Mandalam Musings Day 14 - Spiritual Practice is a ‘Tapa’ – a Penance

 

Mandalam Musings Day 14

Spiritual Practice is a ‘Tapa’ – a Penance

Sant Keshavadas writes in the book 'Self-Realization' “A man who practices any spiritual discipline rigidly, at any cost, is really doing a ‘tapa’. The inner meaning of ‘tapa’ is burning. It burns all karmas and all ignorance. The daily practice of ‘Sandhya Vandana’ or morning and evening meditation, daily reading of the holy texts, daily chanting of the ‘Gayatri Mantra’ several times, daily worshipping god, are all tapa’s.” If it is rigidly practiced at least for forty-one days at a stretch one should certainly reach one step higher than before, in the path of truth. The Vedas declare: The foundation of all creation is ‘tapa’. Brahma, the creator got the ability to build the universe by doing intense tapa.

The 41 days of Vratham entails following certain daily conducts. It starts with getting up early, taking a bath, and then visiting a nearby temple or a place of worship at home. On the first day of Mandalam the devotee wears a mala made of Rudraksha beads symbolizing his commitment for the upcoming 41 days of an austere life.  He removes the mala only after completing the 41 days. He eats simple and sattvic vegetarian food without too much oil and spices. He pursues the study of a scripture or a text on spiritual awareness, daily. He conducts all the worldly activities in a dharmic manner – fair and just. He maintains a humble lifestyle and he wears simple attire in black or blue. He refrains from shaving his beard and cutting his hair during this period.

In the evening also, the devotee takes s shower and visits a temple, and does some spiritual practices, yoga, etc. During the 41 days, he practices complete celibacy. He should not be spending time with anyone who can create agitation in his mind, sexual or otherwise.

During this time, they should avoid the company of women between the ages of 10 and 50, even his own wife. Why is it that during the Mandala Vratham, the practice of celibacy is taken as a serious aspect of austerity? Is the Lord Ayyappa’s legend conceived as being partial to men and discriminating against the womenfolk? At Sabarimala, women of childbearing age, between the age of 10 and 50 are not allowed to take part in the pilgrimage as an age-old tradition and as a legal restriction. Is there a valid reason behind it? We will look at these aspects one by one.

The person undertaking the austere life is getting a taste of living the life of a monk for the 41 days period and some of the habits he develops during this period are going to stay with him throughout his life. When the next year’s Mandalam season arrives, he is ready and willing to repeat the Vratham. In most cases, we find that the seeker eagerly anticipates the arrival of Mandalam each year.