Living dead are those
who have lost their job in their middle age and nothing looks prospective!
Living dead are those who do not have anything to continue their livelihood on their own nor have other’s confidence to help them!
Living dead are those who once upon a time were respected by everyone around because they have been remunerated handsomely but have now lost respect from the same persons because of their unaffordability now!
Living dead are those
who have now become boring because people no longer feel the need to listen to
them!
Living dead are those
who now have lost all rational thoughts according to others since they now no
longer have any intrinsic values because they have lost their buying powers!
Living dead are those
living in conditions of perpetual depression but people around do not have the
eyes or ears for it!
Living dead are those
walking corpses because it hardly matters to others or to themselves as to whether
they exist or not!
Living dead are those who never wishes to be brought back to life by any supernatural force because they are already living in hell everyday!
Living dead are those
mad men who are realized but cannot make anyone around understand that!
Living dead are those
who are actually not in illusion but the people around them think so: It is
they who actually run around all the time like birds gathering for food and do
not go beyond the first level of awareness of the soul (Annamaya Kosha)!
The real “Living Dead”
in the true sense of the word are those:
Living dead are those who
are actually in the mode of ignorance but presume they are happy, dominating
and enjoying life!
Living dead are those
who see people around them suffering but do not have the inclination to help
them even a bit!
Living dead are those
who give respect to those who do not deserve any respect but give undue respect
to those who do not even deserve it a bit!
Living dead are those having
born as a human being still do not attempt to know the purpose of their existence
till the last day of their lives only to fall into this desperate material pool
of existence perpetually without knowing the consequences of this repeated birth
death old age and disease!
கொடியது கேட்கின் நெடியவெல் வேலோய்!
கொடிது கொடிது வறுமை கொடிது
அதனினும் கொடிது இளமையில் வறுமை
அதனினும் கொடிது ஆற்றொணாத் தொழுநோய்
அதனினும் கொடிது அன்பிலாப் பெண்டிர்
அதனினும் கொடிது
இன்புற அவர்கையில் உண்பது தானே
Meaning: இந்த
உலகில்
மிகவும்
கொடுமையானது
எது
என்றால்
வறுமைதான்.
அந்த
வறுமையும்
இளமைப்
பருவத்தில்
வந்தால்
மிக
மிகக்
கொடுமையானது.
அத்தகைய
வறுமையை
விடக்
கொடுமையானது
தீராத
கொடிய
நோய்
ஆகும்.
தீராத
கொடிய
நோயைவிடக்
கொடுமையானது
அன்பே
இல்லாத
பெண்ணுடன்
வாழ்வது.
அதைவிடக்
கொடுமையானது
அந்தப்
பெண்ணிடம்
உணவைப்
பெற்று
உண்பது
ஆகும்
என்று
கொடுமையானவற்றுள்
எல்லாம்
மிகவும்
கொடுமையானது
அன்பு
இல்லாத
பெண்
இடும்
உணவை
உண்பதுதான்
என
ஒளவையார்
குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார்.
Translation: People in the following conditions are considered as “Living
Dead” because of their terrible sufferings.
The severity increases in the ascending order as
mentioned below:
Living dead are those suffering in poverty. More than this
are those who are poverty-stricken in their youth. More than this are those who
suffer from a terrible disease. More than this are those who live with a woman
who have no love for him. The most terrible thing possible for a living dead is
to eat the food given by that woman!
Concept inspired by Srimad Bhagavatham: “Due to his pious activities in previous lives, the conditioned soul attains material facilities in this life, but when they are finished, he takes shelter of wealth and riches, which cannot help him in this life or the next. Because of this, he approaches the living dead who possess these things. Such people are compared to impure trees, creepers and poisonous wells.” – Srimad Bhagavatham 5.14.12 – The material world as the great forest of enjoyment.
“O my lord, O best of the givers of benediction, if
you will kindly grant me the benediction I desire, please let me not meet death
from any of the living entities created by you. Grant me that I not die within
any residence or outside any residence, during the daytime or at night, nor on
the ground or in the sky. Grant me that my death not be brought by any being
other than those created by you, nor by any weapon, nor by any human being or
animal. Grant me that I not meet death from any entity, living or non-living.
