The state of Nirvana without remainder, is reached when all effects of karma are completely worked out, and the physical body is just a thing of the past. Without the creation of new karma, there is no coming together of the five aggregates* and no new birth results.
In this state, one’s true nature is “dissolved” in all phenomena and becomes one with the universe. Just as sugar dissolves in water without a trace, its presence, though not visible, is indisputable. This total harmony is summed up in the saying, “Time from antiquity to the present is not separate from the present thought. The boundless land that separates you and me is nothing more than the tip of a down feather.”
Nirvana of non-abiding is also known as Maha Nirvana. It is believed that of those who have attained Maha Nirvana, they are no longer attached to life and death because of their wisdom. Out of compassion, they are no longer attached to Nirvana. They see through the emptiness of the cycle of rebirth and continually reappear in this world to guide salient beings through the sea of suffering. They have everything, yet they do not call anything their own. They are always active helping sentient beings, yet they are always at peace. They are not attached to any one way and can skilfully employ all means.
From our entire discussion of the meaning and these various kinds of Nirvana, we can safely deduce that one does not have to wait until the end of one’s life to enter Nirvana. When Prince Siddhartha became a fully enlightened Buddha under the bodhi tree, he entered the realm of Nirvana with remainder.
When the Buddha passed away at the age of eighty between two sala trees, he entered Nirvana without remainder.
During the forty plus years when the Buddha travelled everywhere to teach the Dharma to all those with a willing ear, he lived a life free of attachment.
My assertion is that this kind of life that is purposeful yet without fixation on purpose is free and at ease. This is the realm of Nirvana.
I now believe that Nirvana is the total liberation from suffering. I also believe that those who have realized Nirvana experience unparalleled joy that flows from within.
My belief is that even the way enlightened ones conduct themselves reflects their internal serenity. Therefore, simply by being in their presence, others can also share in this limitless happiness.
The Hindu and the Buddhist scriptures speak of Nirvana as the ultimate happiness that is attainable by the ones who make a genuine effort to do so.
However, those of us who cannot comprehend the meaning of Nirvana, think that the bliss of Nirvana comes from the suppression of all desires. This is a grave misunderstanding, as illustrated by the various scriptures and the exchange between various intellectuals.
I have heard some people ask and state that if the scriptures teach us to realize Nirvana by letting go of our sensory pleasures, which is very hard to do and causes us great pain, so what is the point of realizing Nirvana if it takes all the joy out of living?
My answer as a HR practitioner and after my extensive reading on the topic is simple. “It is incorrect to equate Nirvana with the ‘pain’ of abstention. When the scriptures teach us to refrain from indulgence, it is only a means to an end. When one wants to learn a new skill, one has to first ‘painfully’ practice the basics of that skill before one can excel in it.”
In my presentation, I have repeatedly said that Nirvana is the total liberation from suffering because I firmly believe in that idea. When we let go of all attachment and aversion, we live in harmony with all that is conditioned and in so doing calm the agitation that comes with desire.
I have said that the realm of Nirvana is without arising, without abiding, without attachment to the phenomenal self, and without blemish. In Nirvana, there is no arising and consequently no ceasing and no impermanence. Not only is there no arising of worldly phenomena, there is also no arising concerning the notion of Nirvana itself.
I am convinced that Nirvana is without blemish and is most wondrous and perfect. The serenity and joy that are experienced in Nirvana are not something that can be described in simple words and in a brief essay like this one.
Having said all these, I believe it is also something that we all can experience, and it is available to us at all times.
Now let me go back to the novel to conclude this presentation. In the end, though the lingering question that is left with me is how intertwined are the metaphysical and the ethical proposals of Siddhartha. Should we accept reincarnation, the unity of all Being, and the fiction of time in order to accept Siddhartha’s ethics of self-determination and love of good karma?
This becomes an allegory for all sentient beings, in fact a moral tale and not a philosophical treatise. In the end, we have the choice to follow Siddhartha’s example in determining how much significance we can give to the Hindu way of life and Buddhism regarding Nirvana. I feel this leaves each one of us to come to our own conclusion.
1st May, 2014.
NOTES:
# The five realms are: heaven, human, animal, hungry ghost and hell.
+ Kalpas – a period in which the universe experiences a cycle of creation and destruction.
*Five aggregates are: form, feeling, perception, volition and consciousness.
% Triple Gem constitute Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.
History of Hanuman
Although there is a mention of Hanuman or Vrishakapi in Rigved some scholars believe otherwise and say that Hanuman was a proto Dravidian deity and has been prominently described in Valmiki Ramayan. Some purans say that Hanuman was regarded as an avatar of Shiva and was a combination of the trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Some say Hanuman was born as the son of the King and Queen of the Monkeys.
To a lot of other people and specially Hindus, he is the son of Anjana, a female Apsara who had been transformed into a monkey by a curse, and Vayu, the wind god. It is also said that from his god father Vayu, Hanuman received the ability to fly. Hanuman became more prominent and important in the medieval period and came to be portrayed as the ideal devotee of Ram. He was characterized as a lifelong celibate. His celibacy was the source of his strength and this theme became popular among the wrestlers of old India.
