The Great Divinity of Purity, Wisdom, Discipline and Self-Reliance

Obàtálá is otherwise known as Òrìṣàálá or Òrìṣàńlá.

Òrìṣàálá means the divinity in white apparel—the divinity associated with unblemished whiteness, purity, and impeccable character.

Òrìṣàńlá means the great, greatest, or grandiose divinity.

Because of his greatness, Obàtálá teaches us an important principle of life: we should avoid seeking unnecessary help from different sources when we already possess the capacity to act for ourselves.

Constantly looking in different directions for assistance can distract us, disturb our focus, weaken our self-reliance, and ultimately interfere with our success and fulfilment in life.

Obàtálá therefore directs us toward wisdom, discipline, self-development, responsibility, and self-reliance.

COMMON SENSE BEFORE SPIRITUAL CONSULTATION

According to an Ifá verse under Èjìogbè:

“Ẹni tí ó ń wá ìwákúwà
ní rí ìríkírí.
A dífá fún Àpọ́n,
tó fẹ́ láì lóbìnrin
wá tọrọ ọmọ lọ́wọ́ Òrìṣàálá.
Ìmọ̀ràn la kọ́kọ́ kọ́,
ká tó dá Ifá.”

The teaching may be translated as:

A foolish request deserves foolish advice.

Thus divined the Ifá oracle for a bachelor who, without having a wife, went to Òrìṣàálá asking for the gift of a child.

Common sense precedes spiritual consultation or divination.

The message is profound.

We should not expect spirituality to replace the necessary actions, responsibilities, wisdom, and practical steps required of us in the physical world.

Before seeking supernatural intervention, ask yourself:

Have I done what I am capable of doing?
Have I developed myself?
Have I taken the necessary practical steps?
Have I used the wisdom already available to me?

Self-development opens the path of victory without unnecessary outside interference.

Àṣẹ.

MORAL DISCIPLINE

Obàtálá also directs us to stay away from the wives and husbands of our family members, friends, neighbours, relatives, and well-wishers.

We must respect the relationships and homes of others.

Such discipline helps prevent untimely death, disease, disaster, maiming, disability, disgrace, loss of personality and reputation, and other negative consequences and vibrations.

Òrìṣàálá teaches us that morality is not separate from spirituality.

Character itself is a spiritual force.

He therefore encourages us to overcome alcohol, smoking, laziness, gossiping, and other vices that weaken character, discipline, and purpose.

WORK, SKILL AND SELF-DEVELOPMENT

Obàtálá teaches that working and engaging in productive business activities command respect from both humanity and the divinities.

We should learn a skill.

We should develop that skill.

We should work upon ourselves until what we possess becomes useful not only to us but also to other people.

Our knowledge, abilities, work, and creativity should add value to life and creation.

Spirituality should therefore never become an excuse for laziness.

Prayer must walk together with action.

Wisdom must walk together with discipline.

Spiritual development must walk together with practical development.

This is part of the wisdom of Òrìṣàálá.

OTHER NAMES AND ATTRIBUTES OF ÒRÌṢÀÁLÁ

1. ÒRÌṢÀ PÓPÓ

The Lord and King of Pópó.

This name associates Òrìṣàálá with his authority and sacred position in Pópó.

2. ÒRÌṢÀ ALÁMỌ̀ RERE

The Òrìṣà who owns the finest clay.

Òrìṣàálá is reputed to have been given the sacred power and responsibility of creating the first man and woman from clay.

His association with clay therefore expresses one of his greatest attributes:

creative power.

Through him, physical form is fashioned and prepared for life.

3. ÒRÌṢÀ OJ’ÈNÌYÀN

The Òrìṣà who causes human beings to live.

He is the Òrìṣà associated with breathing life into man and causing him to live.

This name emphasizes the intimate relationship between Òrìṣàálá, creation, and human existence.

4. ALÁBÀLÁÀṢẸ / ALÁBÀ-L’ÓNÍ-ÀṢẸ

He who proposes and also disposes.

This is one of the greatest attributes of Òrìṣàálá and has a profound connection with his greatness, authority, and Àṣẹ.

It expresses the tremendous spiritual authority attributed to him within creation.

5. ÒṢÈRÈMÀGBÒ

The Ancient of Days.

This name expresses the antiquity and primordial nature of Òrìṣàálá.

6. ÀRÚGBÓ ỌJỌ́

The ancient divinity whose days are without end or number.

It signifies age, continuity, accumulated wisdom, and existence beyond ordinary human measurement.

7. ỌBÀBÀ ÀRÚGBÓ

The wise elder with the grey beard.

The grey beard represents maturity, experience, wisdom, patience, and the knowledge accumulated through immense existence.

8. ÒRÌṢÀ GBÌGBÌNKÌ

The Grandiose Divinity.

A name expressing the greatness, magnificence, dignity, and elevated spiritual position of Òrìṣàálá.

ONÍṢẸ̀ — THE DIVINATION SYSTEM OF ÒRÌṢÀÁLÁ

Òrìṣàálá possesses his own peculiar system of divination known as ONÍṢẸ̀, meaning messenger or representative.

This particular oracular system is peculiar to Obàtálá.

It reflects another dimension of the wisdom and spiritual institution surrounding this great divinity.

THE CHARACTER OF ÒRÌṢÀÁLÁ

Obàtálá is an epitome of:

Patience.
Morality.
Dedication.
Discipline.
Purity.
Cleanliness.
Whiteness.
Wisdom.
Responsibility.
Self-development.
And impeccable character.

But the lesson of Òrìṣàálá is not merely that we should admire these qualities.

We must practise them.

Do not ask spirituality to perform the work that wisdom has already placed within your own hands.

Do not seek supernatural solutions while refusing to take necessary physical steps.

Do not ask for prosperity while refusing to work.

Do not ask for wisdom while refusing to learn.

Do not ask for peace while creating disorder.

Do not ask for purity while embracing immorality.

Develop yourself.

Learn a skill.

Work.

Remain disciplined.

Protect your character.

Respect the relationships of others.

Avoid destructive vices.

Remain patient.

Keep yourself and your environment clean.

And when spiritual guidance is necessary, approach it with wisdom, humility, and good character.

This is part of the profound teaching represented by Obàtálá Òṣèrèmàgbò — Òrìṣàálá, Òrìṣàńlá, the Grandiose Divinity.

Heepa Irúnmọlẹ̀.
Heepa Òṣèrèmàgbò.
Heepa Àrúgbó Ọjọ́.
Heepa Obàtálá.
Heepa Òrìṣà.

Àṣẹ.