Grant me, further, that I not be killed by any demigod or demon or by any great
snake from the lower planets. Since no one can kill you in the battlefield, you
have no competitor. Therefore, grant me the benediction that I too may have no
rival. Give me sole lordship over all the living entities and presiding
deities, and give me all the glories obtained by that position. Furthermore,
give me all the mystic powers attained by long austerities and the practice of
yoga, for these cannot be lost at any time.” – Srimad Bhagavatham
7.3.35-38
If we don’t want to realise the purpose of life as a human being and indulge in everything else other this, we are inferior to even demons whose only purpose in their life is sense gratification. The above verse is from Srimad Bhagavatham where Hiranyakasipu, the king of the demons, on performing long austerities to Lord Brahma asks for the above benedictions thinking himself over-smart only to be put to dust later by Lord Narasimhadeva, the magnificent incarnation of The Supreme Personality of Godhead – Lord Shri Krishna/Lord Vishnu.
This prayer/poem “May I” is an inspiration based on the above benedictions by Hiranyakasipu in order to understand what is our actual position and what should be our real aspiration. “May I” is dedicated to Lord Narasimhadeva, the man-lion incarnation.
May I!
May I beg Lord Shri Krishna that I forever be under His
protection and fully surrendered to him!
May these transgressions from spiritual pursuits to be realised only for the time being till I am absolved of my family responsibilities and obligations!
May I able to quit family life then and forever be under
Your mercy and protection O Shri Krishna!
May I always live with minimalistic needs while all the time
involve myself in chanting your Holy names, reading, writing and listening
about You and Your pastimes!
May I quit this body at Your will, while being forever
remain surrendered to You life after life!
May this soul always be at Your mercy, so there is no reason
to ask for any benediction from You!
May whatever be the condition You put to this soul Please
let me always remember You because without your remembrance this soul just cannot
exist!
May I beg You to make
me remain as a dust under Your lotus feet since I don’t know to perform any
austerities properly nor I know to interpret you properly. All I know is You
only!
May I forever be under the shelter of your pure devotees and
by fully surrendered to them to solicit their company to continuously chant Your
names and Your Holy pastimes!
May I not want any palatable food that kindles the taste
buds that drag me into the mode of passion and ignorance. I also don’t want
anything else that will make me forget You!
May I not sleep at all because it will make me forget You and to chant Your Holy names all the time – Hare Krishna Mahamantra, Vishnu Sahasranamam and all glorious prayers written for You by Your devotees – prayers that are worthy to be sung!
May I always sing Your prayers describing Your insignia – Sudarshan chakra conch club sword bow etc which are non-different from You!
May I always sing prayers about your glorious incarnations
matsya kurma varaha Narasimha Vamana Parasurama Rama Balarama Krishna Kalki which
are non-different from you!
May I always sing prayers about your consorts who are your internal potencies – Goddess Maha Lakshmi, Srimati Radharani and so on!
May I forget hunger, thirst, family relationships and whatever
material assets you have given me that will anyway leave me at the time of quitting
this body which is only a bag that is constantly emitting foul substances but
still wants to enjoy these impermanent things called material nature!
May I always remember You because You only are the object and
objective worth remembering!
May I always remember you because You are the only one who
is eternal – existing before the creation, during the creation, during the sustenance,
during the annihilation and also after the annihilation You only remain!
May I always be surrendered to You without any inhibitions or
any expectations!
May I always remain surrendered to You and be under Your
protection seeking absolutely nothing from anyone or anything else!
May I always continue to remain in this mindset of being fully surrendered to You under any situation that may be imposed because of karma!
May this commitment of being fully surrendered to you never
ever waver no matter what, irrespective of whatever tribulations that I may be
put in!
May this act of surrendering to you unconditionally be the
only permanent thing in my mind!
May I beg you to accept my Surrender to you – this
insignificant soul – and resolve me of all the sins and harms that I have
committed to myself and to any living being either willingly or unwillingly!
May I sincerely seek Your forgiveness and beg You to accept
my surrender and that I face all the eventualities that will arise out of my
foolishness wholeheartedly and make sure I do not commit the same foolishness
again!
Finally, please accept my surrender and make me do
everything for You without expectation of any reward and make me do everything
ONLY for the satisfaction to you!
And by surrendering to You unconditionally Please let your
unsurmountable illusory energy Maya not act on me for without wholehearted
surrender to Your Lotus feet, this is just not possible!
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare
Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare!
This conversation is between a middle-aged person and his
mother discussing about detachment, surrender and on achieving liberation from
this material existence.
Seeker 2: Even if people knows about their problems very
well, they do not make an attempt to fix it but do something else to get
diverted away from it temporarily, will the problem go away by itself?
