THE WayS OF GOD

THE WAYS OF GOD

Millions of people inhabit the earth and it is God who has created them! The unique nature of creation is the difference and disparity between each and every individual on earth! Biologically men and women are the same but  mentally and emotionally they are poles apart! Courage and unsullied character  are granted only to a selected by God! Is there any hard and fast rule that dictates the Providence to grant them these boons? Why not all human beings be blessed with these rare qualities? God bestows these according to His pleasure and how the individuals deserve! You may have every thing in life but without that the grace of God it is in vain! Poet Bhartruhari points out the miserable plight of Indra, king of  Devas! Brihaspati is his mentor; Vajra his terrible weapon; devas his servants; castle heaven; vahana the Airavata; and protector Lord Vishnu himself! Still Indra was defeated by the demons many a time and had to flee from his abode! Without God's grace all your attempts will be of no avail! Bhartruhari remarks that it is God who is responsible for attachment and detachment in life!

During a night, a rat, in search of food, made a hole in a box and entered into it. Earlier a snake had crept into the same box and due to hunger and inconvenience had coiled itself in a corner! The snake caught the rat immediately and satisfied its hunger! Not only that, it escaped through the same  hole created by the rat! The rat wanted food but it became the food for the snake inside the box! The opening made by the rat helped the snake to escape! Thus we understand that man proposes but God disposes! Our attempts shall not fructify without the will of God! We have to take everything in its stride instead of lamenting! A bald headed man unable to bear the heat of the sun took shelter under a Palmyra tree. Unfortunately a big fruit of the tree fell on his bald head and he was critically injured! When destiny is bad misfortunes shall follow you wherever you go!

Bhartruhari argues that whatever strength, courage, determination and persistence one may possess, God’s will and grace are more important for success in all our endeavors! Mighty elephants,serpents and birds are controlled, and even the Sun and the Moon suffer eclipses while the wise and the clever suffer from poverty! Does this not signify the supernatural strength of God’s will? The poet feels angry and sad that God should create an ideal jewel of a Man and at the same time lead him to his destruction! He even calls Him foolish! It is impossible to coun

ter the will of the Divine! Look at the fate of the Moon! He is the repository of ‘amrita’-nectar! He is the lord of 'Sanjivani’ and other medicinal herbs! He adorns the head of Lord Siva, the well wisher of the entire universe! But the Moon is afflicted with waning and is cursed!

Bhartruhari compares bad God to a skilful potter turning out countless pots! He says that as a potter, he has made his mind a lump of clay! He has beaten the clay mind with  poles like difficulties! This mind is relentlessly turned round and round in the wheel of anxiety or ‘chinta’! “Why does God do this?”, Bhartruhari says, “We do not know.” The poet is very much perturbed at the way man’s attempts are thwarted by the Providence! He calls God a fool and challenges Him! He may create difficulties and impediments to the great. He may even try to enfeeble them and lose their courage! It will be a vain attempt on the part of God! Great men will ever be stable and steady like the seven mountains and the seven seas after the deluge at the end of ‘ kalpa!’ The may falter for a while but shall regain their position and stability

In spite of the part played by God in disappointing human effort, Man has to seek refuge in God! He is the most exacting Master and doles out to his creatures results according to their worth- neither more nor less! Man may aspire for more but he gets what he is eligible for! Don't be under the illusion that you can get a fortune by serving the pompous and the rich! They are similar to the legendary bird 'chataka’ which gets only one or two drops of water while it rains everyday elsewhere! The poet underlines the significance of Divine will in all the affairs of humanity! Not a blade of grass moves without His Will! The Five Elements perform their duties obedient to his will and pleasure! Man in his ignorance thinks that he is the achiever! Attempt alone is his! The result depends on God’s Will! Man has become very proud and has gone to the extent of  denying God! He thinks he is God himself! Until his arrogance dies down he shall not realize the Indispensability of Divine will and grace!