The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Spiritual import of Puranas

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Wednesday, Apr 21, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Spiritual import of Puranas

CHENNAI, APRIL 21 . Scriptural texts like the Puranas were composed with the intention of conveying the abstract philosophical concepts of the Vedas and the Upanishads to the laity in an easy manner. So the underlying significance of the stories related in them should be understood without dismissing these works as mythology. The Bhagavata Purana, for instance, lends itself to be interpreted from the Vedanta standpoint. One of the episodes narrated in it is the fall of the attendants of Lord Narayana, Jaya and Vijaya, from the divine abode when they were cursed by the mind-born sons of the creator, Brahma— Sanaka and his three brothers— for preventing them from entering the abode of the Lord.

In his discourse, Sri S.N.Sastri said Brahma's sons, who went to Vaikuntha with the intention of beholding the Lord, could be interpreted as spiritual aspirants who aspire for liberation. The Bhagavata gives an elaborate description of the orchard in the divine realm, Naihsreyasa, through which they had to pass before entering the abode of Vishnu. The text says this garden was beauty incarnate and was resplendent with trees that yielded all that man desired and in which were seated in aerial cars Gandharvas with their consorts singing the glory of the Lord without their mind getting distracted by the attractions there. That realm which provided a veritable feast to the five senses and the mind would have diverted one in whom desires were strong from pursuing the spiritual goal. As these sages were free from desires they could proceed through the six entrances in this realm to the divine abode, which are symbolic of conquering the five senses and the mind.

Jaya and Vijaya were cursed by these sages because they should have displayed even-mindedness and a pacific disposition towards the Lord's devotees. Even as this exchange between them was going on the Lord came out to receive the sages after learning about the way they had been insulted. This encounter represents the last hurdle that a spiritual seeker has to overcome. When the senses and the mind are controlled by the practice of scriptural study, reflection on their teachings and meditation, due to latent tendencies of previous births lust, anger and greed are bound to arise and subdue the mind from attaining spiritual union. Only when they are conquered can the aspirant behold the Lord, which is liberation according to Vedanta.

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