Seeker 2: I was just lying in a sofa without doing anything
for two hours pondering about my issues and now only getting a bit fresh and
you came to meet me.
Seeker 2: I understand that Krishna is doing everything for a reason and hence I have no regrets. Only the external mind is undergoing everything and affecting the soul that is foolishly attached to the mind.
Seeker 1: Hmm. I am thinking of how I was at the age of 35
to 45.
Seeker 2: I say don’t think about it because it will only
give you pain considering the facilities for learning available now and available
then and still people not making use of it!
Seeker 2: No use talking and praising about self-achievements.
Does that change the present situation? Only by understanding the reality and
endeavour to come out of these situations every time and learning from the
experiences to face new situations can one survive in this present hostile
world.
Seeker 2: You always say this situation will change and yes
it will and it does. It may change for the better or for the worse but one
should be equipoised in both the situations because we should understand that
certain things are beyond our control.
Seeker 1: Yes!
Seeker 2: Krishna says to Arjuna in Bhagavad Gita: wise people do not lament either for the
living or for the dead. Arjuna (Nara) is a human incarnation of Lord Vishnu
/ Lord Krishna (Naaraayanaa) but still has to undergo these kinds of situations,
what are we compared to him?
Seeker 2: Srimad Bhagavatham mentions how Vidura was overtaken by grief because of his brother and his sons who acted without virtue throughout their life and how Uddhava was unable to handle the separation of Krishna but both Vidura and Uddhava were equipoised despite their difficult situations because both of them knew the science of God.
Seeker 1: Yes, the wheel of time is always spinning. It is
not always at the bottom; it has to come to the top.
Seeker 2: If you do not find people with like disposition, for few moments negative thoughts always come up but only Krishna can give the intelligence to come out of these situations. There is no use worrying about anyone or anything. Everyone is destined to face their situations and they have to ultimately come out of it by their own endeavours.
Seeker 2: Knowing this if you still get depressed then what do we learn from our past experiences? Trying to get out of these relationships and live impartially is the only means to attain liberation. Realising birth and death process is a biggest pain and getting away from it is the biggest knowledge, everything else is useless!
Seeker 1: What to do, I am an ordinary human being?
Seeker 2: Everybody is ordinary only. Going beyond and
realising these facts is what makes humans different from animals!
Seeker 1: Yes, that is too hard. Blood is thicker than
water.
Seeker 2: Tell me how did your mother live? Have you seen her getting attached to anyone or anything? Tell me this and your answer will tell if she is a good candidate for liberation.
Seeker 1: How shall I tell this? She was hard of hearing and
that was somewhat advantageous to her, but she was very intelligent.
Seeker 2: Yes. Still she was also a human being like us with
emotions, relationships, eyes that can see all the nonsense happening around
and understand what is going on. Right?
Tell me based on this!
Seeker 1: She always use to say I have to leave this world
when everyone of you is in a good position. That was her prayer all the time.
Seeker 2: There is nothing special in this. Everyone wishes that only. Being in a good position is only a relative concept. If people around you are greedy and envious, every situation is bad and unfortunate. Most people are not contented with how much ever they have got or how much ever they have achieved in their life.
Seeker 1: Yes. She has never gotten angry with anyone or anything anytime, never acting with emotions, always treating everyone equally, revering her husband for whatever he may have done. Always getting up very early and doing her duties wholeheartedly and without any grudge, not getting envy or jealous of anyone, not lazy any time, always very good and works really hard to full satisfaction of everyone – all these characteristics were there.
Seeker 2: All these are certainly divine characteristics of godly people.
All our characteristics are certainly determined and tested at the time of
death for sure, only based on that one gets a next birth or not in this
material universe. If one has leftover desires even subtle, still there is no escape
from next birth!
Seeker 2: One should not desire next birth at any cost. This
is the biggest blunder because what one gets as the next birth is determined by
what one did so far and is not according to one’s own whims and fancies. So
somehow one has got to get detached from this material world, though extremely
difficult but not impossible.
Seeker 2: That is why maam
ekam saranam vraja is the biggest secret, often mentioned by learned
authorities as secret of all secrets!
Seeker 1: Yes, I will try my level best.
Seeker 2: Yes, all of us should yearn and strive for that.
Performing fruitive activities, going to temple yearning for material rewards
or accomplishments etc are useless activities aimed at degradation of the soul.
They are all to be considered as mere rituals and hence only leads to bondage. Unless
one renounce everything from the bottom of the heart, liberation cannot be
attained.