The mythical story of the birth of Hanuman is narrated at the end as a conclusion but it is explained here briefly. Vrihaspati had an attendant called Punjikasthala, who was cursed to assume the form of a female monkey — a curse that could only be nullified if she would give birth to an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Reborn as Anjana, she performed intense austerities to please Shiva, who finally granted her the boon that would cure her of the curse.
When Agni, the god of fire, gave Dasharath, the king of Ayodhya, a bowl of sacred dessert to share among his wives so they may have divine children, an eagle snatched a part of the pudding and dropped it where Anjana was meditating, and Pavan, the god of wind delivered the sacred dessert to her outstretched hands. After she took the divine dessert, she gave birth to Hanuman. Thus, Lord Shiva incarnated as a monkey, and was born as Hanuman to Anjana, by the blessings of Pavana, who thus became Hanuman's godfather.
The birth of Hanuman released Anjana from the curse. Before she returned to heaven, Hanuman asked his mother about his life ahead. She assured him that he would never die, and said that fruits as ripe as the rising sun would be his food.
As a child, believing the sun to be a ripe mango, Hanuman pursued it in order to eat it. Rahu, a Vedic planet corresponding to an eclipse, was at that time seeking out the sun as well, and he clashed with Hanuman. Hanuman thrashed Rahu and went to take sun in his mouth.
Rahu approached Indra, king of devas, and complained that a monkey child stopped him from taking on Sun, preventing the scheduled eclipse. This enraged Indra, who responded by throwing the Vajra (thunderbolt) at Hanuman, which struck his jaw. He fell back down to the earth and became unconscious. A permanent mark was left on his chin due to impact of Vajra, explaining his name Hanuman.
Upset over the attack, Hanuman's father figure Vayu deva (the deity of air) went into seclusion, withdrawing air along with him. As living beings began to asphyxiate, Indra withdrew the effect of his thunderbolt. The devas then revived Hanuman and blessed him with multiple boons to appease Vayu.
However, Hanuman's godfather, Pavana carried him to the nether world or 'Pataal'. As he departed from the earth, all life panted for air, and Brahma had to beg him to return. In order to appease him they conferred a lot of boons and blessings on his foster child that made Hanuman invincible, immortal and super powerful.
Brahma gave Hanuman a boon that would protect him from the irrevocable Brahma's curse. Brahma also said: "Nobody will be able to kill you with any weapon in war." From Brahma he obtained the power of inducing fear in enemies, of destroying fear in friends, to be able to change his form at will and to be able to easily travel wherever he wished.
From Shiva he obtained the boons of longevity, scriptural wisdom and ability to cross the ocean. Shiva assured safety of Hanuman with a band that would protect him for life.
Indra blessed him that the Vajra weapon will no longer be effective on him and his body would become stronger than Vajra.
Varuna blessed baby Hanuman with a boon that he would always be protected from water.
Agni blessed him with immunity to burning by fire. Surya gave him two siddhis of yoga namely "laghima" and "garima", to be able to attain the smallest or to attain the biggest form.
Yama, the God of Death blessed him healthy life and free from his weapon dand, thus death would not come to him.
Kuber showered his blessings declaring that Hanuman would always remain happy and contented.
Vishwakarma blessed him that Hanuman would be protected from all his creations in the form of objects or weapons.
Vayu also blessed him with more speed than he himself had.
Kamenev also blessed him that the sex will not be effective on him. Therefore, his name is also Baal Bramhachari.
Hanuman selected Surya, the sun god as his preceptor, and approached him with the request to teach the scriptures. Surya agreed and Hanuman became his disciple, but had to face his constantly moving guru by traversing the sky backwards at equal pace, while taking his lessons. Hanuman's phenomenal concentration took him only 60 hours to master the scriptures.
On ascertaining Surya to be an all-knowing teacher, Hanuman raised his body into an orbit around the sun and requested to Surya to accept him as a student. Surya refused and explained claiming that he always had to be on the move in his chariot, it would be impossible for Hanuman to learn well.
Undeterred, Hanuman enlarged his form, with one leg on the eastern ranges and the other on the western ranges, and facing Surya again pleaded. Pleased by his persistence, Surya agreed. Hanuman then learned all of the knowledge that the sun god possessed.
When Hanuman requested Surya to quote his "guru-dakshina" (teacher's fee), the latter refused, saying that the pleasure of teaching one as dedicated as him was the fee in itself. Hanuman insisted, whereupon Surya asked him to help his (Surya's) spiritual son Sugriva. Hanuman's choice of Surya as his teacher is said to signify Surya as a Karma Saakshi, an eternal witness of all deeds.
To further clarify this aspect, Surya considered the manner in which Hanuman accomplished his studies as his tuition fees, but when Hanuman requested him to accept something more than that, the sun god asked Hanuman to assist his son Sugriva, by being his minister and compatriot.
Hanuman was mischievous in his childhood, and sometimes teased the meditating sages in the forests by snatching their personal belongings and by disturbing their well-arranged articles of worship. Finding his antics unbearable, but realizing that Hanuman was but a child, (albeit invincible), the sages placed a mild curse on him by which he became unable to remember his own ability unless reminded by another person.
