|| Shri Hari ||
Human body is considered to be the best (door way to Divinity).
“Labdhvaa sudurlabhamidam bahusambhaavante”
(Srimad Bhagwat 11/9/29)
God, showers grace without cause, confers human body by His utter mercifulness and kind grace –
Kabahuka kari karunaa nara dehi,
Deta isa binu hetu sanehi (Manas, Uttara 44/3)
As God has by mere compassion and grace given us the human frame, so also whatever circumstance He has given us is also given by Grace. Whether our actions are good or otherwise, whatever kind of actions we have done, is of little concern! The important thing is that the dispenser of their fruits is our supremely Dear Friend –
“suhrdam sarvabhuutaanaam” (Gita 5/29).
From worldly view-point, circumstance is of two kinds – pleasure-yielding and pain-yielding. But from spiritual point of view, the circumstance is not of two kinds. To them who want God Realization, there are no two kinds of circumstance. For God has given this human body only for His realization, has conferred the circumstance also for that very realization. Therefore, whatever nature of circumstance we have obtained – whether the most favorable of the favorable circumstances or the most unfavorable of the unfavorable circumstances or the circumstance of mixed nature i.e. favorable-cum-unfavorable circumstance – it is only meant for our spiritual welfare. Whatever nature of the circumstance is made available it is merely the instrument of God-Realization –
“Saadhan dhaam moksh kara dvaaraa (Manasa, Uttar 43/4)
He who is a“Bhogi” i.e. a seeker of sensual pleasures, to him the circumstance is of dual nature – pleasure-yielding and pain yielding. In Yogi’s view, however the circumstance is never of two sorts.
For accomplishment of spiritual well-being, an unfavorable circumstance is far better than the favorable circumstance. Why is it better? It is so because in a favorable circumstance there is a possibility of going down in the mire of worldliness, due of attachment, but it is not so in the midst of an unfavorable circumstance.’ Instead there is the manliness of walking only towards the God-head. For a seeker of God, only two things are of supreme value – withdrawal from worldliness and complete adherence to God. In a favorable circumstance we get attached to the world, thus there is effort involved in withdrawing from the world. But in an unfavorable circumstance, no effort is needed in the act of withdrawal from the world. Therefore, half of the ‘sadhak’s’ (aspirants) work is automatically done in the unfavorable circumstance !
Laalane taadane maaturnaakaarunyam yathaarbhake
Tadvadeva mahesasya niyanturgunadosayoh
As in nourishment and admonitions, never is there lack of mother’s grace! So too in control of merits and sins, never is there lack of the Lord’s grace!!
In loving the child or scolding him if need be, mother is never of two hearts; she is never devoid of grace or love. She is not just “devoid of grace” (akripa), rather there is a special grace in her scolding. When love swells in any mother’s heart, she will distribute sweets (laddus) to all the children playing at her home; but she will not slap all the children who are troubling her. She will slap only her own child. Likewise God showers favorable circumstances on all people alike, but God confers unfavorable circumstances only on those whom He has special grace, whom He regards His own dear devotees! In unfavorable circumstances, God’s special grace is obtained, sins are destroyed and progressive development is achieved. Whoever has become great in history, they have mostly progressed only in adverse circumstances. There have been very rare saints who have progressed in favorable circumstances.
Look, let me show you direct from life experiences. When any living being or creature gets suffering; then various well-intentioned people bid to see him free of suffering. But if instead there is a“Bhogi” person,, he will not get the support and cooperation of the others. He will not be liked by all. Saints may be happy with him, but everyone will not be pleased with him. The heart of pedestrians burns by seeing the “Bhogi” enjoying a car-ride. They do not co-operate with him; instead they oppose him. As people do not co-operate in Bhogi person’s pleasures, so in God too, there is a little indifference for them. As when the child is happy, enjoying the game, there is a little carefreeness in the mother’s heart, if not indifference. When the child cries and calls out, then the mother’s special care and attention is centered on that child. In the same way, there is God’s special grace on men that are suffering and in pain-yielding circumstance! As your co-operation with man in pain is both special and natural, so also God’s co-operation with devotees in pain and suffering is of special kindness and grace. In unfavorable circumstances, when a seeker becomes specially cautious, then he will progress; but if he begins to weep and bewail his lot, his development will be hampered. There was a child of five to seven years of age and his parents died. Now he is thirty years old. There is another follow who is thirty years of age, and has parents, grand-parents, brothers and sisters all alive. Who of the two will be more intelligent and clever Certainly, he who is an orphan. Reason being that progress or development in difficult and adverse circumstances is much more speedy and steady then in favorable ones! There is ever new progress during difficult times. What does it prove? That the circumstance that God has given us is only for our well-being, for our upliftment!