Seeker 2: You will not believe another incident that
happened in Noida that is purely based out of instinct or something that even I
could not comprehend it had happened!
Seeker 2: After that photo and blog post on the spot (People
of the Street), I was walking alone towards my PG.
Seeker 2: I noticed another young lady with very small baby
in her arms within 100 meters, having nothing to eat except a small half Parle G
biscuit packet. And she looked at me, it was almost almost 10 on the night.
Seeker 2: I don’t know what happened to me that time.
Seeker 2: I just emptied the purse, didn’t even know how
much money was inside, just gave it to her and walked away. Then casually
walked to the nearby ATM withdrew something and went back to my accommodation.
I couldn’t believe what I was doing and realised it only after I went back to
the PG!
Seeker 2: I don’t think anyone will believe it but I know
you will believe it because you are my best friend!
Seeker 2: You know one thing, just like law of conservation
of energy, total quantity of natural resources also remains constant. It’s only
improper distribution that is the cause of all problems in this world. If only
everyone realises what they need and not want more than that there will be no
beggars in this world. So, you get the explanation on what you asked and why people
want to blame Krishna for their own nonsense?
Seeker 2: This is a big science and just one Upanishad so
small that it contains only 18 verses explains everything so clearly. It is
called Sri Isopanishad that gives solutions to poverty and unequal distribution
of wealth in this world. This is considered to be one of the smallest
upanishads but considered most important.
Seeker 2: People are losing out on the real knowledge and living
a life like this not knowing what they are doing.
Seeker 2: But I hope you are getting?
Seeker 1: What?
Seeker 2: Yes
Seeker 1: Yep
Seeker 1: Hmm. No now bothers about this at current era /
time.
Seeker 2: Path of destruction is inevitable.
Seeker 1: Yes, it’s already known to everyone! But what made
you to do that…were you hypnotized/ you felt to give her whatever you have…Was
she expecting that from you?
Seeker 2: No, I was not hypnotized or anything. Already I
couldn’t give anything to the lady and the baby in that photo. I was staying
alone, so many things were going on in my mind that time…was listening in
full volume as I was walking, the most favourite songs from pink Floyd (On the turning away from
the album A momentary lapse of reason came back to haunt again – the song that
gives goosebumps and teleports me every time I listen to it! depicting similar
situation – This same song haunted me at 2 in the night just 4 months earlier!
(Interpretations
to Post 40: Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam – Do check this!)
Seeker 2: I came from the temple after an amazing divine,
you can say ecstatic experience…I was walking the entire distance up and down about
4.5 kms one way. The pathway was very lonely at that time of the night…it was
just an instant reaction without any explanation.
Seeker 2: The small baby and mother I saw earlier…they were
sleeping peaceful in a rugged blanket…it was February, really cold, if I placed
the money there, I thought someone will take it. So, I really felt disappointed
and went away…
Seeker 2: immediately within 100 meters I noticed another in
much worse condition and just did that I didn’t know that I did!
Seeker 1: Hmm.
Seeker 2: When seeing so many people committing suicide
these days, are their conditions any worse than these people? That’s the
problem with us because of too much material attachment! I thought whatever I had
could be able to sustain them for considerable days because of their minimalistic
needs and Krishna will surely save them by His own means!
I must say that this conversation happened only because of
the divine will of Lord Lakshmi Narayana in this temple that I visit almost
every day. Otherwise, there could be no other reason!
This conversation took place on 04-July-2019 but I am able
to make the full transcript only now.
There is this reporter of a prominent spiritual magazine in
Tamil language (name asked to be kept in anonymity), who happened to see me and
recognize me. He happened to visit the temple that day. He stopped me right on
the road and wanted to converse with me. The conversation (Tamil translated to
English) goes like this:
Seeker 1(Reporter)
Seeker 2(Rajini (myself))
Seeker 1: I am a reporter from this magazine in Tamil. We
focus mainly on spiritual subjects. I have been a regular follower of your blog
and I see that you are nearing 150 posts, that is really a big achievement!
Seeker 2: Thank you very much. I am very glad that you are
regularly checking on my blog posts.
Seeker 1: It is my pleasure. I note that you have good
knowledge on scriptures, particularly Bhagavad Gita, Srimad Bhagavatham,
Thirukural etc.
Seeker 2: 😊 Please don’t say that. I am only a learner…
Seeker 1: I find that you have written a lot and covered a
lot of topics in depth. I want you to summarise based on all that you have
written on the present attitude of people in general and what could be done about
it.
