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Re: Kundalini etc./ kaivalyam

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Visu9 • January 20, 2003 


/aum namO nArAyanAya |

I did not quite understand the issues involved. It seems that the questions have a history, which I am not versed in.

I think it is always useful to take a look at the meaning of a word first. Then it will help us to see interpretations.

The word /kaivalyam is derived from /kim/valam. That is the intent or determination or expertise to ask "why?". Kaivalyam is a causal form: It is an enquiry asking the whys and why nots of things, issues etc. It is a training or system that causes to ask "why" or "why not". Then the enquiry gives answers and alas, more questions! 

It seems that svAmi dESikan was an unparalleled  master of this system of research. It could even be the analogue of the /iti-nEti method in /SrI/vaishNavism. He is known as kimka/kESari --- Lion of this system of enquiry or research. (/taniyan to /SrI/stuti). In his translation of this /taniyan, Sri tirumalai nallAn rAmakrushna iyengAr has translated the expression /kimka/kESari as /vAtitARkkup pOrAr maTaGkal -- A lion to those who argue or enquire. That is, svAmi dESikan was famous as the winner in arguments. 

It is also known that Lord /buddhaH is the Lord of enquiry. Sometimes the word /kim/kara is tranlsated as lawyers, as they argue and debate.  Lawyers must pray to Lord /buddhaH and Lord bruhas/pati among the planetary Lords. /buddhAH is /kimkara/hitam, bestows welfare on lawyers and researchers who do enquiries. He is in the direct lineage of /vaisHnavAHs. 

Coming to the issue on /kaivalyam, one would think that enquiry alone cannot lead to salvation or /mOzam. What it does is eventually to take one to the right step, which is /bhakti and then onto pra/patti. Thus /kaivalyam meaning as above is not the final answer to /mOzam. It gives erudition. 

I think the argument seems to be on the number of steps neeeded for /mOzam. /kaivalyam adds one more step, but may make things easier by motivating better. Now that you know what is important you run fast and beat the slow-moving tortoise, which was ahead ! And Achilles may win! 

/vantanam.

Visu





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