We had discussed in the beginning that every hymn/ mantra can be used for 3 purposes- aihika, āmuśmika and paramāthika. In this verse, the aihika (worldly) results that can be attained, and the way in which they take the person to the supreme pāramāthika state are detailed.
Sarvānarta haram devaṃ sarva mangala mangalaṃ ǀ
Sarva kleśa haraṃ vande smaṛtṛgāmi sano’vatu ǀǀ
On the face of it the phrases ‘sarva anarta haram’ and ‘sarva kleśa haram’ appear to be repetitive in nature and both seem to imply that He grants relief from severe troubles. But, both the words have different purposes.
Sarvānarta haram devaṃ Sarva mangala mangalaṃ:
‘Anarta’ means developing inclination towards those objects which are useless/ not beneficial/ unworthy (ayogya). Inclination towards them is the root for all sorrows. As such it is imperative that they be washed away.
In general people focus on those objects of the world, which can be termed useless and wasteful. Amongst the worldly objects, there are some that they dislike and some others which in their opinion, are sacred and auspicious (mangala). For instance, a calf or a temple is considered to be auspicious (mangalam). How is it that these objects have turned auspicious? Who has given them this auspiciousness?
The auspicious force which bestows such objects with auspiciousness is ‘sarva mangala mangalam’. When the focus/ attention is placed on this force, all anarta automatically gets washed away.
How then can a person shift his focus/ attention towards this supreme auspiciousness? This can be done through ‘yoga’.
Now in the path of yoga there are some obstacles. The obstacles in yoga sadhana are known as ‘kleśa’. They are 5 in number.
- Avidya 2) Asmita 3) Rāga 4) Dweśa 5 ) Maraṇa bhaya.
This Lord dispels all these 5 kleśas (sarva kleśa haram) and thereby ensures that we progress in the path of yoga sadhana. Through the progress in yoga sadhana, he causes our focus to shift away from the wasteful worldly objects (sarvāṇarta haram) and instead focus on the absolute reality (sarva mangala mangalam).
Vande: To this Lord we offer our obeisance.
Smaṛtṛgāmi sanovatu May that Lord who responds instantly when called, protect us all!