Seeker 2: 😊we are standing on the road and do you want
to talk about it right here?
Seeker 1: I am really sorry. I respect the value of time and
so we cannot afford to go to my office to have discussion at this point of
time.
Seeker 2: That’s really very nice of you! Okay, then we
shall go to this isolated kind of annexure to this temple. I call it the
ant-hill Lord Lakshmi Narayanan 😊. I am usually here most of the time because
this is solitary and peaceful for prayers. No one ever comes here inside 😊
Seeker 1: Sure.
Seeker 1: I am recording what you are saying for my
interpretations. I hope this is fine with you. I would share the recording with
you after sometime. I think the recording is likely to be interspersed with lot
of traffic noise because of our location, but I think that doesn’t matter.
Seeker 2: Sure. But One thing I want to tell you. This is
the place where I meditate regularly. So, I might get into a sort of trance at
some point of time as I watch Lord Lakshmi Naarayanaa and speak on the answer😊
and say anything as ordained that time, you may note some subtle changes in my
voice etc., but I would sincerely request you to take note of the validity of
whatever I say and use it for the benefit of everyone.
Seeker 1: Sure, I will.
Seeker 2: Before I answer on what you have asked, I dedicate
whatever that I had to say, advertently or inadvertently to Goddess Saraswathi
because She is the source of all knowledge, She is the object of all knowledge
and also She is the destination of all knowledge. I also seek the blessings of
the source of everything, Lord Naarayanaa and His eternal consort Goddess
Mahalakshmi.
Seeker 2: People, why you are running around here and there all
the time? Where do you actually want to go from here? What big things are you
doing in this world that is of really of any significance or benefit to anyone
or anything? What???
Seeker 2: Same running around all the time…same
sleeping…same waking up…same eating…same work…day in and day out…
Seeker 2: When is this all going to end?… Is this work that you are doing giving any satisfaction to you? you are doing the same thing again and again as if you have become mentally retarded…
Seeker 2: Is this giving happiness? What sorts of happiness?
Where is this all leading to?
Seeker 2: At the end of ONE day, we all have to leave
this place., by being disciplined. Doing good…learning good things. do you want
to find a way of reaching the abode of Lord Vishnu…or…
Seeker 2: By being too materialistic like…I have to buy
this house…I am to earn this much…I have to buy that car…I have to buy
this…I have to buy that…I have to buy luxuries for my family and well-wishers…
Seeker 2: Eat this…eat that…eat whatever I feel like
that satisfies my palate…
Seeker 2: You have this…I have that. I will show off my
possessions to people around me but that only gain you jealousy and envy…
Seeker 2: What is going to come to you finally? Are these
“possessions” of yours really yours??? What is really going to come
to with you at the end?
Seeker 2: How you have lived…How has been your life…Has
anyone really benefited from your gestures that transformed them, that made you
live in their heart forever like a guardian angel? He introduces you to his
friends and well-wishers…saying…”I have been with this person…What I am now is
because of him”…Have you made anyone tell like this about you? Then what
has been the purpose of your life? What is going to happen after you are no
longer there? What are the people going to talk about you then?
Seeker 2: Goats, cows, pigs etc. eat well…sleep
well…procreate well…know how to defend…are you being born as a human
being only to do this in a much more sophisticated manner?
Seeker 2: Do you know how you have evolved into a human
being? These mundane things what you are doing now are being done by you in all
your life forms since ages…
Seeker 2: You have been provided intelligence…right?
right? Doing these same things, then what is the use of acquiring this human
birth after crossing all these life forms…
Seeker 2: Wealth, Work??? Can you do it honest in this
world? Everything is disguised cheating…. that causes heart-burns for so many
people and you are also not satisfied as well…
Seeker 2: This is Karmic influence…you have to face it…Will
it go? What is going to happen after THAT day…Is atma (soul) like a
stone etc. that is made from 5 material elements to also disappear??? atma is
life particle…atma is eternal…and that keeps transmigrating…
Seeker 2: The Supreme Lord thinks this way…Atma , you moved away from Me…you wanted an
identity…to dominate material nature… “thinking” I know how to live on my
own…the material nature is mine and is for mine…this body is mine…this is
my wife…my kid…my house…my nation…my earth…
Seeker 2: Krishna asks…What is yours???? For how
long? What did you bring in when you
came into this world? From previous births…t is just continuing from there.
