Slokam 6

The asuras paid a heavy price for their act of grabbing the pot from the Paramathma. The asuras by their very nature cannot control themselves.  So if we are in the company of asuras,  we must not show them what we have.   Otherwise they will grab it.  Let us consider our inner self. 

If the deva and dharmic aspect within us is on a quest to attain moksham,  the asura within us will be constantly trying to disrupt the progress.  When we make progress,  we slowly begin to detach ourselves from worldly attractions,  remove conflict from the mind, and begin to experience eternal peace.  As a result, of this dedication,  the troubles of this world vanish,  and all our hidden and entrapped energy emerges from within.  If the asura within us is uncontrolled,  and unsubdued,  they will immediately try to grab this energy and use it for sense pleasures.   We will not be able to stop them.  This is why it must be clear from the start that they should be segregated,  and by intense effort at mind control,  their attention must be kept diverted,  without causing harm to the self or to anyone else.  Rishis and sages indulge in intense tapas,  only to keep the asura aspect, completely subdued.  They take pains to isolate themselves,  so that the asura, within, does not fall prey to temptations.  When the environment does not distract,  all our energies (the amrutham), can be dedicated to the task concentrating on the feet of the Paramathma.

Even with our best efforts, it is likely that one or two asura may slip into our thoughts,  like Swarbhanu.  We need to invoke the guile of the Paramathma to keep our asuras distracted and to get rid of them if they manage to sneak in.

The Paramathma,  knowing the nature of the asuras,  still appears in the unprotected form of Dhanvantari,  carrying the pot of amrutham.  He is essentially giving them a chance at good behavior. If they showed restraint and courtesy,  there would be little reason to deny them their share of the amrutham.

The Paramathma could have secured the pot of amrutham when he makes the appearance.  He could have then brought guards who will hold the asuras in check.  Then he would have been committed to distributing the fair share to both the asuras and devas.  However,  if the Paramathma had done that,  the very purpose of the churning would have been defeated. 

The purpose of churning the ocean of the mind and consciousness is to extract the eternal energy,  that is not constrained by conflict of opposing forces. The conflict between asuras and devas must disappear from within, in truth and in reality.  Take lust for example. We may restrain ourselves from the act of physical lust,  but our minds may still be fully engaged and transgressed with images and past experiences.  We have progressed to suppress and control our base instincts,  but if they still rule our minds, then we are not qualified for the immortality that is bestowed by the amrutham. 

The asuras have also put in the effort to generate the amrutham of immortality,  but they have all along had the intent of grabbing it and misusing its power.  This intent has to surface,  in order to be able to make a judgement on their eligibility for taking their share.  The misbehavior of grabbing is a clear disqualifier,  since it is directly opposed to the fundamental requirement of developing detachment and tranquility. 

The Paramathma’s unprotected and unsecured appearance is a test and an exposure of the true intent of the asuras, which makes them disqualified to consume the amrutham.

The clear implication is that only those that have transcended the base driving forces of life,  will be able to attain moksham.  Until then, the asura within us will keep us entrapped in this cycle of births and deaths.