ಮನಸ್ಸು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸುವ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ

ಹಿಂದಿನ ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ "ಹದಿನಾರು ಮತ್ತು ಇಪ್ಪಂತ್ತೊಂದು" ಅನ್ನುವ ಶೀರ್ಷಿಕೆಯ ಅಡಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾರತೀಯ ಸಂಖ್ಯಾಶಾಸ್ತ್ರ ಹುಟ್ಟಿ ಬೆಳೆದ ರೀತಿಯ ಮತ್ತು ಅದರ ಜನ್ಮದಾತ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳುವ ಕಪಿಲ ಮುನಿ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ವಿಚಾರ ಮಾಡಿದೆವು. ಕರ್ದಮ ಪ್ರಜಾಪತಿ ಮತ್ತು ದೇವಹೂತಿ ದೇವಿಯರ ಮಗನಾದ ಕಪಿಲನಾಗಿ ಶ್ರೀ ಮಹಾವಿಷ್ಣುವು ಅವತರಿಸಿದ ಸಮಾಚಾರವನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದೆವು. ಪ್ರಜಾಪತಿ ಕರ್ದಮ-ದೇವಹೂತಿ-ಕಪಿಲ ಮುನಿಗಳ ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಷೇತ್ರವಾದ ಗುಜರಾತು ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಪಾಟನ್ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಸಿದ್ಧಿಪುರ, ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧ ಬಿಂದು ಸರೋವರ ಮತ್ತು "ಮಾತೃಗಯಾ" ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ನೋಡಿದ್ದೆವು. 

"I Salute You, Dear Mother" ಎಂಬ ಶೀರ್ಷಿಕೆಯ ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಹೆತ್ತ ತಾಯಿ ನೆನಪಿನಲ್ಲಿ ತಾಯಿಯನ್ನು ಉದ್ದೇಶಿಸಿ ಮಾಡುವ ಹದಿನಾರು ಸಂಖ್ಯೆಯ ಪಿಂಡಪ್ರದಾನ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರತಿ ಪಿಂಡ ಕೊಡುವ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೇಳುವ ಶ್ಲೋಕಗಳು, ಅವುಗಳಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಭಾವ ತುಂಬಿದ ಅರ್ಥಗಳನ್ನೂ ನೋಡಿದೆವು. 

ಇದೇ ವಿಷಯಕ್ಕೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದ ಈ ಹಿಂದಿನ ಎರಡು ಸಂಚಿಕೆಗಳನ್ನು (ಒಂದು ಇಂಗ್ಲೀಷಿನಲ್ಲಿದೆ) ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ ಓದಬಹುದು. 

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ಬಿಹಾರ ರಾಜ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿರುವ "ಗಯಾ" ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಗೊತ್ತು. ಶ್ರದ್ದಾಳು ಜನಗಳು ಈ ಗಯಾ ಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ಯಾತ್ರೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿರುವ "ಗದಾಧರ" ದೇವಾಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಿತೃಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ ಮಾಡಿ, ಗದಾಧರನ ವಿಗ್ರಹದ ಮುಂದುಗಡೆ ಇರುವ ಕಲ್ಲಿನ "ವಿಷ್ಣುಪಾದ" ಸ್ಥಳದಲ್ಲಿ ಪಿಂಡಗಳನ್ನು ವಿಸರ್ಜನೆ ಮಾಡಿದರೆ ಪಿತೃಗಳಿಗೆ ಉತ್ತಮ ಗತಿ ಸಿಗುವುದೆಂದು ನಂಬಿಕೆ. ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಕಾಶಿಯಾತ್ರೆ ಮಾಡುವ ಯಾತ್ರಿಕರು ಮೊದಲು ಪ್ರಯಾಗ ತಲುಪಿ, ಅಲ್ಲಿ ತ್ರಿವೇಣಿ ಸಂಗಮದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡಿ (ಕೆಲವರು "ವೇಣೀದಾನ" ಸಹ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ), ನಂತರ ಕಾಶಿಯ ವಿಶ್ವೇಶ್ವರ ಮತ್ತು ಬಿಂದುಮಾಧವ ದರ್ಶನ ಮಾಡಿ, ಆಮೇಲೆ ಗಯಾ ತಲುಪಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿ "ಸರ್ವ ಪಿತೃ ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ" ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಅಲ್ಲಿಗೆ "ಕಾಶಿಯಾತ್ರೆ" ಎಂದು ಹೇಳುವ ಸಂಪ್ರದಾಯ ಪದ್ಧತಿ ಪೂರ್ತಿ ಆಯಿತು ಎಂದು ನಂಬುತ್ತಾರೆ. 