What else you had? Understand that..your being is now like a dog…just for the
sake of living a livelihood and seeking petty pleasures, you didn’t seek to learn
good things…forget what is needed. Forget your own self…
Seeker 2: Forgot that the atma is in your body…you forget
even that…you get attached to false conceptions and feelings that this is my
body…she is my wife and so on.. The body that is made of 5 elements. What is
going to happen. How will atma go out on this body on THE day…it can
only go through the nine holes (two holes in the western side…mouth..nostrils,
eyes and ears). If you don’t realise yourself before the time of your death…
Seeker 2: Why being born again as to do what you have been
doing before? What are the things that has come to you as of now, at this
point, that were with you since the time of your birth? everything is
changing…what is staying the same from birth to death? Its only the atma that
is dwelling in your body that stays unchanged throughout…
Seeker 2: How did the atma acquire this very body? Have you
ever thought about it? It had been in various bodies earlier. Even now this
atma could have been in any body…be it in a coconut tree, snake, demon etc.
but what made it chose this very body of yours to stay? Won’t you think about
it?
Seeker 2: For this sake only, God has provided intelligence
to “human beings”…but what are you using it for? watching some junk stupid
movies and third-rated soaps…indulge in all sorts of habits, useless idle
talks, gossip and pomp…eating all sorts of obnoxious stuff and spend time in
cooking them and discussing about them as well… ☹
Seeker 2: Without even realising what the gunas of the food that
you eat are the ones that drives your thought process, character, your
intelligence and your way of life…you spin like a wheel running around…
Seeker 2: Everything starts from what you eat…food
constituents are split into 2 parts…one part for energy to drive all physical
activities. The remaining part? What it does do you know. You think eating this
will build muscles, that will improve eyesight etc. But for how
long..50yrs+???..wont the aging process take over?
Seeker 2: Skin starts to lose its lustre…eyesight fades…ear doesn’t hear properly…whatever you have been eating so far…Will you be able to eat them for life. Your doctor says eat without salt…reduce fats…reduce sugars…having eaten all obnoxious foodstuffs so far to satisfy your tongue…and thinking only food is life…you ask yourself how you will be able to stop it suddenly?…then you start to think…why should I live…are you living just for eating?
Seeker 2: In olden days rishis, munis, gyanis have
told…written Ramayana.Mahabharata…puranas etc. and for Tamils, the Tamil Veda…Thirukural…leaving
these things…what you guys are reading…how to influence others. How to be successful
in business…these are required…no doubt…but this is not all…
Seeker 2: What is required for good living? You people leave this…what is good…what is bad…how to live…how not to live…not thinking like that…hear from junk and degenerated people with all sorts of vices and bad habits…if you don’t know anything…even if some idiots says something it becomes Vedanta to you. Are these things not worth thinking about?
Seeker 2: ..or for the remaining part of your life. Do you
want to do the same thing…running around here and there without any
use…expecting flattery for whatever you do…What are you having for lunch…Shall
we go to this hotel…How is this cinema…How is this TV serial? How much this
guy score in that match… What is this
all going to lead to? Think! if you think what I am saying is good for you.
start with books…
Seeker 2: for example. Start with Thirukural. If you don’t
know Tamil. Do you know that Thirukural has been translated into at least 80-90
languages worldwide…you don’t have to do anything like learning all the 1330
couplets…just take any from the first 500..you may even take it some random
page…there is something in everything there for life…you just need to take
your preferred language and just READ.
Seeker 2: You complain…I lost my job…I fought with
wife…i don’t know how to reconcile…my kid is not obeying me…my kid is not
studying…my kid is roaming around…if we are
disciplined…why the kid will not be obedient or wayward? we are not
obedient ourselves…but worry about our kid…what will happen to him. How
will he study…how will he succeed…?
Seeker 2: Already God has carved a path for everyone based
on our past karma and what we do in this life…so what will we do. We don’t
even know what is in store for tomorrow. Then why think about your kid so much
???…he will do…he will study. If kids are undisciplined…so are we…!
