Control the Senses with vigilance

Innumerable are the instances in the sacred texts to warn human beings about the vigil to be kept over the Senses. They wield such a tremendous influence that at times even men who have undergone rigorous discipline cannot escape their stranglehold. The various methods suggested in the scriptures to control the Senses will strengthen a person's moral calibre. A little lapse and losing the sense of judgment for a second may make them get submerged in the sea of re-births. Those who have however conquered the temptations and resisted the wiles of physical charms will be led to God's abode. In the Ramayana, the Lord admired the exceptional conduct of Sage Sarabhanga, worshipped him and witnessed his ascension to heaven.

To illustrate how even men who have reached a ripe age may be no exception in yielding to lust, a story is told about a scholar, in his old age giving tuition to a charming princess. But his physical proximity to the girl emboldened him to make advances towards her covertly. He however knew that any open expression of his passion will result in his death. He told the king that his daughter was possessed of an evil spirit and that her presence would endanger the country. He asked the king to keep her in a box and cast it in a river, the sinister idea being that he could retrieve the box at a distinct spot and force her to marry him.

The king obeyed him but the box, even before it could reach the shorewhere the old man was waiting, was reclaimed by a prince who married her on the spot and replaced a bear inside it and let if float. The scholar, not knowing the change in the Divine plan took it to a lonely spot and opened it, eagerly awaiting the princess to emerge but was stunned to see the bear, which mauled him.

Another pathetic situation is recounted of a very wealthy old man who having got married to a young girl was forced to be ever vigilant as many young men started hovering around the house hoping to see her charming countenance. The aged man had also the responsibility to look after the lands ready for harvest. He had to run between the fields and the house all the time.

Sri M. Lakshminarasimhachariar in his discourse referred to the Vedic prayers to God that He should give men wisdom as that alone can ensure the right type of judgment. Lack of discrimination is bound to take a person to the periphery of disaster. Man to progress should entirely depend on the injunctions of the Vedas. Sagacity, respect for tradition and obedience to valid arguments of his brother, made Bharata agree to go back to the capital after getting an assurance from Rama that He would accept the kingdom on the completion of His exile.
                                                                                   April 20, 1995

Ignoring sane advice leads to ruin

It is a natural tendency among human beings to ignore the advice given to them by others. This arises out of the feeling that to do so will be an acceptance of their weakness and also because of over self-confidence. However to make such haughty persons correct themselves, wise men had pointed out about their wrongs in an oblique manner, by drawing their attention to instances where arrogance and disobedience to sane advice tendered, had resulted in their ruin. Such indirect reference have changed many but there may still be a few who defy even such valuable guidance.

Those pious men who extend such considered opinions will not mind the consequences as they know that truth is a bitter pill but that it is their duty to reform the turbulent. At best they may be made to face death but they are not worried about it because if destiny has so willed, they cannot avoid it. But no human being, however powerful he may be, can forcibly shorten the lives of others or has the power to extend the same even by a second or cause the birth of a child before it is due to be delivered.

The Ramayana illustrates how a lone personality Vibhishana took a bold stand to point out the crime that this brother Ravana had committed in abducting Sita. His name symbolises 'fearlessness' and unmindful of the outcome of his plain speaking, urged his brother to send Her back to Rama and thereby save his country and its citizens. But the ego in Ravana refused to give credentials to his views. Vibhishana reminded him of the daring acts committed by a lone monkey in destroying the entire city, a feat that was inconceivable and which could be achieved only by a super human force. When this warning failed, he cited the story of the most powerful but ruthless king Hiranyakasipu who was duly punished by God. He hoped that his indirect warning would at least set him thinking.

