APPEARANCES ARE DECEPTIVE

Appearances Are Deceptive

Though we say the face is the index of mind, appearances are deceptive! A rough exterior may conceal the milk of human kindness! A pleasing personality can be as hard as a stone within! One who laughs always can hide in himself the worst of villainy! It is very difficult to judge people by their outward  appearances. The story of Jada Bharata is a classical example of one who was mistaken for a foolish and stupid person good for nothing. Born into the clan of sage Angirasa, to Rishabha, Bharata was highly reserved and detached in everything. He proved to be a problem child and he was taken to be deaf and dumb! But Bharata had the knowledge of his previous existence. He did not bother about the opinion of others. After the death of his disappointed father, he was tortured by his step brothers and treated like a cooley! But he never complained and ate whatever was provided to him by his brothers!

A robber chief, desirous of a son, wanted to sacrifice a person and sent his men to procure a suitable man. They went in his search and found Bharata guarding a field. With matted hair, and body strong and full of dirt, he was considered fit for sacrifice and brought bound hand and feet to the robber chief.The men were surprised at his nonchalance and absence of any objection while being bound! As per the instructions of the chief, Bharata was bathed, given food and prepared for sacrifice.  They beat drums and placed Bharata before Goddess Kali. The Archaka raised his sword to kill Bharata when there arose a terrible radiance from his face that affected the Goddess herself. She grew angry and sent her servants who chased and killed everyone present there! The Goddess blessed Bharata. Meanwhile king Rahugana of Sindhu was traveling on his palanquin and the bearers wanted some assistance. Spotting Bharata, they took him in, to share their burden. Once again, Bharata, without offering any resistance, silently joined them. As he could not keep pace with them the palanquin tilted. The king grew furious and questioned the bearers why that happened when they pointed to Bharata. When this happened for the second time the king threatened to punish him.

At this, Bharata stared at the king and said that the body is impermanent! People identify the body with the soul. The real ‘l’ is different from the body. Humiliation, shame, and punishment are for the body, not for the soul. The Soul has no form or attributes.” ajo nityaha saswaatoyam purano” It is eternal, imperishable,very old, has no beginning or end! Differences are in the bodies, not in soul!! Hence there is no difference between the king and the servant. Bharata said that he has attained self realization! He may appear as foolish and stupid! But he is totally unattached and the king can never punish the Soul which is  Bharata’s self! The King was amazed at the enlightenment of the seemingly ordinary and lethargic Bharata! He fell at his feet, craved pardon and requested Bharata to initiate him to Brahma vidya!

Bharata was glad that the king had realized his mistake. He accepted him as his disciple and taught him the principles of the Supreme knowledge! “ mana eva manushyanam Karanam bandha mokshayoh”- it is the mind the reason behind attachment and detachment. Man has to win over the ‘ arishadvargas- the six inner enemies and attain Jnana. The Jiva can only be liberated after that! Until that state he has to take rebirth! The dense jungle of Samsara is terribly frightening. This fear can be overcome by total surrender to the lotus feet of the Lord!

The innate three Guna's, Satwa, Rajas,and Thamas induce man to commit good and bad deeds resulting in his punya and Papa (sinful deeds). Man is enveloped in ‘maya’ or illusion. As a result he considers the real as unreal and the unreal as real! He is drawn away from God and spirituality. Bharata suggested to the king to abandon everything and fix his mind on God. He has to maintain pure heart and be kind and compassionate to all beings. This shall go a long way in crossing the shoreless sea of samsara and can even result in birthlessness or  ‘janmarahitya’! The king realized that appearances are deceptive. He wondered how he took the great Bharata as a very ordinary person without realizing  jnana that was embedded in him! We have to be very cautious in judging people by their outward appearances!!!