The Central Theme Around Which Everything Revolve

Every meaningful movement has a theme. It is an attempt to reach a desired state from an existing state. The parameters of a desired state are a set of ideals for the realization of which the movement is taking place. Each deva is the personification of an ideal… an aspect of the divinity seeking expression through the manifested universe. Beyond the operations of these devas there is a central theme that empowers the ideals that set the play of names and forms in the manifested universe in motion. The spirit of the orderly processes in the manifested universe in its exalted form is indistinguishable from this central theme.

Brahma ha devebhyo vijigye
Tasya ha brahmano vijaye devaamaheeyanta

In an orderly universe devas are allowed to have their way. The desire to identify with an ideal is the prime mover for any movement here. Brahman is behind the victory of devas in an orderly universe. Brahman is the central theme for all that happen here. When devas do not acknowledge this they feel elated about the primacy of their roles. Then they do not realize that all their victories in truth belong to Brahman.

Ta ekshantasmakamevayam vjayo/smakamevayam mahimeti
Tadvaisham vijanyou tebhyo ha pradurbhoova tanna vyajananta kimidam yakshamiti

While assigning the ownership of their successes to themselves devas feel that the glory to which the universe keeps expanding to does indeed belong to them. While remaining immersed in this knowledge of their self importance a subtle presence flash within them as an insight. They could not grasp the idea very well but they felt that everything is revolving around a yaksha- a central theme. They wondered about the nature of this esoteric presence.

Te/gnimabruvanjataveda etadvijaneehi
Kimidam yakshamiti tatheti

Fire is Jataveda. It is the underlying element in all forms. A subject becomes visible by its passions. The fire of passion knows spontaneously whatever has been created in this universe. So devas entrusted the inquiry about the nature of the yaksha to fire. The research about the nature of the yaksha is now in the domain of passions.

Tadabhyadravatttamabhyavadatko/sitagnirva
Ahamasmeetyabraveejjataveda va ahamasmeetiti

Passions are now distilled to go near the divine presence. Fire approaches the yaksha in passionate fury. The yaksha calmly asks: ‘who are you?’ Fire answers: ‘I am agni. I am also known as Jataveda.’

Tasminstvayi kim veeryamityapeedam
Sarvam daheyam yadidam pruthivyamiti

‘If that is so what is the power you have?’ The yaksha asked. Fire answered: ‘I can digest everything composed of this earthiness.’

Tasmat trunam nidadhavetaddaheti tadupapreyaya sarvajavena
Tanna shashaka dagdhum sa tata eva nivavrute naitadashakam vijnatum yadetadyakshamiti

The yaksha tossed a straw in front of fire and said: ‘Then digest this.’ Fire blazed with all its strength and tried to burn the straw. But it could not. The digestive power of fire is restricted to the domain of the manifested universe and it does not act on the products of the transcendental theme. Fire went back and reported that it is not able to comprehend the nature of the yaksha.

Atha vayumabruvanvayavetadvijaneehi
Kimetatyakshamiti tatheti

Air is the underlying element in all life forces. A thing becomes significant because of its play of life forces. It is known by the name assigned to it to denote its significance. Air knows spontaneously all the actions of life forces in the manifested universe. Devas now entrust the inquiry about the nature of the yaksha to air. The research about the nature of the yaksha is now in the domain of life forces…in the domain of names.

Tadabhyadravattamabhyadravadatko/sitivaurva
Ahamasmityabraveenmatarishva va ahamasmeeti

Life forces are now tuned to go near the subtle presence. Air approaches the yaksha with liveliness. The yaksha calmly asks: ‘who are you?’ Air answers: ‘I am air. I am also known as matarishva.’ Air provides support to all things in their movements through space.

Tasmai trunam nidadhvetadadastveti tadupapreyaya sarvajavena
Tanna shashakadatum sa tata eva nivavrute naitadashakam vijnatum
Yadetadyakshamiti

The yaksha tossed a straw in front of air and said: ‘If that is so, move this straw from its state of inertia.’ Air blew with all its strength and tried to move the straw. It could not. The life supporting power of air is restricted to the domain of the manifested universe. Air went back and reported that it is not able to comprehend the nature of the yaksha.

Athendramabruvanmaghavannetadvijaneehi
Kimetadyakshamiti tatheti tadbhyadravattasmattirodadhe

Indra is maghava, the presiding deity for all the orderly processes, in the manifested universe. Mind proliferates through these processes. Now Indra goes himself to decipher the secret of the yaksha. But when Indra tries to approach the yaksha it vanishes altogether. When orderliness is taken to the highest level it becomes indistinguishable from the motive force that transcends the manifested universe. Indra then is unable to see and evaluate the yaksha as a separate entity.

Sa tasminnevakashe striyamajagama
Bahushobhamanamum haimavatim
Tam hovacha kimetadyakshamit

Indra tries to understand the nature of the yaksha by introspection. He invoked the radiant femininity of his own mind, which is a product of all satvic qualities. This Uma is the expression of pure awareness. Indra asks Uma: ‘What is the nature of this yaksha?’