Sautramani sacrifice contd.
In
another myth the Devas gathered together at Kurukshetra to perform a
sacrifice. They wanted to attain fame, prosperity and eat food. They said
that whoever amongst them through toil, austerity or faith comprehends the
issue of sacrifice will become the most eminent amongst them. This was attained
by Vishnu. He stood with his bow resting his head on the bow. Indra turned
himself into white ants and chewed the bow string which broke-off from the bow
and cut off Vishnu’s head. Vishnu’s head became the Sun Adithya. The bow is the
word “om”. The white ants refer to the atman and the colour white refers to
knowledge or knowledge about Brahman. Using the syllable “ Om ”, the atman
should turn into an arrow and aim for the supreme Brahman which is referred to
as the head of Vishnu in this myth. The colour white is also a reference
to the moon or Soma. Vishnu is also said in other myths to have become a
ram and Indra cuts off the ram’s head.
The
esoteric meaning of the Soma Sacrifice imparts to us the knowledge to reach
Supreme Brahman. The sacrifice of the three animals mentioned reaffirms the
Soma Sacrifice and also tells us about the Self-Sacrifice made by the Supreme
Brahman to create us.
To be continued.
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