Oh My God! Episode 15

varalotti · Jul 13, 2009

OH MY GOD!

A Series By Varalotti Rengasamy

Episode 15

It was 10:30 PM. Yamini had listened to the story of the Lion-faced Lord only that evening.

Yamini was waiting for Arvind to come after finishing the day’s work. The girls were sleeping downstairs as they did on most of the days.

Arvind came in at a quarter to Eleven.

“How did the story go with the girls, dear?”

“The girls simply loved it. I have been such a fool, Arvind. Should have tried this earlier. The girls were listening with their eyes popping out.

"You know I am very happy today because after a long time the girls really ate well. What about the second part of the story, KG Sir?”

“Why now, Yamini? I will tell you tomorrow evening at the same time. So that you can relay it to the girls during suppertime.”

Yamini had a sheepish smile on her face.

“Honestly, Arvind, it’s not for the girls, but for me. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep unless I hear the other part of the story. The hunter has become one with the God. But what happened to Sanandhana?

“Did not the Lord promise that He would be there for him whenever he needed Him? What happened to that promise?”

Arvind’s laugh was philosophical.

“I will be there for you whenever you need me. This is not just the promise our Lord gave to Sanandhana. It is what he gave to each one of us.

“It is an eternal promise. A universal promise. Given to every sentient being. And the promise has been delivered on time, every time. But the problem is that we are so preoccupied with our own selves that many times we do not recognize His presence.”

“Great. But I am now concerned whether God delivered on His promise to the young Brahman boy who could not see Him because of his pride.”

“Not just once, Yamini. The promise was delivered three times over. Each time the delivery was stronger than the former.”

“I can’t wait to hear the story, Arvind. Please…”

Arvind smiled, patted affectionately on his wife’s shoulders before starting the narration.

varalotti · Jul 13, 2009

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Part 2

Sanandhana might not have got the Lord’s Dharshan. His love for God might not have been as intense as that of the hunter. Agreed. But we should not forget the fact that he was a “natural” and God had deigned to speak to him and show his future path.

Seeing the hunter’s love and hearing the Lord’s words all traces of spiritual pride vanished from the young Brahman’s mind. With hindsight we can infer that whatever happened happened for good.

Sanandhana had a little pride and for that was chastened by God Himself. What happened was a kind of spiritual vaccination.

By having small doses of pride and by fighting against it with the help of God Sanandhana became immune to that lethal disease later in life. Mysterious yet beautiful are the ways of God!

Sanandhana did not go home. He was moving from town to town always chanting the Mantra Rajam always thinking of the Lion-faced Lord, of the Lord’s kind words and His loving devotee, the hunter.

When he saw some monks preparing to go to Varanasi Sanandhana joined them.

After several days of journey the group reached <st1lace w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Varanasi</st1:city></st1lace>. Sanandhana had a dip in the Holy Ganges, prayed to Lord Viswanatha and Annapoorani and was biding his time.

A young saint had appeared on the horizon. He looked like a man sent by God to protect the Vedas and the divine knowledge they contained.

Somebody went one step further and declared that Lord Shiva was himself born as that saint.

And it was not just by coincidence that the saint bore the name of the three-eyed Lord himself. Yes, the name of the saint was Shankara. Later known as Adi Sankarar or Shankara Bhagavathpadhar. The one who propounded the Advaitha philosophy.

Shankara had a divine aura about him. But what attracted thousands of people to him was his kind face and soft words. It was as if his whole body and mind was made of sheer love.

Sanandhana heard that Shankaracharya was now camping at Varanasi. He knew that he had found his spiritual guru. He ran to Shankara and waited by his side till all those who came to see him left for the day.

varalotti · Jul 13, 2009

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Part 3

When he was alone with the greatest saint of his times, Sanandhana fell at his feet. Reverentially holding his hand by his ears he chanted the abhivadhana mantram, the formal way in which a Brahman would introduce himself to an elder or a revered person
.
“My name is Sanandhana. I am from the <st1lace w:st="on"><st1lacename w:st="on">Chozha</st1lacename> <st1lacetype w:st="on">Kingdom</st1lacetype></st1lace> of Tamilnadu. I have learnt the Vedas under a learned teacher. My branch of specialization is the Shukla Yajur Veda….”

The Great Saint Shankaracharya was stunned into silence. He was not exactly listening to Sanandhana’s words. The Jagadguru could feel the presence of the Lion-faced Lord standing just behind the unsuspecting young Brahman.

The Lord was there as a parent. By his mere presence the Lord was telling Shankaracharya, “Hi man, this is my kid. A nice boy. Please take good care of him.”

