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Vanara Gita 65: Learning to accept mistakes is a noble trait.
Gomukha, the Vanara, praises the Lord in this manner-
Aparādha śatam nityam kurvāṇām mām nṛsamshakam
Kshamasva dāsā bhudyā tvam hanuman karunānidhe.
Meaning- O Hanuman! O Lord who overflows with endless compassion! Considering me as your servant kindly forgive and protect me, the miscreant, who has been committing hundreds of mistakes every single day.
There is a very famous hymn with a very identical meaning to Parameshwara-
aparādha sahasrani kriyanthe aaharnisam maya,
Dāso yam ithi mām mathwa kshamaswa parameshwara
Meaning- O Supreme Lord! I have been committing thousands of wrongdoings. Treating me as your servant, please forgive and protect me.
Everyone commits mistakes. However, only a few accept their mistakes. Mahatmas accept even those mistakes that they have not committed. They will say, “Perhaps this mistake took place because of me. Maybe it was my fault. Ok, why all this fuss. This is my mistake”. So saying, they will simply accept it. The truth would be that they were in no way responsible for it. Yet, as they have been accused, they will accept by saying, “as far as I know, the mistake did not take place. It may have happened without my knowledge. But ok, since you are saying, it must be true. It is my mistake. I am responsible”. In this manner, they speak the truth yet at the same time they take upon themselves the responsibility of the mistake.
Mean, petty-minded people, on the other hand, will argue, “What is this? On what basis do you hold me responsible? I am meeting you for the very first time and you say that I have harmed you? How can I harm when I have not even entered into your home? Do you mean to say that I broke this object? I have never seen you holding the object and you say that I have broken it. How could it be possible?”
Such petty minded persons refrain from accepting their mistakes. They go to any extreme to prove themselves right. They declare that they do not have even the minutest idea about the mistake and that they were not present in the vicinity at that time. In-between, they will add tidbits of their inherent great traits and nature. They boast of the greatness of their lineage, their ancestors, their father, grandfather and of themselves. Tell me, who can ever help such persons? Only Hanuman should come to their rescue and set them right.
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Vanara Gita 64: Polluting the mind leads to downfall
At times, in this world, we come across persons who seem to playfully achieve spiritual success without any personal effort. How is this possible? It appears as if lady luck is smiling upon them for no apparent reason. This too is the outcome of the Lord’s grace. We have no idea of the efforts that they had put in during their previous births. We should understand that they are enjoying the resultant fruits in this birth.
Secondly, it is God who decides the kind of result He wishes to bestow for any spiritual practices upon any individual.
We experience both the good and bad results of our earlier actions. Just because Swamiji is saying this, it is incorrect to keep waiting for the other person to experience the results for his past sins at the earliest. ‘When will problems begin in his life?’- there are people who wait for neighbours to land into difficulty. They fret when others successfully clear their exams. Instead of concentrating on their own studies and preparing well for the upcoming exams, they focus eternally on the competitor. Instead of going with the flow, they choose to go against the tide.
It is better to move on without focusing and wasting time on useless doubts. Entertaining wasteful doubts pollutes one’s mind. In addition these qualities cause one’s own downfall. Polluting the mind leads to one’s downfall.
Vanara Taruna says that everything happens only due to Hanuman’s will. He firmly believes that every step takes place with Lord’s will. ‘Let the life’s events unfold as destined by the Lord. I shall unfailingly hold on to the Lord’s feet and meditate solely upon Him. This is my duty. I will not leave him because of unpleasant events that land on my head.’ This is the correct attitude.
The entire secret is embedded in the word ‘Hanumad ajna’ i.e. Hanuman’s command. Only the person who understands this logic sails through life easily. Those who don’t understand will continue to lament that the other person who does nothing gets rewarded for no apparent reason. Due to such persistent thoughts he will continue to rotate in difficulties. He will also acquire demonic tendencies; become slack in devotion and will move in the wrong direction. To add to the distress, he will find that success shines even more brightly upon the person who apparently does nothing. That person will be inching closer to the goal.
Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/vanara-gita-episode-64-polluting-the-mind-leads-to-our-downfall/
Vanara Gita 63: Undertake sadhana without expecting any results.
We have discussed that even an ant cannot move unless it is ordained by the Lord! At the same time there are scriptures which declare that success is the result of one’s personal efforts. How to reconcile these statements? Here, it should be understood that without God’s command, the person would not even be inclined towards putting in his personal efforts.
At times, in this world, we come across persons who seem to playfully achieve spiritual success without any personal effort. How is this possible? It appears as if lady luck is smiling upon them for no apparent reason. Their easy success causes immense jealousy in everyone especially in that devotee, who is really putting in tremendous efforts to reach the goal.
Due to envy, this devotee now begins to think- “Ah, I have been working so hard but have seen no success. However, without any effort, he has achieved great spiritual success”. That’s all. With such retrograde thinking, all his efforts which he has put in till date have gone down the drain. Upon seeing other devotees, if he thinks, ‘Look, I am so devoted. But it is he who is getting all attention. He is so close to Swamiji’, then remember that all the devotion and efforts put in so far have simply been washed out.
Instead, one should think, “One day even I will get such luck” and with this belief if he continues his sadhana uninterruptedly, then in all probabilities, he will surely get this luck one day. The other acceptable alternative is to think- “Not being bestowed with such luck is also acceptable to me.”
If, on the other hand, he thinks, “Oh, I am not so lucky, I will never ever get such wonderful chance”, he will never secure it. At the same time, to secure God’s grace, spiritual efforts should not be undertaken with an expectation that it will unquestionably yield successful results. The focus of the aspirant should not be upon the end result but on the efforts to be put in by him.
He should learn to think– “I will continue to put in my efforts irrespective of whether I am to be blessed by Him or not. I undertake my sadhana solely because I love it”. Sadhana when undertaken with such attitude will undoubtedly be successful.
Why are certain people acquiring spiritual successes easily in life without any strenuous personal efforts on their part? Here, it is to be understood that it is happening due to God’s will. It is the efforts that they had put in during some prior birth, which is paying off in this birth.
We cannot even visualize the efforts that any person is putting in within this birth. How then are we to know about the efforts that he had put in during any previous births? Outwardly, it may appear as if the person is not even putting in the required basic efforts during this birth. It appears as if he arrives, pays his obeisance to the Lord and then sits simply. He does not recite any mantra nor write it. What we cannot visualize however, is the efforts that he is putting in within his mental plane. We cannot observe his mental prayers.
Our observation being limited to his physical movements, we tend to think, “Without any efforts on his part, he is securing so many blessings. I have written the mantra crores of times; yet Swamiji does not even look into my face. That person has written just once or twice, but look, Swamiji is speaking so affectionately to him.” With this statement the result of all the 10 million mantras that you had written up to now is simply washed down the drain.
Why are you bothered about others? You do not know in which birth, and how many crores of mantras that person has written. A change should be brought in our way of thinking- “Oh, his efforts of some previous birth are bearing fruit now. If I undertake my sadhana to the best of my ability in this birth, then in some future birth I may reap its benefit”. This is good.
“Oh, what is the use of all my efforts that I have put in so far? I might as well stop writing the nama from now on”. The person who decisively thinks in this manner will be a total loser on both counts. The merits of the nama japa done to-date has already been washed out for reasons explained above and hereinafter as he has decided to discontinue the same, there cannot be any further accumulation in this aspect. This is the worst possible outcome.
The type of result that should be bestowed for any sadhana performed by someone, be it in this birth or any previous births, rests solely with the Guru. He will decide what type of reward is to be showered for the sadhana performed. As He knows the past history of one and all, He chose to speak to that person who had recited the mantra only 10 times in this birth. What could be wrong in this?
