- Courtesy: His Holiness Sri Sri Vishwapriya Teertha Swamiji
- Compilation: Dr. Vamshikrishna Acharya Purohit, Udupi
- Translation: Sandesh Upadhyaya, Udupi
- Illustration : Shrinidhi V. Kanakapura
Bali Chakravarti went on to face Indra on the battlefield, equipped with the weapons that he had obtained from the Vishwajit Yāga. Of these, we have enumerated the significance of the chariot, horses, and the flag in the previous issues. Further, let us discuss the fourth weapon which is a ‘golden bow’. It is described as dhanuśca divyaṁ puraṭōpanad’dhaṁ. Puraṭa means gold; referring to the material of the golden bow. We can also comprehend it as Su+varna bow. The usage of the word golden here implies usage in war. Philosophically, Su+varna is synonyms with good sound (letter). The good sound which it is referring to is Ōṁ (Pranava). The Upaniṣats state praṇavō dhanuḥ. This is why, when we write Ōṁ (ॐ) it is in the form of a bow. The curvature resembles that of a bow. Bali Chakravarthi acquired the golden bow. Likewise, the soul (Jīva/Bali) obtained a bow in the form of Ōṁkāra. One’s soul is impelled by this Pranava mantra. When our soul (Bali), through the mother’s womb (Agni/Yāga), attains this physical body (chariot), the 11th day of birth is considered as pellucid and the infant should be preached with this Pranava mantra (ॐ). This ritual is called the naming ceremony. The same is quoted in our Śāstras as Ēkādaśē̕hani pitā nāma kuryāt. During this naming ceremony, Lord’s name suffixed with Ōṁ is whispered into the infant’s ear. The chariot which is a metonymy for the physical body inclusive of Jīva which is a metonymy to Bali should always be armed with this Su+varna bow. Ōṁkāra is not just a single letter. It is an alphabet contained within all of the 51 letters of Sanskrit literature and it is also a wonderful hymn that asserts the infinite qualities of the Lord. Just as Bali Chakravarti who aspired to reach an exalted position required this golden bow, the humans who aspire to reach the elevated abode of the Lord essentially require the golden bow called Ōṁkāra which alludes to the name of the Lord. Hence, magisterium (Upadēśa) of this Pranava will aid us to scale new spiritual heights.
Thereafter, Bali Chakravarti also got a couple of quivers from Agni. akṣayau ariktau tūrṇau. Bali obtained two quivers that never ran out of arrows from Agni. This is the basic understanding we get superficially. Let us now explore its spiritual significance.
The Jīva is equipped with a bow named Ōṁkāra and two quivers. smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇuḥ vismartavyō na jātucit are the two pertinent rules. The first rule is that the Lord should always be remembered; the second is that we should never forget him. We should become quivers which are never empty. Generally, these two rules are a bit hard to follow as we tend to forget the Lord often. Only the heavenly triads (Paraśukla trayaru) namely Laxmi, Brahma- Vāyu, Sarasvatī-Bhāratī will never forget him. But, if Bali (Jīva) is always contemplating upon these quivers (two rules) Lord will ensure that we never forget Him. A Kshatriyas has no fear on the battlefield as long as his quiver is filled with arrows. Similarly, in so long as we are engaged in the remembrance of the Lord, until then we have no fear of this mundane existence. The Lord himself will grant us fearlessness. Hence, let us understand and remember this analogy whenever we dwell upon the quivers Bali Chakravarti received from Agni. Thus, let us pray that the Lord showers us with incessant remembrance of Him and redeem us.
A seeker of Madhva philosophy. Hails from Rupyapeeta (Udupi).
|| विष्णो: सर्वोत्तमत्वं च सर्वदा प्रतिपादय ||
(Hari sarvothama Vayu jeevothama tatva)
Pranams for the beautiful explination of Bali chakravarti’s story’s inner meaning applicable to all of us.🙏
Most of us rehearse the stotras and slokas and follow the rituals without knowing the meaning or essence of the same.
Translations are truly going help us understand the meaning and richness of our Veda and spread the philosophy world wide.
Thanks to Mr. Sandesh Upadhya for the translation.
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