4th Day -16.10.96-Meenakshi Puja
Sri Swamiji opened the discourse today with a song:
"Padma manduru needu paadamu
Talli Yetladi namma sakhyam "
Sri Swamiji said that the above song is a wonderful song and should be sung in a calm peaceful atmosphere. Here the Padma is compared to the Mother's feet which is soft like lotus flower. "Oh Talli yetladi...." Here the composer says "Oh Mother let your lotus feet reside in my heart". It can be said in another way - 'Let thy feet be in our lotus heart". We call Her feet as lotus feet which means that which gives knowledge. When the rays of the sun falls on the lotus flower, it blossoms. "Surya kirana" i.e. rays of the sun means "Guru Jnana"(Knowledge of a Guru). We can also say that our head (brain) itself is 'padma'/lotus. 'Sahasra padmam-sahasraram". The Sahasrara chakra situated in our brain is also a lotus flower. That is why when the feet of a Guru touches our head, when the rays of light of a Guru falls on us or the Guru's 'padakirana' (the light of his feet's power) falls on us, this lotus situated in our brain (which is called Sahasrara) blossom as realisation of knowledge dawns on us. The two petals which are joined is called 'Padmam' (Lotus) - 'Sahasra dala' (thousand petals) joined is 'Padmam'. In the two petals , in the thousand petals (sahasra dala) joined in the subtlest form is called 'sahasra dala'. Commencing from the Muladhara upto the 'Sahasrara chakra in the 'shat chakras' these padmas blossom when a Sadguru's 'dristi' falls on them. Sadguru's krupa (compassion) is a kirana, ray of light. Till then, it keeps closed. Sri Swamiji had explained a 'Tattva' to the foreigners in the morning. Take a hair. The hair starts growing from the root that is from the pate. But there was a demon named 'Eka Kesara' who was opposed to yoga and was killed by Mother Goddess. He had only one hair and it grew from the opposite direction. The blood supply for the hair comes from the hair-root. That is why when energy is passed to the hair root it reaches till the end of the hair. But if the energy is passed at the end of the hair, it does pass through and reach the hair root but the energy will not be retained, resulting in loss of energy. That is why energy should be passed through from the hair root alone. That means from the point where 'moola' (origin/base/root) starts/yoga starts from that point alone energy is to be passed. Yoga has taken its birth from the Mooladhara. That is why a hit is to be received from the lotus feet of Sadguru at Muladhara and Sahasrara points. Here 'hit' means 'Karuna' (compassion/mercy) When Sadguru's "Karuna prasara" (spreading of mercy) in the form of a hit at the Mooladhara and at Sahasrara, 'yoga prasara' takes place. On the contrary if it is done in the opposite direction or in any other chakras, the yoga gets spoiled.
Sri Swamiji is explaining the following 'Mother's yogaTattva' in a most simplest manner. He takes copper wire as an example. Copper wire is manufactured at the factory. We take out the copper wire and roll it. Electricity is passed through this and using this for different purposes. We do not know is the beginning point and where does it end point. We are simply wiring it as we like. That is why we are noticing differences in the wiring. In fact, scientifically, the copper wire, from where it started and where it ended, the end point d be plugged so that there is smooth flow of electric supply and there is no waste and reaches the bulbs.. If the beginning point of the copper wire is plugged, it goes waste. and the cable also gets spoiled. as it is charged in the opposite direction. But electric supply goes whether you plug and starting point or the ending point. For example, if you put a thing in the flood from above, it comes down easily. A fish comes down easily in the flood. It can also go from down to top but with difficulty. A good swimmer can swim down easily; he can also swim up against the flood but with great effort and difficulty as it is in opposite direction. So, a Sadguru will know from where the yoga started or from which chakra-is it from -Swadhishtana,Manipoora or Muladhara and so on, in his disciple, and then will energise/charge His power from that point. The Electricity authorities should find out from which point electricity is to be passed through (Here Electricity authorities can be applied to a Sadguru and copper wire to a disciple. Likewise, the Sadguru (who is compared to Electricity authority) who is to charge/pass energy in a disciple's Moola (root) (disciple is compared to copper wire) first has to ascertain the root (moola) (i.e. the point where energy is to be charged) and energises/pass the energy in that point. then the disciple becomes a yogi. But when will He (Guru) do this? When He finds disciple is eligible/qualified to receive the energy. If not in this birth, perhaps in the next or in any of the future births. But there is no guarantee. So what is to be done? One has to go on doing service. Sadguru is doing research in the copper wire (i.e.in the disciple) to find out the point for passing the energy. When He gets the point, immediately current is passed through. Since a Sadguru has no death, He can do this to his disciple if not in this birth or in this body/shareera, or in the next and so on till the disciple is qualified.