The Lord now looked like an anxious father handholding his ward on the first day at school. When Sanandhana prostrated before the Jagadguru, the latter folded his hands in the direction of Lord Narasimha with tears in his eyes.

The kind Lord placed his fingers on his lips to tell the teacher that His presence be not known to the boy. The Lord was very careful this time. He did not want Sanandhana to suffer in spiritual pride once again.

Before Sanandhana woke up the Jagadguru wiped his eyes and placed his hands on the head of the young Brahman boy.

“You are welcome, my child. I have been waiting for you all along. Though I have a number of disciples already let it be known to the world that you are and will be my primary disciple.”

The Lord blessed both the teacher and the student and went away.

varalotti · Jul 13, 2009

Part 4

Sanandhana loved his new Guru with all his heart. He worked like the Guru’s personal servant and took care of all his personal needs.

Shankara taught him the inner meanings of all the Upanishads. He also explained his philosophy of Advaitha. At the same time he did not forget to emphasize the importance of worshipping a personal God. Sanandhana had an understanding smile on his face.

The image of the lion-faced Lord was deeply embedded in his being. His mouth was constantly chanting the Narasimha moola mantra, the Mantra Rajam.

The other disciples of Shankara thought that Sanandhana was their Master’s favoured disciple. Not that Sanandhana was given any special privileges.

In fact because of his love for his teacher he ended up doing more work than others. And because of his earlier experience he never considered himself superior to others.

Whenever Shankara spoke to Sanandhana he was reminded of the Lion-faced Lord’s unmistakable presence on the first day.

His voice became even softer and gestures even more loving. This made the other disciples jealous of Sanandhana. They even started making petty complaints about him to their Guru.

Shankaracharya decided that the time had come to show to others how special Sanandhana was.

varalotti · Jul 13, 2009

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Part 5

One evening when the classes were about to start Shankara deliberately sent Sanandhana to the other bank of <st1lace w:st="on">Ganges</st1lace> on some errand.

It took some time for Sanandhana to go to the other bank through a bridge which was a little away from that place.

When he reached the other bank and was carrying out his Master’s command, Shankara called him.

Shankara and the other disciples could see Sanandhana as he was just about fifty feet away from them. But to go to that place one had to walk around for one and a half miles through the bridge unless of course one decided to swim across the turbulent river.

Shankara shouted at Sanandhana.

“What are you doing you lazy boy? How long are you going to be on the other side? Don’t you know that it is already late? Come on. I order you to come here immediately. I can’t even tolerate a few minutes’ delay.”

The Jagadguru had to strain himself a lot to bring that false anger in his voice. But the effect on Sanandhana was dramatic.

Hearing his Guru’s angry words he started running towards his Guru without minding the mighty <st1lace w:st="on">Ganges</st1lace> flowing in between. <st1lace w:st="on">

Ganges</st1lace> was flowing with so much ferocity that if only Sanandhana had set his foot on the river he would have been washed away in no time.

But Sanandhana was not thinking of the imminent danger. He was chanting the Mantra Rajam and had focused his eyes on his Master, the Jagadguru.
Shankara was smiling in all benevolence.

The other disciples were looking at Sanandhana with a wicked smile on their faces. They knew very well that if Sanandhana stepped into the water it would be his last step in life.

The Lion-faced Lord was there before Sanandhana could even feel the need for His presence.

Sanandhana’s right foot actually did not touch the water. A large lotus flower appeared in that place and it bore all his weight. When the young Brahman placed his next foot another lotus was eagerly waiting to receive it.

As Sanandhana started to run faster and faster over the flowing river the flowers also appeared with equal speed.

Somebody looking from above had taken meticulous care to ensure that not even a drop of water touched the young Brahman’s feet.

The disciples were aghast. Shankara was silently praying to the Lion-faced God.

The path Sanandhana took over the <st1lace w:st="on">Ganges</st1lace> was lined with large lotus flowers. It was a rare sight to watch. A young man running over flowing water and the lotus flowers appearing exactly on those places where he placed his feet! A real miracle!

Sanandhana did not turn back. He ran straight to the Jagadguru and was about to fall at his feet muttering, “Sorry, Gurudeva. I was late. Please forgive me.”

The kind Master did not let him fall at his feet. He held him in a tight hug.

“My child, how did you cross the mighty <st1lace w:st="on">Ganges</st1lace>?”

“Gurudeva, they say that if one has your blessings, one can even cross the formidable ocean of samsara. Crossing this small river is but a cake walk besides that.’

