The Lotus -Kamal - for Aspiration & Purity.

The Lotus -Kamal -Aspiration & Purity

 January 1st 2010.

Namaskar -

WE start the Prakruti -Mother Nature blog for 2011 on the Lotus -Padma, Pankaja, Ambuja, Kamal, Tamarai etc. It is also is our National Flower. The Lotus (or the Water Lily) grows  in shallow waters of ponds and lakes.It is described as an aquatic plant, has broad  green leaves that float on the water and beautiful flowers with large petals that bloom out can be seen when we pass Temple tanks.The lotus flower comes  in several shades of colour esp Red, Pinkish, White and Bluish.

It  has this  unique quality of growing in muddy water -Roots in muddy soil and yet it rises on a lengthy  stalk above the surface of the water with the sunrise-and so often called as "Surya Kamal"-to bloom and gloriously REACH OUT -UPWARDS -in a  perfect sign of Aspiration. It does not allow the muddy waters to stain or effect its beauty or purity. It is thus taken as a symbol of perfection in many ways viz. Peace, Bliss, Aspiration. It thus  sees very many analogies in sanskrit prayers, prose  and poetry. 
See http://pdphoto.org/PictureDetail.php?mat&pg=5237
See paintings of Raja RaviVarma .  

The lotus flower is associated with so many deities,verses- and spiritual analogies with valuable lessons and  our loved  Goddess Shree Maha Lakshmi, Vishnu. Krishna, Brahma, Saraswati. Shree Mahalakshmi holds it in both hands -seated or standing on a Lotus and in a lake of Lotus flowers -the elephants even hold a lotus in offering .


The 108 names starting with Shree Prakruti namaha in stotram has apart from Shree KamalaayaiNamaha-

The names with with Padma --prefix eg 
Shree Padma priyaai, PadmaHastayai,Padmaakshyai, Padmasundaryai, Padmodhbhavayai, Padmamukhayai, Padmanabhapriyai,Padmamaaladhaarayai, Padminyai, Padmagandhinyai-NAMAHA, --comes 10 times.

Shree Vishnu in the Chaturbhuja aspect holds the Shanka, Chakra, Gadha --& Padma.

Then we have the  poetical  reference  in the expressions Kamala Naayan, Charana Kamal or lotus feet of the Almighty. 

The Ananth Padmanabha Swamy Temple- vigraha also see the lotus emerge from Vishnu.

The Gita Upadesh & and Gajendra Moksha analogy in Srimad Bhagavatam to ilustrate

Lord Krishna takes  the  the analogy of the Lotus  flower as a symbol of Detachment-in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita :

 "One who performs his duty without attachment, surrendering the results unto the Supreme Lord, is unaffected by sinful action, as the lotus leaf is untouched by water.

"i.e.to be like the lotus and be unaffected by karma by working without attachment.

GAJENDRA MOKSHA EPISODE IN BHAGAVATAM -

The Elephant King Gajendra is a beautiful lesson of Seeking the Lords Grace "Moksha" -after all efforts in the material world pursuits leave us  or  fail and difficulty grips us in the final struggle viz. the analogy of a crocodile (problems ) catching his feet in its jaws- symbolising the eternal stuggle of Mankind caught in turmoil of Bhava roga i.e. Samsara- Finally-- takes a  Lotus and in Prayers offers to to Lord Vishnu in total Surrender "Sharanagati" and is relieved- hence called the "Gajendra Moksha". 

The symbolism and analogy is profound and this is not a simple story..

The lotus flower represents long life, health, honor and good luck. Lotus seeds are known to last generations and still are able to Germinate-Egyptians knew this and revered the Lotus in many ways. In Buddhism, this flower is valued very highly-"Om Mani Padme" meditation. RK mission also has this  .

In Yoga and Buddhist teachings, the Anahata Chakra -Heart is seen as as Lotus -an unopened flower and in Mediation it Blooms-is thought to be like the heart of man – blossoming only when touched by the virtues of Loving kindness and forgiveness. In Christian Faith it represents Purity.

Many years ago we were taught this in a guided meditation session at a Camp in Bangalore called "Anahata Brahma" - or Kamal Chakra meditation.Experience this to believe it.

- Om Shree Kamalaayai Namaha -

Kind Rgds

TR

references.

1) PADMA PURANA, SHREE MAHALAKSHMI -ASHTOTTARA & ASHTAKAM.

2) SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM & SRIMAD BHAGAVAD GITA