Sri Sukhi Sivam in his lecture said, Poet Kamban in his Tamil version of the epic has a chapter dealing with Hiranyakasipu's vengeful deeds and this part of the Divine poem is held as a brilliant portrayal of an evil character and as a piece of excellent poesy. Apart from Kamban's devotion to Lord Lakshminarasimha (God's incarnation in a man-lion form), the event shows that animal has strength and man, who lacks it, has wisdom. A combination of valour and intelligence can be found in 'Narasimha'. The demon king tortured his child in many ways but Prahlada totally relied on God, knowing that excepting the Supreme Lord, no one had the power to create or take away a life. In his advice to Ravana, Vibhishana referred to the downfall of even mighty men due to yielding to lust, keenness to amass wealth or appropriating others' property. But Ravana rejected his advice branding him as a traitor.
                                                                                   May 30, 1995

Meet challenges with tenacity of mind

Challenges in life are not uncommon hut courageous persons will not get demoralised by them. They will endeavour to face them and emerge victorious. However to meet various types of hurdles, four remedies are contained in the scriptural texts. First, the persons who are victimised should have absolute confidence that they will win with the help of Divine grace, unmindful of the hazards. Having taken a decision, they should not be upset by the mounting pressure, whatever be its magnitude

For instance, a student entering a new course may be initially baffled by the plethora of experiments and voluminous text books but what counts for his continuance is his firm decision. Second, they should pay attention to the task they have undertaken. Their attention should not be half-hearted. Next comes their cleverness to thwart external attempts to jeopardise their achievements. Lastly, should there be any necessity they should display their valour and thwart the bid to side-track their efforts. Success is sure to those who maintain the will to complete their job.

Again, there are three entirely different types even among the challenges so created. One is usually from Divine agencies, who may be keen to find out the sincerity behind the man's efforts. Obstacles may arise out of interference from one's kith and kin, who may try to dissuade him from his proposed venture, may be out of their desire to protect his interests. Third, there may be certain factors created by nature, preventing him from going ahead with his plans.

All these aspects have been portrayed in the life of Anjaneya in the Ramayana. He was assigned the responsibility to locate Sita kept hidden by Ravana in Lanka. With dogged perseverance, he achieved his goal. There were obstructions but he would not yield to them. He used his sagacity, talent and physical strength to overcome them. A study of the chapter in the epic that deals with his exploits, wisdom and valour will equip a reader with all the ingredients needed to face ordeals and conquer them.

Sri R. Kannan Swamigal in a discourse explained that Anjaneya was able to resist attempts to stall his search mission because of his devotion to the Lord and the power derived out of the recitation of God's names. Reliance on God and his determination to achieve his goal enabled him to solve all crises. He politely declined a warm reception extended to him, saying that he would not brook any delay in fulfilling his task and that he would accept the hospitality later. So too, when there was danger to his life, he took advantage of the occult powers of constricting or expanding his size.
                                                                    September 4, 1995

Moral Law inviolable in nature

The Law of Morality, which has very clearly and elaborately chalked out man's duty and responsibility has eternal validity and is inviolable. Some people may argue that brave men will oppose the rules and that only the weak will meekly throw themselves before destiny. But there are clear instances of the benefits derived by those who have zealously upheld this Law unmindful of the inconvenience. On the other hand, those who have disregarded the commands have been crushed. The masterly interpreter of this Law's intricacies, Bhishma has warned of the deadly effects of contravening it and the disastrous outcome flowing out of such daring disobedience.

The Law lays down that the words of one's mother, father and of a scholar should always be honoured and their desires carried out. In general, if a person is not in a position to do a good act, he should at least refrain from indulging in committing a misdeed. The sacrifices made by one's parents have no parallel. In the Ramayana, God incarnate Rama consoles His mother when she broke down on hearing about His exile, explaining that she has to take care of her husband and attend on him.

Unable to reconcile himself to the unexpected turn of events when Raffia was banished for no fault of His after all arrangements for His coronation were ready. Lakshmana, in anger and anguish points out that meek submission to fate is only a euphemism for cowardice. “Show me how this Law of Righteousness operates. I shall prick its bubbles by the tip of my arrow. Give me permission. My sword will annihilate discordant elements and I shall expose the king, who succumbing to passion, has agreed to send you to the forest.”

In his discourse, sri N. Babu Dikshidar said that even those who belittle the importance of the Moral Law, during their arguments, will unconsciously ask their opponents, “Are the statements you make Vedic imperatives?” The tendency to obey them is inborn though some may feel that they have no respect for it. When Lakshmana was enraged, Rama cooly reminded him that the very act of his seeking permission from Him to punish their father was itself a proof as how the Law works because even under fits of anger, he had not failed to obtain His approval.