Monday, January 02, 2006

Sri Sa-Ra-Va-Na-Ba-Va-Chakram of Lord Murugan - An Explanation





I was introduced to the wonderful concept of the Sri Chakram of Lord Murugan by my best friend Sriram. I would like to share this concept with you all.

Basically, there are two things involved for reaching the state of Samadhi:

1. Ascent of Spirit
2. Descent of Grace

Spirit is our soul. We can try to reach God by its ascent. This can be done systematically by Ashtanga Yoga, Kriya Yoga (The Right hand path). Or by Tantric practices (Vama Marga - The Left hand path).

The ascent of spirit can be represented by an 'upward-facing' equilateral triangle. The process of making the soul move higher is called Sadhana.

Once the soul has done its part thorough and NOTHING MUCH can be done by it, only then the Grace descends. When we become helpless and we are desperate to go higher, then the Grace descends. This is not under our control. The three Graces are:

1. Grace of Scriptures - Knowledge from the scriptures.
2. Grace of the Guru - By following his instructions
3. Grace of the Self - Surprising this is the Grace obtained by self effort.

Needless to say the last one is probably the most important one and will naturally invite the other two.

This can be represented by an equilateral triangle that faces downwards. When both of them merge we get the Chakram of Lord Murgan. (Notice two triangles - one upward facing and another downward facing). In that merging point - there is a bindu or a dot (In the above picture - the bindu is represented as Lord Murugan). This bindu signifies the Silence into which the sound of Aum leads.

Once when Ramakrishna Paramahansa was standing in a river along with a disciple. The disciple told that he wanted to see God immediately. Ramakrishna then pushed the head of the disciple inside the river. The disciple could not hold it for long. But Ramakrishna did not relax his grip. But finally, the disciple gave a mighty push and emerged out of water. He asked why Ramakirshna did that to him. Ramakrishna then told that, if he had a desire to see God equal to that of him to emerge from water he had before, then God would immediately come before him. :)

So, when we give up EVERYTHING, and with all our hope and power pray to God, then the union (Yoga, Anubhuti etc) is possible. Yoga, Kriya, Bhakti etc are means and not the end. God alone is true and He alone is important. Everthing else is trivial.

Thanks Sriram for this wonderful explanation you gave me in ur car :)

10 Comments:

At January 02, 2006 7:32 AM, Blogger Mysorean said...

Wonderful is an understatement!

Can I please use some part of this for my blog too? I will not re-quote. Only the paragraph where you have quoted the Ramakrishna Paramahamsa incident please.

Sriram, thanks for explaining it to Arjuna in the car. And Arjuna thanks for bringing it out to us so wonderfully! :)

Wish you a very happy and prosperous new year! :)

I had no idea about this chakra. I will need to read it a few times to understand the essence. But I can get that the explanation is there for me to understand if I am capable of understanding it! :)

 
At January 02, 2006 9:47 AM, Blogger Agnibarathi said...

Very very nice post Arjuna.

 
At January 02, 2006 10:09 AM, Blogger Jeevan said...

Good explanation Arjuna and Sriram.

 
At January 02, 2006 2:47 PM, Blogger Sriram Venkateswaran Iyer said...

Dear All
Thanks for all the nice words. Arjuna's desire for Divine is truly beyond words. In this world, where usually people avoid spiritualism like plague, Arjuna is a happy deviation. He is one of the few souls I actually engage in spiritual conversations.

Just to nitpick :-), the first line should be 'concept of the 'Shanmukha' Chakram of Lord Murugan' and not Sri Chakram. Sri Chakram (with 64 faces) is for Sakthas, who follow Ambal. It is one of the most potent chakras too.

May Lord Subrahmanya shower Peace and Grace on all.

Regards
Sriram

 
At January 03, 2006 1:26 AM, Blogger Jo said...

Have a wonderful and propserous New Year buddy!

 
At January 03, 2006 2:41 PM, Blogger Ganesh said...

Very nice post
thanks Arjuna and Sriram

Wish You all a veryp happy and prosperous new year.

 
At January 04, 2006 7:38 AM, Blogger Gnana Kirukan said...

Dear Parvati - glad u liked it :)..thanks for ur comment too :)

Adi - thanks a lot buddy - the rest we discussed offline :)

 
At January 04, 2006 7:39 AM, Blogger Gnana Kirukan said...

Agni - thanks buddy :)

Jeevan - mitka nandri nanmba :)

 
At January 04, 2006 7:39 AM, Blogger Gnana Kirukan said...

sriram - yappa pularikuthu :)) - romba thanks drogs :)

Jo - Wish u a happy new year my friend :)

 
At January 04, 2006 7:40 AM, Blogger Gnana Kirukan said...

Ganesh - thanks and wish u a very happy new year too :)

 

Post a Comment

<< Home