GOOD VERSUS EVIL

 GOOD VERSUS  EVIL

From time immemorial the universe is afflicted with the conflict between good and evil. Evil tries to win over Good but eventually it loses!Even during the Krutha Yuga gods were tormented with demons! Vishnu had to take different avatars to retrieve the Vedas and even mother Earth from the clutches of Hiranyaksha who rolled it like a mat and escaped! His brother  Hiranyakasipu was no less evil and challenged the Lord who killed him emerging as Narasimha. Vamana sent emperor Bali to the nether world. In Treta Yuga Sri Rama killed the ten headed Ravana and Kumbhakarna and established Dharma. DwaparaYuga brought out innumerable demoniac kings like Kamsa, Sisupala, Dantavaktra, Jarasandha and above all the fiendish Kauravas who had to be exterminated to revive the sinking path of Dharma! Thus once again Lord Vishnu came down as Krishna to punish the evil and save the good! “ Parithranaya sadhunam vinasayacha dushkrutham dharma samsthapanarthaya sambhavamiyuge yuge!”

According to legend, Naraka was the son of Bhudevi and ruled over the kingdom of Pragjyotisha. With long life and power as a boon he conquered all kingdoms and invaded the heaven! Stealing the earrings of Aditi and kidnapping sixteen thousand women, he terrorized Indra and other Gods! The Lord promised to deal with Naraka in his avatar as Krishna during Dwapara Yuga. Later Aditi, mother of Devas approached Satyabhama, spouse of Krishna and requested her to save them. Satyabhama grew angry and with the help of Krishna waged a war against Naraka! Krishna killed the eleven divisions of Naraka's army with ‘agneyastra’. Mura, the general was killed. Naraka sent ‘brahmastra’ which was neutralized by the same astra. Naraka’s ‘Nagastra and Vaishnavastra’’ were neutralized by Krishna’s ‘ Garudastra and Vaishnavastra''.    respectively!  Finally Naraka attacked Krishna with the trident when krisna beheaded him with his Sudarsana Chakra! In his last moments Naraka requested a boon that his death anniversary should be celebrated by all on earth with colorful lights! That day is being celebrated as “Naraka Chaturdasi”  and Dipavali all over India  and other parts of the world where Indians are settled!

Mere lighting of lamps shall not dispel the gloom and darkness that has enveloped the world today! Evil and adharma is rampant everywhere. It is Kaliyuga now where Dharma stands on one leg. People have strayed from righteousness beyond the point of return! We have God men everywhere and people are confused regarding their bonafides! Society has lost its moorings and morality and ethics are totally lost! We have no demons of the previous Yuga's but modern men and women are the embodiments of demoniac qualities! It was the saint Ramalinga Swamy who said that wild animals are moving in society in the garb of people. Gross materialism has permeated into the fabric of society. Cruelty, violence, fraud, hypocrisy, greed, bigotry, lust and rape have entrenched themselves very strongly. Are not these the demoniac traits that we have to discord?

It is now during the Festival of Lights that we have to resolve to turn over a new leaf! The illumination of lights should brighten not only the outward world but illuminate the inner self and fill it up with lofty thoughts and righteousness. This Dipavali should not end with mere explosion of crackers but that of our ignorance! Our love and compassion should go out for the needy and downtrodden who have no money for crackers and no proper food for the day! We should also make them happy and assure them of our helping hand! Good has to overcome evil at any cost and it will surely happen as in the previous Yugas. Opportunities  are  many and we have to catch them by the forelock! Let this Dipavali cleanse us of all evil  and achieve the good that is direly needed!

FOR. VEGETARIANISM

For Vegetarianism

Vegetarians are called grass eaters sarcastically. But many do not understand that whatever meat supplies to the human body is effectively available in plenty in vegetable food! There is a saying in Sanskrit, -”mamsam mamsena vardhate”-eating meat or flesh increases flesh only. Our ethical principle of nonviolence necessitates the intake of vegetarian food. Manu Samhita forbids humanity from taking to nonvegetarian food as it entails violent killing of animals for human consumption. According to UNFAO, globally, the number of animals slaughtered for food in 2003 alone is a staggering 52.7 billion. Since we cannot create we have no right to kill any living entity. According to  laws of God killing an animal is as punishable as killing a man. Genesis(9:4-5) also directly forbids meat eating. “ But flesh with the life there of,shall ye not eat” The Ten Commandments reinforces the same: “ Thou shall not kill”.

From ancient days people have realized the efficacy in taking vegetarian food. Pythagoras, the famous mathematician laments, “ O my fellowmen, do not defile your bodies with sinful foods. The earth affords a lavish supply of riches, of innocent foods and offers you banquets that involve no bloodshed or slaughter.” According to Leonardo da Vinci “ He who does not value life does not deserve it.” Bodies of meat eaters are ‘ burial places’, graveyards for the animals they  eat. Rousseau, the French philosopher says that vegetarian diet would produce a more compassionate person. According to Benjamin Franklin flesh eating is 'unprovoked murder’. Shelley the later Romantic poet in his poem “Queen Mab” describes an Utopian world where men do not kill animals for food!

Why should man eat animal food? It is because of his insensitivity to the suffering of the voiceless innocent creatures.  While he reacts with pain to the minutest injury he suffers, he doesn't care for the torture and decapitation of the animal and it's harrowing cries! We are all the children of God including animals and other creatures. Are we justified in killing our own animal brothers for the sake of our food? There is the same atma or Spirit in every being created by God. The Gita advocates eating ‘satwik’ food which is vegetarian. Man eats the dead food of the animal which is ‘rajasic or tamasic.’ Man’s conduct and character depends on the food he takes. Thus meat eaters are prone to be rude and violent in behavior in general! Animals too have emotions and love for their young ones like human beings! Man, as a social animal has to remember these aspects before taking to animal foods!

From times immemorial to the modern times illustrious writers, philosophers and scientists have decried the habit of consuming animal food or nonvegetarianism! Tolstoy calls it “simply immoral. Man suppresses in himself,unnecessarily, the highest spiritual capaciy--that of sympathy and pity towards living creatures like himself and by violating his own feelings becomes cruel.’’ Thoreau questions, “ Is it not a reproach that man is a carnivorous animal?” Why should this rational animal become a carnivorous animal like the wild beasts when God has provided him with wonderful natural fare? In our own days the Father of the Nation,Mahatma Gandhi advocated healthy vegetarian food.

