Ratha Rupaka (रथरूपकम्)
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The metaphor of a chariot (रथरूपकम्) given in the Kathopanishad is well-known. The Bhagavata Purana (Skandha 7, Adhyaya 15) also uses the example of a chariot to explain the relation between sharira, indriya, mana, atma, etc. and enumerate the path to moksha. It says,
41. The wise say that this body is a chariot, the senses are the horses, mind (the controller of senses) is the reins, the objects of senses are the paths, intellect (reasoning faculty) is the charioteer and the consciousness which is spread through out the body, is the cause of bondage in this material world.
42. The ten vital breaths form the axis, Dharma and Adharma its two wheels, the atman who identifies himself with the body due to ahamkara is the owner (occupant) of the chariot. The Vedic mantra pranava (Om) is the bow, the pure Self is the arrow and Paramatman (the Supreme Being) is the target.
43-44. Attachment, hatred, greed, sorrow, infatuation, fear, pride, hautiness, disgrace, jealousy, deceitfulness, violence, envy, passion, bewilderment, hunger, sleep - these and the like are the enemies to be vanquished. These are born of Rajas and tamas and rarely from sattva. (However, at the time of conditioning of the mind, ideas of goodness also are a distraction and hence unfavourable).[1][2]
45. While yet he continues to hold the chariot in the form of human body with all its constituent parts (the sense organs) under his control, he, deriving his strength from Lord Vishnu, and wielding the sword of spiritual knowledge sharpened through the service of the highly exalted atmans, should put an end to all the (aforesaid) enemies. Enjoying to his utmost satisfaction the highest bliss of the Self, he should attain (perfect) tranquility and cast off this (body).
46. Otherwise, these wicked horses in the form of senses and the (feeble) charioteer take the careless and unwary occupant astray to the path of Pravrtti and land him among a band of robbers, viz. objects of sense-enjoyment. Those robbers hurl him among with the horses and the charioteer in the deep well of bliding darkness in the form of samsara beset with the terrible fear of death.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Ganesh Vasudeo Tagare, The Bhagavata Purana (Part III), Ancient Indian Tradition & Mythology (Volume 9), Edited by J.L.Shastri, New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass, P.no.985-996.
- ↑ A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Srimad Bhagavatam (Seventh Canto), Part 3-Chapters 10-15, 1976: Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.