Most of our puraaNaas are symbolic, at least the original stories in the
two itihaasaas. Most of the gods are presiding deities of our own
physiological, psychological activities. Indra is Indriyaanam Rajah.
Indra is thus the presiding deity for budhhi, intellect. Chandra is for
the mind - there is, I am sure, what is called avinaabhaava sambandha
between the mind the moon. Some people become lunatic in a full moon day
while some become romantic!
Most of the stories picturizes that when a muni or rushi is doing penance
to go higher that is either self realization or Brahman realization, the
Indra being zealous send his concubines to lure him out of it. -Well you
know all the stories.
The truth is beyond the intellect - limited intellect cannot comprehend the
infiniteness - hence it is described a transcendental state - one's own
consciousness in the advaitic tradition or parama padam from bhakti point.
The greatest hurdle is the intellect itself - since it is essentially a
self-annihilation process -annihilation of ones own ego - at least the
notions of kartR^itva bhaava (ahamkaara) or bhOktR^itva bhaava (mamakaara)-
Indra obviously does not like it!
Rambhaas and uurvasiis are nothing but the kaama or the desires that raise
in the intellect - devil in the biblical tradition - for us they are more
beautiful - apsarasaas. Indra sending an apsarasaas is nothing but the
kamas raising in the mind that pulls the meditater down. If he can stands
apart and say no or burn the kaama by opening the eye of wisdom then no
Indra can stop him. It is said that God created man in his image - but
the truth is man created God in his image! The real truth is beyond the
god and the man that transcends both.
Now Sri Veluri gaaru brought Krisna into discussion. Krishna stands for
the consciousness, the truth and the gopies and the 16,000 wives are the
thoughts - He had only 16,000, we have million more! Raasa leela is the
Krishan playing with every gopi - every thought - gopi - Krishna - gopi -
Krishna , thought - silence (objectless awareness), thought - silence
etc.,(this is what japa does same thought repeating with silence in
between) until all thoughts surrender leaving Krishna in the center by
himself playing the divine music.
Stories as they are fascinating capturing the mind of the innocent and
stories are fascinating for the contemplative student revealing the highest
philosophical truths discussed in vedanta (end part of the Vedas - the
Upanishads)
I will stop before Pillalamarri wakes up and says this does not belong to
telusa!
Hari Om!
Sadananda
K. Sadananda
Code 6323
Naval Research Laboratory
Washington D.C. 20375
Voice (202)767-2117
Fax:(202)767-2623
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What you have is His gift to you and what you do with what you have is your
gift to Him: Swami Chinmayananda
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