That is why Here Mother's feet which is compared to a lotus is 'padma manduru needu paadamu' means Sri Swamiji is speaking like a child'padma metlagunu nee paadamu' (Her feet is lotus steps ) it cannot be believed. Because 'Manchu kondapai nadachusundunu manchu sukkayai taapa margunu manchu periki maadipovu aa padma metluni padava polunu"-- When She walks on the ice in the Himalayas the ice burns away,but Her feet is holier than the ice pieces/cubes. It is so auspicious. They say Sadguru's heart is softer than the butter and harder than the diamond. The butter melts when it is heated. But Sadguru's heart which is compared to butter will melt just by the nearness of an ice-candle.. But He will not show it off - because of pride and ego (sattvic) (this pride and ego for a Sadguru is only assumed as He only wants to test his disciples). Just to teach lessons to the disciples. But He cannot hide it. It comes out. But still He says His heart does not melt. When He says it does not melt, it means it has melted.
Mother's feet is more than the ice that means ice melts when the sun's rays falls on it. It takes sometime and little heat to get melted. But Mother's feet is more than the ice means it will not even take that time and heat which is required by an ice cube to melt. The poet further goes to say that Her feet has melted in the ice itself. So how can they call Her feet as 'padma metlu'? It is unbelievable. This is a wonderful song containing deep inner meaning.
It contains the full meaning/tattva of 'Devi Bhagavatha'. Today's main deity worshipped is 'Meenakshi'. Sri Swamiji sings His new composition of Devi Meenakshi before he proceeds with Her story.
Jaya Madhura Meenakshi Maam Palaya
Jaya Girisha Lolaakshi Maam palaya
"O Pandyaraja vamsha deepama Sweeya parakramam" Her valour is great. She rules over the country of Pandya.
This story is unique and teaches her 'Tattva' .Now it is common slogan that 'Stree' women have not freedom and are not treated equal. On the other hand women have played important role in ruling the kingdom, have served in higher positions in almost all the fields, even from the age old yugas. Take the example of Maitreyi and Gargi who were 'brahma jnanis' who were learned and used to participate along with men in highest spiritual discussions and even excelled them. They learnt vedas and also recited participating in the yagas and yagnas. They have even done parallel creation. Anasuyadevi had the power of creation. Women character, 'pati nishta', jnana, bhakti,vairagya was great. They have power of creating the world, yoga of parallel creation and Mother's grace. But we still have we have no equality. You can claim for 'Jnanasamana' (equality in knowledge) but not in position and other things. There is this wonderful equality but no one has tried to utilise it. Sri Swamiji says what is equality according modern view I do not understand. Do they want change of sexual organ? Or do they want to wear pant and shirt like men, is this equality? Is it standing before the mike and deliver lectures? All the powers that men possess, women also possess the same, then what is equality? You are equal in knowledge, education, wealth. Even men give lectures saying that women need equality. Outside they give lectures and once they come home they indulge in wife-beating. They also do not allow them to go out and use them as if they are dolls, like some enjoyable thing.
Even from Devatha Kaala (time) the Paramatva, whose tattva is 'samanatva' equality, when Mother was created, Vishnu kept Her in His heart; Shiva kept Her in His head; Brahma has kept Her in His tongue. What more equality can one expect? Women are working in office. It is only for competition sake and quarreling sake, But great men have given equality to women.
Swamiji had the yoga of visiting Madurai and had Darshan of Meenakshi. Once Devendra (King of Gods, also known as 'Indra') had killed a demon name "Vruddha' when he was in 'samadhi'state of yoga. Though this demon had not harmed in any way or troubled anyone, Devendra killed him just to earn name and fame of killing demon, and just to add number to his list of killing demons. One should not kill or speak or disturb those who are in meditation or yoganidra. Even those who are asleep, one should not wake them suddenly. Nidra (sleep) is a gift. Because 'indriyas' get tired and hence they sleep to relieve the tension. It is good to sleep only during night times and not in the afternoon. Because Indra killed this demon who was in yoganidra, he became accursed, lost his 'tejas' and becoming a sinner he came down and kept wandering . One who is indulging in worship of God or chanting of His names loudly, one who is asleep, they should not be disturbed. It is a sin. If you cannot tolerate, you can leave the place at once, or keep cotton in your ears. But you should not ask them to stop or shout at them. Or you can join them chanting or worshipping internally.
Indra, wandering here and there he comes to a forest viz. Kadamba in the country of Pandya. He sees a tree. As soon as he came to the shelter of that tree, the trouble/the suffering he was having in his body left him immediately, he became alright and all sins got destroyed. He was wondering at this and looked around and he sees a Shivalinga and he prays to Shiva. Swamiji sings 'Namah Parvathi Pathaye Hara Hara Mahadeva Shambho'.
