The Golden Dome with the shimmer and shine appeared from the center of the Milk Ocean with gazillion rays of light. Garuda Raja holds it on his shoulder. There are the constant music and melody of Vīṇā of Nāradā and Thumburu.
Indra, the rest of the Devas, and Siddhasāthya Gaṇās appear in a worshipful pose. The hoods of Ādiseṣa appear broad and serves as an umbrella. Below that, the sun and the moon gently move the fan. The celestial general Viṣvak Sēṉar holds a staff in a standing pose. Araṅganāthar stays there in a recumbent position. Between his Tāmasa Nidras, he activates the fourteen worlds.
That was the description given by Vivāsvāṉ. The golden Prāṇavākāra Perumāḷ’s decorations have left deep impressions on the mind of Ikṣvāku. At that moment, the father of spiritual wisdom Vivasvāṉ took him by the hand, did not facilitate Darśan of the Lord but told him, ‘By the strength of your practice of devotion, you try to obtain Darśan of the Lord. That advice was bittersweet.
Sweet or bitter: Can we keep them in mind alone? State of mind reflects on the face. That too, would it hide from the awareness of Visiṣtar, the Rājaṛṣi? Seeing the long-drawn countenance of Ikṣvāku, he asked him directly about it.
O king of Ayodhya of unsurpassed greatness! You are the birth on earth of the heavenly sun! How could there be a perturbation of mind for you? What causes your long-drawn countenance? Ikṣvāku turning his eyes skyward said, O My great Guru! The growth of Bakthi in me kindled by my father caused me to worship Praṇavākāra Perumāḷ and think of his Śayaṇa Kōlam (Yoga Nidra = Yogic sleep & meditative consciousness). My mind pines, sobs, and swells for an opportunity for direct visual satiation, at least once, of the holy form of Bhagavan who appeared in the Milk Ocean. 
                                                  

Ikṣvāku had a litany of complaints which he described at length. “I was born in sun dynasty, the son of Manu and a reigning king blessed with a kingdom, reign, arrow, military…, but the Darśan of Praṇavākāra Perumāḷ in his Yoga Nidra pose escapes me. I am not a Deva Purusha to fly on my own accord. I don’t know the path and direction of my pursuit. He expressed his grief. Vasiṣtar, on the other hand, was overjoyed, hearing him.
Pleasing melodious music, courtesan’s dance, delectable food with six tastes, healthy body, and soft pillow for restful sleep, all arrayed before you for your absolute pleasures and privileges. You do not pay any attention to them. It is admirable and praiseworthy that you keep thinking of Perumāḷ with a melting heart. Vasiṣtar said the Ṛṣis as Rajagurus and guides grace the court for those who melt with Bakthi like you. Don’t have any worry. There is a way for your desire to attain fruition.
“O Guru Mahāṉ, you confer grace on me and show me the way.” So saying, Ikṣvāku clasped the Guru’s hands.
Vasiṣtar: In one word, I show you the way: That path is Tapas.”
Ikṣvāku: “Tapas, you mean that.”
Vasiṣtar: Yes, it is Tapas.”
“It is ordained for a Vedic Scholar and a Jñāṉi like you?
“It is not so. That is the absolute path for anyone with spiritually higher desires, goals, and attainment.”
“That being so, who takes the kingly burden?”
“Your persistent questions are not conducive to Tapas. There is one thing only for Tapas.”
“What is it?
“Vairākkiyam.” (=Absence of attachment.)
“I am not deficient in it.”
“Show its plenitude in Tapas. Give up the attachment to the kingdom. Your Tapas guarantees the welfare of the state.”
“Is this the only path left for me.”

                                     
“All associated with Satyalokam can be attained fast by Tapas. Brahman sympathizes with Tapasvins. He is also too eager to confer boons.”
“I begin the Tapas soon. He must fulfill my desire.”
“Before your Tapas, ascertain your target.”
“My goal is Praṇavākāra Vimāṇam and Emperumāṉ.
“Is it enough only you worship the Peruman?”
“What are you saying?”
You endeavor at Tapas is for the benefit of all.”
“Good idea. What should I do to achieve it?”
“That Praṇavākāra Vimāṇam (Om-shaped Dome) and Emperuman should come to Ayodhya. People like me associated with you must worship and be joyous. Your Tapas helps us swim the ocean of metempsychosis, reach the shore of liberation and merge with him. That is of great help.”
“Wonderful idea. From this second, my goal is the same.”
Ikṣvāku with great enthusiasm got ready to practice Tapas. Vasiṣtar helped Ikṣvāku to familiarize himself with the protocols and procedures regarding Tapas.
“Ikṣvāku, My sweet Kṣatriya, Life of a king is to find the summit of sensual pleasures. Tapas is to find the summit by contraction and withdrawal from the sensual pleasures.
Your body soaking in sensual pleasures may refuse to subjugate itself at the beginning of Tapas. Notably, only when you attempt to control your mind, it will, like a footloose horse, gallop away. Don’t give up Tapas because of your bewilderment. That galloping mind of a horse: suppress it with detachment and fasten it in Sūnya, the stable. Think of Brahman with a one-pointed mind. Your detached Tapas should make the Satyaloka shudder.
“Mahā Guru, may I ask you a question. Please do not take it amiss. How do my human thoughts about Brahman echo in Satya Loka in heaven? Will Brahman only know, when people like my father, the travelers between earth and heaven, go to heaven, the abode of Brahman?
Hearing and thinking of the simple question, Vasiṣtar emitted a laugh. “You, I and we are all created by Brahman. From the time of the creation of the 14 worlds, the root cause of our lives as grass, herbs, worms, insects and all other living forms is the Paramātmaṉ who created Brahma himself.
He abides in the Milk Ocean. You undertook the performance of Tapas to see him in his Archa Rūpa and worship him. You must understand this first.
Though there is a distance from Paramātmaṉ due to place and time, we are in constant touch with him. Not appreciating and not realizing it, our lives, and body-related hunger, and thirst exist in us. Jñāṉa Siddhi comes to us, only when we realize them with our intellect and vanquish them. With the onset of Jnana Siddhi, the factors like time and place become small, and we can see all in ourselves.
You find the answers to your questions by your Tapas. You do not have to hear those words from me. With detachment, immerse yourself in Tapas.
By getting rid of questions about days, months, years and duration before the attainment of your goal, immerse in Tapas, with an attitude of ‘Tapas is my life starting now.’ That Tapas gives you all. Don’t forget one thing. It is natural for the Tapasvins to face impediments. They are the divine trials! Not doubting your dedication, you should not fail these tests.”
Vasiṣtar, saying what he needed to hear, initiated him as a Tapasvin.
Iksvaku shed his crown, and jewels wore tree barks with open chest carrying the staff and the water-pot, reached an Asrama by the Sarayu river and immersed himself in Tapas.
The country wondered. The people did not know why he undertook this Tapas.
To be Continued.
Images: N.J. Manikandan

Clay seal!
It is a common practice that Iron box and safety lockers are locked and sealed with sealing wax.

In Madurai Azhagar Temple’s sanctum sanctorum, grains room, clothes room, Vigraha (idols) room, and document room are locked and sealed with clay.