Time is just an endless flow. It is best to go with the flow of time. The one who completely restrains his mind and goes with the flow will emerge victorious. He will successfully cross over this vast ocean called samsara. Even the best swimmer cannot swim against the current (tide). Likewise, it is foolish to go against time.
Entertaining such needless doubts only ruins the person who would have just taken the baby steps in spiritual sadhana. Due to these doubts, he will completely bring to a halt all these spiritual activities. He is harming his own mind. It is self-destruction.
Om Namo Hanumate namah
Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/vanara-gita-episode-63-learn-to-undertake-sadhana-without-expecting-any-results/
Vanara Gita 62: Self-efforts or God’s will- which of them yields results?
The next hymn is composed by a Vanara by name Taruna-
Hanumādagnayā yachha bhāvi tatbhavati dhṛvam
Yada bhāvi na tatbhāvi vṛdhā dehaparisramaha.
Meaning- If Hanuman ordains that an event should materialize, it will inevitably materialize! If Hanuman wills that an event should not happen, it can never materialize! Nothing can change this. This being so, all these physical exertions and efforts that we consider essential and obligatory may be actually unnecessary.
Vanara Taruna says that it is only Hanuman’s will that gets executed at all times! When this is the reality, what is the logic in worrying about physical efforts, which in reality are useless? Instead one should wisely spend his time contemplating upon that which is truly useful.
Only when experience (anubhava) acquired by the person has reached its zenith, can a hymn of such essence be composed! Only he, who due to his ripened, complete experience has surrendered all his actions to the Lord, can praise the Lord in this manner! In its absence, it is impossible.
Our destiny is pre-ordained. It has already been inscribed upon one’s forehead by Lord Brahma. It has all been computerized a very long period before. Even the smallest event that takes place during a day has been pre-destined. Events materialize exactly per Lord’s will!
Very similar to the individual destiny is the destiny of this entire universe. Every event and movement pertaining to this universe is pre-destined. Every action in this world takes place totally in conformity to this. Destiny creates false impression that it accommodates alterations when in reality it cannot be altered even by a minute fraction.
It is said that unless ordained by Lord Shiva, even an ant cannot bite a person. However, if ordained by the Lord, just an ant bite can prove fatal to the person! Without Shiva’s command, even an ant cannot move!
Observe this creation. Who provides food to the frog that is hidden deep amidst huge rocks? Frogs in certain areas burrow deep into the ground and hibernate for six months. Which force ensures their survival during this period when they do not consume any food? Isn’t this strange? The same is the case with the white polar bears. They hide deep within the caves which are enveloped with snow and live there for a year without any food.
While we agree that everything moves per the Lord’s will, it is also true that many scriptures stress upon the need for personal efforts in order to see success. Both statements appear contradictory.
Isn’t it true that nothing can be achieved in the absence of one’s own efforts? If someone were to predict that you would receive the Supreme Lord’s blessings in a couple of days, then would you not simply sit waiting for the stipulated date and time? Is it correct? Shouldn’t you put in the required efforts during that time?
Suppose any Guru were to foretell to his devotee that in seven years he would taste spiritual success, then during this period of seven years, this devotee will commit the worst mental sins, that were otherwise unimaginable. He will thus misuse his time. How can he achieve any success within seven years? Forget seven years, even after seven births such a person will not taste success.
In case the Guru predicts success at the end of seven years, it implies that the disciple’s stringent efforts during this period will yield positive results at end of seven years. Here it is an indication to increase his efforts. The disciple should think – “after I achieve accomplishment, I may not have the time for completing my sadhana. Hence let me try to complete as much as I can before I reach that state”. With such planning, he should in fact accelerate his efforts. With such multifold efforts, the results will be extra-ordinary.
The hymn states that every incident happens only on account of God’s will. The scriptures state that without personal efforts nothing can be achieved. Both these appear contradictory. How can any reconciliation be brought out between the two theories?
