RITAGUM SATYAM PARAM

This title is from a mantra appearing in 'sandyavandanam' as well as in Narayana suktham.

'Ritagum' denotes a rhythm in the phenomena, 'Satyam denotes 'Existence' or 'Consciousness' and 'Param' is beyond ritagum and satyam.

We observe in the 'Phenomena', a rhythm in the change of seasons, in the rising and setting of Sun, in the waxing and waning of moon; and even in the very growth from childhood to old age. Natural calamities occur when there is a change in rhythm. Satyam (Consciousness) is never changing, and therefore, the law of rhythm is not relevant. From the standpoint of Satyam, the rising of sun, waxing of moon etc., are only relatively real (unreally real).


Satyam ( Consciousness ) is the substratum, and the apparent vibration on the surface appears as 'phenomena' which is regulated by rhythm. When rhythm is applied to mankind, to their thoughts and actions, it is known as 'dharma'. Dharma is as essential to our 'living' as rhythm is essential to Nature (phenomena). Dharmic living is 'living in rhythm'. At this stage, concepts like good-bad, positive-negative have a value, and Dharma guides us to adhere to goodness and positive qualities.

Ritagum, Satyam and Param are otherwise known by the terms "I AM", "I", and "BEYOND - I". They represent the 'conventional truth', 'Divine truth' and Absolute Truth - Vyavaharikam, Satyam and Paramarthikam. All the three are to be respected and viewed in the proper perspective.

In the field of vyavaharikam i.e., in the field of phenomena, concepts of good-bad etc., exist; in the Divine truth, conceptual dualities get synthesized and Divine truth is neither concerned nor unconcerned with good/bad. When it comes to Absolute Truth, there is neither good nor bad; IT is beyond concepts.

At the conventional level (vyavaharika), one should necessarily follow dharma (ethical living). At the Divine level, one is gifted with an attitude of 'equanimity' ('samatwam) least affected by good or bad, positive or negatiove happenings. At the same time, he treads the path of goodness, compassion, love towards fellow beings and a spirit of sacrifice. He raises himself to be a Witness and is able to view events taking place in himself as well as outside, with a mental attitude of equanimity. His mind is always filled with God-thought.

PARAM (Paramarthikom) is Absolute Truth, and is beyond concepts. None is competent to 'talk' of PARAM.

"RITAGUM SATYAM PARAM BRAHMA" = DHARMAM SATYAM BRAHMAN

CONCENTRATION, MEDITATION AND YOGA

The terms Concentration, Meditation and Yoga are quite often confused with different interpretations. Let me share my thoughts with the readers:

'Concentration' means 'bringing together the scattered energy'. Meditation is a practice to be 'contemplatively conscious of one's Reality'. 'Yoga' means 'sense of Equanimity'.

Attentiveness, 'sraddha', 'dharana', mindfulness - all these come under the definition of 'concentration'. Efficiency in 'action' comes as a result of concentration. 'Action' includes 'karma; 'gnana' and 'bhakthy'. All these get the status of 'yoga', when done with sraddha and mindfulness. In many places 'sraddha' and 'bhakthy' are mentioned together which means 'bhakthy' attains perfection only with 'sraddha'.

Next, coming to 'meditation', it is 'dhyana' the seventh step in the Ashtanga yoga of Sage Patanjali. To be contemplatively conscious of one's 'Reality' - swaroopa (as against 'appearance-swabhava') majority of us adopt a 'mantra' - "OM", "SIVOHAM" AHAM BRAHMASMI" etc., which serves as a vehicle to arrive at the contemplative consciousness. After realising the 'Reality' the mantra becomes superfluous. There is no need for a man to remind himself by repeating "I am Man". The 'Sense of Existence' immerses in "Existence". The concepts, name and form and time and space would continue to remain even after realisation of their ultimate Reality.

A drama actor is contemplatively conscious of his true person all the time, even while enacting different roles and enacting different emotions in the drama-stage. Similarly, in our life-living drama, we should be contemplatively conscious of our Reality even while living amidst various concepts and emotions.

YOGA the third factor under discussion, is well defined in B-Geetha as "samatwam yoga uchyathe" - "Equanimity is Yoga". An individual who has realised the Reality and is contemplatively conscious of the same, never gets agitated by opposing conceptual dualities. He also outlives emotional dualities. With an attitude of Equanimity he performs his duties efficiently, with Wisdom Knowledge - expression of Consciousness.