ಈ ಗದಾಧರ ಅಂದರೆ ಯಾರು? ಗದಾಧರ ಅನ್ನುವ ಶ್ರೀ ಮಹಾವಿಷ್ಣುವನ್ನು ಹೀಗೆ ವರ್ಣಿಸಿ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ:

ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಂಡ ಭುವನಾರಂಭ ಮೂಲಸ್ತoಭೋ ಗದಾಧರಃ 

ಕೌಮೋದಕೀ ಕರೇ ಯಸ್ಯ ತಂ ನಮಾಮಿ ಗದಾಧರಮ್ 

ಕೈಯಲ್ಲಿ "ಕೌಮೋದಕೀ" ಹೆಸರಿನ ಗದೆ ಹಿಡಿದು ಈ ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಾಂಡಕ್ಕೆ ಆಧಾರವಾದ ಕಂಭದಂತೆ ನಿಂತಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀ ಮಹಾವಿಷ್ಣುವೇ ಗದಾಧರ.

ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿರುವ ಗಯಾ ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಮೂಲ ಮೂರ್ತಿ ಚಿತ್ರವನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದರೆ ಕೌಮೋದಕಿ ಗದೆಯನ್ನು ಕಾಣಬಹುದು. 

ಭೂಮಿಯ ಯಾವ ಪ್ರದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ ಮಾಡಿ "ಪಿಂಡಪ್ರದಾನ" ಮಾಡಿದರೂ ಅದು ಭೂಲೋಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾಡಿದಂತೆ ಆಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಆದರೆ ಗಯಾದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಗದಾಧರನ ಪಾದದ ಮೇಲೆ ಅದನ್ನು ಅರ್ಪಿಸಿದಾಗ ಅದು ಅನಂತ ವಿಶ್ವದ ಮೂಲ ಕಂಭದಂತೆ ನಿಂತಿರುವ ಶ್ರೀಹರಿಯ ಪದತಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಅರ್ಪಿಸಿದಂತೆ. ಈ ಕಾರಣಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಗಯಾ ಪಿಂಡಪ್ರದಾನಕ್ಕೆ ವಿಶೇಷ ಮಹತ್ವ. 

ಗಯಾ ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಈ ಗದಾಧರ ಮೂರ್ತಿಯ ಮುಂಭಾಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವ ಅವನ ಪಾದವನ್ನು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಕೆಳಗಡೆ ಕೊಟ್ಟಿರುವ ಚಿತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಕಾಣಬಹುದು. ಈ ಚಿತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಮಹಾವಿಷ್ಣುವಿನ ಪಾದದಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಧ್ವಜ, ವಜ್ರ, ಅಂಕುಶ ಮುಂತಾದ ರೇಖಾ ಲಕ್ಷಣಗಳನ್ನು ಕಾಣಬಹುದು. ಇವುಗಳ ವಿಶೇಷವನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆ ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ಮಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ನೋಡೋಣ. 

ಪ್ರತಿದಿನ ಸಾವಿರಾರು ಯಾತ್ರಿಕರು ಈ "ವಿಷ್ಣುಪಾದ" ಇರುವ ಕಲ್ಲಿನ ಮೇಲೆ ಪಿಂಡಪ್ರದಾನ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಈ ಕಾರಣದಿಂದ ಅಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಶಿ ರಾಶಿ ಪಿಂಡಗಳು ಬಿದ್ದಿರುತ್ತವೆ. ಕೆಲವು ನಿಮಿಷಗಳಿಗೊಮ್ಮೆ ದೇವಾಲಯದ ಕಾರ್ಯಕರ್ತರು ಈ ಪ್ರದೇಶವನ್ನು ಸ್ವಚ್ಛ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಕೆಲವರು ಈ ಸಮಯಕ್ಕಾಗಿ ಕಾದುಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದು ಆ ಚಿನ್ಹೆಯಮೇಲೆ ಪಿಂಡಗಳನ್ನು ಹಾಕಿ ಧನ್ಯತಾ ಭಾವ ಹೊಂದುತ್ತಾರೆ. 

ಕೆಲವು ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳಲ್ಲಿ, ವಿಶೇಷವಾಗಿ ವೈಷ್ಣವರಲ್ಲಿ, ಮನೆ-ಮಠಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮಾಡುವ ಶ್ರಾದ್ಧ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಹೀಗೆ ಗಯಾಯಾತ್ರೆಯ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿಂದ ತಂದಿರುವ ತಾಮ್ರದ ವಿಷ್ಣು ಪಾದ ಇಟ್ಟು ಪೂಜಿಸಿ, ಅದರ ಮೇಲೆ ಪಿಂಡಪ್ರದಾನ ಮಾಡುವ ಪದ್ಧತಿ ಈಗಲೂ ನಡೆದುಬಂದಿದೆ. 

