Slokam 10

This slokam throws light on why the various episodes in the Ithihasas and Puranas are structured as slokams and not narratives.  There are a few reasons for structuring the narratives as slokams. 

Slokams in Sanskrit have a rhythm that makes them easy to remember and repeat. 

It is important that we repeat these narratives many times over.  There are so many dimensions to each narrative.  These dimensions will be revealed only when the narrative is repeated.  If a narrative is to be repeated many times over,  it is best that it is in the form of a slokam. 

A slokam is an exquisite combination of meaning,  rhyme,  devotion,  surrender and bhakthi.  It causes us to understand the many levels of inner meaning that are packed into each narrative.  Each slokam within a Canto, highlights a different dimension, of what would otherwise be only a two line narrative. 

This exposition of the different dimensions of an episode,  illuminates the gnanam within us,  by highlighting the capabilities within us that are being used to grasp the different aspects of the narrative.

So slokams help us turn inwards and illuminates our hidden capabilities.

Repeating the slokams ingrains into us the qualities of the characterizations (in this instance, the attributes of Gajendra),  and the requirements to reach out to the Paramathma.

Sri Bhattadri says in this slokam that the Paramathma has assured that the chanting of the slokam,  which extols  the Paramathma, early in the morning,  will bestow greatness on the Bhakta. 

This greatness is bestowed by the imbibing of the extremely high qualities of the characterizations that are built intricately into the slokams.  The high qualities are, like everything else that we have, is an endowment from the Paramathma. Repeating the slokams is a display of commitment and deication to the cause of attaining a higher level.  The endowment of the higher qualities is the result of the acceptance of our sincerity to the cause by the Paramathma.

One of the major effects of repeating the slokams is that it quietens our mind, sets aside our ego and the tendency to project ourselves.  When the ego isset aside,  the endowment of the higher qualities flows into us since the major impediment is now removed.

May we repeat the slokams with a full understanding of the meaning,  early each morning.