Slokam 6

In this slokam, Sri Bhattadri describes the bewitching smile of the Paramathma, very appropriately, as Maya. His breath as the wind, tongue as water, utternces as flocks of birds, His musical notes as the Siddhas (fulfilled souls), mouth as fire, hands as the Gods who dictate the events of this world, His Broad Chest as representing Dharma (symbolically very appropriate).

The slokam references the “deity of righteousness”, implying that righteousness is an endowment. This is an important assertion to follow. The scriptures want us to recognize that none of the attributes that we possess is owned by us. Everything that we possess is an endowment, for which we have to acknowledge the supreme intervention and guidance. This acknowledgement is our evolution and our contribution to the process of evolution. By this acknowledgement, we become selfless. When we become selfless, we evolve to a higher level.  This selflessness must be sustained right through the process of evolution.

The way spiritual evolution seems to happen is very much like learning and passing exams. One difference, we cannot memorize anything and recite and hope to get moksham. True knowledge must be acquired, and true bhakthi must be developed. The spiritual rules have been laid out.  These have been documented in the scriptures.  We have learning aids and ability. We are endowed with enough faculty and intelligence. We will be fully tested by life to see whether we are putting on a show or are we really on board with the requirements. Our level of achievement will determine whether we pass or fail. Accordingly we will be pushed to a higher or lower level depending on our level of attainment.  We are all given the abilities and told the requirements.  If we do not follow them, the consequences are very severe.  We see the impact of the non-compliance all around us in everyday life in the form of misery and suffering.

May we be endowed with the ability to focus the attention of our consciousness entirely on the Paramathma.