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ಹಿಂದಿನ ಸಂಚಿಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ತಾಯಿ ದೇವಹೂತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಮಗ ಕಪಿಲ ಮುನಿಯ ಸಂವಾದವನ್ನು ಸ್ವಲ್ಪ ನೋಡಿದೆವು. ಜೀವನ-ಮರಣ ಚಕ್ರದಿಂದ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ ಹೊಂದಲು ಯಾವ ದಾರಿ ಹಿಡಿಯಬೇಕೆಂಬ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ದೇವಹೂತಿ ಕೇಳಿದ ಪ್ರಶ್ನೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಮಗನಾದ ಕಪಿಲ ಮುನಿ ನೀಡಿದ ಉತ್ತರರೂಪದ ಉಪದೇಶ ಶ್ರೀಮದ್ ಭಾಗವತದ ಮೂರನೆಯ ಸ್ಕಂಧದಲ್ಲಿ "ಕಪಿಲ ಗೀತೆ" ಎಂದು ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧವಾಗಿದೆ. ಮಹಾಭಾರತದ ಮಧ್ಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಕುರುಕ್ಷೇತ್ರದ ಯುದ್ಧ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಗುವ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣನು ಅರ್ಜುನನಿಗೆ ತಿಳಿಸಿದ "ಶ್ರೀಮದ್ ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆ" ಗೀತೆ ಎಂಬ ಹೆಸರಿಂದ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧವಾಗಿದೆ. ಭಾಗವತದ ಮೂರನೆಯ ಸ್ಕಂಧದ ಈ "ಕಪಿಲ ಗೀತೆ" ಮತ್ತು ಹನ್ನೊಂದನೆಯ ಸ್ಕಂಧದ ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣ ಉದ್ಧವನಿಗೆ ಮಾಡಿದ ಉಪದೇಶದ "ಉದ್ಧವ ಗೀತೆ" ಇವುಗಳು ಕೂಡ ಭಗವದ್ಗೀತೆಯಂತೆಯೇ ಅನೇಕ ಸಾರಯುತ ವಿಷಯಗಳನ್ನು ಒಳಗೊಂಡಿವೆ. 

ಜೀವನ-ಮರಣ ಚಕ್ರದಿಂದ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆಗಾಗಿ ಮಾಡುವ ಸಾಧನೆಯ ಮೊದಲ ಮೆಟ್ಟಿಲು ನಮ್ಮ ಮನಸ್ಸನ್ನು ನಿಯಂತ್ರಿಸಿ ಗಟ್ಟಿ ಮಾಡುವ ಕೆಲಸ. ನಮ್ಮ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಇಡೀ ಪ್ರಪಂಚದಲ್ಲಿ ಅತಿ ವೇಗವಾಗಿ ಓಡುವ ವಸ್ತು. ಅದಕ್ಕೇ ವೇಗದ ಸುದ್ದಿ ಬಂದಾಗಲೆಲ್ಲಾ ವಾಯುವೇಗ, ಮನೋವೇಗ ಅನ್ನುವುದು. ವಾಯುವೇಗಕ್ಕೂ ಮೀರಿದುದು ಮನೋವೇಗ. ಒಂದೇ ಕ್ಷಣದಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಶ್ವವನ್ನೆಲ್ಲಾ ಸುತ್ತಿ ಬರುವುದು ಅದು. ಯಾವುದೇ ಸಾಧನೆಯ ಕೆಲಸ ಮಾಡಲು ತೊಡಗಿದಾಗ ಈ ಮನಸ್ಸನ್ನು ನಿಯಂತ್ರಿಸುವುದೇ ದೊಡ್ಡ ಕಷ್ಟದ ಕಾರ್ಯ. 

ಕಪಿಲ ಮುನಿಯ ಉಪದೇಶದಲ್ಲಿ ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಪರಿಹಾರ ಸಿಕ್ಕುತ್ತದೆ. ಪ್ರಾರಂಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಎಲ್ಲ ಕೆಲಸಗಳೂ ಕಷ್ಟವೇ. ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ ಮಗು ವರುಷ ತುಂಬುವ ವೇಳೆಗೆ ನಡೆಯಲು ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ಅನೇಕ ಸಲ ಬೀಳುತ್ತದೆ. ಮೊದಲು ಗೋಡೆ ಹಿಡಿದು ನಡೆಯುತ್ತದೆ. ನಂತರ ತಾಯಿಯ ಕೈಬೆಟ್ಟು ಹಿಡಿದು ನಡೆಯುತ್ತದೆ. ಕ್ರಮೇಣ ತಾನೇ ಮೆಲ್ಲಮೆಲ್ಲನೆ ನಡೆಯುತ್ತದೆ. ಬಿದ್ದಾಗ ಮತ್ತೆ ಮೇಲೇಳುತ್ತದೆ. ಹೀಗೆ ಮಾಡುತ್ತ ಮಾಡುತ್ತಾ ಕಲಿಯುತ್ತದೆ. ಮನಸ್ಸಿನ ಹತೋಟಿಯೂ ಹೀಗೆಯೇ. 