“ I do not regard flesh food as necessary at any stage. I hold flesh food to be unsuited to our species. We err in copying the lower animal world if we are superior to it” says the Mahatma in his writings.With a contempt for the meat eater George Bernard Shaw says, “ What can you expect from people who eat corpses? Famous authors, philosophers, scientists and many others like Sir Isaac Newton,  Albert Einstein, St Francis of Assisi, George Bernard Shaw, Mark Twain and many others were vegetarians. Many film stars like Brad Pitt, Models and Sports persons recognized the merits of vegetarian food and followed it in their lives. More and more people all over the world are impressed with the advantages of vegetarian food and have converted themselves to its regimen! Can we not do the same and save the animals from being slaughtered mercilessly just to satisfy our never dying hunger

ON CHARACTER

ON CHARACTER

Character is what distinguishes man from the normal human being. Whatever distinction man has achieved is lost if he has no character. Fame and name, reputation and all other qualifications are useless without  spotless character. Our character is defined by what we do when we think no one is looking. People behave in a way when others observe them while it is totally different when they are alone or unobserved. The end of education is character. Any education that does not bring in character fails miserably. It is the most invaluable gift of education. Wealth, social status, knowledge and others are in vain without character! According to Abraham Lincoln, “ Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow.The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

Though all men can stand adversity, the test of character is when he is invested with power. The true test of character is not when you are in your best days but how you behave and act in your worst days! The truth of character is revealed through the choice of your actions. One should be concerned with his character rather than reputation because his character is what he really is while his reputation is merely what others  think he is. Men of genius are admired, men of wealth are envied, men of power are feared; but only men of character are trusted! Thus through thoughts, words, actions and habits a person's character is developed gradually.

How to develop character? ‘ watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny!’ Bad company corrupts good character. “ I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of the skin but by the content of their character” says Martin Luther King. In these days of racial discrimination people are not bothered about the sterling qualities of character of the individual. Character is not easily discernable.  We have to observe the actions of the person carefully including his conduct. Beauty catches attention while character catches the heart!

Ravana, king of Lanka is a classical example of a person who was undone by lack of character! He was the brother of the god of wealth, Kubera. He had enslaved all the devas who were at his b

eck and call. He had a beautiful wife, Mandodari and the brave son Indrajit who defeated Indra king of Gods. He had immensely pleased Lord Siva by singing the Samaveda and even shook the Kailash mountain! But his weakness for women cost his life finally! His desire for Sita, spouse of Sri Rama and even the divine damsels sealed his fate. Character is destiny-- good leading to greatness and bad dragging to destruction and downfall!

Duryodana in the epic Mahabharatha, is another illustration of  a victim who lost everything by evil designs and loose character! Envy ate him up and he went to the extent of getting Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, disrobed! At every step he tried to destroy them but got himself destroyed in return! Thus character plays a very significant part in the life of every man. No matter what your distinction and achievement, it plunges you into abysmal regions or elevates one to ethereal plane! It is necessary that man should realize the importance of developing good character and ennoble his existence on earth.

ON WEALTH AND OTHER THINGS

On Money and other things

Money or wealth is a very important thing in life! One cannot live without money! Money makes many things we say. Money is necessary to acquire even a small need for our existence. it is said there is no difference between a dead person and a man without money!  It is for money and wealth that man struggles throughout his life. But too much of money or wealth is dangerous.There is suffering in earning, saving, and spending money.Then why should people earn such money? Money cannot bring happiness to man. It can give him pleasure and luxury in life. It may lead to robbery and even murder at the hands of the greedy and the envious! “ ma kuru dhana jana yauvana garvam” counsels Adi Sankara in his Bhajagovinda stotra. Money is not stable. It moves from one person to another. It is as unstable as the bubble from the wave of the sea. Money misused destroys man.That is why it is advised that one should have just the money required for his existence.

The first wealth is health according to Emerson as nothing can be enjoyed without it. According to Chanakya, “ Give your wealth only to the worthy and never to others” as they may misuse or abuse it. “ Seek not greater wealth, but simpler pleasure; notmjmy the other higher fortune, but desperation felicity”says Mahatma Gandhi. Wealth without charity cannot be called ideal possession. “ The wealth which you will keep for ever is the wealth you have given away” says Marcus Aurelius.

Scholarship is a quality cherished by quite a few people. The essence of true scholarship is its originality. Creativity is its soul. One has to struggle to acquire scholarship. ‘ A scholar who loves comfort is not fit to be called a scholar in the words of Confucius. Mere memory cannot constitute scholarship. It is proper judgment that is required. He will be a walking dictionary if he has all the books in the world in his mind and nothing else. Sans originality or creativity, erudition is just ‘dust shaken out of a book into an empty skull.’

Every individual is endowed with imagination. But it varies from one individual to the other.Imagination takes you to a different world altogether. When imagination runs riot poetry comes into being. Imagination is poetry according to  Shelley, the famous English poet. “ Logic will get you from A to Z; imagination will get you everywhere.” says Albert Einstein. Jonathan Swift, the famous novelist, calls imagination as the art of seeing things invisible, and ‘ the preview of life’s coming attractions.’ Art and poetry would not have seen the light of the day without imagination!

“Wealth,scholarship,intelligence-- all become worthwhile only when used in the right way” states Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba. Wealth accrued in  an illegal manner becomes black money. Earned through bribery it is tainted. Used for mere pleasures and luxuries, it degrades man! Spent for charity and righteous causes, it ennobles the human being. Scholarship that tends to mere criticism of other scholars and their work is not scholarship at all. Intelligence when it contributes to the welfare of humanity is ideal. But when it takes a devious turn and aims to destroy humanity it ceases to be worthwhile!  Most of the scientific inventions and discoveries, though well intentioned, are now turned into tormentors of mankind! Invention and imagination of such kind is better avoided. It is not important that we have these possessions, but it is of paramount significance how they are utilized for the good of society at large.

WHAT AILS INDiA?l

WHAT AILS INDIA?

Our Bharat completes 69 years of Independence on August 15, 2016!  This period , in the life of a nation, is not a long period. It has weathered many a storm in the past, undergone many vicissitudes and is bracing up to the stark realities of modern challenges! It was Abraham Lincoln that defined Democracy as the government of the people by the people for the people! But what about Indian democracy? It can be called government of half the people to buy the people and for the political class! It is with sadness that we have to declare this! Political parties have tried to entrench themselves to rule the country but have not done enough to govern the nation well! Much could have been done if only they had devoted their time to serve the people of the country! Much attention has been bestowed on garnering votes to govern the nation and its states. promises made were not kept up and the bureaucracy has failed miserably in implementing the promises made.

India has failed very badly in creating a classless society! On the other hand various castes and communities are granted reservations in schools, colleges, and government jobs to the detriment of the really deserving and meritorious aspirants! Those people take advantage of the concessions provided by the state and the center! Merit and excellence is not duly recognized in appointments! Schools and colleges are established on the basis of castes and communities. In short, various political parties that have ruled the county have perpetuated casteism and there is no chance in the future for casteism to disappear! There is no dignity or decorum among the political class. Their conduct in the Parliament leaves much to be desired! They quarrel and fight like children in the House. They stall the proceedings of the Parliament and proceed menacingly to the well of the house and tear certain documents and throw them. By these acts they bring down the image of the Nation in the eyes of the world! Much of the tax payer's money and time is wasted in this manner. Important bills are held up.

No government, so far, has succeeded in containing corruption which has grown into a Hydra headed demon with tentacles far and wide! It has become an endemic disease. From the grass root level to the topmost it is corruption that plays the leading role but the government says that it is fighting the malaise! Scams have become a regular feature and the vigilance personnel are themselves corrupt! Nothing moves in the revenue department without oiling the palms of the clerks and others! Chief ministers and highly placed officers are charged with corruption! Strict laws, rules and regulations exist but they are not implemented to root out corruption. Nepotism has become a common thing and partiality and favouritism have come to play a vital role in appointments. How can the Nation be free from Corruption in such circumstances? We have to think very seriously about this.The days of honest and sincere leaders who sacrificed themselves for the Nation are gone and there is political dishonesty and intrigue in political circles. politics has become a business and a bargaining profession bereft of ethics and morality! Terrorism is another headache sponsored by our neighbor Pakistan and internal anti national groups like the Maoists and others are active to disrupt peace and stability in the country!

