Some Aphorisms (of Sri Trilinga Swamy)

Some Aphorisms (of Sri Trilinga Swamy)

(Faith is very complex yet very simple. Hindu faith (Sanatana Dharma) encompasses a vast canvass of thought and enquiry. Its corpus (now almost completely written down and commented profusely) is humungous – the four Vedas, major Upanishads, eighteen Puranas, Upa-puranas, Itihasas, and many narratives (mind, not fictional!) that are associated with innumerable holy pilgrim places in the Indian subcontinent. For any ordinary mortal it is absolutely impossible to read or master all the works; not only that, to fully comprehend the original Sanskrit texts is beyond anyone’s lifetime. Often many interpreters of this faith fall into errors (particularly several English authors with preconceived anthropological notions) and wrongly interpret the core essence of such a great faith. The primacy of Hindu faith stands on two sturdy (indestructible) pillars: Its scriptures dating back into many thousands (not two thousand, not five thousand, much farther into antiquity – almost limitless origins, for ex: see Kanchi Swami’s discourses on Vedas, అపౌరుషేయ, and a succession of swamis (proponents, bhaktas) leaving footprints on the sands of time. Its springs are eternally full and alive. I humbly attempt to give English translation of some of the essential quotes of Sri Trilinga Swamy here. Detailed explanations are deliberately omitted. The reader has to think about each issue, ponder over the meaning, and enter into a stilled state of “deep meditation”. S(he) has to discover herself their true meaning.

Why do I harp on Swamis or Gurus in this context? Let’s leave aside some phony characters. I illustrate my point about the desirability of a Guru with two instances: Once Narada (బ్రహ్మ మానస పుత్ర) went to Vaikuntha for a meeting with Lord Narayana. After the usual pleasantries and discussions Narada departed the holy premises walking slowly backwards with his posterior towards the exit.  Immediately after Narada’s departure Narayana turned to Maha-Lakshmi and instructed thus: “Devi, get some gomayamu, wipe out cleanly Narada’s seat (chair) and wash it down with ganga-jal.”

Devi Lakshmi was aghast. She gently asked, “Lord, why? May I know the reason, if you don’t mind.” “Narada needs a Guru. As yet he has not been initiated properly through a master.” Yet we find the same Narada instructing prince Dhruva about Tapas. Not only that the wandering sage introduces Dhruva to the greatness of “dwadasi-akshara mantra”. No wonder the young boy gets a darshan of Lord Narayana in no time. 

Lastly I must also mention about the unbounded compassion of many gurus: From Seshadri Swami, Sadasiva Brahmendra, to Kanchi Paramacharya and many others (Shirdi Sai) – they (the Gurus) helped (and still help) all disciples, provided for their earthly needs, corrected students’ mistakes, and gently guided them on their paths. Genuine seekers must take the trouble and read their extensive biographies and authentic works.) 

D = Disciple

G = The Guru

D Who created the earth and its life forms?
G Eswara* (The Supreme Lord with control over everything. Swami)
D Who produces (effects) the creation?
G Brahma
D Who is Brahma?
G Eswara’s power (Sakti)
D Who rules the creation?
G Lord Vishnu or Lord Narayana
D Who is Narayana?
G Eswara’s power (Sakti)
D Who destroys creation or Who dissolves it?
G Maheswara – i.e., Mahadeva
D Who is Mahadeva?
G Eswara’s power (Sakti)
D Who (what) is Brahmani (Saraswati)?
G Brahma’s power (Sakti)
D Who is Lakshmi?
G Vishnu’s power (Sakti)
D Who is Durga?
G Mahadeva’s power (Sakti)
D Who helps us to cross the ‘ocean of life’?
G Eswara
D     What is bondage?
G Love of things (subjects)
D What is Salvation (Relief)?
G After getting over the delusion with subjects, one merges with Eswara
D What is a terrible hell?
G Our (carpal) body
D Where is Swarga ( Heaven)
G If the desires are eliminated, this Earth itself is Swarga
D How do we overcome “the bondage with the world/life”?
G With the knowledge (wisdom) of the ‘Self’ (to be continued)

* A whole book(s) can be written about Eswara. For now it is sufficient to contemplate Eswara as the all pervading, formless (i.e., beyond any specific form), and total authority over all the worlds (rather limitless cosmos). All words and descriptions will be approximate, erroneous (and fail) while dealing with Eswara. Copyright 2025 by the author