Meditations on Transcendence

  त्रिविध-प्रार्थना: सर्वत्र संरक्षणाय Threefold Prayers for Universal Protection Protection from the Agni Element (Fire): arjuna uvāca kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahā-bāho bhaktānām abhayaṅkara tvam eko dahyamānānām apavargo 'si saṁsṛteḥ Translation: Arjuna said: "O Krishna, Krishna, mighty-armed one, you are the source of fearlessness for your devotees. You alone are the deliverer of those who suffer in this material existence, the liberator from the cycle of samsara." Protection from Kleśas (Miseries and Afflictions): kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya haraye paramātmane praṇata-kleśa-nāśāya govindāya namo namaḥ Translation: "Obeisances unto Krishna, son of Vasudeva, the Supreme Soul and Lord, who removes the sufferings of the surrendered souls. I bow again and again to Govinda." Protection from Vāyu (Wind) and Āpa (Water): kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahā-bhāga tvan-nāthaṁ gokulaṁ prabho trātum arhasi devān naḥ kupitād bhakta-vatsala Translation: "O Krishna, Krishna, most exalted one, O Lord of Goku...

 Fire is pointing in upward direction (davanala) Fire gives heat (Samsara always supplies heat) Samsara supplies 3 kinds of heat - adibhuta, family and friends give heat; adidaiva, nature gives heat int erms of environmental impact and pandemics; adibhuta, our mind body gives heat thru diseases and other emotions, feelings Finally all heat is due to uncultured mind Mind has to be cultured by hearing, analyzing and application of sastras Most important function of mind is world view The knowledge embraced by the mind decides the world view If world view is wrong, it generates unwanted emotions Mind stops when right world view is architected then there is continuous touch with bliss of soul Both these properties indicate that fire of problems obstacle we face take us upward, closeness to god Receive welcome heat, redirect that heat to burn sins and internal toxins and glow in bliss