ॐ
PHRASES IN THE GITA - 136
प्रणम्य शिरसा .. कृताञ्जलिः .. (अध्याय ११ - श्लोक १४)
ப்ரணம்ய ஶிரஸா க்ருதாஞ்ஜலி .. (அத்யாயம் 11 - ஶ்லோகம் 14)
Pranamya Shirasaa ... Kruthaanjali ... (Chapter 11 - Shlokam 14)MEANING : Bowing down with the head lowered and palms together ...
The two explicit signals to portray 'Humility' .. the two acts in 'bowing down' .. Lowering the head and joining the palms .. This is probably the best contribution of the Hindus to the world ..
The head .. at tht top of a human body standing vertically unlike other lives ..The head , abode of the great faculty of knowing and Brain , the instrument in knowing .. The head .. abode of the Ahankaara or 'Me' and the resultant vanity or arrogance ..
Rigidity or stubbornness causes pain to self and others .. It results in fall .. It causes wedge and distances friends and relations .. It instigates one to commit attrocious acts on others .. The Gita calls rigidity in the body as "Stabdha" and condemns it as Tamasik or lowly trait .. The Gita says , "Moodha Graahenaatmanah" i.e. the the one with stubborn Idea holds on to it and hurts self and others .. Similarly , rigidity of Ahankara , called Mada is one of the six enemies of the Mind .
If stubbornness or rigidity is to vanish , then humility should flourish .. Rigidity in the body goes with bowing down , bending down .. Rigidity in intellect and Ahankara vanishes with Surrender . These faculties should be surrendered .. Lowering the head is a beautiful effort in that direction .. Kicking and bowing down the head express two contrasting emotions .. The former expresses arrogance while the later expresses humility and surrender ..
Joining the two palms together denotes "Equanimity" or "level-headedness" .. Equanimity between emotions and intellect .. that between though and action .. balance between the right brain and the left .. Our ancestors discourage bowing with single hand . Stretching the hand to shake hands suggests that , "I am equal to you" , while joining the palms and bowing suggests that , "I surrender and am ready to act as per your wish" ..
It is not enough to join the palms .. The head too must be lowered .. It is not enough to lower the head . Inner self should be humble .. Outer acts of lowering the head and joining palms may earn you appreciation and awards from others as these are visible acts and others form a great opinion about you .. The third aspect of 'humility in the inner self is not visible to others , but is known to self .. That is the real self . This real self elevates and takes us closer to Divinity ..
Comments
Post a Comment