahma sutra., 4.4.22 - 24" ' Anavritti sabdath, Anavritti sabdath'
26. VR 5.35.51" Rama Sugrivayor Aikyam, Devi " evam Samajaayata"
27. Jay.S., 4..83
28. Taitt. Up. Ananda valli 1.2 "Sa asnute sarvan kaamaan saha brahmanaa
vipaschiteth"
29. Chan. Up. 7.26.2 " sarvamha pasyati sarvam aapnoti sarvasah"
30. Brahma Sutra 4.4.21 " bhoga maatra saamya lingaas cha"
31. BG 14 / 2 " Idam Gnanam Upasritya Mama Saadharmyam Agata Sargepi
Nopa jayante Pralaye Na Vyatanti Cha"
32. Mundaka Up. " " Niranjanah Paramam Saamyam Upaithi"
NOTES FOR ANNEXURE 1.
1. Harper's Encyclopedia of Mystical and Paranormal Experience -by
Rosemary, Ellen Guiley Published by Harper, San Francisco- 1991 (p. 141-
143 )
2 ibid, ( p.399-400)
3. ibid ( p.419 - 423)
3. From Chapter 3 of " Hinduism Rediscovered"
Sources of Knowledge- Aagamas, Nibandhas and 64 Kalas
3.4. AAGAMAS
The word `Aagama' means `that which comes down' (i.e.) Traditional
teachings contained in NON-VEDIC Texts as distinct from `Nigama" which
is based on the Vedas. In fact, Nigama means Vedas while Agama means Non
Vedic tradition.. The Agamas prescribe idol worship in the place of rituals
mentioned in the Vedas. They prescribe methods of worship, plans and rules
for the construction of temples and consecration of deities and performance
of pujas.
They are 3 in number.
1.SAIVA : Containing 92 Agamas including 10 on Siva, 18 on Rudra ,
64 on Bhairava, Pasupata and Kapalika besides 108 upa agamas. 2.SAKTHA
: Containing 77 Agamas or Tantras. 3.VAISHNAVA: Containing 108 major
collections on Vasudeva Viz., The Vaishnava Pancharatra Agama was advised
by Lord Narayana himself for Rishis in 5 nights. in which five monotheistic
philosophies converged in Vishnu.( a.k.a. Pancharatha: 5 ways)
The chief disciple being NARADA through whom `Pancharatra' was propagated,
it is also known as `Narada Pancharatra' containing i.. `Bhagavat' means
one showering grace and wealth and as such applied especially to Lord Vishnu.
ii.`Narayaniya' of Purusha - Sukta (Rig10.90) refers to Lord Vishnu
as the cosmic soul.
iii.`Ekantika' - `solitary presence' referred to Vishnu as the primal
existence.
iv.`Sarvata' - specializes in ceremonial branding characteristic of
Vaishnavam..
v. Vaikhanasa Contributing to temple worship and iconography of Vishnu
There are several. SAMHITAS (collections) of Pancharatra but the more important
ones are:-
Ahirbudnya, Garuda, Jayakhya, Laksmitantra, Narayana, Padma, Parameswara,
Paushkara , Sarvajna, Saatvita, Uthara and Vishvaksena. ( Vide Vangipyram
Swami's commentary on Abhaya Pradhaana Saram in Swami Desikan's Chillarai
Rahasyangal- p.449)
Pancharatra is said to of 5 angas also because of various other reasons
(e.g.)
i. It deals with Brahmam, Mukti, Bhogam, Yogam and Prapancham. ii .It
deals with the 5 Yagnas a Grihasta is expected to perform also called Pancha
Maha Yagnas.
iii. It deals with the 5 rituals contained in Nitya Tiruvaradhana iv.
It deals with the evolution of Lord Narayana as Vasudeva (Paramatman),Samkarshana(
Jivan), Prdhyumna(Mahat), Aniruddha (Ahamkara) and Prakriti ( Bhutas)-
BUT, THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTIC OF PANCHARATRA LIES IN ITS
INTEGRATION OF THE PARA, VYUHA AND VIBHAVA WITH THE ARCHA MURTIS IN
TEMPLES, HEARTHS AND HOMES.
