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| Vagbhatananda Guru (1885-1939) |
What makes us
different…
One can’t count the number of living-beings on this planet but it is
certain that only the human race can attain perfection on account of its
ability to employ wisdom. Out of, say, one lakh people only a few try to
accomplish the goal. By and large, only a miniscule try the route of final
destination and it’s a shame. Man gets airborne and takes pride in flying next
to a bird but is he superior? Unlike the
bird, the man is supposed to know the purpose of his life.
Everybody wants to enjoy life. The owner and the slave have convergence
on this point. However, the only way to acquire happiness is to live a dharmik life.
Observe the world closely and one can see that both the static and
dynamic life forms have a unique feature of selflessness about them. Their
lives are basically for the sake of others. Man is no different from the rest.
Each one of us has to practice selflessness. Treat all others as brethren and
work for greater common good. That’s the reason why mankind is falling in line
behind Buddhadeva and Kristudeva even after millenniums. Don’t
put up the excuse that you don’t have the financial muscle to support the less
fortunate. You may be living in a hut made of grass. Bear in mind that you are
no less in rights and power compared to that of someone living in a golden
bungalow. One must show one’s nerve in acquiring an open mind which is wide
enough to accommodate the entire world. One must utter words reflecting the
depth and seriousness of such a backdrop and must possess a robust body which
could work based on the dictates of conscience. Remember that all your
abilities are to be used for the benefit of the others (mahajanakshemam). In short,
the mind-set should change.
Awake, Get up and Unite! Join enmass in the festival of selflessness.
You may be well aware that today’s administrative set-up and the
educational system are not capable of solving any concurrent issues. Hence it is better to turn spiritual, to
cleanse one’s mind . Follow the path’s difficulties and possibilities. One
can imbibe the messages given by great masters and apply them on a practical
plane. All negative vasanas are to be
thrown away. Ego and jealousy are the deadliest.
We can observe a lot from nature.
See how the motherland props up both the noblest and the most despised
at the same time. The sun giving equal amount of light to both the palace and
the mud hut. The moon drenching both the owner as well as the slave with its
gleam. The breeze that enters into the castle as well as the slum and embraces
one and all. The water that removes the dirt of the learned man as well as the
layman and quenches their thirst in equal measures. And finally, think of the
Eternal Witness who fills everything with His grace.
Avoid hate.
You may think that all these noble talks are difficult to practice but,
in the real case, they are very easy. The instruction regarding what to do (Dharma) and what not to do (adharma) is flashed into your mind as
and when the need arises. Sadly, we are not prepared to listen. Our conscience
is the best book for final reference, we must learn and familiarize with its guidelines.
Truth is to be held aloft and slowly all negativities will wither away. Man is
virtuous by nature. Nobody would like to be called an adharmic. A thief gets angry if he is called a thief and he is more
than pleased when addressed as satyavan. The natural goodness of man should be
enhanced by cultivating sterling qualities like selflessness, hardwork,
compassion etc. There is no time to sit
back and relax! The intellect should be extremely active. Every thought should
be scrutinized. Thereafter every word and deed. Because they are going to make
an impact on people.
When you set out for a task, obstacles are sure to follow. Don’t waver
even while facing death. Be brave and go ahead. It’s the dharma of the courageous.
We can fill the world with such virtuous people, said Vasishta the sage. Our five sense-organs and Mind are aligned in such a way that it can be put to good use for the benefit of the entire
world. Laziness has no place in this scheme of things.
Man is great. He is seeking freedom from bondage. Retrogressive customs
and blind faiths should be
discarded. Mankind can sustain its peace and happiness through
modernity. As a matter of fact, such a situation is not happening in modern times.
Innovations bring calamities too. Peace and happiness are still elusive. However,
one has to continue the efforts with common benefit in mind. Everybody should
get benefited and it should be sustained. Even death that’s the ultimate, can
put one in good stead. You’re trying your bit to end the discriminations and
inequalities, afterall. Great men have shown us how to set the noble ideas into
practice, giving examples in love and selflessness. They were never-ending
source of such ideals and spread those principles wherever they went. They were
brave men who also had compassion-filled hearts, showing no hatred even to
their detractors. Everybody was given access and all were taught to react
spontaneously to injustice. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any time to emulate
them as we were deeply mired in day-to-day existence. Bear in mind that everything is interconnected. People are like a flower garland and if one flower is decayed, it affects others too.
Get up. Be on the move. Do your bit for cleansing the world and to give
it some solace.
(09.10.1929)
(09.10.1929)
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