Seeker 2: We leave our parents alone in their old age either
in “homes” or get themselves solitary confined in their own home…your
family…your wife and kids live in a different place…you live in a different
place…your parents sweated out and shed blood for you to bring you up…you
forget what they did for you…
Seeker 2: You say…they are old…I can’t even take care of
my kid. You listen to your wife for all her idiosyncrasies. If her family come
to your house you buy everything for them and make them happy. I am just saying
what is happening you have to judge it yourself…
Seeker 2: I don’t even bother whether this happen or doesn’t
happen with you…you see everything that is happening around you but if you agree
to this or not…it’s just your discretion…
Seeker 2: I don’t have anything to gain or lose…that you
guys listen to me for this long I treat this as a blessing and some sort of an
achievement…I am just telling what I think and also many are my own personal
experiences that I I am talking about…
Seeker 2: At the present state of world affairs, if you
think even 10% – 15% of what I said as truth or fact or if it makes some sense
to you…I think that would be a big happiness to me…
Seeker 2: …or I would have to take this like this…you
people tend to watch at least 3 or 4 TV serials daily that are total time
wasters anyways…and there is only negative takeaway from them…I would think
this like that…that’s all…people cannot change themselves and would always want
to remain like status quo…it is their destiny…
Seeker 2: Thank you very much for the opportunity to share
my thoughts. I hope all will be good to everyone…understand people…life and
its importance…
(The above audio is my voice is in my mother tongue, Tamil Language)
The below conversation is after the recording and before
parting our ways…
Seeker 1: Phew…that was too much…really a pleasure to be
able to listen to you…looks like you covered the basic principles of Gita and
Bhagavatham in just around 20 minutes.
Seeker 2: 😊 there is a lot to talk…I just didn’t want to
divert from your question too much.
Seeker1: Yes, you were very much to the point…very subtle
but thought-provoking…
Seeker 2: It’s just my longing that people lead a more basic
and disciplined life and get contented with what they have. Pretty hopeful this
will happen at least to those who are inclined for it.
Seeker 1: Yes! You are right. I have to thank you again for
suggesting this make-shift arrangement for this “interview” 😊
Seeker 2: It’s my pleasure!
Seeker 1: நன்றி!
மீண்டும் சந்திப்போம்! (Thank you! We will meet again!)
There are lot of predicaments for a person aspiring to be a sincere preceptor in this mundane world at the present moment because of the highly unfavourable circumstances and the rampous opposition by unscrupulous elements who do not want to change the status quo, just to hold their sway for their own selfish ends.
This post attempts to reflect on the challenges and solutions for a sincere preceptor in this modern world, attempting to uplift the thought process of the youth in particular at this moment or any thinking person in general for their betterment.
The influence of the malaise’s introduced due to this present iron age of Kali that has infiltrated and ingrained into every system, that makes human beings entangled in all sorts of vices, causing deterioration and threatening their very own existence.
Surely no one is to be blamed for this, because all of us have been inheriting these qualities gradually over the 5000+ years through disciplic succession for generations through our parentage (LOL).
This has started to happen as soon as the disappearance of Lord Shri Krishna from this world after performing his pastimes.
Though Lord Shri Krishna has given us lots of transcendental literatures like Bhagavad Gita, Uddhava Gita through Srimad Bhagavatham etc. and also several others through His realised devotees and also through his very incarnation(s) itself as He lived His way of life to teach us how to actually live and not just exist just like living beings that lacks developed intelligence and consciousness.
But we are not realising the importance of these transcendental literatures and continue to live a life of zero purpose!
So many preceptors have come and gone since then and hardly an infinitesimal has picked up and grasped a miniscule of these thoughts – the less than 1% of the aspirers apply these teachings to their very life and also influence the people around them.
It is a clear fact that we have to change ourselves through our own efforts and none whatsoever can have any influence on this.
That is why this is called science of self-development, understanding of the self, science of self-realisation etc., because external influences can play only that much part
as to kindle an introspection within ourselves to look out for the reasons of our sufferings,
to seek that knowledge, that enable us to realise the reality of the actual situation,
to strongly believe that we are living in an illusion,
to understand that we are living in just a world of sugar coated bitter pills with adverse side effects,
to observe and learn from the solutions that are already offered by this very material nature, though the same material nature acts as a deluding effect for those with poor fund of knowledge.
It’s like extracting out the thorn through another thorn though both are of the same nature, by understanding the discriminating nature of the same substance at different situations.
The following examples are worth to look and ponder for our own self-development:
The blooming lotus surviving in filth, whose leaves never get tainted or touched by even a single drop of water though being in a muddy pool, illustrating how to live detached in this world of multiple distractions that inhibit the process of self-realisation.
The swan that separates the water from the milk, illustrating the necessity to discriminate between knowledge and ignorance/nescience/illusion to attain a higher purpose.
