BODY OF FIVE ELEMENTS Dr. Raghavendra S. Prasad, MD 8/5/2013 We call this body Paanchabhowtikam, meaning made of five elements of nature, earth, water, air, fire and space, hence impermanent. This body is called Stoola Sareera, the gross body. Then we have the senses and mind, intellect that belong to the Sukshma Sareera, the subtle body that is semi permanent that lasts till Moksha. Within this is the causal body, the Karana Sareera that is permanent and the God principle within us. We often compare the gross body that is impermanent to the Atman that is the causal body and permanent. On spiritual scrutiny it reveals to us the impermanent body of five elements comes from the permanent, changeless Atman. Since body is also the creation of Atman its source, we should pay the same respect, reverence and gratitude to the body that is visible as much as the Atman that is invisible. All clouds emanate from Ocean, all amber comes from the fire, all pots come from clay and all ornaments come from the gold. Thus the original, primordial unchanging principle and the changing forms and names called the deha or the creation and the world is not separate from its source the Brahman. For a sadhaka in his early stages of spiritual journey, one separates the permanent and impermanent. He calls the body as perishable and follows the suggestion to focus on the imperishable Atman within. But the same sadhaka after advancing in spiritual quest realizes that permanent Atman (consciousness) is all pervading and is present in all that is changing and the changeless. He sees the unchanging in changing and the changing in the unchanging. This is a more mature state of a spiritual aspirant. This is an integrated view of the universe (Samyak Darshan or Viswaroopa Darshan). This is an irreversible attitudinal shift that sees life and activity even in inanimate things and the permanence and inactivity (Atmic principle) in the animate things. Edi kaadu pujjarham. Sarvam Brahmam. Sarvam Brahmamayam Jagat. There is nothing other than Brahmam. Our thoughts emanate Brahmam, Our words emanate from Brahmam, Our acts are from Brahmam. We wake up in Brahmam. We smile in Brahmam. We cry in brahmam. Everything there is, is Brahmam. Seeing separation is Pravruthi (of the mind). Seeing the oneness is Nivruthi (integrated vision of atman). Diversity in Unity is Pravruthi and unity in diversity is Nivruthi. Thus if we feel that this is the body of five element and perishable, impermanent entity, it becomes less important and negative aspect of our existence. To the contrary, if we take this body as the temple of Divinity (Deho Devalayo Prokto), then this body picks up its true importance of adoration and admiration and care. This all in our attitude. Spirituality in essence is an attitude of Oneness and Unity. It is an integrated attitude of universe. This is Samyak Darshan or Viswaroopa Darshan.

ACTING : REACTING Dr. Raghavendra S. Prasad, MD 8/3/2013 Reaction is an animal tendency that we inherited through our phylogenetic evolution from animals. It’s purpose is survival. This happens at sub-conscious level, with knowledge of the past memories. Action proactively is a human character. This happens at the level of intellect or higher. Wise people act and the unwise react. In reaction past baggage of memories play a big part. In action Atmic reflection plays a significant role, through mind (buddhi). Here are two example for us in Bhagavatam, Kamsa and Parikshit. Both are destined to die. Kamsa is destined to die in 10 years (through the 8th pregnancy of Devaki) and Parikshit in 7 days by snake bite. Kamsa reacted, lived in fear, killed several innocent children in the process and ultimately could not escape the destiny and died in fear. On the other hand, King Parikshit, who was cursed to die in 7 days, acted calmly, did not curse the curser in retaliation (though he had the capacity to curse), made no excuses, apologized for his error in judgment, intensely looked for productive way to spend those 7 days. He was grateful for the advance warning, listened to Bhagavata for 7 days narrated by sage Suka, and attained Moksha. In one of the Yaksha prasnas, Dharmaja was asked is, “What is the most amazing thing in the world?”. Dharmaja said that while death is always following every human from birth, most humans act as if they are going to live forever. Death is a shadow of life. This awareness of the presence of this shadow, puts our priorities of life in order. Thus we have a choice to be the Kamsa or the Parikshit. A choice to be reactive or proactive, to be in fear reactively or be at peace like King Parikshit and be proactive.. Parikshit welcomed the inevitable and made sure he spent every minute of his remaining days in search of realization and attained Moksha. This is a lesson for most of us, who have forgotten the impermanence of the body and permanence of the soul. We spend and waste time in external worldly pursuits that enhances our inadequacies and fears. Instead we should understand the impermanence of this body and feel the urgency to make the most out of this life and do activity (sadhana) to make us realize our true nature and reach the destination called Moksha, like King Parikshit.