Elections to the State Assembles and the Parliament have become frequent and regular as the governments are toppled by selfish parties that hold the trump card! Though governments change, it is the same wine in the new bottle! Elections are rigged, polling booths attacked, ballot papers seized,and voters threatened! Most of the elected representatives are crorepatis who have no concern for the common man on the street! Quite a few of them have criminal background and are involved in heinous crimes! They are involved in land grabbing and every activity that is of personal benefit to them rather than to the society! Election Commission requires reforms very badly! They should bring in the power to recall the members for failing in their promises! No Person with criminal background should be allowed to contest! The pity is all MLAs and MPs object to these reforms!

How about the present society in India? There is a degradation in ethics and morals. There is no fear for Law. Violence, atrocities, robberies abductions,and murders have increased. Rapes have become frequent and are perpetrated with impunity.Vagaries of Nature, floods, earthquakes and others have brought intense agony and suffering to the people. Suicides of farmers and others in employment have increased! Mumbai and Delhi have the dubious reputation of being the capitals of rape! Women are not safe in such cities. people are no longer wedded to our ancient culture, customs and habits. They are fascinated by the dress, customs and manners of the west. Mobiles and digitalization have almost revolutionized the society which is drifting to what destination they do not know themselves! This ailing India has to cure itself.The panacea for all the ills is to bring in a new generation of sincere and honest citizens into politics who can serve the country selflessly! There must be electoral reforms disallowing those with criminal records. The electorate must have the power to call back the representative if his promises are not delivered. There must be speedy and deterrent punishment for the violators of Law without dragging on for years together! Corruption must be crushed ruthlessly irrespective of the persons involved! Above all politicians must realize that they are the servants of the people and the Nation, not their masters! Let our India shine with all its glory henceforth and be the envy of all its neighbors and other Nations!!!

ON CIVILIZATION

ON CIVILIZATION

We hate other people, other religions, castes, communities, faiths and languages! We cheat others, involve ourselves in frauds. We loot the properties of others, and are greedy for them. We murder others for gain. We are violent and have no tolerance for anything against our opinion! We do not respect the feelings of others or try to understand them. We have become slaves of the machine and worship Mammon, the God of wealth! We are ready to do anything for the sake of  money. We have forgotten the great values inherited from our forefathers!  Lust has overtaken most of us! We gloat over our city life and the tremendous advancement of science and technology! Rapes, abductions, robberies and other activities have become the order of the day! Yet we call ourselves civilized human beings! Are we really qualified to call ourselves a civilized society? That is the question that every single individual has to ask himself and pause for an answer!

“We wear clothes, and speak, and create civilizations, and believe we are more than wolves. But inside us there is a word we cannot pronounce and that is who we are”  says a renowned writer. According to another writer there is no such thing as civilization. The word just means the art of living in cities! “ Civilization is like a thin layer of ice upon a deep ocean of chaos and darkness” remarks Werner Herzog. Roy Bradbury says that our civilization is flinging itself to pieces!The great saint Ramalinga Swamigal commented that many wild animals have come as human beings! The Industrial Revolution ushered in a new era of comfort and convenience leading to the spectacular and incredible advancement of science and technology. In a craze for easy life and luxury, man has given up many of his essential qualities! He has begun to control and manipulate many things in nature but has lost control over himself! He has forgotten the true purpose of his existence and the values he should cherish!

Who are the civilized people? They respect human beings as individuals. They are tolerant, gentle, courteous and amenable.They do not make you feel they are confering a great benefit on you when they live with you and they don’t make a scandal when they leave. They cannot see scams and cases of bribery and corruption. Compassion for all including beggars and dogs and cats is the quality of a civilized human being. He will not throw puppies or kitten from the third or fourth floor of the building! Their hearts suffer the pains of what is hidden to the naked eye. They respect other people’s properties, and pay their debts and taxes. They don’t evade taxes and stash away their money in foreign banks and havens! They do not tread devious paths and fear lies as they fear fire! Even in trivial matters they speak the truth. They never put on airs. They do not show off  to impress others! They never try to elicit the sympathy of others.

Vanity is not in their blood. They are not elated by praises or ruffled by criticism. They regard praises as absurd. They know that empty vessels make the loudest sound! They are talented and value it the most. They are proud of their talent and realize their responsibility to exert a civilizing influence on others! They are fastidious in their habits. They work at developing their aesthetic sensibilities as Anton Chekhov puts it. They are mostly devoid of egoism which is the seed of greed, envy, anger, malice, conceit and a host of other tendencies that drag them down. “ A man without human qualities is like a  flower without smell, a fruit without juice and a cow that cannot give milk.” Says Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba.!

“Civilization is built on what is required of man, not on that which is provided for them.” declares a great writer!  Much of the present misery of society can be mitigated and overcome if there is a curb on desire. “ Reducing desires is the true mark  of civilization” says  Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba. The present day conflicts between nations is because of a desire for power and position.China desires to have all rights over the South China Sea!  America and other nations have a desire to have rights over it! The ISIS has a desire to convert the whole world to Islam! This unusual retrogressive desire has plunged the entire world into chaos! Terrorism has taken the toll of millions of innocent lives and there is no respite. Pakistan wants Kashmir and India has to bear the brunt of cross border terrorism because of Pakistan’s desire! Where is the end for this desire?  Unless there is a ceiling on desires among nations and individuals, society cannot remain peaceful! Civilization has no meaning and the world cannot be peaceful if the present situation persists! Let us remind ourselves that we should remain civilized and keep the society too civilized!!

THE REAL BRAHMIN

THE REAL BRAHMIN

The word Brahmin has totally lost its original and main significance! The class of Brahmins today are far removed from the qualities and virtues of the Brahmins of the previous eras like the Vedic period. Time has ravaged various civilizations as well as many institutions including the nature and quality of the Brahmin class of society. Today we have Brahmins only for namesake, divested of almost all qualities and virtues of the earlier generation! It is very sad to see the downfall and decline of the idealism and spirituality of the Brahmin class in the present. They have lost their preminence and say in society. They are a minority now in the country and fighting for their rights and privileges in society! The caste system of ancient ages has played a havoc in the lives of the Brahmins today! They are looked down upon by the political class and the reservation system has virtually eliminated the Brahmin from almost all avenues of employment and other opportunities! What were the qualities of the Brahmins of yore? Why was he considerd important to society? Let us see what the Sasthras say about this.

Brahmins were generally considered as priests, teachers and protectors of sacred learning.