ಕಪಿಲ ಮುನಿಯು ಇದಕ್ಕೆ ಉಪಾಯವಾಗಿ "ಸಜ್ಜನರ ಸಹವಾಸ" ಎನ್ನುವ ಪರಿಹಾರ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾನೆ. ನಾವು ಚಿಕ್ಕವರಿದ್ದಾಗ ನಮ್ಮ ಹಿರಿಯರು "Tell me who is your friend; I will tell you who you are" ಎಂದು ಒಂದು ಗಾದೆ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು. ಜೊತೆಯವರು ಸೋಮಾರಿಗಳಾದರೆ ನಾವೂ ಸೋಮಾರಿಗಳಾಗುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಅವರು ದುರಭ್ಯಾಸಗಳ ದಾಸರಾಗಿದ್ದಾರೆ ನಾವೂ ಹಾಗಾಗುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಅವರು ನಡೆಯುವ ರೀತಿಯೇ ನಮಗೆ ಮಾದರಿ ಆಗುತ್ತದೆ. ಸಾಧನೆಯಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಹೀಗೆಯೇ. ಆದ್ದರಿಂದ ಮೊದಲು ಸಜ್ಜನರನ್ನು ಹುಡುಕಿ ಅವರ ಸಂಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಆದಷ್ಟೂ ಹೆಚ್ಚು ಕಾಲ ಕಳೆಯಬೇಕು. ಶ್ರೀ ಮೋಹನದಾಸರ ಕೋಲೆ ಪದದಲ್ಲಿ "ಸಜ್ಜನರ ಸಹವಾಸ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಮುಡಿದಂತೆ, ದುರ್ಜನರ ಸಂಗ ಮುಲ್ಲಂಗಿ ತಿಂದು ತೇಗಿದಂತೆ ಕೋಲೆ" ಎಂದು ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ. ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಹೂವು ಮುಡಿದು ಮಾರನೆಯ ದಿನ ಅದನ್ನು ಬಿಸಾಡಿದರೂ ತಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ಸುವಾಸನೆ ಇರುವುದು. ಮೂಲಂಗಿಯೂ ಹಾಗೆ. ತಿಂದು ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಹೊತ್ತಿನಮೇಲೆ ತೇಗಿದರೂ ಅದೇ ಕಮಟು ವಾಸನೆಯೇ!

ಆಯಿತು. ಒಪ್ಪೋಣ. ಸಜ್ಜನರ ಸಂಗ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭಿಸಿದೆವು. ಅವರು ದಿನಕ್ಕೆ ಇಪ್ಪತ್ತುನಾಲ್ಕು ಗಂಟೆಯೂ ಹತ್ತಿರವಿರುವುದಿಲ್ಲ. ಮೇಲಾಗಿ, ನಾವು ಒಂಟಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದಾಗ ಮನಸ್ಸು ಹಿಡಿದಿಡುವುದು ಇನ್ನೂ ಕಷ್ಟ. ಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಏನು ಉಪಾಯ?

 

ಈ ಕಠಿಣ ಮತ್ತು ಜಟಿಲ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗೆ ಕಪಿಲ ಮುನಿ ಹೇಳಿ ಕೊಡುವ ಉಪಾಯವೆಂದರೆ ಒಂಟಿಯಾಗಿದ್ದಾಗಲೆಲ್ಲಾ ಪರಮಾತ್ಮನ ಪಾದದ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಚಿಂತನೆ ಮಾಡುವುದು:

ಸಂಚಿಂತಯೇತ್ ಭಗವತಃ ಚರಣಾರವಿಂದಮo  

ವಜ್ರಾoಕುಶ ಧ್ವಜ ಸರೋರುಹ ಲಾಂಛನಾಡ್ಯo

ಉತ್ತುಂಗರಕ್ತವಿಲಸನ್  ನಖಚಕ್ರವಾಳ 

ಜ್ಯೋತ್ಸ್ನಾಭಿರಾಹತಾಮಹದ್ ಹೃದಯಾಂಧಕಾರಂ 

ಇದು ಭಾಗವತದ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಪ್ರಸಿದ್ಧವಾದ ಶ್ಲೋಕಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು.

ಪರಮಾತ್ಮನ ಕಮಲಗಳಂತಿರುವ ಪಾದಗಳನ್ನು ಯಾವಾಗಲೂ ನೆನೆಯುತ್ತಿರಬೇಕು. ಅದರಲ್ಲಿ ಮಿಂಚು, ಅಂಕುಶ, ಧ್ವಜ, ಕಮಲ ಮುಂತಾದ ರೇಖೆಗಳಿವೆ. ಆ ಪಾದದ ಬೆರಳುಗಳ ಉಗುರುಗಳಿಂದ ಸದಾಕಾಲವೂ ಚಂದ್ರನ ಬೆಳದಿಂಗಳಿಗಿಂತಲೂ ಅಧಿಕವಾದ (ಬೆಳಕು ಬೆಳದಿಂಗಳಿಗಿಂತ ಕೋಟಿ ಕೋಟಿ ಬಹುಪಾಲು ಹೆಚ್ಚು. ಆದರೆ ಸೂರ್ಯನ ಬೆಳಕಿನಂತೆ ಕಣ್ಣು ಕುಕ್ಕುವುದಲ್ಲ. ಹೀಗೆ) ಆದರೆ ಹಿತವಾದ ಪ್ರಕಾಶ ಹೊರಹೊಮ್ಮುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಈ ಬೆಳದಿಂಗಳ ಬೆಳಕು ನಮ್ಮ ಹೃದಯ, ಮನಸ್ಸುಗಳಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಕತ್ತಲನ್ನು ಹೊರದೋಡಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. (ಒಮ್ಮೆ ಆ ಕತ್ತಲೆ ಹೋದರೆ ಮುಂದೆ ಎಲ್ಲವೂ ಸುಗಮವಾಗುವುದು ಎಂದು ಭಾವ). 

