Nirrti is the absence of Rta (the Divine Order). In other words, there is a Divine Order, the Divine Law of Truth, but the world as we experience it is a world of Ignorance in which the Divine Truth is hidden by the Darkness. No doubt it presses from within and above but the beings of the mortal sphere who are still labouring in Ignorance under the spell of Darkness know it not. Hence the chaos.
Q2. Nirṛti (SW) and Varuṇa (west)
How should we understand Nirṛti in relation to Varuṇa, ṛta, and Varuṇa’s bonds?
Right now, humanity is tied by three bonds of Ignorance in his physical, vital and mental Ignorance. These bonds limit us, restrain and restrict us, making us an object of sacrifice to the denizens of the dark nether worlds. Varuna loosens these bonds and releases us into vastness and truth and force. Then we are ready to receive the law of Truth, which is what Rta is. The bonds of Varuna are these laws of Truth that release us from the state of darkness and Ignorance, as we find described in the story of Sunakshepa.
Q3. A recurring Vedic pattern seems to be: Name the danger → identify its power → invoke the Divine → separate the danger from oneself. Is this a valid way of understanding the Vedic psychology?
The danger here refers to all that subjects us to disorder, chaos, Ignorance and darkness. These must be identified and rejected from us as we grow in surrender to the Divine.
Q4. Why are cosmic powers associated with particular directions?
The direction is not geographical. It is psychological. North is ascension upwards; South is all the subconscient below that binds and holds us back which we must leave behind. East is the Dawn of Wisdom, whereas West is the light hides in the womb of darkness. Varuna knows this realm very well. He is the god of the celestial skies as well as the waters. Hence, he is the cosmic power that knows the higher Truth as well as the truth hidden in the caves of darkness below, in our subconscient nature.
Affectionately,
Alok Da
