LESSONS OF LIFE

Man is under the impression that life is a bed of roses! He forgets that every rose has its thorn! He wants to live happily but oftentimes he is disappointed and distressed! His attachments drag him down! Caught in the relentless web of Maya and samsara he struggles to relieve himself from its shackles. However much he tries, it is impossible for him! Life is  mixture of what we call “dwandas”--the opposites, good and evil, right and wrong, sunshine and storm, night and day  

etc! One cannot enjoy the one without the other! A person walking in the scorching sun can  enjoy the cool shelter of the shade of the tree! Life cannot be grief throughout nor will it be a package of uninhibited luxury and happiness! Grief and happiness come alternately in the life of an individual. Man should conduct himself wisely in both the situations. He should never be elated in his success and prosperity nor be depressed and despondent in times of sorrow and crises! He should try to maintain balance and equanimity in all situations! But it is easier said than done!

What lessons should we learn from life? Is happiness and luxury the be all and end all of life? Too much indulgence in luxury, and carefree life is injurious to health. For the sake of momentary pleasures man has to pay the dear price of his health! It is said, “Bhoge rogabhayam”-- along with bhoga- luxurious life comes roga or disease and illness! Many people, in luxury, are unable to eat to their heart’s content because of diabetes and allied illnesses! A balanced but nutritious diet is enough for healthy existence! But unfortunately man does not bother about this important aspect! “ Grief is a friendly reminder, a good taskmaster, even a better teacher than joy.” says Bhagawan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Shakespeare echoes the same idea when he says, “Sweet are the uses of adversity.” lt was because of his grief that child Dhruva went to the forest to perform penance! He was prevented from sitting on the lap of his father Uttanapada! His step mother, who did this, was indirectly responsible for the spiritual advancement of the child. As he moved along with determination, Sage Narada met him and tried to dissuade him. But grasping the child’s imperturbable will, the sage gave him the   “Ashtakshari  mantra and blessed him! By his fierce penance, he pleased Lord Narayana and was granted more than what he wanted!

Arjuna’s grief knew no bounds as he stood before his own kith and kin and teachers! His mind rebelled against him and he put down his famous bow Gandiva and collapsed on his chariot! Instead of killing them he was ready to take to sanyasa or monkhood! He despised the bloody meal that he may enjoy at the end of the Kurukshetra war! But this ‘Vishada or grief  resulted in the Divine discourse the Bhagavad-Gita by the Lord who showed the path to Salvation! Krishna expatiates on the indestructibility of the Atma or Soul and the various aspects of karma, Bhakthi and Jnana! But for the grief of Arjuna, we would not have been blessed with the celestial discourse!

At the end of the Mahabharatha war and the total annihilation of the Kauravas, Kunti, mother of the Pandavas was much distressed! She was filled with grief as none among the sons of Dhritarashtra were alive. Krishna met her and asked her what boon she wanted from him. Kunti  was surprised and told the Lord that the the troubles one meets in the world are not real troubles. The pleasures and happiness in the world too are not real happiness! Man forgets God when he is at the height of his happiness! It is only when he is beset with dangers and difficulties that he turns his head above and prays to God! Kunti, therefore, requests Krishna to grant her difficult situations so that she may think and remember God always! Hence the value of grief is that it leads one to spirituality!

We know the great poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore! He was a Nobel Laureate, and an artist also!  He travelled very widely and delivered lectures. He was a dramatist and a short story writer. He was overwhelmed with grief when he lost his dear daughter. He was gloomy and retired himself to a secluded place for contemplation! It was in that place that he sought refuge in God and poured forth his intense feelings of grief which turned philosophical and later  became his magnum opus, the Gitanjali! Originally written in the Bengali language, it was translated into English by the poet himself! For this unpacking of his soul Tagore was awarded the Nobel prize for literature! In the hands of such great poets and philosophers grief turns into beautiful poetry or revealing philosophy