BG 12.3

Thirumangai Alwar has toured 86 Divya desam, by walk and on his horse Adalma [ஆடல்மா]. Perhaps, not to strain the Alwar, the Lord, out of mercy, is appearing in Four poses in this Kshetram of Thiruneermalai. The Alwar has praised the Lord in reclining, standing, sitting and walking poses. Does the Lord take so much of pity on the devotees, in spite of their many sins? Yes, the reason is His Consort Sri Thayar. We can see the entire mercy in the Consort of Sri Neervanna Perumal. Today's [15th December 2008] lecture is from the sannidhi of Sri Animamalarmangai Nacchiyar [ஸ்ரீ அணி மா மலர் மங்கை நாச்சியார்], Sri Thayar of Thiruneer malai. Alwar has praised this Kshetram in Ten pasurams. In the First pasuram the Alwar mentions this name of Sri Thayar. Malar mangai means Sri Sridevi. Ma indicates big or large. How great is the flower, which has given seat to Her? Flower lotus is seat for Sri Thayar and so She is called Sri Padmasani. But She is also decorated by lotus garland and so lotus flower is also a decorative material. This is indicated by ani. Thus She is called Sri Animamalar Mangai. This could also mean that, Sri Thayar in a large flower with many ornaments. Yearly twice, Kalyanotsavam [marriage festival] to the Lord and Sri Thayar, is celebrated here. These are held in Utra [உத்திரம்] star in the months of Masi [மாசி] and Chitthirai [சித்திரை]. Large number of devotees assemble and recieve the blessings of the Divine Couple. Sri Thayar is showing abhaya on Her right hand and the left arm is pointing to Her Divine feet, so that all worries of the devotees are cleared. On Her sides Two elephants are standing and so She is also called Sri Gaja Lakshmi. We are yet to go up the hill. Now we will see the sloka 2 of Chapter 12. This sloka is the reply of the Lord to the question posed by Arjuna in sloka 1. Arjuna asked, who among the Two types of devotees - Kaivalya arthi and Bhagavallabharthi - attains their destination first? The Lord replies direct to the question, that he who meditates on Him, reaches the objective First and he is His choice. Reason for this, the Lord is going to explain in many slokas later on. Sloka 2:

sri-bhagavan uvaca
mayy avesya mano ye mam
nitya-yukta upasate
shraddhaya parayopetas
te me yuktatama matah

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Those who fix their minds on My personal form and are always engaged in worshiping Me with great and transcendental faith are considered by Me to be most perfect."

Ye = [the devotee] who, upasate = meditates, nitya yukata = with the desire of being always with, mam =Me [Sri Krishna], avesya = focussed or concentrated, mano = mind, mayy = on Me [Sri Krishna], parayopeta shraddhaya = with very great dedication or commitment, te = [such a person] he, yukta tama = reach the objective easily and early, me mata = [this is] My [Sri Krishna's] opinion. We should have dedication or commitment in our Bhakti. Though the Lord says that this was His opinion, in fact it is the considered view if all noble elders. Which devotee is better was replied in an earlier Chapter. To Arjuna's question on who reaches the objective earlier, the Lord emphatically says that the devotee practicing Bhakti yoga reaches early. Why so, is in a way indicated by the Lord in the words 'mayy avesya mano' - with concentrated mind in Him. When saying mayy [in Me -Sri Krishna], the Lord must have pointed His finger to Him, with the Divine image and with Divine qualities. It is easier to concentrate on the Lord as He has a Divine image. But imagine how to concentrate our mind on atman? It is very difficult. Because there are no stories connected with atman. Or, does it have any form? Are any festivals conducted for atman? Is atman ever being decorated? So, how can our mind concentrate on an abstract atman with no form or description? On the other hand, all inputs needed for mind to concentrate, like image, history and form with qualities, are all abundant in the Lord. Therefore, he who desires to be always with Him, is the choice. Is meditating on the Lord possible in this fast world we are in? Is it practical to have our mind always in Him? We can not remain in temple or pooja room always. We have to run our family and look after the spouse and children. We have to attend to work to earn and maintain family. All can not be ascetics or sanyasis. Carefully if we examine, Sri Krishna has never told anyone to abandon one's prescribed duties and obligations. We have to see, for what purpose we are doing our routine work. In Chapter 11 [sloka 55], the Lord said that His devotee did every action with dedication to and to reach Him. Vedas and Shastras have prescribed all our routines to maintain family. But while doing every act, we have to dedicate the action to reach the Lord. Our actions should not be for achieving worldly pleasures. By saying that always we should dedicate ourselves to the Lord, it does not mean that we should avoid going to work place and remain in meditation in our pooja room or temple. While doing our work, we can have our mind in Him. Will that not mean not concentarting on the work we are doing? It does not mean that while doing work we go on chanting the Lord's Divine names. Once we dedicate our mind in Him, then our usual duties get completed thoroughly, easily and speedily. While doing our duties we can still dedicate our mind in Him. When we think of ourselves, thoughts should occur that we are not independent, but a servant of the Lord. Chanting His divine names need not be loud and as we do our routines, we think of those Divine names in our mind. Thus, involving our mind in Him, in no way will affect our regular domestic and official duties. By having our thoughts on Him, we get rid of all fears, real and imaginary. Such a person lives with contented mind - nirbharo nirbhayasmi - no responsibilities and no fears. Being with Him always does not mean physically with the Lord. The Lord says that in thoughts one should be with the Lord always. After death, with Divine body the devotee will be with the Lord physically also, in Vaikuntam. Involvement, commitment and enthusiasm are needed for being with the Lord. We should be true in our Bhakti and should not adopt lip service or publicity. Mind, word and action should all be dedicated to Him. Such a devotee is the best and reaches the objective earlier. The devotee desiring to be with atman will find difficulties and will reach the objective much later, perhaps after many birth cycles. To concentrate on the Lord, His quality of neermai [mercy] is the attraction. He is readily available in Kshetrams like Thiruneermalai.