GITA 13.27

GITA 13.27

Today's [12th February 2009] lecture is from the sannidhi of Sri Thelliyasingam [ஸ்ரீ தெள்ளிய சிங்கம்]. Sri Venkatakrishna graces in standing pose, while Sri Thelliyasingam aka Sri Azhagiyasingam Perumal graces the devotees in the seated pose. Sri Narasimha emerged from a pillar, to make true the statement of the child devotee Prahlada. Sage Atri meditated here and desired to see the Lord as Sri Narasimha. To fulfil his desire, the Lord is gracing as Sri Yoga Narasimha. Sri Moolavar is seated in the Yoga style, with both legs folded, Two upper arms holding Discus and Conch and the lower Two arms placed on His knees. Though the Lord appeared with anger, His devotees admire the great beauty in Him.

UTSAVAR SRI AZHAGIYASINGAR

 The images of the Lord in all sannidhis in this temple, are sculpted at the entrance here. We can see Sri Rama along with Sri Sita and Lakshmana. Next, we see Sri Moolavar, Sri Parthasarathy. In between, we can see Sri Yoga Narasimha. On the left, we can see Sri Gajendra Varada, Who rushed with speed to rescue. We can see some of the festivals graced by Sri Azhagiya Singar! Hiranyakasipu was angry that his son Prahlada was chanting the name of the Lord in the place of learning and blasted a pillar angrily! Sri Narasimha emerged from that pillar. This happened long ago elsewhere. But we are fortunate to worship Sri Narasimha here in Tiruallikkeni!

BRAHMOTSAVAM 1

 On the First day of the Brahmotsavam festival, the Lord appears as Sri Dharmadi Deva, with Dharma as the Peetham. In the evening the Lord appears with flute under Punnai tree. On the Second day the Lord mounts Adisesha and graces. In the evening the Lord appears mounted on a lion! Lion on lion!! Next day is the eagerly awaited Garuda seva. In the evening the Lord graces on Hamsa or Swan vahanam. Once, when lord Brahma lost Vedas, the Lord again brought Vedas and preached, in the form of Hamsa.

BRAHMOTSAVAM 2

 On the Fourth day it is Soorya Prabha. In the Eleventh Chapter, we saw that the Lord appeared with dazzling brightness, the equivalent of Thousands of Suns shining! In the evening the Lord appears in Chandra Prabha. While Sun is hot, Chandra or Moon cools and likewise, the Lord cools off our heat. Both these Soorya and Chandra Prabha, signify that the Lord Sri Narasimha is unapproachable like the hot Sun, to Hiranyakasipu; and, kindly graces devotees like Prahalada, like Moon! On the Fifth day the Lord is in the guise of a Damsel - Nacchiyar Tirukkolam! In the evening the Lord graces on the shoulders of Sri Hanuman. Hanuman is known as Siriya Tiruvadi [சிறிய திருவடி]. On the Sixth day the Lord graces from a Thanga [gold] chapparam. Chapparam is a chariot without canopy. The right hand is in Abhaya mudra while the left arm is welcoming in the Ahvahana mudra. That day, evening the Lord graces, mounted on an elephant. Though lion and elephant are enemies, here the Lord Sri Narasimha is on an elephant! On the Seventh day the Lord graces from the World famous Ther [தேர்] or Grand Chariot! It is pulled by a large number of devotees.

BRAHMOTSAVAM 3

 On the Eighth day the Lord comes in a Pallakku in procession. In the evening, the Lord is mounted on a horse graces. The Lord jumps and leaps to rescue us. On Ninth day the Lord arrives in Aalum pallakku. In the evening the Lord graces from Punyakoti vimanam.

 With His blessings now we will see sloka 26:

yavat sanjayate kincit
sattvam sthavara-jangamam
kshetra-kshetrajna-samyogat
tad viddhi bharatarsabha

"O chief of the Bharatas, know that whatever you see in existence, both the moving and the nonmoving, is only a combination of the field of activities and the knower of the field."

Bharatarishabha = Bull of Bharata dynasty [Arjuna], tad viddhi = understand this. Sri Krishna tells Arjuna that Atman is imprisoned in a body due to past Karma. The Lord wants Atman to be viewed separately from the body. Why we are unable to see Atman separately? We are easily confused that Atman and a body are same. This confusion is in great scholars also. Why so? It is replied in this sloka. Both - soul and body- are bonded intimately. It is like fastening two things tightly and with many knots. One can not easily separate them! Atman and body are bonded by the rope Karma, tightly! First, we should understand that our Atman and body are bonded, we have to loosen the bond and then view both separately. Yavat = whichever, sattvam = living being, sanjayate = is born [and dies]. Stavara - jangama = [living beings are] stationary and movable. Kshetra = body, kshetrajna = Atman, samyogat = bondage. How these two are bonded? In the womb of a mother, the body slowly graces and an Atman is bonded inside. How this atman entered this body? It is because of Karma. We have to realize that Atman and body are different, but this knowledge is hidden by Karma. Bondage of these two results in birth; and separation, in death. Karma prevents Atman going straight to Moksham or liberation, on separation.

                                                                                                (continued)