The earliest reference is from the Purusha Sukta of the Rig Veda where the Brahmins are represented as the face of the Viratpurusha or the Cosmic Being. The Kshatriyas represent the shoulders, the Vaisyas form the thighs and the Sudras the feet of of the Purusha! This is called “ chaturvarna “-division into four classes of society. It was only a broad demarcation and no superiority or inferiority was contemplated! Every section of society is as important as the other and complementary to the other. Brahmin was thought as an advisor and an intellectual, the Kshatriya as a protector, the Vaisyas as a trader and merchant while the Sudras the helper to the other three. In the Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna speaks of the creation of the four  ‘varnas’ Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaisya and Sudra according to their qualities and actions?!. No higher or lower status was given to them. Birth in the family cannot determine if the person is a Brahmin or otherwise. It is his conduct and character and actions that decide his class. “ Chatur varnam maya srustwa Guna karma vibhagasaha” There is needless confusion and controversy over these statements in the present day politics. Brahmin community today is more sinned against the sinning.

According to Gautama Dharma Sastras, every Brahmin should possess eight virtues like truthfulness, teaching the virtuous, following the rules of rituals, studying the Vedas, gentleness and nonviolence, self control and kindness and others. Baudhayana Dharma Sutras require a Brahmin to refrain from anger. He should never be arrogant. Vasishta Dharma Sutras insist on austerity, self control, purity, compassion, erudition, intelligence and religious faith. According  to Manu Smriti, “ A well disciplined Brahmin although he knows just the Savitri verse is far better than an undisciplined one who eats all types of food and deals in all types of merchandise though he may know all three Vedas” ( Manu Smriti 2.118) A Brahmin can engage himself in agriculture, trade, lend money on interest, become a warrior in times of adversity and take up any occupation to sustain himself according to Gautama Dharma Sutras!

Manu Smriti forbids Brahmins from producing or trading in poison, weapons, meat, trapping birds and others, Six duties are prescribed for the Brahmin. He has to study the Vedas which is called ‘ adhyayana’. He should teach and instruct the students in the Vedas called as‘ adhyapana’.He should perform yagna or sacrifices for the welfare of society. This is called ‘ yajana’. He should get the sacrifices performed by others which is termed ‘ yaajana’. He should offer alms to others and this is called ‘ dana’. He should also receive alms from others which is termed ‘ prarigraha’. How many of us, today, follow at least a few of the principles prescribed by these Dharma Sutras? We don’t know even the names of these Sastras and Sutras! We are ignorant of the lineage of our ancestors --gotras and the hoary past to which we belong

“ One becomes a Brahmin not by birth but only when one realizes the Supreme Brahman” declares Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba. Unfortunately we gloat ourselves as Brahmins only by our birth in those families.We don't bother about the very normal and ordinary duties of a Brahmin like performing ‘ Sandhya vandana ‘ at least once a day. We have become victims of social transformation and carried away by a directionless society that has lost its values and principles. We take nonvegetarian food and take to drinking. We have taken professions forbidden and even question the very rules and principles laid down by our ancestors.Morality and faith have given place to immorality and loss of faith and atheism. There is no fear for sin and heinous crimes are the regular order of the day! In the remorseless current of time the Brahmin has lost himself instead of defending or saving himself. He has become a laughing stock and the butt end of ridicule for other communities who have gained the upper hand in society! He has forgotten his ‘Swadharma’ and followed ‘ Paradharma’ which is the reason for his fall. There is a purpose in the creation of man. He is expected to know his real Self. He should realize that the body is separate from the eternal Soul or Spirit that is embedded in the innermost recess of his heart!  This is termed as Self Realization or realizing the Supreme Brahman! Then he can call himself a Brahmin, not otherwise.

ON OPINIONS

ON OPINIONS

The other day discussion on weather continued at home. The sky was overcast and the sun was hesitating to peep out. I said that there will be rain soon. My brother said that it will not rain. My mother pointed out that the forecast has indicated slight showers. My friend who joined the conversation said that he has no belief in weather forecasts and that it may or may not rain.He said the dark clouds that have gathered are deceptive and the gale can sweep them away! It is said that three things in life are  unpredictable.The birth of a child may precede or follow the date given by the doctor! It may threaten to rain  and you come out with an umbrella but the Sun may come out mischievously mocking at you! Life itself is so uncertain that people die who want to live while those who wish to escape life’s struggle are forced to continue by destiny! Opinions and tastes differ from individual to individual. What I like you may not like. My opinion can be diametrically opposite to that of yours. My preference for sweets may be your dislike for it. “ loko bhinna ruchi” says the Sanskrit saying! Tastes differ from person to person.

What a person feels in the inner recess of his heart is always safe and good. Difficulties arise when you want to neglect your own opinion and choose to follow the opinion and direction of someone. There is an inner voice in everyone and it directs him in the right path “ atma' buddhi sukham chaiva” -own intellect leads to happiness.A man and and his son were walking along with a donkey. After some distance, a passer by questioned the man why he made his young son walk. The man was perturbed and now asked his son to ride on the donkey. As they moved along , another person felt pity for the donkey and the father asked his son to get down and walk. A third person said that both the father and son were stupid! When the donkey was available, why should these two walk and strain themselves? The father was confused and thought that the person was right. Now both the father and son started riding on the donkey! The poor lean and lanky donkey could not bear the weight of the two and collapsed on the way! It is foolish to listen to the views or opinions of everyone we come across! We must have a steady mind and stick to it.

Kaikeyi, one of the wives of king Dasaratha loved Rama more than Kausalya herself! She doted on him and was ecstatic on hearing the news of Rama’s coronation.Manthara her maid, an evil genius, poisoned her mind and suggested that her son Bharata should be crowned and not Rama! Foolish Kaikeyi fell a victim to her wiles and acted according to the dictates of Manthara. She demanded the crowning of Bharata, her son, and an exile for Rama into the forest. it ended not in the crowning of Bharata but king Dasaratha’s sudden death! One has to be wary of the opinions of others!  

Another example is that of Ravana, king of Lanka, who was doomed to destruction by the opinion of his sister Surpanakha. She happened to see Rama, Lakshmana,and Sita in the forest and fell in love with Rama! She was struck with the celestial beauty of Sita. When Rama refused her amorous advances she approached Lakshmana. He too refused her and finally her nose and ear were cut. Humiliated and infuriated at this, she went back to Ravana,and explained what had happened to her. She described to Ravana the extraordinary heavenly beauty of Sita and insisted that he should have her as his wife. She said his life shall not find fulfilment till he brings Sita and marries her.This opinion of Surpanakha turned the tide of Ravana’s life.  Notorious for abductions of heavenly damsels, Ravana abducted Sita and was Killed by Rama subsequently! One has to weigh the opinions of others before acting on them.Ravana acted blindly in spite of his greatness as the devotee of Lord Siva!

Opinions and good advice fall on deaf ears very often depending on the nature of persons! Mandodari, Ravana's wife warned him of dire consequences and counseled him not to acquire the wrath of Rama who was the embodiment of Lord Vishnu. Ravana’s brother Vibhishana advised him sincerely to give up his wicked intention but in vain. But as fate would have it, it remorselessly dragged Ravana to his humiliation, disgrace and death! The influence of the opinions of others is so powerful as to save the person or throw him down to his destruction and death. Man has to judge by his intellect which opinion is good for him and act upon it to be safe and happy!

