Gems from Tripura Rahasaya (The mystery beyond the trinity) -I

Sri Dattatreya

Tripuara Rahasaya is an ancient literary work in Sanskrit believed to have been narrated by Dattatreya to Parashurama. It is said that its verses are full of Divine nectar which will quench the thirst of any earnest seeker who repeatedly reflects on their meaning and in right earnest attempts to implement the teachings. 

In the meantime, a Brahmin, by name Sumanta, living on the banks of the Sarasvati, had a son, Alarka, who used to hear his mother be called “Jaayi Aayi” by his father. Being a child, he too addressed his mother “Ai”. He died in his childhood, and his last words on his death-bed were “Ai, Ai” only. This sound is however sacred to the Goddess. Having been uttered in all innocence and purity of mind, it conferred unexpected merit on the dying child. He was later born as Sumedha, a son to Haritha. Haritayana was his patronymic. Haritayana’s spirituality developed as he grew up and he sought Parasurama to learn the highest good from him, who in turn imparted to him the knowledge which he had gained from Dattatreya. 

Tripura means three cities or the trinity. Rahasya means secret or mystery. In a sense there is no secret to be revealed. It is only due to our lack of wisdom that we do not experience our true nature. Therefore mystery would be a more appropriate translation. Thus Tripura Rahasya means the Mystery beyond the Trinity.

The three cities or states of consciousness are waking (Jagrut), dreaming (Svapna) and Shushupti (deep sleep). The underlying consciousness in them all is called Sri Tripura.

"If once vichara takes root, the highest good has for all practical purposes, been reached in this life. As long as vichara is absent from a human being, the most desirable form of birth, so long is the tree of life barren and therefore useless. The only useful fruit of life is vichara."