Slokam 8

With the Paramathma acting as a fulcrum,  the churning begins again, this time with the full vigor of the asuras and devas,  both of whom are enthused by the devine support, that lightens the physical ordeal of the effort required to perform the churning. 

In addition,  the Paramathma permeates Vasuki as well as the asuras and devas to energies them and prevent them from succumbing to physical exhaustion.

The implication in this slokam is a clear pointer to who really enables us to accomplish actions. The role that the Paramathma plays in causing transformation to happen on this planet is extensive, profound, complicated and  is invisible and happens 24/7,  365 days in a year.  Because His presence, participation and actions are enacted through the medium of mortal beings,  and He cannot be perceived by the uninitiated,  our ego steps in to take the credit.

The fundamental enabling role that the Paramathma plays is to balance our abilities with the task on hand.  He is the balancing force that bridges the gap between the abilities that we have been endowed with and the abilities required to perform the task on hand.  The Paramathma is the enabler of all the forces within us and (what we think is) the external world. 

The Paramathma is also the enabler of our every organ within us.  We are not even aware of the different component   parts that constitute our physical self.  Science is exploring the physical aspect and is slowly unravelling the complexities of the body.  But we are completely in the dark when it comes to knowing the knower within us,  and all the forces of consciousness and perception that are beyond the reach of the physical senses.

In fact,  given the Paramathma’s dominant role in every aspect of existence,  it is hard to pinpoint our contribution in this entire process.  We can only conclude that our primary contribution is to execute the Paramathma’s instructions without putting up a resistance or rebellion.

Even with all the support, guidance and enablement of the Paramathma,  we find it is not an easy task to stay on the assigned path. The obstacles in our path are always set at a slightly higher level than the abilities that (we think) we are endowed with. The obstacles are real, so if we don’t overcome them, we will experience pain and suffering. 

It is not that we have to develop new skills or abilities from nowhere. The requirement is not that we have to create something new out of nothing.  All the required ingedients to overcome obstacles are already packed within us by the Paramathma,  right at the start of the journey.  The ingredients are beyond the five senses.  

To discover them,  we are required to develop the tools that look within our inner selves.  We are required to develop the ability to discern the different elements that are packed within us. We are required to analyze the interrelationships between the different elements.  Finally,  we would have to develop the control to harness the power and capability of the elements and use them only to progress on the path assigned to us.  The abilities that are locked up within us can be used correctly or can be misused, inappropriately. 

Recognizing that we would tend to use powers only for inappropriate purposes,  the capabilities hidden within us cannot be unlocked, unless we first develop the capability of self control.  Unlocking the secrets of nuclear physics if it going to be used to produce only nuclear bombs for destruction? Likewise, if we are going to use the abilities within us to pursue and enhance wordly desires,  then the very purpose of life would be defeated.  This is why, much of the orientation of spiritual teachings has its emphasis on developing self control.  Unless this prerequisite is met, there will be no revelation of the keys to be used to unlock the self.

The Paramathma is clearly not taking the chance of revealing the hidden aspects,  unless we demonstrate the development of the capability to refrain from pursuit of worldly pleasures.

The slokam emphasizes that both the asuras and devas continue the churning with renewed vigor, when they see that the Paramathma is there support the effort.  This renewed enthusiasm, energy and vigor, further advance the effort,  because it affirms that the churning will not be a wasted effort.  The Paramathma is understood as one who has complete knowledge of the universe.  He always knows what is the right thing to do.  His intervention and support of the churning process,  is a confirmation that amrutham will indeed result from the churning.  This affirmation is very important from a motivational standpoint.  

As we progress on the spiritual path,  the worldly distractions and obstacles cause us to stumble and doubt.  We lose confidence both our capability and the emergence of the amrutham at the end of the journey.  The Paramathma intervenes, but may not blatantly display Himself to our senses.  This is why it is absolutely important to strengthen Bhakthi.  Like stars in the sky, the rewards are placed at the end of a very long path. We can see the stars,but we cannot reach out and touch them. We see them,  and have embarked on space programs, to reach them.  Unlike stars, the objectives of this life are not physical,  so they are beyond the senses.  We know our vulnerabilities through observation of others and experience of limitations.  The objective of overcoming these limitations is understood as a necessity. 

We are endowed with the curiosity and perseverance to physically explore the universe and the stars in order to seek a way out of our limitations.

If we internalize the universe and the stars,  these become the objectives of peace, tranquility,  and eternity that our spiritual journey will take us to. In the interstellar journey to the stars,  there are a number of intermediate celestial bodies that we can use as stepping stones to the ultimate destination. These have been arranged, so that we can take progress step by step.  Just imagine our situation if there were no other objects placed between earth and the stars. Would we ever be motivated to develop the technology to make the one big jump across space?  Without intermediary, and smaller steps to take,  and succeed in,  the stars cannot be reached. Base stations  are established at each intermediary planet and the final destination is reached after these base stations are fully functional and are sustainable.  It is akin to jumping over stepping stones in order to get to the other side of the river.  It is also akin to climbing mount Everest by establishing intermediary camps for rest and rejuvenation.

Likewise, these small steps that we take, using our senses,  and the trials and tribulations that we face, and overcome on earth,  represent the base stations, stepping stones and base camps for onward progress into our inner self. 

The idea of taking small steps to reach the distant target,  is that if there is a setback at any point,  we can revert to the closest base station,  make the necessary repairs and resume the journey.  We do not have to go back to the starting point. 

Likewise, our accomplishments on the spiritual path in this life are neatly packaged by the supreme consciousness and transported into a different body for continuing the onward journey into eternity.  If there is an intermediary setback,  we are reverted to the previous life status in which we were successful and retake the failed tests after further preparation. 

Our physical body can be compared to the multi stage rocket,  where each stage drops of after a certain altitude is reached and only the orbital capsule reaches outerspace.   Likewise,  on the journey to moksham we assume and discard many bodies,  and many lifetimes,  to ultimately deliver pure consciousness of perfection,  that will merge with the Paramathma.

With Bhakthi on the Paramathma,  if we proceed selflessly on the assigned path,  we will attain the ultimate objective of  this existence.