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Nine Steps to Narayana

The word ‘Narayana’ has several meanings. Indians recognize it as one of the names of Lord Vishnu. But few people know that it has a much larger connotation. In Sanskrit language, it also means, "The ultimate abode of supreme virtues." In that wider sense, ‘Narayana’ claims a universal appeal and approach.

The desire and destiny of most of us, is to reach and reside in such an abode of perfection, irrespective of our other perceptions. But the problem is as to how to reach there? Many religions of the world prescribe many difficult disciplines and paths.

However, ancient Indian heritage offers a simple way, and focuses on a flight of nine steps to attain our goal. It may sould incredible but absolutely true.

SHRAVANAM – The first step is to lend your ears constantly and repeatedly, and listen to the beautiful qualities of the Supreme. This often diverts our thoughts from many worries.

We know that worrying never solved a problem, and hence a replacement to worry is welcome to all. Let us not get away from duties and obligations, but let us divorce worry from them. The first step is a good help in that direction.

KIRTHANAM – When the mind and heart are filled by listening to the greatness and grandeur of the Supreme Reality, the mouth follows with words of praise, in the manner one chooses.

Singing is a natural outlet, for desire or distress. Songs in admiration of the Absolute, increases the longing towards it, and group singing provides a joy that is really fulfilling.

SMARANAM – The third step is to keep in view and review, the beautiful and merciful vision of the Supreme. Let the mind and heart rejoice and repose on the splendour of the ultimate abode. Please take time to meditate on it.

Visions of such a high ideal helps us to rise above the stress and strain of daily routine; provides poise and purpose to our actions and activities.

PAADA SEVANAM – Constant admiration or adoration of anything, leads us to bow to the base of that object. An attitude of surrender at the feet of the Absolute gives us added confidence and courage. This helps us to face difficult situations, with a feeling of innate support from that Supreme power. The fear of lonely travel through a jungle just disappears when we find that a lion is giving us friendly company.

ARCHANAM – The fifth step is to offer to the Ultimate Reality, something that you desire for yourself. It is clear indication of the true love or devotion, and the importance you give to the Divine that sustains and supports you.

Unlike in wordly relationships, the Divine has never snatched away, any offering that you made. The Indian as well as many other traditions recommend offering our feelings through flowers.

VANDANAM – Praising the omnipotent is not enough. Obedience to the laws of Nature, as also the dictates of justice and morality are equally important. To live a life of love and compassion, is something that all people profess but few practice. The basic fact that all of us have come from one source, the Divine, is often ignored or forgotten in the complexities of modern life. Hence ‘Back to Basics’ is the best prayer we may offer the absolute.

DASYAM – To live a life of compassion, confidence and love, is very good. While you adhere to the basic values of life and love, why not pursuade others to do the same, for that, you have to develop the attitude of humility and tolerance in yourself.

Nature tolerates us, even when we dig the earth, cut the trees, pollute the air and water, and violate many of its laws, and thereby wins our respect. In the same way tolerance towards the objects of Creation and humility towards its Creator, is the seventh essential step towards ‘Narayana.’

SAKHYAM – By attempting to promote the fundamental truth and value of life and love, by precepts and example, we also become ambassadors or representatives of the Divine. In the family or society the sincere servant develops gradually, a right to console or caution, and gains a respect beyond his or her stature or status.

In the same way, those who totally surrender to the Divine, also gain the privilege to represent it in varying degrees. Sages and saints, priests and preceptors receive the halo of enlightenment and earn the capacity to comment on our actions and activities. You can also become one of them.

ATMA NIVEDAN – The final step for salvation is the total and irreversible process of merger with the ultimate Source. Indian heritage hands out this special panacea of union with the unlimited.

It declares that life issues forth and returns to the Absolute, and this process is called ‘Samadhi’, i.e., to merge into that state of bliss from which we all come out.

When you lose yourself, lock, stock and barrel into NARAYANA, what else is left of you – NOTHING, and that if found in everything and everywhere.

Love is born of faith, lives on hope and dies through jealousy. All the learned men enable us to hear what is good with our ears and see what is good with our eyes. May we attain that state which is enjoyed by the learned ones through devotion and healthy bodies.

Why do we light a lamp?

In almost every Indian home a lamp is lit daily before the altar of the Lord. In some houses it is lit at dawn, in some, twice a day a dawn and dusk – and in a few it is maintained continuously (akhanda deepa). All auspicious functions and moments like daily worship, rituals and festivals and even many social occasions like inaugurations commence with the lighting of the lamp, which is often maintained right through the occasion.

Why do we light a lamp? Light symbolizes knowledge, and darkness symbolizes ignorance. The Lord is the "Knowledge Principle" (chaitanya) who is the source, the enlivener and the illuminator of all knowledge. Hence, light is worshipped as the Lord Himself.

Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Also knowledge is a lasting inner wealth by which all outer achievements can be accomplished. Hence, we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge as the greatest of all forms of wealth. Knowledge backs all our actions, whether good or bad. We therefore keep a lamp lit during all auspicious occasions as a witness to our thoughts and actions.

Why not light a bulb or a tube light? That too would remove darkness. But the traditional oil lamp has a further spiritual significance. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the vaasanas get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. Similarly, we should acquire such knowledge as to take us towards higher ideals.

A single lamp can light hundreds more just as a man of knowledge can give it to many more. The brilliance of the light does not diminish despite its repeated use to light many more lamps. Similarly, knowledge does not lessen when shared with or imparted to others. On the contrary, it increases in clarity and conviction on sharing. It benefits both the receiver and the giver.

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