Jnjaanappaana 49

Koodiyalla pirakkunna neratthum

Koodiyalla marikkunna neratthum
Mandhyeyingane kaanunna neratthu

Mathsarikkunnathenthinnu naam vridhaa?

കൂടിയല്ല മരിക്കുന്ന നേരത്തും 

കൂടിയല്ല ജനിക്കുന്ന നേരത്തും 

മദ്ധ്യേയിങ്ങനെ കാണുന്ന നേരത്തു 

മത്സരിക്കുന്നതെന്തിനു നാം വൃഥാ  

 We were not born together (line one), we are not going to die together (line two), Why should we compete each other when we meet in between (birth and death) (line three and four)?

These lines are probably one of the most famous lines from Njanappaana. In the most simple language poet is giving us one of the greatest advices in this world. If everybody understood the real meaning of these lines and if we apply that in our life, Vaikundham will be here. But unfortunately we are far from understanding anything beyond the literal meaning and poet is very sad about it.

Even twins are not born at the same time, they do not have the same destiny, they do not die together. We all meet for a very little time in this world and leave our bodies to pursue the path led by our karmaas.  

Our life journey can be compared to a train journey. Different people board the train in different stations, and some travellers are together for some time and each one gets down when their station of destination comes. Likewise, we all come here at different times, stay as a family or friends together for some time, when death knocks on the door we leave the body and continue our journey with out ever having a chance to meet or live together again. Poonthaanam is sad that people fight, compete and cheat each other in this very short and precious time allotted to them by God. He wants us to think about this reality over and over again to remove any rivalry towards anybody or about anything.

In Bhagavatham, Krishna is very subtly teaching us this lesson. Krishna spent lot of time with gopikaas and they were very happy. Later they became vane and they started feeling jealous of each other. Because of vanity and pride, each one thought that she was the most beloved of Krishna. At that point Krishna disappeared leaving everybody except Radha. Finally he even left Radha when she became proud of Krishna's love for her. After some time, by God's grace, Gopikas continuous remembrance of Lord removed all their negative feelings and then Krishna appeared again. He is indirectly telling us that this short life span as humans is not for breeding rivalry and negative feelings, but it is given by Him to strive with a pure heart towards the unity of Jevaathma with Paramaathma.

Also it is interesting to note that once Krishna left Vrindavanam, he never came back there through out his life. Much later, after Kamsavadham (or killing of Kamsa) and all, He met Gopikaas for Njaanopadesham at Syamanthapanchaka theertham. What does this say to us? All material relations, even the closest relations such as mother and children, husband and wife, brothers, sisters etc have to end. Those relations are not eternal. When Gopikaas reached the state of jnjaanam, then they could unite with Paramaathma. This action of Bhagavaan also tells us to utilize our precious time not to nurture material relations, but to nurture our relationship with Him, which is eternal.

Poonthannam says that Naamasankeerthanam is the best way to plant and nurture our relationship with Bhagavaan. Naamam is the seed, it is the fertilizer, it is the water and food, it is the plant and it is the fruit because Naamam becomes Naami, (or one who represents Naamam) and hence one who chants naamam becomes one with Naami.

Let us chant Bhagavaan's divine names along with Shri Poonthaanam and millions of devotees around the world:

Krishna! Krishna! Mukunda! Janaardana!

Krishna! Govinda! Naaraayna! Hare!

Achyuthaananda! Govinda! Maadhava 

Sachidaananda! Naarayana! hare!