It was arrival of another long weekend due to Makara Sankranti. Our office coffee table discussions hovered around each of our vacation plans. Some of them had movie plans, visiting a cool restaurant, while some planned for a resort visit to chill. These are all fine but somewhere we hit saturation after long years of indulgence. Is there something more to it? I have through the years anticipated the arrival of Sankaranti with enthusiasm of snacking on my mom's ellu, bella. This time my mind started to get an itch towards contemplating on the metaphysical importance of this festival. With some deep discussion and analysis on the Gita for the past few years, I thought of exploring any correlation between teachings of the Gita and festivals.
Makara Sankaranti is primarily related to the Sun God and his journey Northward called Uttarayana. In the descending history of the supramental knowledge of the Gita, Sun God plays a very vital role. Arjuna was startled to hear that he is not the first recipient of Gita's liberating wisdom. Following excerpt from the 4th chapter of divine converstation gives the details .
The Blessed Lord said: I instructed this imperishable science of yoga to the sun-god, Vivasvan, and Vivasvan instructed it to Manu, the father of mankind, and Manu in turn instructed it to Iksvaku.
This supreme science was thus received through the chain of disciplic succession, and the saintly kings understood it in that way. But in course of time the succession was broken, and therefore the science as it is appears to be lost.
That very ancient science of the relationship with the Supreme is today told by Me to you because you are My devotee as well as My friend; therefore you can understand the transcendental mystery of this science.
Arjuna said: The sun-god Vivasvan is senior by birth to You. How am I to understand that in the beginning You instructed this science to him?
The Blessed Lord said: Many, many births both you and I have passed. I can remember all of them, but you cannot, O subduer of the enemy!
Although I am unborn and My transcendental body never deteriorates, and although I am the Lord of all sentient beings, I still appear in every millennium in My original transcendental form.
Festivals are supposed to encourage contemplation to move soulward. Normally we are consumed and engaged with 3 modes of material nature mostly dominated by modes
of passion(rajas) and ignorance(tamas). Festivals propel us towards Sattva or mode of goodness provided we celebrate it knowing its full intent and background. Some of our biggest festivals like Rama Navami, Dusshera, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Diwali(Naraka Chaturdasi, Bali Padyami) are related to celebrating the glorious activities, events, and 'Abhyuttanam Adharmasya' of Dasavataras. Deep contemplation on the metaphysical intent and observance in satisfaction of the intent of the festival is needed.
Lending ear to the glorious activities of Dasavataras purifies one's lower nature and elevates one to Sattva guna and beyond to Suddha Sattva. Combined with this Nama Sankirtana and prasadam is sure to give us a glimpse into eternal transcendental existance beyond the three gunas.
- Inner Voice
Inspired by the Divine Grace of Saints
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