ON FOOD AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

ON FOOD AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

Man cannot live without food! But this intake of food is very much neglected and in modern days junk food has come into use! Many are not conscious of the damage it causes. Advertisements mislead the elderly as well as the youngsters as they indulge in eating junk food. Man is the product of food or ‘annam’. How was this annam created? What is its origin? How can we say that man is created out of annam? The sequence of the formation of annam is beautifully described in the  “Anandavalli” of “Taittiriya Upanishad”. According to the Upanishad It was the sky that was first created by the Parabramha! From! the sky Vayu or the wind came into existence. From Vayu Fire emerged. From Fire, Jalam or water, and from Water,Earth  came into existence. From the Earth grew medicinal Herbs and from these medicinal Herbs  ‘annam’ was created.  From this ‘Annam’ ‘purusha’ or man--human being takes his birth!

In other words, man is the embodiment of the essence of anna or anna rasa. His physical body is replete with  anna rasa and built on it. The Upanishad says that this being, full of Anna rasa, is none other than the Parabramha himself! It is not different.The un ity of the jeeva and the Brahman is indicated here. In the mantra “ Anna dwai prajah prajayanthe yah kascha pruthivi sritah” the Upanishad underlines the significance of  annam'. All creatures dependent on earth are born out of food or annam'. They live by it and after death they merge into the same annam' or food. Therefore it is true that annam' has preceded all creatures and is the best. It is said that annam' is the remedy or medicine for the hunger of all creatures. Those who worship or do upasan as Parabramha shall have all food. Annam is being eaten by all creatures and it eats them away too. That is the reason why it is called ‘“Annam!” According to the Upanishad  this is called “annamaya kosa” or the sheath filled with Anna. The other four kosas that make our body are “ pranamaya, manomaya, vignanamaya and anandamaya  kosas or sheaths.

The food we take daily is digested and assimilated in the body by the blood. It undergoes various stages and changes and is responsible for the creation of semen indispensable for procreation. Thus food is the cause for all creation. The buried and cremated bodies in the earth are split by the organisms and mix up with the earth. When rain comes there is germination and crops are grown by farmers. These crops like rice, wheat, ragi, millets and others are used as food by us and this cycle of transformation continues endlessly. Thus man is born of annam' and merges into annam! Though we are eating away tons of food during our lifetime we are not aware that it is food that is the raw material for our physical body. It plays a major part in the shape and structure of our physical frame. In the Bhriguvalli of the same Upanishad, Bhrigui, the son of Varuna wants to know the Brahman and performing tapas realizes that annam is Brahman--” Annam brahmeti vyajanath”. Food should never be abused as it is equal to the Brahman. It should be taken with utmost devotion and respect! This should be done with religious discipline. It is through that prana or life breath the body is supported. Body and Prana or life breath are interdependent..!

“ Food and habits are responsible for qualities in man good or bad.” Says Bhagawan Sri Satya SaiBaba. Food is classified into three types namely “ satwa, rajas, and tamas” depending on the qualities they produce in those who eat. Garlic is said to belong to rajas as it induces anger and short temper! Our Sasthras prescribe certain foods and proscribe certain others. Alcohol is an  example of tamasic food as it makes the person lazy and lose balance of mind. The Bhagavad-Gita too advocates proper selection of food to lead a healthy life. It says that food left over on the day should never be eaten the next day! Today we find people eating the left overs a number of days after storing in the refrigerator! A person had a cook at home and used to take the food prepared by him. After sometime he felt a tendency to steal things and could not understand why he felt such vibrations. Later, on going into the antecedents of the cook, he knew  that the cook was a thief before he took up this job! Therefore, the nature of the person who cooks is transferred to the person who eats that food!

Vegetarian food is mostly satwick and good for health. It doesn't mean that nonvegetarian food is bad. That belongs to rajasic and tamasic variety of food. Eating the flesh of animals and creatures killed already is really nauseating. The Sasthras say “ “mamsam mamsena vardhate”--meat or flesh develops flesh alone!” We find meat eating people robust and strong compared to the vegetarians! Tastes differ and we cannot dictate terms to others regarding their food habits.people have realized the danger and confusion created recently by the government in banning beef eating and selling! It is for the individual to decide. It is enough if people realize the value of food and it's importance in their life and eat wisely in their own interest!

WHITHER OUR SOCIETY

WHITHER  OUR SOCIETY?

The brutal murder of Swathi, of Infosis, Chennai, on the platform at Nugambakkam railway station, poses a number of questions! It was a broad daylight murder in the presence of a large number of passengers.  Even as they saw, the person slashed Swathi’s neck, jumped the platform even as the train approached and fled! The precious life of the young woman was snubbed out in three minutes.The people who were witnesses to the bloody murder caught the train that arrived and went to their respective places of work! None dared to approach the murderer or chase and catch him. It appears from the statement of the person who saw the incident that two persons chased the man and one of them threw a stone at him. But the man escaped!

Society has failed to save and protect a precious member! Swetha's father was full of remorse and regret as none of the passengers came to her help. Members of our society are found lacking in civic consciousness and very rarely we come across one or two who volunteer to help the needy at the nick of the moment.  people are afraid that they would be drawn into needless troubles by the police. This tendency has to be given up. We should be compassionate to our own brethren, show our love and sympathy especially during situations like this. Why do people turn cruel, desperate and go to the extent of murdering others? What provokes them to indulge in these heinous crimes? Is humanity so beastly as to demolish whatever it dislikes? The fact is that man, in spite of advancement of civilization, science and technology has not lost his basic animal nature! He is the slave of his passions, emotions and desires! Anger, arrogancce, greed and hatred have made him their slave. Having controlled almost everything in the world, Man has lost control over himself. Morality and ethics are at their lowest ebb and people are not bothered about the consequences of their actions.

Most of these heinous crimes are the outcome of disappointment in love affairs! There is confusion in the mind of the Young man. He confuses love with lust. Love is noble; lust is ignoble. Love is compassionate; lust is cruel and beastly. Love is selfless; lust is selfish. Love is eternal; lust is ephemeral. Love is largeheartedness; lust is narrow minded.  Love is not possessive; lust is possessive. Love is not for physical satisfaction of the Senses; lust is only for the physical satisfaction of  the Senses.The ideal lover wants the well-being of his lady love wherever she is and even when she marries another person. The person infected with lust can never tolerate another possess his fiancee! Thus lust is mistaken for love and it has lost all its meaning and significance! Love involves supreme self sacrifice whereas lust murders and destroys! The incident of Nirbhaya’s gang rape is a classical example of what lust is in all its implications.

