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Between Yearning and Eternity: The Sacred Quest of Desire


In the ancient tapestries of Indian spirituality, two powerful streams of thought converge - the Vedic and the Tantric. Both traditions have independently explored the vast universe of human desires, emotions, and the quest for the divine. However, when woven together, they offer a profound insight into the complexities of human existence, especially our understanding of desire.



Everyone is in the refuge of this truth. This truth is called 'desire' (Kāma). Everyone is praising this desire which is beyond criticism as it will be an insult on one's creator. Desire is the father of the world, the mother of the world, and is worthy of praise. Before us is the infinite ocean of desire. In this ocean, there are creatures of various kinds. From its churning, both nectar and poison have emerged. Gods are the ones who drink nectar. Mahadeva is the one who drinks poison. With the tears of our eyes, we are anointing the god of desire. We are taking out our heart, holding it in both hands, and offering it to the feet of the god of desire as a floral tribute.


In the ocean of desire, we reside on the highest peak of detachment, watching its waves daily, listening to its sound, and occasionally diving into it. We have fully laid out the gems obtained from it here. Now, what more is required? The root of chanting, austerity, a vow, practice, accomplishment is desire. Behind giving, there's a feeling of receiving. Without giving, nothing is received. Nothing is without value. Everything has a price. The value is determined by availability based on time, place, and person. Everything is for sale. Every individual is for sale. Buying a person means having control over them. Some are bought with wealth or material, some with power or strength, some with fear or greed, some are controlled by pleasures or tastes, some are won through service, and some are captivated by love. But everything has a value. The priceless or invaluable has its own essence. Because it's innate. It can't be acquired or renounced. Salutations to the knower familiar with this essence of the soul.



There's a difference between love and devotion. Love is a connecting element. It brings two together, brings two separate beings closer. Love is between two physical beings. Through love, two beings unite. In love, there's union, bondage. In love, duality persists - two retain their separate existences even when united. The essence of devotion is beyond this. In devotion, there's a merger. Just as milk and water become of the same nature. Different natures don't merge, like oil and water. In devotion, there's non-duality. The influence of devotion occurs between two sentient entities. Devotion exists between two formless souls. Dividing one into two parts is also devotion. Seeing the Brahman (Supreme Spirit) as both the embodied (individual soul) and the formless (Lord) is devotion. This separation is qualified non-duality. The absence of the two (individual soul and Lord) is non-devotion (state of Brahman). It's inexpressible. Who can express it? Desire is its offspring. Salutations to Brahma Sutra of desire.



Brahman has two states - equilibrium and disequilibrium. Equilibrium is unchanging, peaceful, auspicious, without agitation. Disequilibrium is irregular, restless, filled with desire. If equilibrium is Shiva, then disequilibrium is desire. The world, being both, is a combination of Shiva and desire. The Earth is both equilibrium and disequilibrium. That's why the body is also so. For the perception of beauty, the combination of equilibrium and disequilibrium is essential. If the waist is slender, the hips are broad. The abdomen is deep (hollow), but the breasts are full or elevated. There are protrusions everywhere in the body, but also depressions. This is what makes it beautiful. In this way, the body is under the influence of desire. Therefore, all those with bodies are filled with desire. Because of being desirous, they are all worthy of gratitude. Everyone is desirous. Being desirous, everyone is worthy of gratitude.



The Vedic 'Kāmasamhita' was composed. The birth of 'Tāntric Kāmashāstra' took place. On the stones, the art of love flourished. Statues were made of lust-filled Yakshinis at the entrance of temples.


In the Konark temple, we obtain the erotic, passionately involved, exciting figures in various postures on the chariot with twelve wheels and seven horses, bearing three statues of the Sun. This is a multifaceted mirror of the charming world. Upon seeing one's reflection in it, one feels a spontaneous remembrance of the power of desire. Salutations to the primal desire. In the gross physical body, the form of desire is worldly and superior. In the subtle body, the form of desire is haunting. This causes pain to everyone. In the causal body, where the subtle elements (sound, touch, form, taste, and smell) are completely absent, the form of desire is noble and supreme. The Linga body, where even the name of the ten senses doesn't exist, contains only the seed of desire. This is called inactive desire. This is known as selfless desire. Beyond this, the element without a body is the quality-less form of desire. This is indescribable, unfathomable, unknowable, non-dual fire. Salutations a hundred times to this fiery desire.


The extent of the story of desire is boundless. A person with a gross body is called a human. One with a subtle body is termed a Prêta (ghost). One with a causal body is called an Pitara (ancestor). The one who is an Pitara (ancestor) is also a Devata (god). The one with the Linga body is Lord Shiva. Just like souls, there are many Devatas. Ishwara's body is formed from mind, intelligence, and ego. Ishwara is desire-less. The supreme power/ controller/ matrix of numerous souls, gods, and lords is Mahāmāya. We all praise her son, desire (Kāma).

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