By Sunil Kumar
Title: “Chaturanga Chronicles: A Cosmic Conversation at Kailasha” or “Recursions of the Universe: Reflections at Kailasha.”
Approaching Mount Kailasha, the air becomes crisp and the fragrance of rare alpine flowers fills your nostrils. The mountain stands tall and majestic, towering over the surrounding peaks, like a beacon for the gods. The snow-covered peak shimmers in the sun, casting a golden glow over the entire valley below.
Drawing closer, you can hear the faint sound of celestial music, a shimmering gandharva melody that echoes throughout the valley. It’s the kind of music that transcends time and space, taking you to a place beyond the physical realm. A sense of wonder and awe envelops your being, as if you are witnessing something truly extraordinary.
A gathering of gods are mesmerized by the sight before them. Shiva and Parvati are playing chaturanga, the ancient game of strategy and skill. Their movements are fluid and graceful, like a dance that has been rehearsed for countless centuries.
As you watch, you become aware of an infinite multiverse unfolding around you. It’s as if you are seeing multiple versions of reality all at once, each one slightly different from the other.
The colours around you seem to shift and change, as if the universe itself is dancing along to the celestial music. Time has no meaning here, you are witnessing something that has been happening since the beginning of time, and will continue to happen for eternity. As a mere observer in this otherworldly scene, but for a moment, you feel as if you are part of something greater than yourself.
As they play, Shiva notices that Parvati seems distracted and is not fully present in the game. He asks what is on her mind.
Parvati hesitates for a moment before answering, “I am worried about the state of the world. There is so much suffering and chaos, and I wonder if we are doing enough to help.”
Shiva smiles and replies, “My dear Parvati, the world is like a game of chaturanga. It is constantly changing, and there will be times when we are winning and times when we are losing. But it is important to remember that the game is not about winning or losing, but about playing it with integrity and detachment. Our actions have consequences, and we must do what we can to make the world a better place, but ultimately, we must also surrender to the cosmic forces of creation and destruction.”
Parvati ponders Shiva’s words for a moment before asking, “But how can we be detached from the suffering of others? How can we watch people in pain and not feel the urge to do something?”
Shiva takes a breath and replies, “Detachment does not mean indifference, my dear. It means that we do what we can with a sense of duty and compassion, but without attachment to the outcome. We must act with the understanding that everything in the world is transient, and that even our efforts will be washed away by the cosmic tides of time. But that should not stop us from doing what is right and necessary.”
As Shiva and Parvati discuss the intricacies of creation, Narada enters the scene, strumming his veena with a mischievous glint in his eye. He speaks of the multiverse, of the many worlds that exist simultaneously and the endless possibilities that lay within them.
Parvati, ever curious, asks Narada about Indra’s net, the metaphorical representation of the interconnectedness of all things. Narada explains that each node of the net represents an individual being or entity, and every action and consequence can be felt throughout the entire universe, much like the ripple effect of a pebble thrown into a pond.
Shiva listens intently, nodding in agreement. He adds that even the greatest of beings, like the multiple Indras, were subject to the laws of srishti, sthithi, and laya. They too were mere players in the cosmic game, and their time would come for their srishti to give way to sthithi, and eventually, laya.
Reflecting on the state of creation in Kaliyuga, Narada casts his attention to the present-day generation, urging them to understand the lessons of the past and the inevitability of change. He speaks of the need to embrace srishti, to create and innovate, but also to accept sthithi, to live in the present and appreciate the beauty of what already exists.
And finally, he speaks of the importance of laya, of letting go and accepting the cycle of life and death, of rebirth and renewal. It was only through this acceptance that true enlightenment could be reached.
“Think of each human life as a microcosm of the universe. Every being in martya-loka is born, that is his creation(sristhi). You grow up and sustain your life, wander in its nooks and crannies, managing the ebb and flow, that is sthithi(maintenance). However much you are attached to this transient river, one day you will die, that is your laya(dissolution). It is the same for nearly every being in this universe. Nothing is permanent, everything goes through the cycle of creation, maintenance and destruction.
Parvati sits before Narada, her brow furrowed in confusion. “Why is it so difficult for a mortal human being to accept the cycle of Sristhi, Sthithi and Laya?” she asked. “Why the struggle to understand that everything is constantly changing and that destruction is just as much a part of creation?”
Narada smiles kindly at her, “It is because humans cling to the things they know and love,” he says. “Change is frightening and uncertain, and it is easy to become attached to things that give us comfort and security. See how much you love and adore your Lord, Shiva and your sons, Kartikeya and Ganesha. Why grudge mere humans, who have very limited abilities and intellect compared to us?”
“But Krishna taught Arjuna that this cycle is necessary. I thought humans might have learnt their lesson by now,” Parvati replies. “He told him that everything in the universe is in a constant state of flux, and that even death is simply a transition to a new form of existence. Shedding old clothes for new was the analogy given.”
Narada nods. “Yes, Krishna’s words in the Bhagavadgita are timeless and relevant to all generations. He reminds us that we must do our duty, regardless of the outcome and that everything in the universe is interconnected. The Samsara wheel never stops turning, and we must accept this fact if we are to find peace and deeper meaning in our lives.”
Parvati considers Narada’s words for a moment, and then she smiles enigmatically. She is the embodiment of Shakti in this universe, the Prakriti that invigorates the cosmic cycle. “I see now,” she says. “The cycle of Sristhi, Sthithi and Laya is like a dance, and we are all just players in this grand performance. It is up to us to play our part to the best of our ability and accept that nothing lasts forever, everything is impermanent.”
Narada’s face lights up in acknowledgment. “Yes, exactly, Devi, creative mother of the multiverse,” he says. “By embracing the understanding, we can learn to appreciate the beauty, wonder and infinite mystery of consciousness and existence, and find joy in the ever-changing rhythms of life.”
Shiva smiles knowingly and whispers, “Life is but a game, a play of the senses, the dance of the cosmos. We are all players in the eternal chaturanga, but only those who accept the impermanence of it all, can truly experience the beauty of the game.”
As Shiva and Parvati resume the game of chaturanga, the eternal eye looks down at the mountain of Kailasha, just a tiny speck in a vast, never-ending universe of creation, destruction and rebirth, stretching beyond the limits of space and time to infinity.