ಕೊಟ್ಟಿರುವ ಚಿತ್ರವನ್ನು ಹಿಗ್ಗಿಸಿ ನೋಡಿದರೆ ಅಥವಾ ಪಕ್ಕದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೊಟ್ಟ್ಟಿರುವ ತಾಮ್ರದ ವಿಷ್ಣುಪಾದವನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದರೆ ಈ ರೇಖೆಗಳನ್ನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಕಾಣಬಹುದು. 

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ನಮ್ಮ ಮನಸ್ಸುಗಳೂ ಮದವೇರಿದ ಆನೆಗಳಂತೆ. ದಿಕ್ಕಾಪಾಲಾಗಿ ಓಡುತ್ತಿರುತ್ತವೆ. ಎಂತಹ ಮದಿಸಿದ ಆನೆಯಾದರೂ ಮಾವುತನ ಅಂಕುಶ ಅದನ್ನು ಒಂದು ನಿಮಿಷದಲ್ಲಿ ಹಿಡಿತಕ್ಕೆ ತರಬಲ್ಲದು. ಪರಮಾತ್ಮನ ಪಾದಗಳ ಚಿಂತನೆಯಿಂದ ಅದರಲ್ಲಿರುವ ಅಂಕುಶ ನಮ್ಮ ಮನಸ್ಸೆಂಬ ಆನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಹಿಡಿತಕ್ಕೆ ತರುತ್ತದೆ ಎಂದು ಪರ್ಯಾಯವಾದ ಅರ್ಥ. 

ಇದೇ ವಿಷಯವನ್ನು ಶ್ರೀ ಕನಕದಾಸರು ತಮ್ಮ "ಕೇಶವನಾಮ" ಕೃತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ (ಈಶ ನಿನ್ನ ಚರಣ ಭಜನೆ ಆಸೆಯಿಂದ ಮಾಡುವೆನೋ) ಹೀಗೆ ಹೇಳುತ್ತಾರೆ:

ಹಿಂದನೇಕ ಯೋನಿಗಳಲಿ ಬಂದುಬಂದು ನೊಂದೆನಯ್ಯ 

ಇಂದು ಭವದ ಬಂಧ ಬಿಡಿಸೋ ತಂದೆ ಗೋವಿಂದಾ 

ಭಷ್ಟನೆನಿಸಬೇಡ ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಇಷ್ಟು ಮಾತ್ರ ಬೇಡಿಕೊಂಬೆ 

ಶಿಷ್ಟರೊಳಗೆ ಇಟ್ಟು ಕಷ್ಟ ಬಿಡಿಸೋ ವಿಷ್ಣುವೇ  

ಈ ಸಜ್ಜನರ ಸಂಗವನ್ನೇ "ಸತ್ಸಂಗ" ಎಂದು ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿಂದ ಕರೆಯುವುದು. ಮನಸ್ಸು ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸುವುದು ಬಲು ಕಷ್ಟ. ಆದರೂ ಸತತ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನದಿಂದ ಮತ್ತು ಸಜ್ಜನರ ಸಹವಾಸದಿಂದ ಅದನ್ನು ಸಾಧಿಸಬೇಕು. 

Kashi, Varanasi and Banaras

The three names Kashi, Varanasi and Banares are used to mention the same place, situate on the banks of the river Ganga in the state of Uttar Pradesh in our country. A recent visit to this ancient and holy city set me thinking about the the three names and their origin. The history of the city and its fame stretch to over 2,000 years and makes an interesting past and present. Many Indians consider a visit to this place a life's goal and ambition. Having a population of over a million people today, it has been an educational, cultural and commercial centre for several centuries. Home for the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Banares Hindu University and the numerous Ghats on the banks of the river Ganga, it is also famous for its Banares Silk Sarees and other commercial attractions. Sarnath, a seat of Buddhist pilgrimage has also now become a part of the city. With Allahabad, now renamed as Prayagraj on the West and Gaya on the East, it is the centre of the Trinity of pilgrimage cities for the Shraddalu people of several generations.