VAIKHANASA -is believed to have been advised at Naimisaranya by RISHI VAIKHANAS considered an incarnation of Lord Narayana emphasizing on purity of conduct (as held by Kalidasa) and serves as a guide to Vanaprastas ( as held by Baudayana). Vishnu with Sri is prime. In the beginning, no importance was given to Alwars and Acharyas; no importance was given to Divya Prabhandams; no equal status was given to Andal with Mahalakshmi; no Sannidhis erected for Alwars and Acharyas; and, there was no insistence on Pundra dharanam even.
In Vaikhanasa, the Archa murtis are named Vishnu, Purusha, Satyan, Achyutan etc. (Vide Tirukkallam Swami's commentary on Verse 32 of Saranagathi Deepikai (p.341 of Desika Prabandham- Part I).
But, in course of time all this has changed and the distinctions have become less pronounced, if not completely abrogated.
3.5. NIBANDHAS
Nibandhas consist primarily of writings which provided encyclopedic
instructions on the rites connected with religious and family life.
3.6. KALAS
Hinduism lists as many as 64 `Kalas' or `Art' forms a.k.a Chatush shashti
kalas which are comprehensive and encompass all forms of arts and crafts
known to mankind.
The 64 Kalas or Arts as gleaned from Notes on SRIMAD VALMIKI RAMAYANA
14:
1.Histrionic Talents, Drama, story telling techniques, mnemonics etc.,
2.Making musical Instruments, simple mechanical devices etc.,
3.Playing Musical Instruments (i.e.) Instrumental music including jalatarangam-
creating music with water, percussion and string instruments.
4.Decorating, Dressmaking, costume making, artful dressing and personal
grooming.
5.Ornaments and head adornments
6.Singing and Dancing , practicing fine arts
7.Making beds, Bedroom decorations
8.Garland making, flower arrangement, designs with grains on the floor
like Rangoli
9.Playing games like dice
10.Mastering eroticism as per Vatsyayana, erotic devices and sexual
arts
11.Making honey, liquor , beverages and desserts
12.Plucking out arrows and healing
13.Cooking, eating and drinking skills
14.Horticulture, forestry
15.Breaking and pulverizing hardrock, mining
16.Making Medicines from herbs
17.Sorting, Mixing, Isolating Ingredients
18.Making and using Astras and Sustras
19.Wrestling, Boxing, Gymnastics, physical culture, body building etc.,
20.Making ICBM
21.Parades , Army Bands and Dharmic warfare
22.Ratha, Gaja, Turaga wars ( Chariot, Elephantry and Cavalry)
23.Asanas, Postures & Mudras
24.Training elephants, horses, birds
25.Making Vessels of clay, wood, bronze 26.Drawing
27.Making Paints & Painting
28.Architecture, Sculpture, house and temple construction, mosaic tiling
29.Mixing air, water etc ( Air Products and Water Products)
30.Boats, Ships, Chariots etc
31.Making threads, ropes etc
32.Weaving and Spinning
33.Diamond , Precious Stones and gems-distinguishing them from ordinary
ones.
34.Alchemy, Chemistry , preparing ointments, unguents for charm and
virility
35.Jewellery making including artificial jewelry
36.Gold Plating, metallurgy
37.Skinning and Preserving bodies
38.Leather Technology
39.Dairy Farming
40.Tailoring, Sartorial skills and Embroidery
41.Swimming and water sports
42.Cleaning houses and vessels
43.Laundering and Washing
44.Hair dressing and Shaving
45.Managing Oil Resources
46.Having control over others' minds, spells, charms ,Omens
47.Tilling and agriculture
48.Handicrafts including Carpentry, furniture making and furnishing
49.Making Vessels of glass , ceramic and pottery
50.Drawing water & resources
51.Gardening and Fencing
52.Caporisoning elephants etc
53.Child rearing & Pediatrics including doll making and toy making
for kids
54.Punishing guilty appropriately by Law and Order
55.Learning Languages / dialects (both native and foreign), literary
excellence, semantics
56.Preparing `Tambool' etc
57.Composing impromptu poetry
58. Preparing perfumes, cosmetics, playing poetry games, oratory, elocution,
prosody, rhetoric
59.Sorcery, Conjuring, Sleight of hand, Magic, Illusions, Impersonation
60.Composing Riddles, Rhymes, Verses, Puzzles, Tongue twisters and
involved recitations
61.Making swords, Staffs, Archery
62.Training fighting partridges and rams, Cock fight, Bull fight etc.,
63.Teaching parrots, mynas to talk and training animals, Veterinary
science
64.Writing in cipher codes and languages, secret mantras, coding and
decoding.
The next posting will be on Vidyas, and Darsanas.