Was Surdas Blind?
There are many who are well
versed in Vedanta. Many who lecture on Vedanta. When asked, they will tell us
that our target is Brahmam. The common person does parayanam regularly. Even a
child learns to recite stothras. Even a child will reverentially acknowledge
the existence of God and with anjali
mudra will say “ummachi உம்மாச்சி ”. Vedanta, parayanam of stothras, ithihasas and
puranas are only a means. They are not the goal. Neither
is our aim Brahmam. Loving devotion to
Brahmam is our objective. We must yearn to serve Brahmam with love and
devotion. This loving service is the target sought by one and all seeking
freedom from the mundane samsara.
We show our affection by action.
This is nothing new. Actions speak more than words. Our love for those who are
near and dear to us is revealed by our deeds. It is the unspoken rule in this
world that we show our affection through our action. So, how does one show love
for the Supreme? It is easy to show reverence to the one who is lofty , but it
is harder to express love for the Supreme. If we think of Him as the Supreme
Cause of the Universe, we are overcome with awe. We venerate Him, eulogize Him, but do we love
Him? Standing with bowed head , with anjali mudra, feeling humbled before the
Supreme Power is but a step we take in the right direction, but this is not
love. This is fear that arises out of respect and this very fear shows that we
have not understood His loving and compassionate nature. If we realized His love for us and the efforts
He takes to uplift us, to free us and to make us attain eternal happiness, we
would not stand with bowed head with fear as if we are standing in the presence
of a sovereign, but we would stand with tears in our eyes, our heart brimming
with love and our senses focused only on the object of our love! Our one and
only true love!
The very same sense organs with which we must love Him and stay true to Him is also a hurdle we must overcome. The objects we perceive in this world are external. We use our senses to perceive objects that are external. Our eyes are our window that we look through and perceive those objects that are external. The very same eyes are also the windows to the soul. The soul here is our antaryami, the Supreme Brahmam who loves us and is always with us no matter what form we take. Whether we take birth as human, animal, bird, plant or as insects, He is always with us as our antaryami. That which is inside is prathyak ப்ரத்யக் and that which is outside is parak பராக். Hence the Tamil phrase , “பராக் பார்க்காதே”
Now we come to the title of this essay. Was Surdas blind? His eyes were
closed to the outside world. He did not see parak பராக், but his
eyes were open to his soul. He perceived that which must be perceived with his
eyes. Through his eyes he experienced the Supreme Brahman. He saw the divine
form of Lord Krishna. Surdas was not blind, we are the ones who are blind!
