The Complexion of Divinity

Shyam is a name of the complexion of divinity, dark like the color of mystery. When enveloped by Shyam, one experiences a suspension of the faculties that normally facilitate life navigation with the sense of control due to their (the faculties) inability to navigate the dark skillfully. Thus, one’s sense of identity (ahankara), capacity for discernment (buddhi), emotions (manas), and senses (indriya) are made to capitulate to a thick cloud of unknowning, Ghana-Shyam!

It is at this sacred ground of the dark night of the soul that we are obliged to find our own voice, our own personal prayer unmoored from the unconsciousness of rote practices and recapitulation of an other’s voice which (may) have become our status quo and which lack affectivity when enveloped by Shyam.

Like the bat who cries out to the darkness and has his own song returned to him as life sustaining guidance (lest he smash into a tree), we cry out to Shyam and have our song returned to us as life sustenance despite the profundity of our dark location.

The beauty of such a song is its own reward, one the “Dark Lord” (so to speak) feels unable to reciprocate and which was released by his enveloping being:

I am not able to repay My debt for your spotless service, even within a lifetime of Brahmā. Your connection with Me is beyond reproach. You have worshiped Me, cutting off all domestic ties, which are difficult to break. Therefore please let your own glorious deeds be your compensation.