“No my boy, it was not because of me. But..”

The Lion faced Lord made himself visible only to Shankara’s eyes. The Lord signaled to Shankara that His presence be not known to Sanandhana. The Lord did not want to take any chances.

Shankaracharya switched the topic.

“Sanandhana, from now on you will be known as “Padmapadha” – the one who has lotus at his feet. See you have adorned the Gangadevi with beautiful lotus flowers.”

Sanandhana fell at His Master’s feet and sought his blessings.

varalotti · Jul 13, 2009

Part 6

“When did the Lord come again, Arvind?”

“Actually speaking the Lord was continuously with Sanandhana. He never left him. But He made his presence felt in two other occasions. The time is already 11. Can we see the remaining story tomorrow?”

“No, Arvind. Impossible. I can’t sleep. Please… my dear. Please don’t let me down.”

“Ok. Ok.”

varalotti · Jul 13, 2009

Part 7

Shankara spent all his life fighting against the fanatic ritualists. These fanatics even preached that it was the ritual which answered all their prayers.

And a Loving God was an unnecessary hypothesis. Shankara had to use his mighty intellect to prove to those bigots that there was a loving God and it was He who gave power to the rituals.

Once to prove a subtle point Shankara had to enter the body of a dead king for a short while. Yes, he used his supreme yogic powers to leave his physical body and enter that of a king who had just died.

Before doing that he had asked his disciples to take care of his body telling them that he would return to his body in about a month’s time. They had hidden the body of their Master in a cave in the forest.

Meanwhile Shankara as King Amaruka was doing wonders. The queens, the ministers and even the common people did not fail to notice the difference.

The King who used to be short-tempered, irritant and always indulging in pleasures was now sweet-mannered, composed, disciplined and was applying his mind to every small matter that came up for his decision.

The ministers who were also well-versed in yoga sasthras smelt the rat. It did not require a genius to figure out that some great saint had entered the body of their king.

They now hatched upon a murderous plan. They sent their spies in all directions with strict instructions to burn the body of any saint whether dead or unconscious.

Meanwhile Shankara had finished his work and was about to return to his original body. As luck would have it the ministers’ spies spotted the lifeless body of Shankaracharya inside a cave a few minutes before Shankara entered it.

They hurriedly placed the body on a log of woods and set fire to it.

Shankara’s disciples came running to the place. Shankara had entered his body just then. He jumped out of the fire alive.

The disciples started to scream on seeing their master. Before Shankara could jump off the fire his right hand been fully burnt.

Sanandhana could not bear to see his master with a burnt hand. Even Shankara who was philosophically reconciled to the loss of hand was moved by Sanandhana’s wail.

“Make me die, Gurudeva. How can I bear to see you like this? Please do something, Acharya. Have mercy on me.”

The Guru consoled his chief disciple.

“What’s the big deal, Padmapadha? I can always manage with my left hand. And you, my dear disciples, are my real limbs. So don’t worry, my child. We have a lot to do. Come let’s resume our journey.”

“Acharya, when we, your students, are in pain, you always lift your right hand to tell us that you are there for us. Your right hand is our unfailing symbol of hope. How do you expect me to live Gurudeva, after having seen you like this?”

Shankara tried to console him. But Sanandhana would not stop his lamentations.

varalotti · Jul 13, 2009

Part 8

The Acharya now tried to ignore him thinking that time alone could teach him to accept the loss.

And he stood up to resume his journey.

“NO”

Sanandhana’s voice was heard miles away.

“YOU CAN’T BE LIKE THIS ACHARYA. I SAY YOU CAN’T BE LIKE THIS.”

The disciple was now shouting at his master.

The Master did not lose his patience.

“Then what do you want me to do, my child?”

Sanandhana acted as if he were possessed. For was he not possessed by that Being which owns and possesses all of us, all the beings and all the worlds?

Sanandhana’s eyes became red. His body was shaking. He was gasping for breath. The other disciples trembled on seeing Sanandhana. The frail Brahman now roared like a lion.

“COMPOSE A SONG ON MY LORD, THE EVER LOVING NARASIMHA. ASK HIM TO RESTORE YOUR HAND. I SWEAR, ACHARYA, HE WOULD GIVE WHATEVER YOU ASK FOR. ASK FOR YOUR HAND, I SAY. DO IT NOW. RIGHT NOW.”

Even the Lord would not have spoken with such an authority. When in an earlier time Sanandhana spoke to the illiterate hunter with feigned sweetness and humility there was so much of pride inside him. But now when he dictated terms to his Master paradoxically there was not even an iota of pride.

