July 5, 2017 archive

We yield good results only if we remain united. Let us discuss about an example now.

When Sree Rama was in search of Sita devi, Hanuamn became his devotee and Sugriva, his friend. With the friendship of Sugriva, Sree Rama had obtained a big army. Sree Rama could find out many new things by sending the army in different directions. By sending Hanuman, Sree Rama almost won over Lanka and Sita devi obtained great respite from grief. All this had happened only because of the united work of humans and the vanaras (monkeys). Everyone knows Ramayana. There can’t be anyone who does not know about it.

When Sree Rama started for victorious journey towards Lanka along with the vanaras, the ocean objected their way. For Sree Rama, who is capable of ferrying us from the samsara (cycle of births and deaths), crossing this ocean was not at all difficult. There is happiness only in doing our work/duty. Sree Rama knows this. Hence, he requested the God of ocean to make way for him. He then told Sree Rama to build a bridge across it with the help of Nala and Neela. This was the boon Sree Rama got. He further stated that he will take care of the bridge such that it does not collapse. He stood by his words. When all of us remain united, even impossible things will become possible. Many chiefs of the vanara sena helped in the construction of the bridge other than Nala and Neela. The bridge was constructed in very few days. The role of Hanuman and Vibhishana at the time of war cannot be forgotten. That war between Sree Rama and Ravana cannot be described in words. It is so amazing. They have rendered their help tremendously for Sree Rama and made him emerge victorious. With their help, entry into Lanka became very easy. In order to protect Sree Rama and Lakshmana, who remove the sufferings of the world; Garuthmanatha descended down to render his help. Indra sent his vehicle, Matali and offered his help to Sree Rama. Sage Agastya blessed him with Aditya Kavacha and indirectly propelled Sree Rama towards victory. With the help of so many people, Sree Rama destroyed the sufferings of the world and upheld dharma.

We remember a proverb – United, we remain happy. Each and every one must read Ramayana. There are many role models for us in it. Following Ramayana will make this entire world happy. This is the wonderful message that Ramayana gives us. Many neglect reading it. But, Ramayana teaches lessons for our life. IT teaches us that only if we remain united, we get good results.

Jai Guru Datta! Sri Guru Datta!

There are many rules that are prescribed by scriptures. Out of them, many of them are our customs that have been passed to us since many generations. But, many a time, when the future generations implement such customs, there is a possibility of contradiction. At the time of calamity, our elders might have committed some mistakes knowingly. For instance, India was occupied by foreigners and they ruled her for hundreds of years. The life of people became highly disorganized. It became very difficult to follow the customs and traditions. Hence, our elders had to sacrifice certain rules of dharma and adopt temporary rules (dharma at the time of crisis). In this way there are two possibilities.

One is sacrificing the prescribed dharma and adopting newer dharma at the time of crisis. The second possibility is that the selfish minded people might have rejected the procedures followed by our elders and they would have implemented some other new procedures for their benefit. Few people might have given new customary methods to the society by the nature of their position, education etc. There is also a possibility that our customs might have become contradictory because of this.

When the fetus is unhealthy, then it must be removed from the womb of the mother. Else it will cause harm to the life of the mother. By doing so, either the mother or the family will not get the sin of killing the fetus. Similarly, if the traditions that are followed from generations together appear conflicting, then we need not follow them. We definitely do not incur sin by sacrificing them. Instead if such customs are practiced, then it might become hazardous to the health of the society at large. Hence, it is advisable to immediately leave such evil customs and traditions. However, we must never try to give up the customs just because we have some innovative idea. Similarly, we need hang on to the evil customs. We must instead try to develop affection towards the rightly followed customs. This is our duty. 

With the grace of the primordial Guru Lord Datta, may all the humans get the energy to support and follow dharma. We must not convert the customs according to our whims and fancies. At the same time, when a custom is followed foolishly and we are struck with problems as a result of that, then we may act accordingly. You should not give up completely.

Assume that you are ill because of a disease. You do not even possess the energy to bathe or meditate. When you are hale and hearty but do not meditate, go to temple, ponder over spirituality, then it cannot be called dharma. It is not the timely dharma. It is sin. There is exemption only in few situations. But, we take such exemptions as per our convenience. If the climate is very cold and you suffer from body pains, you need not get up at 5 am. You may sleep till 7 am. But, when the climate is good, you sleep till 8 am. How can this be called dharma (righteousness)? It is adharma (unrighteousness)! Let us discuss later in detail.

Jai Guru Datta! Sri Guru Datta!