Summary of last session (April1) by Shri Mohan Khandekar
Vijayji started the session by describing the importance of Vedas, Bhagvatam and Ramcharitmas in our scriptures. Bhagvatam is also called Mahapuranas (महापुराणा). Vedas direct us towards three paths, namely, Karmakand, Upasana and Gyan (कर्मकांड उपासना ज्ञान). Many of us do these serially. This is called Kram Samucchya (क्रम समुच्यया). Adi Shankaracharya says one cannot get freedom by doing only Karmakand. It should be accompanied by Upasana (Daan, Seva, Thirthyata etc). This is called as saha Samucchya (सह समुच्यया). Karmakand , only will take you to Pitrulok, the latter will guide you to Brahmalok, however pure knowledge will give you Mukti.
Ramcharit Manas has a combination of all three and is therefore called Panchamved. After this introduction Shri Vijay ji recapped Doha 85 with narration of Kamna and Kamdev. A kamna first rises in our intellect because of Maya (Avidya), which gives rise to a passionate thought followed by action to fulfill it. Ramchari Manas points us towards two paths, a path of surrender (शरणागती) like Bibhishan and a path of devotion (भक्ती) like Shabri. Unless you follow these paths, you cannot “kill” such a thought.
A thought will give rise to an action and an action will give a result, which will either bind or agonise.
86:1 An angry Kamdev, hiding behind a branch of a mango tree took an aim at Shivji and in a great fury released all five arrows.
86:2 This brought Shivji out of his Samadhi. He looked around with annoyance.
86:3 He was outraged when He saw Kamdev. His wrath was palpable in all three worlds. He opened His third eye and Kamdev turned into ashes. Vijayji’s comments: true knowledge destroys inferior thoughts.
86:4 These two events, anger of Shivji and death of Kamdeve created a turmoil everywhere. Those who were looking for sensual pleasures were saddened, sages, saints were happy because an obstacle was removed. Vijayji’s comments: Make a conducive environment for sadhana by withdrawing senses.
Chand (छंद): With the sudden demise of Kamdev, his wife was hurt. She approached Shivji. She prayed for His forgiveness and requested to bring her husband back to life. Known to be soft at heart for such pure devotion, Shivji reassured her.
Doha 87: “Your husband will exist everywhere without a body” Shivji declared. Vijay ji comments: That’s why a passionate thought rises in intellect/mind
We will discuss how Kamdev and his wife reunite in the next class.
Jai Shree Ram!