Issue 252 - October 31, 2021 | | How can we attain permanent happiness while living in the world? | | Answer:
अस्थिरं जीवनम् लोके अस्थिरं यौवनं धनम् | अस्थिरं दारा पुत्रादी सत्यम कीर्ति द्वयम् स्थिरं धर्मम् कीर्ति द्वयम् स्थिरं ||
asthiram jeevanam loke, asthiram yauvanam dhanam asthiram dara putradi, satyam kīrti dvayam sthiram dharmam kīrti dvayam sthiram
Meaning: In this world, life is transient; youth and wealth are transient; family and children are all transient. The only things that are permanent are truth, righteous conduct and a good reputation.
Everyone wants happiness in this world. From an animal to man —no one wishes to suffer or experience sorrow. The scriptures say that man is ever thirsty for bliss. Man is ever-thirsty for bliss. However, not knowing where to attain it, he keeps looking for it everywhere, like the musk deer that has scent in its own navel, but does not know where the fragrance is emanating from; searches all around the forest, gets exhausted as it is unable to find the source. But, when it bends its head towards its belly, it discovers that the source of the fragrance was right within itself, and not outside. Searching for happiness in the outside world leads only to disappointment. With a little wealth, a name, a few friendships and some comforts and conveniences, one may be able to experience pleasure for some time — but, like the passing seasons, this pleasure will pass.
Fifty years ago, one rupee was a good amount of money. You could go to a wayside hotel and buy lunch for 50 paise and still have enough left over for dinner. Today, the same meal will cost you 50 rupees! There is no value in just one rupee anymore. Money may have some value today, but tomorrow, the value vanishes. So, can you put your faith in money?
In a movie, many scenes come and go. There may be a war taking place on the screen, with a lot of bloodshed—but there is no blood on the screen. It is all just a drama — māyā nātaka (the drama of divine illusion). Because the screen is permanent and steady, you are able to see the film. If the screen was also in motion, the film would be too confusing to understand. If the road was shaking whilst you were walking, would you be able to walk at all? When you are born, you are called a 'child'. Later, you are referred to as a 'youth'. After some years, people refer to you as a 'man'. Eventually, they say you are an 'old man'. Changes are constantly taking place in your body. Then what is the truth? Are you a boy, a man or an old man? All these are temporary states; there is nothing permanent in this transient life. Temporary world can give pleasures that are temporary. So, base your life on that which is permanent and steady, then your life will also become steady; only then will you be able to find permanent happiness. Realise your divinity, strive for the bliss that is the consequence of knowing the ultimate truth of one's existence as Divine; that happiness alone can be permanent.
An excerpt from 'Spirituality 101' authored by Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, Pg no.145, 146 and 147. | | Excerpt From Divine Discourse | | In the above video, there is this character, a panda named Po. He is quite upset with the situations and circumstances which life throws at him. He has set a goal for himself to achieve but feels he is not competent enough, based on the talks and judgment of others around him. He continues to fail, and all his efforts of self-motivation go in vain because he lends his ears to the demoralising words of others, who judge him by his physical frame and not the inner potent.
Often times, we find ourselves in a similar situation like Po - the Panda. We lend ears to the discouraging negative judgments that others around us and fail to recognise the potential lying deep within us. In short, we fall prey to the tricks of this world. We tend to lose our self-confidence and start doubting our abilities, questioning our fate and the mysterious ways of God.
When we are at our wits end, having exhausted all our efforts, then it is an indication that the proverbial right time has arrived. For, it is the time for a master / guru's entry into our lives to shine a light for the way forward.
When Po was left confused, heartbroken, perplexed, and not knowing the way forward, Master Oogway (turtle) enters the scene and guides him. He shows the path and clears all his doubts in the simplest way possible. He says that - we either keep brooding over our past or the impending future. We keep worrying about the mistakes committed or speculate over the actions to be performed in the future. What we really miss in this bargain is 'to live in this present moment'. Master Oogway beautifully captures the essence of all the ultimate wisdom, and encapsulate it in the following phrases:
Yesterday is a history, Tomorrow is a mystery, But today is a gift, that is why it is called Present!
Our dearest Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai is reiterating the same wisdom, so that we can live the present, which will set right our past and the future, automatically. jñānīs - the wise ones live in the present moment without thinking about the past or the future. That enables them to contribute completely and efficiently to the welfare society. Neither past or future is in our hands. What is, is the present! Therefore, Sri Sathya Sai Baba always said, "Present is Omnipresent."
Dear brothers and sisters, let us follow the pristine path shown by our Master and reach our destination, discovering our true Selves within and help many more treading on this path. | | | | | | |
Entradas
