In this week’s reading, pages 135–145 from The Constant Companion,* Easwaran comments on names of the Lord describing what Vishnu holds in each of his hands, beginning with the discus or chakra:
“In devotional portraits, Vishnu is often represented as standing casually with one finger of a right hand held up as if pointing to the sky. On the tip of that finger, perfectly balanced, whirls the disk of the cosmos, called chakra in Sanskrit. As the gospel song puts it, “He’s got the whole world in his hands.’”
This “wheel of dharma” represents “the supreme law of existence which holds that all of life is one.” As usual, Easwaran brings us extremely practical applications. Amidst the tremendous challenges facing our world, if we desire to help, we can begin by conserving the Earth’s resources. “All life is part of us. This deepest of convictions can turn the most ordinary human being into a powerful force for unity.”
If you have a particular issue you are struggling with right now, look into this reading for tips, and try them out this week.
As we read The Constant Companion, we are working to strengthen our practice of Spiritual Reading. How does reading Easwaran’s books help you make your highest ideals a part of your daily life?
For our spiritual treat, here is Easwaran reading the passage “Her Heart Is Full of Joy,” from Saint Teresa of Avila.
* For those using electronic versions of The Constant Companion with different page numbering: this week’s reading is Easwaran’s commentary on the names Holder of the Wheel of the Cosmos through Bearer of the Lotus. (Please note that the latest edition of our ebook is titled Names of the Lord.)