Why do these things happen? It is because animal instincts in man have gained the upper hand! Man has become selfish and highly materialistic! He has forgotten the purpose for which he is born-- to realize himself. He has lost his moors and has strayed into dangerous waters. He has totally forgotten the very essence of happy and contented life-- human values    namely truth, righteousness, peace, love and nonviolence that form the bedrock of human existence. The world is tormented by violence everywhere. There is no peace in any part of the world. There is dishonesty, fraud and falsehood all over the world. He is mad, mad, and mad after money and is ready to die for it as if it will give him salvation. It is a pity that modern society is drowned in the mire of materialism

How can this worsening situation be altered? “ Spirituality alone will take man to the sacred path leading to his destiny! Spiritual wisdom is not something received from others. It has to blossom from within. For man to acquire peace he has to activate thyaga (sacrifice) and get rid of the sense of dualism. True spirituality consists in the elimination of all animal instincts in man and manifesting the Divine light within.” remarks Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba!!! He should have fear for sin and love for God.-- “ Papa bhiti Daiva priti”.He should recognize the atmic principle in every creature on earth for God manifests himself in every creature as the atmic principle or Spirit. It is not impossible for man to change but it requires a concerted effort on his part. Only when there is a transformation to this effect, in man, society  stands the chance for redemption !!!

ON BEAUTY

ON  BEAUTY

It is very difficult to define the word Beauty! Several people have described beauty according to their experiences and reactions. This depends upon their sensibilities and inner perceptions. According to John Keats, the illustrious Romantic poet “ A. Thing of beauty is a joy for ever

It's loveliness increases; it will never

Pass into nothingness”

That was his perception of beauty. Can this be the final definition of beauty? Can this thing of beauty remain constant and unchanged for ages to come? Does its loveliness increase day by day? These are debatable questions.The baby is beautiful and innocent. As the baby grows it loses its beauty as well as it's innocence. Youth brings in beauty to individuals. But as age advances beauty declnes, folds appear,and the person becomes senile. He can only reflect on his beauty and see his past beauty only in photo albums! It is physical beauty that does not last for ever as man has to pass through various stages of life from childhood to old age and final exit! “ Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clean to the bones.” according to Dorothy Parker. “ Just because something is beautiful doesn't mean it is good” says Alex Flinn. When life itself is transient how can beauty of the body be permanent? It is natural that people are attracted to the colour and complexion of the body. Black color repels while fair skin attracts but both are impermanent. They do not reveal the inner tendencies of the individual! “ That always seemed so ridiculous to me, that people want to be around someone because they are pretty. It is like picking your breakfast cereals based on color instead of taste”says John Greene. Thus physical beauty, by its very impermanence, cannot be termed as ideal beauty though it is preferred and desired by all

“ Beauty is not related to the body, it originates from character and purity” says Bhagawan Sri Satya Sai Baba. Beauty cannot be related to the body alone. It has much to do with the character and purity in individuals of exceptional caliber. It is the beauty of steadfastness, ability to weather many storms and tempests that put them apart from other individuals. “ The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss and have found their way out of depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen” says Elisabeth Kubler Ross.l individuals of such beautiful traits appear rarely in society. Their beauty is in their purity and character. “ Beauty is not in the face; it is a light in the heart” says the renowned writer Kahlil Gibran.

According to Confucius everything has beauty but not everyone sees it! Marcus Aurelius says, “ Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars and see yourself running with them”. There is nothing more beautful than Nature, the grand manifestation of God! Magnificent mountains, silvery streams, gurgling rivers, brilliant colourful trees, the blue sky and the azure oceans and seas, brambles and bushes, varieties of animals and plants--what an impressive beautiful sight! William Wordsworth was so enchanted withe the beauty of Nature that he glorified it through his poetry!

“ One impulse from vernal wood

May teach you more of man

Of moral, evil, and of good

Than all the sages can.”

He concludes by advising, “ Let Nature be your teacher”. According to Edgar Allan Poe “ There is no exquisite beauty without some strangeness in the proportion.” This beauty we see mostly in the breathtaking scenes of the mountains, waterfalls and valleys!

Beauty is not without its dangers! “ Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold” says the Stratford bard Shakespeare! It is because of this obsession in man that rapes, abductions and other heinous crimes are committed.Man has an inborn weakness for her physical beauty! Legend and history are replete with the names of great men who met their doom by falling in love with the beauty and charm of women. The great sage, Viswamitra, who gave us the Gayatri mantra, was himself the victim of Menaka’s viles! Indra, king of Gods, fell for the most beautiful Ahalya, wife of sage Gautama. Ravana, king of Lanka was down to dust by aspiring for the wife of Sri Rama! Mark Antony was ravished with the beauty of Queen Cleopatra when he exclaimed, “ Age cannot wither, nor custom steal her infinite variety”. Wherever there is beauty there is the possibility of danger! “ But he who dares not grasp the thorn should never crave the rose” says Anne Bronte. The sandalwood tree by its fragrance invites the serpent to its presence!

Spiritual beauty is to be preferred to physical beauty! “ No matter how plain a woman may be, if truth and honesty are written across her face, she will be beautiful” remarks Eleaner Roosevelt These qualities of heart, love, compassion, simplicity, forbearance, and above all sacrifice are far more beautiful than the transitory and glamorous  shades of physical beauty! The human body is considered as the best work of God. Emerson says that as we grow old, the beauty steals inward. According to him love of beauty is taste while the creation of beauty is art. “ Beauty is the shadow of God on earth. We should never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful as a writer qpoints out that beauty is God’s hand writing --a wayside sacrament. As Keats says in his Ode on the Grecian Urn, “ Beauty is truth, truth beauty-- that is all

Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know”. That which does not change and remains everlasting is called the truth. Similarly beauty should last for ever without change due to the ravages of time.Then that beauty becomes truth and the changeless truth transforms into beauty! It is this universal principle that mankind should realize! 

THE PROBLEM OF TRANSFORMATION

THE PROBLEM OF TRANSFORMATION

“The world will change only when the individual changes.” declares Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba. Is it possible for a person or a group to change the world? Definitely it is impossible. “ Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself” says Leo Tolstoy. Albert Einstein says, “ The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” “ Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.” Says RUMI. “ Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only create sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” remarks Lao Tzu. The world as well as our life is a series of changes or transformation. From the womb to the tomb we undergo a number of changes! The formation of the foetus to its full development as a child in the mother’s body is a wonderful transformation dictated by Divine nature! There is a change every second in the development of the baby though it is invisible. Growth and change  are the signs of life which are indispensable. “ The old order changes yielding place to new.” Says the poet Tennyson. Shakespeare speaks of the seven stages of man on the stage of Life.

From the dawn of creation, many civilizations have come and disappeared in the womb of time undergoing rapid changes. From the Old stone age and the New Stone Age man has come a very long way and calls himself a civilized human being! The flowering of his mind, his intellectual acumen and enquiring spirit resulted in the industrial revolution which transformed the life of mam entirely. Life became easy, comfortable, and even luxurious. Scientific advancement and explosion of technology made even impossible things possible. It has now come to a stage when we debate whether science is a boon or bane for mankind! We are on the top of a nuclear pile that can annihilate the entire universe! A slight faux paus on the part of some megalomaniac can finish every thing on earth! Gross materialism has overtaken spiritualism and man has become a slave of the machine and a worshipper of Mammon! Basic moral and human values are given the go by. Greed, fraud, miserliness,  hatred, lust, violence, revenge and other evil qualities have taken deep root in human nature. The very existence of a superior power directing and regulating the universe is being questioned! Atheism has gained a good ground. Man thinks he is the creator himself.