The tortoise that hides and withdraws into its shell immediately and completely under threatening situations and waits for a favourable situation, illustrating the aspect of proactiveness, control of senses, when to act/when not to act, when to react/when not to react and how to apply the knowledge to make any situation favourable.
The deer that gets lured to the sweet sounds of the hunter and gets caught in the net / a frog that croaks only to be easily detected by the snake to become its prey, illustrating how the sense of sound (hear/produce) can lead to one’s own downfall if one does not have the knowledge to discriminate between its good and bad effects.
The python that waits for its prey for days without any movement and gets satisfied with whatever that comes its way, illustrating full faith in nature/God for satisfying our basic needs and as human beings use the provided intelligence to work towards a higher purpose.
The snake that gets into the residence of others residences like caves and ant hills without the necessity to construct one for its own, illustrating the aspect of living in a simple uncomplicated residence and lead a simple life to utilise time and energy for other productive purposes.
The Koel bird that lays its eggs on the crow’s nest, illustrating the full faith in nature/God that even to protect its own progeny we need not actually endure that much undue pain because we are helpless in the laws of nature/God for its unpredictable nature and that the nature itself protects its helpless children.
The chameleon that changes its colour to adapt to the surroundings, illustrating the importance of adapting to any adverse situation using one’s own intelligence and foresight.
The male elephant that gets lured to the sight of the she-elephant to get into a trap set by the hunter, illustrating how getting attracted too much to the sense of sight and how too much attraction towards the opposite sex can lead to one’s own devastation.
The camel that relishes the taste of its own blood when eating its food in the midst of thorns, illustrating our very self that undergoes unsurmountable pain, just for a little sense pleasures “gained” by being acted upon and getting associated with the three modes of material nature – goodness, passion and ignorance.
The jack-ass that struggles through the day carrying huge burden for its master only to get beaten all the time, all for a small bunch of grass, that it could very well get on his own, grazing the pasturing grounds, illustrating the lack of inclination towards spiritual knowledge which is real knowledge and acting in utter foolishness similar to the ones who gets lured by the imperfect material knowledge that only causes to get entangled into material existence because this knowledge is meant only for gratifying the senses and not for any other higher purpose!
The jack-ass gets repeatedly kicked by a she-ass when it requests for courtship, illustrating the tendency for males to get excessively attracted to females and getting dominated by them, just for getting little sensual pleasures, enduring ridicule, chastisement and being hen-pecked and finally getting gratified after being mortified (the puranjana saga in Srimad Bhagavatham is a great example of this). The concept of being hen-pecked and its impact on the process of self-realisation will be detailed in a later post.
The ants and the bees cooperating in their activities with a marked sense of division of labour and self-sufficiency, illustrating living beings with insignificant brain size and insignificant brain mass can explain us a lot as to how to create and live in a organised society of perfect harmony – how the concept of Varnashrama System – the intellectual class, the military class, the mercantile class and the labour class working in unison through division of labour can be self-sufficient to achieve their intended purpose through Karma Yoga or acting selflessly without any expectation of reward to achieve a higher purpose.
The examples are just numerous to be mentioned and a lot of lessons could be learnt from them for our betterment by taking them as our preceptors or spiritual masters.
Our standard of living would not have been this pathetic now had we taken a leaf out of their book just by taking even one or two examples and apply it in our lives!
Still the attempts needs to be carried out for those 1% aspirers and by those 1% aspirers, it’s just because of them the world still exists despite its huge discrepancies and deficiencies.
It is a strong belief in our scriptures that even a single person has the potential to transform the future of this entire world for good.
In scriptures, the incarnations of Lord Maha Vishnu/Lord Shri Krishna are mentioned as Tri-Yuga.
In other words, the Lord incarnates as His personal form only in the first three yugas viz., Satya, Treta and Dwapara.
In Kali Yuga, He does not appear in His personal form because of its contaminated nature and appears only as a covered incarnation in the form of a devotee like Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu etc. and the propagation of devotional service through Sankirtana yoga or chanting of the holy name of the Lord because modes to realise the absolute truth suitable in other Yugas are just not suitable for the age of Kali because of its inherent nature.
Thus, sincere devotional service, applied with the knowledge of transcendental scriptures to teach the love of God is the only means to awaken the people in slumber in material existence in this age of darkness.
Thank you very much and best wishes for reading this entire post to the full…
Special acknowledgments with gratitude and references to the beautiful description of The Puranjana Saga by Hints to the Ancient Wisdom:
Spirituality is the only way to solace 