Narayaneeyam is the path of Narayana or the abode of all human beings—consciousness. The third chapter extols the devotee of the Lord who is immersed in bliss and chants his name, remembers his form,
speaks about his qualities all the while. Such minds are indeed very blessed. The poet himself feels sad that he is not able to revel all the while on account of man’s problems, difficulties and diseases that he is undergoing. “Free me from all that, so I may go to a secluded spot to meditate on your compassionate form and chant your glorious names.
For the life that has taken the body to live in this world, if your grace is there, what indeed is difficult to get? Even the task of taking all my troubles away, which is like a giant mass of sins, is indeed very easy. There are countless devotees of yours whose troubles have been removed and have been unshackled of all problems by your grace alone. There are many who have become free!”
Narada is one example of the many great seers who have meditated on the Lord and become free of all their problems of the world. Their mind is constantly immersed in the ocean of consciousness. What more blissful condition can one expect to be in?
What happens when the mind is devoted to the Lord? It begins at first as an experience of sweetness, by merely listening to your great qualities. When that devotion increases, all solid problems of life simply dissolve. When problems dissolve, the limited individuality merges with the supreme truth, free of any independent identity.
When misery abounds, there is no means for the ordinary individual to remember the highest reality. The poet prays to god to remove them so that with his feet, he may walk to the holy places of the Lord’s residence. Hands worship him, nose inhales the sacred fragrance of the holy basil that is so dear to him and the ears are always listening to the glorious exploits.
While so many problems weigh down, so many diseases that have to be endured, is there any way by which one can still contemplate? Yes, it can happen when the Lord showers his rapturous bountiful experience of joy that wells in the heart. Then there is also the common complaint that all devotees have: “Those devotees who are not paying so much of a thought to you are all happy, while I who worship you am suffering! O Lord, who killed Kamsa! Please put an end to my suffering so that this contrast does not become a slur on your divine personality!”The author is Sevak, Chinmaya Mission, Coimbatore; brni.sharanyachaitanya@gmail.com; www.chinmayamission.com