Despite the phenomenal transformations since the ages, M.an’s inner nature has not changed but remained constant! His basic animal nature has revealed itself blatantly! His selfishness has increased. He does not understand others and has no respect for other languages and religions. He has become a fanatic and does not hesitate to kill any one that he does not like! It is high time that man contemplates on these issues and find a way to make his life happy, contented and peaceful.  There must be a profound change that should come over man. Man is not born to live some how and die one day. He has a purpose and mission in life. Spirituality is the panacea for all the ills of society and the means for the elevation of man!

“ What is required today is transformation, which can be effected by questioning oneself ‘ who am I?'says Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba.What is the identity of man? In total ignorance he thinks that he is the body.  He is not conscious of the spirit that is embedded in the body. The aim and purpose of human birth is to realize that you are not the body but the immortal eternal soul. This soul or ‘ atma’ manifests in all the living creatures of the universe. Our Sasthras say, ‘ ekah paratma bahu deha varthi’-- there is only one soul and it manifests in many bodies. Bodies many be different but the atmic principle is the same.  The same soul is to be recognized in all animals like the dog and donkey too! Spiritual practices assist man to develop  this essential  quality of transformation. When man understands that he is not just the body with blood and bones but the indestructible soul, his ideal transformation begins!

It is then he sees himself in every living creature! He is no different from them except in body.  He recognizes the common universal soul in it. He understands and loves it. So there is compassion for the sorrows and difficulties of other human beings and animals! Your heart goes out to help them. You start to be kind to them instead of thinking that you are separate  and different from them. You mix and mingle with all and get good company and try to alleviate the suffering of millions of others! You cannot remain aloof as they feel the pain and want to relieve them from suffering! You radiate Love and peace and make yourself and others happy. Self Realization does not mean retreating to the forest or remaining far from the madding crowd and performing tapas! It is to serve the suffering and deserving humanity. The mantra for Self Realization is thus  ,” Love All Serve All!

SIGNIFICANCE OF SENSES

SIgnificance of the Senses

Of all the creations of God, Man is the most complex creature! The soul is encased in a body with a number of organs, muscles,  bones,marrow, blood and a maze of nerves which cannot be imagined! These organs form the basis for the Senses that lead man to greater heights of jnana or knowledge or to material pleasures and downfall. Man is endowed with what we call “ jnanendriyas“ and “karmendriyas” which carry out the dictates of the mind.The function of the former is to identify  ‘sabda or sound, sparsa or touch, rupa or form, rasa, or taste and gandha or smell. “ Taste, touch and smell,hearing and seeing are not merely a means to sensation, enjoyable or otherwise but they are also a means to knowledge -- and are, indeed, your only actual means to knowledge” remarks St.,Thomas Aquinas.The positive and negative aspects of these Senses have to be considered very cautiously and utilized .

The Vedas and the Upanishads proclaim that one has to control his senses in order to realize his self and attain salvation. Atma' or soul is described as the charioteer and the body the chariot.Buddhi or intellect is the the sarathi or the driver of the chariot and manas or mind is the bridle to control the dragging senses! “ atmanam rathinam viddhi sareeram rathamevathu  Buddhim thu sarathim viddhi manah pragrahamevacha” Man has to drive through his life driven by his intellect and by controlling the Senses by his mind. The Senses are the horses that drag the chariot. If the horses are allowed a free run and not controlled they tend to go astray and lead the person to destruction. They should never be allowed to gallop lest they throw the rider down and cause irreparable damage. Eyes see good and bad things; ears hear good and bad sounds; skin can touch good and bad things; nose can smell fragrance as well as bad odour and the tongue can taste good food and bad food! God has left the choice to us, human beings. Enveloped by Maya or illusion, we are uncertain of our choice and invariably choose the wrong choice. We fail to exercise our intellect and see what is good and bad. It is Maya that deceives us and represents good as bad and bad as good.Is it possible for us to gain control over our senses? It is easier said than done. The Senses are very powerful horses that drag you away from the right path. They are attracted to every good and bad thing on the road and tempt man irresistibly.

Controlling our senses is a herculean task! But nothing is impossible to man. Association with devotees, sages,and saints and thoughts on God shall help in controlling one’s senses. Prayer is another way of mitigating the effect of senses. The mantra for suppressing the Senses is to see good, think good, say good and do good! Every organ of our Body  has to be dedicated to the service of God!  It is divine grace that enables us to keep the onslaught of the Senses under control. Kulasekhara Azwar, one of the greatest Azwars, says that the tongue should sing the glory of God; manas should worship Him; feet should Visit His temples; hands should perform puja; ears should listen to His divine sports or Leelas; nose should smell the fragrance of holy thulasi water or thirtha and finally head should bow down to his lotus feet! The inner enemies embedded in our nature, the  ‘arishadvargas' namely kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada, matsarya-- instigate the Senses to  go astray.unfulfillment of desire or kama leads to disappointment and anger.  This leads to senseless acts and serious consequences. As Adi Sankara points out, satsang leads to non attachment and fixing the mind on God which in turn to highest goal of emancipation or mukti.

Stories galore are in our Purana's  and epics, of sages and saints and illustrious persons who have fallen victims to wiles and charms of the Senses! When sage Viswamitra performed severe penance, Indra, king of God's sent the heavenly damsel, Manama to disturb his concentration. The bewitching beauty of Manama was enough to lead the sage astray! “ Beauty provoketh thieves more than gold” says Shakespeare! Here it is the passion for ‘rupa’ form or personality that has led to  the fall of the sage! Ravana,king of Lanka is another illustration of a very great celebrity, who despite his famie and scholarship was undone by his passion and lust for Sita, wife of Rama! Motivated by the words of his sister, Surpanaka, he decided to abduct and have Sita as his spouse. He was the embodiment of arrogance and thoughts was invincible because of his valour and the boons granted by the creator Brahma! This pride, arrogance and lust brought about his downfall. Renowned sage Durvasa had to eat his humble pie and meet his humiliation! When Ambarisha, the true devotee of Lord Vishnu, waited for the sage and his disciples for long and took some water, Durvasa was infuriated! He felt Ambarisha was disrespectful. The sage created a spirit to destroy king Ambarisha and sent it after the king. But the Sudersana Chakra,given by the Lord for protection of the king, chased the sage! not even the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu, or Siva could save him from the Chakra!! Finally the sage had to fall at the feet of Ambarisha and beg his pardon! king Dasaratha was mislead by the sound of water that was filled by Sravana. He was taking it for his parents. Dasaratha shows mad after hunting, aimed at the sound and shot a narrow that killed Sravana. his parents,knowing this, cursed that Dasaratha should die of separation fromm his son!

Thus we see the Senses playing havoc in the lives of  even the great sages and saints and celebrities! It is not too much to say that they have tremendous  effect on the ordinary man. Arrogance has been the downfall of Hitler and any a dictator.M any civilizations have vanished because of the pride and arrogance of their kings and emperors! Man should see that these dangerous senses do not gain the upper hand in their lives. A ceiling on desires is absolutely essential for man in society. He should not aspire for every mundane pleasures. Rather he should desire for good company, meditation and think of God for peace of mind and salvation!

MYJOURNEY TO NEW CASTLE

MY JOURNEY TO NEW CASTLE, UK.