The curse is highlighted in Kishkindha Kand and he was relieved from the curse by the end of Kishkindha Kand of the epic Ramayan when Jambavanth reminds Hanuman of his abilities and encourages him to go and find Sita and in Sundar Kand he used his supernatural powers at his best.
With all the above narration, it can be said that Hanuman is the monkey deity renowned for his courage, power and faithful as well as selfless service.
At the time of the Ramayana, Hanuman was sent as an advance spy to Lanka. To reach the island he had to fly over the sea but there was blocked by Sursa, who wanted to test him. She had a boon that everybody who comes before her must pass through her mouth. However, when she wanted to swallow Hanuman, he became bigger and bigger so she also had to become bigger and bigger. Then Hanuman suddenly became very small and went in through her ear, coming out of her mouth, thus fulfilling the boon.
In the Ashokvatika or forest of Ashoka trees on Lanka, Hanuman spies on Ravana, who is trying in vain to press Sita into becoming his wife. Later he contacted Sita in the gardens of Ravana's palace, told her of the plans being made for her deliverance and gave her Rama's signet ring as a token. Pleased with his success, Hanuman fought the demon Meghnaath, son of Ravana, in the gardens of the palace of Lanka. He won over Meghnaath, but was finally captured by Ravana's demons.
Brought before the demon king, Ravana ordered that while as a messenger of Rama he could not be killed, his tail could be set afire with cloth and oil. But Hanuman used his powers to enlarge his tail indefinitely, until the demons had no cloth left to cover it. While they still tried to put fire to his tail, Hanuman became suddenly very small and escaped from his ropes.
Trailing his burning tail behind him, Hanuman then set fire to all of Lanka and flew back to the mainland. He rejoined Rama and gave him valuable information on Ravana's forces. The army crossed a bridge to Lanka that was made by another monkey leaders and master architects called Nal and Neel.
During the mighty battle that followed, Hanuman defeated the Demon Lankini, who was the principal guard of the city of Lanka.
Hanuman's greatest feat during the battle of Lanka however was to bring back the herb that cured Lakshman from a fatal wound. He flew all the way to the Himalayas to find it, harassed by many demons, such as Kaalnemi. Because Indra was confusing him, Hanuman could not find the herb and finally brought the entire mountain to Lanka.
Ravana was defeated by Ram and Ram and Sita were crowned King and Queen of Ayodhya. Obviously Hanuman was present, remained Ram's favorite general and continued his life in service to him. When Rama offered him any boon that he cared to name, he asked to live for as long as men spoke of the deeds of Rama.
On Tuesdays and in some cases, Saturdays, many people keep fast in honour of Hanuman and give special offerings to him. In times of trouble, it is a common faith among Hindus to chant the name of Hanuman or sing his hymn ("Hanuman Chalisa") and proclaim "Bajrangbali Ki Jai" — "victory to thy thunderbolt strength". Once every year — on the full-moon day of the Hindu month of Chaitra (April) at sunrise — Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman. Hanuman temples are among the most common public shrines found in India.
Thus, the character of Hanuman teaches us of the unlimited power that lies unused within each one of us. Hanuman directed all his energies towards the worship of Lord Rama, and his undying devotion made him such that he became free from all physical fatigue. In addition, Hanuman's only desire was to go on serving Rama. Hanuman perfectly exemplifies 'Dasyabhava' devotion — one of the nine types of devotions — that bonds the master and the servant. His greatness lies in his complete merger with his Lord, which also formed the base of his genial qualities.
It is hard to find a mythical character that is at once so powerful, learned, philosophic, humble and amusing!
Hanuman features prominently in the great epic of Ramayan. The venerable ape also features in the great epic Mahabharat. How Hanuman met the valiant Bhima, one of the Pandav brothers is itself a marvelous tale. He recognized Bhima as his spiritual brother, since both were born with the blessings of Pavan, the Wind God, and promised to aid the Pandavs in the big battle of Kurukshetra. Hanuman positioned himself in the flag of Arjun's chariot to secure and stabilize the war-craft. The triangular saffron flag of Hanuman stands for stability and equilibrium, sense-control and mind-control, and a sure sign of victory over all that is base and evil.
In conclusion, here is the mythical story of Pawanputra Hanuman, the mighty monkey-god. The story of his birth is as fascinating as his mighty deeds. However, to know about Hanuman, we have to go back sometime before his birth.
Let us go to the palace of Lord Brahma where it all started. Lord Brahma as we all know is the Hindu god of creation. He is believed to live in a beautiful divine palace in his heavenly abode. Such was the beauty of the palace that it was a constant source of amazement for even the deities. There were a number of attendants in the celestial palace-courts of Lord Brahma. Among them was a beautiful attendant named Anjana or sometimes also called Anjani.
Once, happy with her service, Lord Brahma decided to reward her.
He called her and asked what she wanted. Anjana hesitated at first. Then she
replied, "Lord, I wish you could remove a curse pronounced on me by a
sage,"
"Tell me about it. Maybe I would be able to find some help for yo