Soundarya Lahari - Part 98

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After the Relativity theory of Einstein, science has come nearer to advaita vedanta and the  ShAkta schools. Time and Space are relative concepts, as far as I have understood these scientific theories. Brahman is the only absolute. Everything else is relative, says vedanta. Anything that appears as real, does so because it is resting on the  Brahman-canvas. 

This appearance as reality, is the relativity of science and the MAyA of advaita Vedanta. Science which talks of the relativeness, does not say what is the absolute. The only absolute is Brahman , according to our religious scriptures as well as philosophical schools. 

Though western knowledge makes a distinction between religion and philosophy, SanAtana dharma does not make any distinction between the two. In it the two are inseparable like Shiva and  Shakti ! And that Absolute has been experienced as Atman by our great sages. That is the soul of all souls.

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Soundarya Lahari - Part 97

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In atomic science they talk about the interconvertibility of matter and energy. This energy is our Shakti. This is what makes inert matter non-inert.  So ShivaM, the immutable Brahman, has to be compared to the ‘inert matter’ of science; but the comparison is not right since, Brahman is consciousness so not  jaDam (that which has no consciousness), whereas  inert matter of science is jaDam. 

Further, in the convertibility of matter into energy there is a difference for, when matter becomes energy, the matter that has become energy is now not there as matter. But in our philosophies, when energy shoots forth from ShivaM, the ShivaM still remains the same ShivaM.  

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Soundarya Lahari - Part 96

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Shiva is the husband and  ambaal is the wife. It is only by Her power that even He moves - this is the content of the first shloka. One might ask: Just to boost up the glory of Mother Goddess does one have to descend to such a level as to bring God Himself to the level of saying that He is simply a nonentity?  The esoteric principle here is that the immutable  Brahman expresses itself only by the unfolding of the cit-Shakti. The poetic principle involved here is that the beloved, being the fair sex, is always to be given the credit and so ‘He moves only when She moves Him’ is also acceptable. Thus on both counts, the presentation is enjoyable.

Now let us come  to modern Science and see whether there is any correlation with the set of ideas relating to ShivaM and Shakti.  Matter is inert and its nature is inertia. But we know that  inert matter undergoes internal changes and in due course evolves into more complicated matter and finally the universe itself. What is the power which made inert matter non-inert?

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Soundarya Lahari - Part 95

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Finally what is wanted is a rapport with the author. A devotee, a poet and a vidhushaka (the Royal Fool or Clown in the Kingís Court) - these three have a great licence to do or write what they want. Of these our Acharya was both a devotee and a poet. So there is a bhakti-bhAva in everything he writes and there is also a poetic licence exhibited in pieces like the Soundaryalahari. 

In classical literature, there is always a respectable status for this freedom which a poetic or devotional piece enjoys. Of the many such licences we can refer here to nindA stuti (where you actually criticise the deity you are supposed to praise), praise one of the divine couple to the extent of bringing down the other of the pair and so on. If we look at these with a humility and an open mind for poetic exaggeration, we may also enjoy them. Now come to the first shloka.

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Soundarya Lahari - Part 94

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That is not the only thing. There is more in it. The power that comes through these electrical words of the mantras, can also give you a shock because you may not be properly insulated. Only when it comes from the guru, it gets properly secreted within bounds; if it exceeds the bounds, that is if the insulation is not there, it will only burn you ! 

My own suggestion to book-writers is that when they publish such things, let there be a popular edition which avoids the profound matters of mantra secret. And let there be a limited circulation book which does get into those secrets, but such ‘classified’ books must be made available only with the authorization of the proper guru. I think, from my platform, it is my duty to say this. 

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Soundarya Lahari - Part 93

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The mantras and their esoteric meanings have to be safeguarded  like  nuclear secrets. If you really want to get them, approach the proper guru and if he thinks you have the requisite qualifications he will tell you. In this connection I will tell you an important matter. I am touching it, so that you may not ‘touch’ it! 

The name  KunDalini and all the associated  cakras are being talked about by every one now, especially ever since Sir John Woodroffe wrote about ‘The Serpent Power’. I am not finding fault with him. I only thank him for bringing to light the fact that our ancients had great things to tell the world in spite of modern advances in science.  My only warning to you is that without a proper initiation no mantra or japam will help anybody. It is like having costly electrical and electronic equipment in your house without a  power connection. The same thing with these  mantras and  KunDalini yoga. Without the guru power they will not work.

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Soundarya Lahari - Part 92

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Thus arose two major setbacks in the culture. The first one is that those who were traditionally equipped to do the upAsanAs and were also  fit to do them, preferred the glamour of modern days to break off from their traditions.

And the second one is that all and sundry took to these difficult upAsanAs without proper guru or training. It is not clear, I must confess, which is the major disaster.

I know that I may be criticised and commented that I have a ëvested interestí in saying all this. But having started to talk on Soundaryalahari publicly, I cannot but give you this warning. Let me conclude by saying that there is nothing wrong in approaching shAstras like Soundaryalahari as an aid to get Mother Goddessís Grace and  thereby to go upward in the spiritual ladder. It is enough you know that it is great. Just with that approach if you recite it, ambaal will give you  the necessary mental strength and maturity to reach higher levels of  spirituality. Automatically the ultimate object of realisation would also be obtained by Her Grace.

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