His heart was full of love for his teacher. And when such pure love commanded even the Omnipotent God had no choice but to implicitly obey.

To Shankara it appeared as if the lion-faced Lord Himself was commanding him. Shankara closed his eyes and started composing a song.

The Great Master did not have the heart to ask for anything specific from the Most Loving Lion-Faced Lord, let alone a replacement for the burnt hand.

At the same time he did not have the mind to go against the words of the Lord’s dear child, Sanandhana. The genius in him resolved the conflict in the most creative manner possible.

Every stanza of his composition ended with the beautiful refrain “Lakshmi Nrsimha Mama Dehi Karavalambam “. The refrain had two different meanings. The first was the obvious, “please give me my hand.”

The beauty of the divine language was that the line also meant “Oh my loving Lord Lakshmi Narasimha, please lend me a helping hand.”

Those who face insurmountable problems in their lives if they just care to recite the 17 verses of “Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Karavalambam”, as the composition is called, is sure to get the Lord’s helping hand in whatever they do.

As soon as Shankara completed the song the Lion-faced Lord restored the Acharya’s right hand to its former splendour. Sanandhana became his normal self once again and fell at his Master’s feet.

The Lion-Faced Lord who was standing behind his favourite devotee blessed the teacher and the student and left the place.

varalotti · Jul 13, 2009

Part 9

“What a love! Oh My God! Do you mean to say that the God’s presence was even more intense the third time?”

“Yes, Yamini. But that’s a long story. Shall we have it tomorrow?”

“I can’t simply sleep without hearing the whole story, Arvind. Please have mercy on me. I ask you in the name of that Loving Lord please complete the story right now.”

varalotti · Jul 13, 2009

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Part 10

Shankara and his disciples were returning to <st1lace w:st="on">South India</st1lace>. They had come to the region now forming part of Andhra Pradesh. On a particular evening they were in the midst of a thick forest near a place called Simhachalam.

The forest had its share of wild animals and poisonous snakes. And there was one other danger too. The place was infested with a tribe called the Kapaalikas.

The Kaapalikas killed people to appease their petty Gods, so that they could win worldly favours from them. Human sacrifice was a common ritual among those people.

The sun was about to set and the place was already semi-dark. Shankaracharya had wandered away from his disciples. The disciples were looking out for their master.

And then suddenly a young Kaaplika appeared on the scene and confronted the Acharya who was alone. He was black, very tall and fat. He was wearing a garland of human skulls around his neck.

His first idea was to capture Shankara so that he could later sacrifice him on the altar. When he came near the Acharya he changed his mind.

He found out that he was standing before a pure sanyasi, a great saint. If only he could sacrifice the Acharya with his consent then the benefits he could wrench from his petty God would be enormous.

The Kaapalika fell at the Acharya’s feet.

“Bless me, O Revered one, that my mission should be accomplished.”

“What’s your mission, young man?”

Shankara was fearless. Love and fear are but two extremes of the same emotion. One cannot be at the top of the hill and the bottom of the valley at the same time. As the Acharya was full of love there were no traces of fear in him.

“I have taken a vow to offer the heads of pure saints or mighty emperors as sacrifice to our God so that I can rule the world. I want your help, O Revered One!”

Even when surrounded by danger our Acharya did not fail to exhibit his fine sense of humour.

“Heads of saints… that’s okay. But don’t ever make an attempt at the heads of emperors. If they ever find out about your mission they won’t let your head rest in its place.”

The cannibal had a hearty laugh.

“I want your head, O Revered One, to complete my sacrifice. Will you please let me take it?”

The guy was asking as if he was going to borrow some small change.

But to the Greatest of saints it was a request coming from another human being. He immediately agreed.

The Kaapalika talked again.

“O Revered One, you should willingly give your life for my sake. You should neither fear me or nor hate me.”

“I am ready. As I firmly believe in the brahmam that resides in me and in you and all the objects, I don’t have fear. When there is no fear there is no scope for hatred. I only pity you.”

“Why do you pity me?”

“The God we all know is full of love. Instead of killing someone and giving his head to God if you just bend down your head a little more and ask for the whole world, the loving God would give it to you on a platter.

“While I am ready to give up my life for you I am only concerned about the karmic debt you are accumulating by this act.”

“Will you please keep your bloody theories to yourself? I want your head, period. Tell me whether you can give it or not.”

“It’s yours, young man. Take it.”

Shankara then sat on a tree trunk assuming the lotus posture. He closed his eyes and focused all his attention on the loving God who was inside him.

The Kaapalika meanwhile said his prayers and had lifted his sword.