In enjoyment of “bhoga” (sense pleasures), intelligence deteriorates; it does not develop. It spells carelessness during pleasures. Sleep overwhelms during carefree atmosphere of more restfulness. Pain and anxiety are the enemies of sleep and carelessness. In an adverse circumstance if we take to spiritual practices, our course or practice will take wings because our sins get destroyed and special help and co-operation of saints, sadhus and God flow forth in our life.
Man becomes cautious during times of adversity and misfortune. He is not so careful in times of pleasure. Amidst pleasures he delights himself, his ego swells and he transgresses limits of righteousness
“hrsto drpyati drpto dharmadatikraamati”.
But a suffering man does not transgress righteousness.
A sadhus cannot visit the houses of highly rich persons, as they keep armed guards on the gates of their bungalows to block any person. No beggars have any access there. But any saint or sadhu can have an easy access to a poor man’s house; and he will get his “Bhikshaa” or ordinary edibles, bread etc. The poor man thinks as to what act of charity or goodness his merit may shine, his well-being may take place, some blessing of a saint may do him good! So he will serve the saints with alms etc., Whatever may be the feelings, he will give. But a rich man will not have these things in his heart. He will refuse and tell the sadhus etc. to buzz off.
Thus, not much good work can be done by a man of pleasure, because he is deeply immersed in sense-enjoyments. A suffering man does not sink in “Bhogas” (sense-pleasures); he remains indifferent. Therefore, he is good for himself, for others and for God; and so are all – God and people – good to him in his views. Thus the seeker should feel glad in difficult times; should feel blissful and blessed that God has by His kindness and grace, given him such an opportunity (of God Realization). Kunti understood this fact well; and that is why she prayed to God to bestow pain on her. She said “O’ Lord! Let adversity and misfortune be my lot always” –
“vipadah santu nah saasvattatra tatra jagadguro”
(Srimad Bhagwat 1/8/25).
Rantideva also said – “Let me suffer all the sorrows and miseries of all the unhappy ones in the world, so that they may be free from pains of the world!” –
“aartim prapadye’khiladehabhaajaamantahsthito yena bhavantyaduhkhaah” (Srimad Bhagwat 9/21/12).
What a strange prayerful demand! I should suffer the miseries of all – this is not an ordinary thing! This is a very high and a noble vision.
Things of pleasure and comforts are not for our enjoyment “Bhoga” . These comfort and pleasure giving things are for doing good to others, to help others. This body has not been given to us for sensual enjoyment – “Bhogas” –
“ehi tana kara phala bisaya na bhaai” (Manasa, Uttara. 44/1),
This body has been given for further spiritual development. Man should become eternally joyful, his sorrows should end forever! This human body has been provided only for fulfillment of this aim.
Listener – In good pleasurable times, every one is your companion; in bad times (during miseries and sorrows), nobody remains.
Swamiji – During time of suffering and misery, those who are enjoyer of pleasures (bhogis) will not come to your support. A gentleman showers his special grace on the suffering ones and extends his cooperation to them. Those who are friends only of pleasures are bhogis only. They desire happiness and comforts from you. They do not want your good or well-being. Those who give company during happy times are guile. They are deceivers. They themselves want to loot pleasure from you. But a gentleman wishes the good and well-being of others.
`gacchatah skhalanam kvaapi bhavatyeva pramaadatah,
Hasanti durjanaastatra samaadadhaati sajjanaah”.
i.e. If someone falls while walking and gets hurt, then an evil person will laugh at him. But a gentleman will say – “Brother! Where are you hurt? Where do you want to go? May we take you there?” Thus, during times of sorrow, a gentleman will lend you his full support and we register much progress during such times.
Narayana ! Narayana !! Narayana !!!
From book ‘Be Good’ in English by Swami Ramsukhdasji
www.swamiramsukhdasji.net
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