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Kashi Mahajanapada, Kingdom of Kashi as known in the yesteryears, referred to the areas in the region around the present Varanasi City. This Kingdom is said to have reached its peak around 2,600 years ago. At that time kashi was bigger than Varanasi and covered large areas of present East UP and Bihar. The kingdom stretched up to the banks of the Son (Sone) river in present Bihar. Sone is the second biggest tributary of Ganga, second only after Yamuna. Sone river flows 5 Kilo meters  wide near Dehri Town, though not much water can be seen in summer months. Kashi Kingdom in those years covered the present Bihar districts of Bhojpur, Rohtas, Kaimur and Buxar as well. There is a Kashi Railway Station in Varanasi even today, on the banks of the river Ganga. It is located in between Varanasi Junction and Mughalsarai Junction, 6 Kilo meters east of Varanasi Junction and 11 Kilo meter Northwest of Mughalsarai, renamed last year as Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction.

A scholar from anywhere in India was not considered complete unless he travelled to Kashi and gained the approval of the scholars there. Many learned luminaries from South and Westren India went to Kashi, stayed and learned there for sometime and made their marks on the history of our country. The word "Kashi" is said to have been derived from the word "Shine" due to the city's shining on account of both being a seat of knowledge and lights illuminating it in the nights. The word Kashi is even today associated with Vishwanath, the presiding deity of the city. 

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The name Varanasi is derived from the area between two rivers Varana and Assi. These are the two tributaries of Ganga merging with the big river on the north and south side of Varanasi respectively. Assi river has now become a small stream due to urbanisation and difficult to recognise. However, the point at which the river merges with Ganga is known as Assi Ghat and is an important ghat among the many on the banks of the river. This is the place where Prime Minister Modi launched Clean Ganga project in 2014. 

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The name Banaras (or Benares or Banares) is of much recent origin. Banaras Zamindari Estate is said to have taken the form of Banares Princely State during the time of Raja Balwant Singh of the Narayan Dynasty, in the 18th century. It was recognised by the British India rulers in 1910. After the country became independent, the last Maharaja of Banaras State, Vibhuti Narayan Singh, signed the accession of the state to the Indian Union on 15th October, 1948. The rulers of this dynasty are even today referred as Kashi Naresh and highly revered. They live in a palace known as Ramnagar Fort, on the southern bank of the river Ganga (See the picture). It is said that Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya approached the then Maharaja for grant of lands for establishing Banaras Hindu University, in the early years of the last century. Kashi Naresh is said to have told him to start walking from morning and continue till evening and whatever area he covered would be given to the university. An area of 1,300 acres of land was donated to the university by the Maharaja. The vastness of the university is seen to be believed. There is a beautiful Kashi Vishwanath Temple within the University campus.  

Vibhuti Narayan Singh was a great scholar in Sanskrit and Oriental Literature. He studied at Banaras Hindu university. He later on became the Chancellor of the University as well. Unlike many other Maharajas who entered politics after Independence, V N Singh devoted his life for service in the education and cultural fields. He continued and strengthened the Dasara and RamLila celebrations in Varanasi by inaugurating them every year on a procession (see picture), resembling the Jambu Savari celebrations at Mysore.

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Vibhuti Narayan Singh was a classmate of another great scholar, Bhagirath Prasad Tripathi, more known as Vagish Shastri. Vagish Shastri is known as "Modren Panini" (see picture) and developed a method to learn and remember Sanskrit Grammar in easy ways. His learning methods have helped many scholars from the west learn Sanskrit and carry the knowledge of our ancient literature to their countries. Once he heard the recording of famous Pop singer Madonna, singing Adi Shankaracharya's Yoga-Taravali (Vande Guroonam Charanaravinde....) and expressed his displeasure about her pronunciation. Madonna later approached him and he taught her the proper pronunciation of the verses! The recording of madonna's Yoga Taravali can be heard on YouTube. 

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A visit to Varanasi was indeed an opportunity to recall the many things like these, learnt and heard on different occasions. The stories and history of this wonderful place keep repeating in the mind many times over.....

Send Him Here First

The ongoing Prayagraj Kumbh Mela is one of the biggest religious congregations in the world. The 48-day festival starting form "Makara Sankranthi" day and concluding on 4th March, 2019 attracts over 150 million devotees from all parts of the world. The congregation is not only the biggest but also exceeds the populations of several countries in the world put together. Kumbh Mela is held in four cities (Haridwar, Nashik, Ujjain and Prayagraj) by rotation depending on the celestial position of the planets. The belief is that the heavenly nectar obtained by churning of the milky ocean was being carried in a sacred pitcher, when a few drops fell on earth in these four places. As with many things linked to faith, the enthusiasm of the congregation is seen to be believed.

During the last fortnight I had the occasion to talk to half a dozen friends who happened to attend the Kumbh Mela this year. From their unanimous reports it is found that the arrangements made this year were fantastic and unprecedented. The usually uncontrollable crowds were managed very well and the army of volunteers ensured that cleanliness was maintained to the maximum possible extent. It is reported that the volunteers were moving around with baskets in their hands to remove any unwanted item falling on the ground and move them away to the dust bins. There was also more self-discipline among the congregation and clean environment consciousness was visible all-round the mela areas.

