| Sri Ramachandra pic- google images |
||Aum Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||
||Aum Namo Narayanaya||
According to the internet, competition in biology, ecology and
sociology is a “contest between organisms, animals, individuals, groups, etc.,
for territory, a niche, or a location of resources, for resources and goods,
mates, for prestige, recognition, awards, or group or social status, for
leadership”. Competition is the opposite of co-operation. It arises whenever at
least two parties strive for a goal which cannot be shared or which is desired
individually but not in sharing and co-operation. Competition occurs naturally
between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For example...
animals compete over water supplies, food, mates and other biological
resources. Humans compete usually for food and mates, though when these needs
are met deep rivalries often arise over the pursuit of wealth, prestige, and
fame. Competition is also a major tenet of market economies and business is
often associated with competition as most companies are in competition with at
least one other firm over the same group of customers, and competition inside a
company is usually stimulated for meeting and reaching a higher quality of
services or products that the company produces or develops.
It’s the Easter weekend and as the tourists flood the City,
we are found competing for recreational space, eating space, parking space and
for events to attend. Despite the inconveniences experienced, we appreciate the
positive spin-off on the economy and its impact on creating and sustaining jobs
in a province that significantly relies on tourism for its livelihood.
Although many options were milled through the minds of
many during this weekend, it was encouraging to note that the competition was
tipped in favor of spirituality rather than rudimentary, mundane
activity. Thousands of devotees queued patiently from early hours of the
morning at the famous Mount Edgecombe and Isipingo Temples to receive dharshan of the Divine Mother with
others also making their way to the local Ammen Temples to worship as well as
share in the sacred porridge prasad.
Her grace will ensure that our lives are full of joy and peace. Our brothers
and sisters of the Christian faith would have thronged to their Churches to
commemorate the crucifixion of Lord Jesus... and thousands of residents and
tourists alike joined in the colorful and jubilant Festival of Chariots hosted
by the International Society of Krishna Consciousness; singing and praising the
glories of God on the streets of Durban. Amidst all these crowded outdoor
activities are groups who quietly gather to study and intensify their
spirituality at retreats. The Ramakrishna Centre held its annual Easter retreat
where 300 devotees where taken through a journey and process by our Revered Swamijis
and Mataji that will assist in concretizing their faith and experiences through
life.
If you thought that these offerings were enough to
challenge your mind into making a choice, our attention is also being sort by
the most high profile court case in our recent history. The Oscar Pistorious
trial - which has been brought to easy reach of the globe and citizens of SA
via internet, social media, radio, television and dominating the print media as
well at present. The drama unfolding the courtroom with event re-enactments,
grueling cross examinations and emotional breakdowns cannot avoid the fact
that no matter which side the verdict swings on the scales of justice, the
truth shall and will only be known by Mr Pistorious... and if he is innocent,
he would have no fear, remorse, anxiety or guilt... and if guilty will have to
live with that for the rest of his life.
Every day and every moment in our lives we live out the
allegory of the Bhagvad Gita. On a daily basis, we experience a relentless
battle and competition between the ignoble and noble tendencies within us. The
results however overwhelmingly in favour of the former... statistically backed
by the cases of fraud, corruption, murder, abuse and other atrocities that
plague our lives.
Swami Vimokshanandaji Maharaj illustrated through His
inspiring blog: ‘The power and glory of Lord Rama’s name’ which essentially
underpins His divine and flawless character. Lord Rama is the collective
repository of virtue, truth, righteousness, love, compassion and all that is
pure and auspicious.
With Hanuman Jayanti still dominating my thoughts, I am
reminded of a specific incident in the Ramayana.
tatah ca hanumaan vaachaa
shlaksnayaa sumanojnayaa
viniitavat upaagamya raaghavau
pranipatya cha
ababhaase ca tau viirau yathaavat
prashashamsa ca
Then on nearing Raghava, that
Hanuman voicing softly and well pleasingly like an obedient one, that best
monkey befittingly hailed, greeted and praised those two valiant ones.
This symbolic episode speaks to a very beautiful universal
law. When you, like Lord Rama, are an embodiment of truth and righteousness... then
strength as represented by Hanuman will come to you uninvited. If you follow a
life of truth, you shall have no need for any fear, no need to cover your lies
and be afraid of anyone. Truth dispels fear and the strength to speak the truth
comes from the name of God. The life of Sri Ramakrishna’s father is an
exemplary example of this:
Khudiram’s
ancestral home was in a village named Dere in Hooghly district of West Bengal
in India. He lived there from his childhood, for about forty years. He lived
happily with his wife Chandra Devi, son Ramakumar, daughter Katyayani and his
beloved deities.
He
was moderately well-to-do. He had one hundred and fifty bighas of land, a pond and a house—in fact everything to meet the
needs of the family. A pond known as Chatterji Tank and a Shiva temple built by
them are still there.
The
landowner of the area was Ramananda Roy. He lived in Satbere, a neighbouring
village. Once he asked Khudiram to testify falsely against somebody in the
local court. How could Khudiram do it? He did not tell a lie even by mistake.
He knew that God loves truth. He, who loves truth dearly, sits on the lap of
God.
When
Khudiram refused to tell a lie the landowner threatened him saying: “I’ll grab
everything you have and drive you out of the village.” But Khudiram felt no
fear. He would go through any kind of suffering for the sake of truth. He would
not tell a lie and go far away from God. Isn’t realization of God the only
purpose of life?
The
landowner filed a false case against Khudiram and seized everything he had: his
land, garden, house, everything. With firm faith in God he went to Kamarpukur
where his friend helped him get on his feet.
In
that same way lord Jesus did not fear His life when His persecutors asked Him
to deviate from the truth He believed in. He took the harshest beating and
sacrificed His body and life for the truth, that TRUTH which is eternal and
nothing but Satchidananda.
May
the truth set you free and may your life be liberated by the grace of God is my
wholehearted prayer. Be safe and if you on the road this festive season, travel
with the grace and name of GOD.
Affectionately
Yours
Yogan
Naidoo
www.google.com/+YoganNaidoo
story of Sri Ramakrishnas father- Belur Math Website
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