Slokam 8

Speaking practically, Guruvayurappan should be with us only when we think of Him and invoke Him in our minds.  But in reality, His presence is always with us as, manifested as our consciousness.

This slokam acknowledges that the conscious and subconscious forces to which we are subject are the endowments of the Paramathma and that none of our faculties are under our conscious control.

The Slokam questions the fact that when we have been endowed, even without asking, with all these faculties and lavish environment in which to flourish, and the strength to pursue evolution, how can we be complaining or even asking for something that we think we have not been given?

One of the greatest states of success that we can attain in this existence is to recognize that we have been given all that we need, without ever knowing that we would ever need them or even understanding how to use them. 

This Slokam addresses one of the fundamental aspects of Sanathana Dharma which is “Realization of the Self”.  The recognition of the different components with which we are made, how they interact, how they should be used to facilitate evolution”.

There is nothing that is needed beyond what has been endowed. There is no need to make specific demands for matter for which we do not understand the consequences. Pure saranagathi or surrender is enough to invoke blessings that will give us all that we need. Making demands from a state of ignorance can be counterproductive and disastrous. All of use make this fundamental mistake many times due to the pressures that life subjects us to desires and wants that we think very highly of, but which in fact do not matter at all.

It may not always be desire or want that we seek and crave for. It may also be just the seeking of relief from pain or a physical affliction which may desire because life has become intolerable.

The entire Narayaneyam was composed with the request added at the end of almost every Slokam for relief from the physical affliction which Sri Bhattadri acquired in lieu of payment of Dakshina to His Guru.  The request was duly granted when the Slokams were completed.  One difference in Sri Bhattadri’s request was the gift of devotion that inspired all Bhakthas and provided them the ability to relate their own personal condition to the unlimited compassion and consideration of the Paramathma.

It is said that when Guruvaurappan wanted to know to whom Sr Bhattadri was going to dedicate the composition, the response was “to my physical condition”.  The rationale being that, but for the handicap, Sri Bhattadri would have, like any other accomplished scholar would have sought wealth, fame and fortune instead of the pursuit of Bhakthi.

The other major point of difference was Sri Bhattadri made the specific request, not because of worldly desires, but because he wanted to be freed of the pain of the affliction so he could pursue spiritual objectives with greater vigor.  So he prayed for “Ayul Aroggya Soukiam”, which means “ Life long Health and Happiness/Bliss”).

Let us also invoke Guruvayurappan to give us “Ayul Arogya Soukiam”) so we can use the endowment to work towards attaining the Paramathman.