After worshipping Shiva, he builts a small temple for that Shivalinga, in gratitude for getting his sins destroyed at the sight of that Shivalinga. Then he leaves. Seven miles away from this place, a small city called'Manavur' Pandya king was ruling. A rich merchant who belonged to that Manavur, named Dhananjaya on his business tour passes through this forest and sees this special Shivalinga and wondering how this new shivalinga came there, he comes and tells about it to Pandya King. The King's name was Kulashekara. As the King was thinking of this, he had a dream and Lord Shiva gives Darshan in the dream and asks him to build a big temple for that Shivalinga in Kadambavana. The King builts a temple around it and also builds a big beautiful city and shifts his residence there itself, naming that city as Madhura. And a few days after worshipping Shiva he gets a child named "Malayadhwaja'. He gives his king dom to his son and he leaves for tapas. Malayadhwaja was a Shiva devotee as well as Shakti devotee. After sometime, as he did not have progeny, Malayadhwaja along with his wife Kanchanamala performs a Yaga. In the middle of that great yaga, a three year old girl comes out of the fire. The child was 'Ayonija' (means that which was not born out of the womb) . It had three breasts. An he was afraid seeing this foreseeing something bad for the country. As he was thinking like this, he hears a "Ashareeravani" (words were heard from above the sky) "Don't fear. Whatever has taken place is for good only. You bring up this child like a man. Whatever education and training is given for a man, all such education may be given to this child.
Whoever sees this girl and when She sees the man who is to be her husband, the third breast will disappear. Everything will be auspicious. You will join the Devathas." Further nothing was heard. After sometime, since She had the eyes like fish (Meena) she was called Meenakshi. She grew to be a very beautiful young woman. Only three breasts she had. She had great powers. She was a staunch Shiva devotee and worshipped Him daily. Like a man she ruled the country herself after her father's demise. She protected the country and the people herself. She goes to Himalya and visits Kailasa where she had darshan of Lord Shiva. As soon as she sees Shiva, the third breast will disappear. After the third breast disappeared, she realised that Shiva was her husband. Mother is always fulfiller of wishes. This Mother who is now in the form of Meenakshi, who has come to uplift Pandya king and is looking after the Madhura city, She requests Shiva saying that you are my husband, you are my 'pati''gati' and 'mati' (i.e. I have surrendered to you and you have to show me way). Then Shiva asks Her to leave to her city and He promised that He would come to Her city within 7 days. And as promised He goes to Madhura on the 7th day. This Shiva is called 'Sundareshwara'. He is very beautiful. Normally they say Krishna is beautiful; but in the Purana, they say Eswara, Shiva is good-looking and beautiful. They say Krishna is dark and cowherd boy (Nallavadu, gollavadu). Meenakshi is not that beautiful but her eyes fish-like eyes is very beautiful. After the Dikvijaya yatra, Meenakshi comes back and Shiva, Sundareswara comes to Madhura and the marriage of Meenakshi and Sundareswara takes place in the city of Madhura. All the Devathas were present of the marriage occasion. Vishnu Himself looks after the marriage preparation and He gives Her in marriage to Sundareswara (Lord Vishnu is the younger brother of Devi,Mother Goddess).
In the meantime, Maharshis, Patanjali and Vyghrapada also come to witness the marriage. At the time of serving the food after the marriage, these two yogis refuses to take food. Till they saw the dance in the Chidambara in the Kanaka sabha, they did not want to take food. Then Lord Shiva says that He will show the dance here itself. Then the great wonderful dance of Lord Sundareswara in the Sannidhi (presence) of Meenakshi, take place in that temple. All were happy and blissful. Then after the marriage, food in large quantities are left over. Then Meenakshi asks Shiva as t o what should be done with the left over food. Then Shiva calls one of His Gana called Kundodara. He eats all the food and he says he is still feeling hungry and wants more. For his sake, Shiva creates a river, Ganga river itself. Then Kundodara satisfies with the water of Ganga
Then one day Meenakshi's Mother expresses her wish to take bath in the 7 seas (saptha samudra). Then Shiva brings the 7 seas here itself. The Shiva says" I will call your father-in-law also and let him also have bath." The King and father of Meenakshi who had died already, was called by Lord Shiva and the King takes bath in the 7 seas and Shiva bestows 'Moksha' on him and her mother.. They both will stay here on the earth in the human form and Sundareswara also rules the Kingdom of Pandya. Lord Kumaraswamy, with his 'Amsa' is born to Meenakshi and Sundareswara, but was born as 'Ayonija' (not from the womb). He is the first progeny and carries the lineage of Pandya king. After sometime, Lord Sundareswara, merges in the Shivalinga and Meenakshi to bless all the devotees stays there in the idol form. This is the story. In the meanwhile, one Serpent, elephant and a cow come to test them. They were cursed and were transformed as 3 hills around the city of Mdhura. These three hills are called "Anemalai', "Nagamali' and "Pashumalai". So Even today Meenakshi stays there in the idol form blessing all the devotees. Swamiji sings a verse on Meenakshi:
Those who worship Mother Meenakshi, they get:
"Srimatsundara Nayikam, Bhayaharam, Jnanapradam Nirmalam
Syamambam, Kamalasanarchita padam Narayanasyanujam
Veena Venu murdanga vadya rasikam nana viradambikam
Meenaksheem Pranathosmi Santhathamaham Karunyavaraam nidhim"
Swamiji sings a new bhajan on Sundareswara:
Sundara Sundara Shiva Shiva
Karuna Bandhura Shiva Shiva
JAI GURU DATTA