Aditya Hrudaya-A Sadhana-II

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The four characters so figuratively described represent the struggle subjectively fought in the every-day situation, by a sincere "sadhaka". Sri Rama is the "jeeva" within us, dull, depressed, worried anxious in want of inner strength. Ravana represents the mighty agitations within us "the negative forces of lust· and wrath (Kama. Krodha)", ever-ready for a fresh encounter with Jeeva. Agastya is the compassionate Guru, who loves the disciple to remove his weakness by making himself awakened to his inner strength. Aditya who is indeed the Lord of all actions in this universe, who can cause an action and yet remain as its witness, symbolises the Awareness within us. the source of all strength.

Agastya is a Rishi. meaning a "Mantra-drasta" a seer of "mantra".By "mantra", we mean it is a couple of mystical words contemplating over the suggestions of which the jeeva elevates itself from a lower level, protects itself from dissipating its strength in vain and dull pursuits. The mind at its lowest ebb is dull and depressed (tamas). Kicked by men and matters around it gets agitated and its power gets dissipated in vain efforts (rajas). From these unproductive levels, it has to be raised to the level of composure, confidence and enthusiasm (satva). These can put the mind at ease and make it one-pointed (ekagrata). Such a mind which is pouring out towards the goal defined is fully concentrated, firm and unmoving; one with its goal, fully immersed in it I (achala nischala buddhih-sthitadheeh).

The Rishi at the seat of meditation has seen such a couple of mystical words "sabda samooha" which can work a magic on the jeeva to internalise it and open its intellect to the higher for a communion. Aditya Hrudaya is such a "sabda samooha" seen by the sage Agastya.

Aditya Hrudaya, when chanted with this understanding is a prayer addressed to the Inner Self, invoking the strength from within, to face the perils before us. The jeeva is seeking a communion with the Higher Self. The essential element in such a communion is the free flow of knowledge, power and guidance from the higher to the lower consciousness. Just as Aditya called upon his mortal counterpart, Sri Rama (in the last verse of Aditya Hrudaya) to hasten to fulfill His mission to the delight of all, that sole accomplisher chooses the jeeva as His instrument to implement His designs.

Contemplation on this 'mantra is a sadhana in the Atma Yatra, the journey taken up by the jeeva in its ascent to divinity. For a seeker, it is an ascent of the human to the divinity above. For Sri Rama, it is a descent of divinity to demonstrate to the world the way of Sadhana.

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This article is written by B.Nagendra