It was a red letter day in my life on May 10, 2016 as on that day my wife and myself embarked on a visit to New Castle,UK where our grand daughter had settled a few years back.We had not visited them these ten years.There was a sense of trepidation as we are both senior citizens having crossed seventy five years! Though we have crossed the seas twice to US, to visit  our son and his family, there was a lurking fear as it is our first visit to UK.Getting the British visa went off without hassels and we prepared ourselves with four big suit cases and the usual hand luggage! The difficulty arose because every time we weighed the suit cases it showed different weights! It was the same when other members of the family tried to fix the weights properly! In effect, we carried a large bag to send back items, if the weight was to be reduced for checking in. Promptly a Tavara was booked to pick us up by 2.30 am the previous night and the baggages were brought down with some difficulty downstairs. Our daughter and son in law and grandson came to the airport to see us off.  But the fear of a trouble free check in worried us a lot.

We went in on wheel chairs and presented ourselves before the counter for check in. My heart had already increased its rate of beating and I waited with bated breath to see the result as every suitcase was being weighed. Probably, the man at the counter was one with the milk of human kindness or he took kindly to our senior citezenship. He cleared all the suit cases and it was only then that we were greatly relieved! My daughter and others too were very happy that they didn't need to carry back the rejected articles! Photos were clicked and the immigration form was filled to be handed over to the person concerned. My daughter and others left us reluctantly directing us to be careful during travel and guard our health in UK which is notorious for its ever changing weather! The scenes at the airport were quite interesting and funny! A few were found hugging each other. Some parents were shedding tears at the departure of their beloved children to pastures new!  A few more romantic pairs were seen kissing and bidding farewell.  The airport personal were seen very busy and alert!

The persons in charge of wheel chairs are very smart and want to earn as much as possible from the travelers! Our baggage was put on two wheel chairs and he managed to draw them single handedl He took us through the labyrinthine corridors of the airport till we came to the gate from where we have to board the flight. We had to wait for an hour before we could board the flight.It was a British Airways ‘World Traveler' air craft and a huge one! It was heavy breakfast for us in the flight--idly, up ma,sambar, cake, bun and coffee! The flight personnel were gentle and courteous. A large number of Indians were on board.As lunch time approached a good fare was served with-- vegetable Biriani, brinjal curry, payasam, fruit chips and yoghurt! The flight zoomed through the clouds and touched more than 30000 feet! It was an exciting experience to see everything totally dwarfed and reduced to lilliputian stature! The air craft delightfully hovered over the gulf countries, Iran, the Black Sea, Poland and other European countries and touched the Heathrow airport at 11.45 am local time.

The flight was delayed for about half an hour and we had to take the domestic flight to New Castle. There was total confusion soon after we disembarked as there were a number of wheel chair passengers. It became difficult for us to secure wheel chairs and we were finally taken by a car through circuitous criscross routes to the gate to board the plane that was ready to start. We heaved a sigh of relief for arriving in time and settled ourselves comfortably. The airport's in America and the UK are very large. it is practically lmpossible for fist time visitors to go through the maze and come out successfully. That is one reason why most of the senior citizens prefer wheel chairs as that is the safest way to board and exit the airport easily! With in an hour the flight landed at New Castle airport to our relief and delight and expectations!  Our grand daughter’s husband was ready to receive us at the airport and we came out after collecting our baggage. We arrived at home to a very warm welcome by our grand daughter and great grand children! What a great pleasure it is to meet children and grandchildren  settled in foreign countries!

RENUNCIATION

RENUNCIATION is a quality not given to man! From the time of his birth he is subjected to various attachments. He has his father, mother, brothers and sisters,uncles, aunts and other relationships! As he grows he develops association with other friends. When he enters the school he meets his teachers and is influenced by them. When he is a youth and an eligible bachelor he meets his chosen spouse and the cycle repeats itself when children are born!  So man's life is a continuous process of attachment to some person or object known or unknown to him! There is more and more attachment and It increases as he grows and there is no question of his coming out of these attachments!!

What is the cause of this attachment? It is because of illusion or Maya which creates ego or ‘ ahankara’! Man begins to think that it is his body,.his father, his mother and so on! He becomes possessive more attached to them. He feels that he cannot exist in the world without them! To him all these relationships become indispensable! The moment the child is born, it is enveloped by the six inner enemies viz ‘ arishadvargas’ that lie embedded and develope silently in it! We are surprised to see the anger in the child when some toy is seized from its hand and we are delighted to witness it's anger and possessiveness! The roots of selfishness are already sowed into its individuality!Out of the six inner enemies of man KAMA or desire is the most dangerous and fatal!The second is Lobha or miserliness. These two lead to anger, arrogance, jealousy and never ending attachment! Unable to extricate himself from these hidden foes man becomes a victim helplessly!

 

What is RENUNCIATION? Is it possible for him to achieve that in his lifetime? Or is he doomed for ever to be an abject slave of these ‘ arishadvargas'?’Arjuna was assailed with attachment or “mamakara” as he stood in front of his mentors and kith and kin on the battlefield at Kurukshetra! He refused to fight and threw down his famous bow Gandiva! ? He went to the extent of saying that he would rather beg than eat the bloody meal after killing all of them! It is then the Lord delivers his Divine discourse, the Bhagavad-Gita and clears all his doubts! Unless attachment is discarded renunciation cannot come.Attachment to mundane things has to be  given up and attention devoted to spiritual things and meditation on God! Attachment to the body must be given up as well as to other things which is the most difficult part of man's life!

The Vedas proclaim that it is sacrifice or renunciation that makes man immortal!  “ nakarmana na Prajaya na dhanena thayge naikena amrutatwa manasuhu” It is not through karma or action or progeny or money but by sacrifice or renunciation that immortality is achieved! Those whom we consider as immortals have sacrificed something that  made them immortal!   “Giving up evil qualities is the real renunciation. That is the real Thyaga( sacrifice) and yoga. Body attachment is human and total detachment is Divine” declares Bhagawan Sri Says Sai Baba! Our sages and seers were all totally nonattached and employed themselves in total meditation on God! They were, no doubt, family men, but untouched by ‘ mamakara’ or  attachment. Renunciation can be attained by constant concentration and meditation on God! It is also possible to develop the quality by association with devotees and sathsang! This will lead to ‘ nisssangatwam’! This will take him to “ nirmohatwam--non attachment and finally to emancipation or ‘ jeevanmukti’! “ satsangatve nisssangatvam  nissangatve nirmohatvam nirmohatve--nischalatatvam  nischalatatve jivan muktihihi”declares Adi Sankara in his Bhajagovinda sthothra!

It should be the aim and purpose of every single individual to be as non attached as possible! It does not mean that you should refrain from all karmas or actions! As a father, mother or son you should discharge your duties perfectly--not more not less! Otherwise you will be drawn into the cycle of samsara! The less we are involved in mundane affairs the better! We need not go far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife and sit under the greenwood trees for serious meditation or tapas!  The  stories of our Nayanmars and Azwars and Ramadas, Kabirdas and a host of others remind us that pure  devotion and total surrender to the will of God shall lead us to the rarest of the rare grace of God! Nothing more is needed for non attachment!