Visitors to Varanasi during this period have also reported that many encroachments around the Kashi Vishwanath Temple have been cleared and the path from the river Ganga to the temple is now smooth and easy. Work is still going on but the effects are already visible. Shape of these temple towns, which were unfortunately known for the filth and foul smell, is indeed changing. One can only hope that this development will find its logical conclusion and cleanliness and godliness will be seen together in future.

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It is common knowledge that River Ganga is highly revered and is referred as Mother Ganga (Ganga Mai) or Ganga ji. Uttarakhand High Court in a judgement last year gave the status of a person to Ganga and Yamuna rivers and decreed that these rivers have the same rights as persons. There are many stories about Ganga river in our vast literature.

It is believed that Ganga was born when King Maha Bali washed the feet of Lord Vamana before granting him three feet of land as promised by the King. When the Lord lifted his leg to cover the entire upper worlds, the edge of his foot finger nail cracked the shell of the universe and Ganga flowed from there. Ganga was held by Lord Shiva on the whiskers of his head and became Gangadhara. Taking a dip in River Ganga is a life long dream of people who live far away from the flow of the river. It is also believed that taking a dip in the holy river burns away accumulated sins and paves the way for heaven.

There is a very interesting story about River Ganga in the "Kartika Masa Mahatme", the month that follows Deepavali festival. There was a very devout person, Gangadas, living on the bank of the River Ganga. He had taken a vow that he will not eat anything on any day unless he visits the river and bathes in it. For years and years he sincerely followed this ritual. His entire life revolved around The great river. Due to some reason, he had to once go to another place away from the river. He tried his best to avoid the trip so that he would not miss his daily bath in the river. But he had to go. He decided that since he could not take bath in the river on those days of travel, he would not accept anything to eat from those who have not taken a dip in the river.

Gangadas followed this rule rigorously for several days. On the way back he had to stay overnight in one of the places. He had heard from people coming to his place to bathe in River Ganga that a person there, one Bhakta Das was running a guest house for pilgrims to stay overnight and rest. He had also arranged to provide them lunch on regular basis. All pilgrims taking that route would stay in the guest house for a day, take rest, have lunch and thereafter resume their journey. The news of service rendered by this persons had spread far and wide and our Gangadas had also heard of him. Gangadas decided to stay in Bhakta Das's guest house for a day and resume his journey.

Bhakta Das came to know from his staff that Gangadas was staying overnight in his place. Next morning Bhakta Das visited Gangadas and told him, "I had heard of your devotion to Mother Ganga. Today I am indeed blessed to see you in person, one who has seen and bathed in Mother Ganga regularly for so long. I request you to be my chief guest at today's prasad ceremony and bless us all". Gangadas was happy and agreed to the proposal. 

After the rituals on the next day when all the traveling guests had assembled to have lunch, Gangadas asked Bhakta Das when he had last visited River Ganga. Bhakta Das was very apologetic and said that he had not seen the River even once in his life as he was unable to move away from his guest house lest it will cause inconvenience to the travellers. His dream remained a dream. Gangadas became very angry and shouted at Bhakta Das. "What? You have not bathed in the Mother River even once? Don't you know that I do not accept food from anyone who has not bathed in the River Ganga? One should not even see your face", he said and walked away without listening to the pleadings of Bhakta Das and others.

Gangadas returned to his place and went to the river next day for his usual bath in the morning. To his surprise he found that he could not see the river and its waters. Others were going to the river but he could not see the river waters. Overcome by deep grief he prayed to the Mother River. After much pleadings he heard a voice which said, "You have insulted a true devotee of the Mother River. Bhakta Das might not have come here, but he has helped thousands over the years to come here and realise their dreams. He has earned much higher blessings due to this than whatever you have earned. By insulting such a person you have forfeited the right to see Mother Ganga".

Gangadas realised his blunder and begged the river to forgive him and pardon his mistake. The voice now said, "If you want to atone for your sins, go back to Bhakta Das. Take over the duty of managing the guest house for sometime and relieve Bhakta Das to come here and realise his life's dream. Send him here first. Once that is done you will regain your eligibility to see the river again".

Needless to say, Gangadas dutifully did the same and atoned for his lapses. Bhakta Das also achieved his long time wish.

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Whatever service is done to serve a noble cause is indeed worth as much as doing the noble deed oneself. Many have said this before. That is what John Milton also meant when he said, "They also serve who only stand and wait".

Varanasi and Annam Bhatta

Varanasi, also known as Kashi, is continuously in the news for the past few weeks.  As Varanasi goes to polls tomorrow,  tensions run high.  It was a high profile and big decibel campaign and everyone is looking expectantly at the future.