Here, it should be understood that without God’s command, the person would not even be inclined towards putting in his personal efforts. In the example given above, the disciple will not get the inclination to accelerate his spiritual disciplines unless and until this has been ordained by the Supreme Lord. It should be interpreted that the personal efforts being put are also entirely due to God’s grace upon him.
Om Namo Hanumate Namah
Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/vanara-gita-episode-62-self-efforts-or-gods-will-which-of-them-yields-results/
Vanara Gita 61: How are virtues and sins classified? ..contd.
Lord Hanuman had to enter the inner apartments of Ravana’s palace as a part of his search for Mother Sita. Here, He had to face a test. He witnessed many ugly scenes that should not be witnessed. With this, Hanuman began to ponder, “With the intent of undertaking a meritorious task, I came here in search of Mother Sita. Unfortunately I have seen those scenes that should not be seen. Due to this, did I commit any sin? Oh my God, what did I do? Perhaps some trace of sin would have attached to me.”
Through this, Hanuman taught the world some important lessons of life. He teaches that every being in this world should constantly reflect about the right and wrong results of his/her actions.
In such a situation, the intellect (buddhi) firmly resolves and gives its final judgment to the mind whether the deed is virtuous or sinful in nature and hence whether it should be taken up or not! The mind will get its instructions- ‘Do this’ or ‘Don’t get into this’.
No sin or virtue can attach to anyone merely because he has seen or heard something. On the other hand when the mind is inclined towards sinning, sins attach to the person irrespective of whether he has physically seen the deed with his eyes or not. Likewise, where the mind is inclined towards meritorious deeds, virtues automatically accrue to the person.
In other words, where the mind is attached towards good deeds, virtues accrue and where the mind has a longing towards evil and sinful thinking, sins accrue. For this reason, it is imperative to control the wavering mind.
These mental evildoings are several times more sinful than the physical offences! Mentally we commit innumerable offences at all times. For example, we crave for everything in this universe. We think about many unnecessary and useless topics. We criticize and comment upon others. We find faults in their speech. All of these are wasteful activities that should be forcibly controlled. There is absolutely no need to think about all these. The mind should be reined to think only good at all times.
The king (ruler) of the land punishes the person for the mistakes committed physically, however, it is Yama, the Lord of death, who punishes the being for the mental sins committed- antaḥ prachchanna pāpānām shāsta vaivasvato yamah.
It is easy to inflict punishment upon the body. The ruler of the land takes up this responsibility. The body can be tied and beaten for its mistakes. But who will take up the responsibility of imposing punishment for the sins mentally committed? No person or ruler can issue punishment for such sins. Who will then take the responsibility of punishing such sinners? The Supreme Lord inflicts punishment for mental sins as He is the witness.
Had Hanuman decided that what he had seen was really sinful in nature and with this conclusion had he given up searching for Sita, then can we imagine what would have happened? If he had to sit remorsefully thinking- ‘Oh my God, I have sinned. Now what should I do? How should I atone for these sins? What have I done?’ then He would have not made any progress.
Instead, he wisely decided that his Lord knew whether his actions were sinful in nature or not. Hence he left the net result in the hands of the Lord. He decisively reined in his mind, continued his search for Mother Sita and emerged victorious.
Likewise, the living beings while living in this visible external world, should completely restrain the mind and emerge victorious. Have we not discussed earlier that mental wrongdoings are far more sinful than physical sins? It is very important therefore to restrain the mind. Even when living in this world and even when experiencing the resultant joys and sorrows, the being should continue his righteous activities. Under no circumstances, should he take his focus away from God. There should be the in-depth realization that ‘He’ is the only saviour of one and all.
Mareecha the Vanara, has passed on to this world such an important lesson through his hymn. This is a lesson that periodically everyone should recollect.
When we evince interest and ponder over the life of true devotees; their methods of worship; the mental penance and the harsh physical penance that they performed, we too develop a desire to emulate them and live in that manner.
Permanent link to this article: https://puttugam.com/vanara-gita-episode-61-how-are-virtues-and-sins-punya-papa-classified-contd/
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