Antharayami form of Srimana Narayana
Sriman Narayana's Antharyami form is very interesting and abstract concept. Seeing is believing. like having a darshan of Archa Avatar in temples. When one can not see the Antharyami form of Sriman Narayana, it is going to be a difficult proposition.
Would Lord Sriman Narayana ever give up an atma which emanated from him till it merges with him, after many cycles of birth and death. In each cycle when the atma acquires a body to reside in. Paramatma also resides in the same body closer to one's heart (Hrudaya Nivasi) just a few inches away from the lips that pray and hands that join in the action of praying. The maya prevents the Jeevatama to realize the we too are divine and the much closer to Paramatma living with in us as Antharyami. The worldly maya engulfs the atma and so one gropes in darkness. We look for the Paramathma elsewhere. I am reminded of a Tamil Film Song "இருக்கும் இடத்தை விட்டு இல்லாத இடம் தேடி எங்கெங்கோ அலைகின்றார் ஞானத் தங்கமே அவர் ஏதும் அறியாரடி ஞானத் தங்கமே"
Even though one may not realize the Paramatma is residing as Antharyami within oneself , we can make attempts to see the divinity in others and serve the Antharyami in them.
It is said when Sriman Narayana himself can not come, he sends his messengers to help or give a lead in difficult situations through those messengers, leading to the often quoted " Deivam Manushya Rupena". The moment one realizes that every one is divine and the same divinity resides in every one, we have taken the first step of opening our antenna to antharyami
Thats why it is said that "service to humanity is service to God". "Manava Seva is Madhava Seva". When we can not see the antharyami within us let us serve the antharyami within others.
When two elders perform shashtanga namskaram to each other, this may be considered as an act of recognizing the divinity and antharyami in the other person
Bhakthi laden Mudhal Azhwars were very much focused on the Antahryami form of Sriman Narayana as evidenced in many of their pasurams.
Any one reading this posting is welcome to comment and share their thoughts so that I can refine my understanding of antharyami,
Presented below a song on Antharyami form of Lord Sriman Narayana.