The first I heard of Kashi (Varanasi) was as a child when someone in our town went there on a pilgrimage.  With no communication facilities except a post card that might be received after several days, those going to far away Kashi and returning after the darshan of Kashi Vishweswara and Annapoorneswari were considered extremely lucky and achieved a coveted goal in their life. When returning from Kashi, they usually brought the water of the sacred river, Ganga stored in sealed copper containers. After a few days rest, they would make another trip to Rameswaram and fulfill the second part of the pilgrimage.  The Ganga water brought from Kashi would be used for the "Abhishekam" of Lord Rameswara.  Thus the twin trips of Kashi and Rameswaram was the dream of many a devout elders.  After completing this ambitious pilgrimage, they usually arranged for a grand function.  The occasion was addressed as "Kashi Samaradhane" or "Ganga Samaradhane". A pooja was followed by distribution of some more copper containers filled with Ganga water to the invitees and relatives.  This was an occasion for celebration and a grand feast used to be the highlight for the youngsters in the locality.  The sealed copper containers with Ganga waters in them, received thus by others would receive pooja in their respective houses everyday. The container would be opened and Ganga water offered with due respects, as the last drops of water and tribute to a family member moving away to the heavenly abode.

Another context in which I had heard of Kashi as a child was with reference to the city being a great center of learning.  It is said that Kashi is one of the earliest inhabited city in the world and its history dates back to several thousand years.  Any scholar from other parts of our country was considered as a true pandit only when he went to Kashi, lived there for sometime and pursued higher studies.  Just as "Foreign Returned" was a distinction some four or five decades ago, "Kashi Returned" was considered an achievement for centuries.  Benares Hindu University (BHU) founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya exemplifies this spirit even today.  BHU will be celebrating its centenary year two years from now.  The rigor of stay and studies at Kashi was symbolically alluded to with the quotation "काशी गमन मात्रेण न अन्नं भटटायते द्विजः", (Kashi gamana matrena na annam bhattayate dwijaha), meaning "A scholar does not become Annam Bhatta merely by going to Kashi".

Who was this Annam Bhatta?  I enquired with some elders but did not receive a satisfactory reply from them.  Many quotations are often used without understanding their actual meaning and this is probably one such.  Many families in the districts of Kolar and Bangalore have the names of Annam Bhatta for generations.  The full name of Annam bhatta is actually Annadana Bhatta, meaning one who generously feeds others. These families have a common Gotra, Haritasa.  On enquiries with them, it is learnt that these families have migrated to these districts from Kurnool area of the present Andhra Pradesh or Rayalaseema. There was a practice of naming a new born after the grandfather or great grandfather and Annambhatta was probably an ancestor of these families.  (Please CLICK HERE to read about "Family Tree" of these families).   Sometime ago, there was a music concert near our house and traffic on the road was closed to accomodate the concert.  i went there to see what was the nature of the concert.  As we were waiting for the artistes to arrive, I saw one girl reading a Sanskrit book in dim light of the street.  I borrowed the book from her and read for a few minutes.  This was a book by name "Tarkasangraha" by Annam Bhatta.  It was a very interesting book on Logic, the science that deals with the principles governing correct or reliable inference. Motivated by this, I studied the book later on and was fascinated by the simple and lucid style followed in the book and yet its scholarly treatment of the subject.

Annambhatta lived in the 16th century and came from a family of Advaitavidyacharyas.  Raghava Somayaji was a well known ancestor of this Telugu speaking family.  He was the son of Tirumala Acharya, and author of several commentaries on "Nyaya Shastra" and Grammar books.  He lived in the golden period of 16th century.  This era is well known for a number of stalwarts and their works.  This period was a very active span of time in philosophy and literature as well with the confluence of masters of all the three schools of thinking; Dwaita, Advaitha and Vishishtadwaita.  Rajaguru Tatacharya was a known Vishishtadwaita stalwart representing the Vishishtadwaita school during the Vijayanagara period.  Vijayendra Tirtha and Vadiraja Teertha were the torch bearers of the Dwaita school in this era. Appaiah Deekshita and Bhattoji Deekshita were acknowledged scholars of the Adwaita school. Annam Bhatta holds his own special place among the luminaries of this distinguished period.

"Tarkasangraha" is a primer and an introduction to "Nyaya System".  An English translation of the book (46 pages only) by Balwant Narhar Bahulikar (1903) is available on the net.  "Dipika" is a commentary on "Tarkasangraha".  A reading of the book makes the meaning of "One does not become Annambhatta by just going to Kashi" very clear.  Annam bhatta did not become a great man by merely going to Kashi.  That many could do.  He worked hard there and came out with very valued works on Logic and Grammar.  he is remembered for the outcome of his visit to Kashi.

Who wins in Varanasi in the election tomorrow is not the issue.  What the winner does thereafter is the moot point. Annambhatta went to Kashi to pursue higher studies.  That was only the beginning.  He spent his time with dedication and succeeded there.  He gave us works like Tarkasangraha and many more.  He became famous and is remembered today not because he went to Kashi, but due to his achievements there.  The one who wins in this election in Varanasi will not be judged on mere emerging a victor in the election.  He will be judged based on what he does or does not do thereafter.