| Happy Spring Google images |
||Aum
Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||
I
went to bed on Friday night with a huge smile, as the heavens gave some life
support in the form of rains to resuscitate the lands that were infected with
winter. Injecting freshness and energy into the air by way of lightning and
thunder, the canvas was being prepared. Yesterday, as I got up, I was greeted
with a surprise when I noticed that all the cars were laden with dust and dirt
- a clear indication that nature had taken its role as the artist and was
cleaning its brush in preparation to fill the landscape with exotic blooms, new
foliage , stunning canopies and inspiring avenues. Happy Spring everyone! Let
new impetus, cheers and hues fill your lives.
Today
is juxtaposed between vibrant life and utter devastation. The month of August
carries the burden of epoch moments that history will carry for eternity. On 6
August 1945, the world witnessed the devastation of the first atomic bomb,
followed 3 days later by another, creating unprecedented devastation in Japan.
To this day even when one goes through the archives of the pictures of that
day, it still holds the potential to weaken one at the knees and make the heart
cringe. Such has been our course of history -event after event highlighting
man's gluttony for "karmani" and "kanchani" (pleasure and
wealth). In the pursuit of such... man has killed man, enslaved man and
tortured man... and through these hardships many heroes were created. In this
month of August, date 28th, in the year 1964 - the oppression in America
brought to the fore a great hero. Dr Martin Luther King like the Gandhi's
and Mandela’s of the world, fought for the freedom and liberty of the oppressed
from men who in pursuit of the two K’s trample their own kind. But there is a
time that even these heroes cannot contain the moral and social decay; the
total anarchy and lawlessness. When the world goes topsy-turvy against enemies
that are not visible, creation deploys an atomic bomb of another kind called
the "Avataar". On 28 August 2013, we celebrated the appearance
of Krishna Bhagavan who came to annihilate ignorance, weakness and restore
"dharma" and order in society.
On
the eve of Janmashtami, I was literally reduced to tears when I came across a
few YouTube videos where leaders from other faiths were capitalising on the
ignorance of many Hindus and placing them in such an embarrassing situation...
forcing many to convert to their religion. I found no reason for such an act
other than the pursuit of power by increasing their congregation numbers and
followers. If everybody of the varied religion is born, lives, suffers, enjoys
and dies - it proves that there is a universal, impartial energy that presides
over us. Watching these videos contributed instantly to neutralise the good
vibrations that were created since the beginning of Gita Week. I felt utterly
sad and disappointed and questioned Swamiji(Vivekananda) as to how He could
allow such things to happen in the world.
Swamiji
who never fails to answer... presented to my mind in the few remaining awaking
moments before Janmashtami an episode from the Mahabharata which instantly
revitalised my mood and cleared my mind clouded with despondency.
The
war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas was now looming, and Arjuna was
tasked to go to Dwaraka to seek the assistance of Krishna. When Arjuna reached
Dwaraka, he found to his surprise that Duryodhana was also camping to seek help
from Sri Krishna. His purpose was to ask for Sri Krishna's army to fight on his
side. The next day, Duryodhana reached the palace of Sri Krishna and was told
to wait for a while as Sri Krishna was asleep. Soon Arjuna also went.
Duryodhana took his seat at the head of the Lord, while Arjuna sat at the Holy
Feet. In a while, Sri Krishna opened His eyes to see His dear friend and
disciple at His feet. Said the Lord: "O Arjuna, what brings you here so
early in the morning?"
But
Duryodhana could not wait, he intervened and said: "O Krishna, I have come
before Arjuna. Therefore, please speak to me first."
The
Lord jested, "But I saw Arjuna first. Let him talk to me first."
But
the sober Arjuna himself told the Lord, "No, Duryodhana is right. He has
come before me. Let him put forward his purpose of visit."
Thus
given chance, Duryodhana asked of Sri Krishna to fight on his side. Sri Krishna
said: "But Duryodhana I have vowed not to pick up arms in this war. But
the army can be on your side. Decide what do you want, me or my army."
The
foolish Duryodhana thought... "There is no use of Sri Krishna if He is not
fighting, I will ask for His huge army." Thus the army of Sri Krishna went
to the side of Kauravas. Arjuna was pleased for all the Pandavas wanted was the
gracious Lord on their side. He thanked Duryodhana for his choice.
We
all know the result of the war. The Pandavas, by the mere grace of Sri Krishna
was able to wipe out the entire Kaurava army which had a battalion of
hundreds-of-thousands. Clouded and blinded by the pursuit of power and
greed we forget our true nature and the relationship of every other entity in
relationship with us. Power and wealth is not about gathering a huge army and
conquering treasuries, but as Swami Vivekananda said: "It is about
realising the potential divinity within every one of us and ensuring that the
divinity is the driver behind every action and thought... and no matter which
religion you belong to this will be the only truth which everyone will realise
one day."
May
through the grace of the World Teacher (Jagat Guru) Sri Krishna... everyone
understand his /her true nature as "satchidananda". And as we
await to celebrate that epoch speech of Swamiji on 11th September, where He
presented to the world the eternal universal message of Vedanta...
sectarianism, bigotry, and it’s horrible descendant fanaticism... have long
possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence,
drenched it often with human blood, destroyed civilisation, and sent whole
nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society
would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time will come; and I
fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honour of this
convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the
sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending
their way to the same goal.
With
love and prayers always
Yogan
www.sudarshanavidya.blogspot.com
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