Goodness vs Greatness

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Question # 51 : Swami, how can we come up in life ?

Bhagwan : You have to work for it. It may be diffcult but it is desirable to

achieve it. In fact, everyone should strive to come up in life. So, it is said

, 'Aim high. Low aim is a crime.'One has to travel in the right direction and

reach the goal. Birth as a human being is meant for this purpose. Man has to

realise that he is essentially divine. One has to attain divinity. But this is

not as easy and as simple as it seems. After all, a fall is easy and quick too.

Take this example : As you come to Kodaikanal by bus climbing the hills , the

bus makes a lot of noise.Lorries also struggle and make loud sounds climbing

these hills and reaching Kodaikanal.But, the very same bus or lorry finds it

easy to go downhill.So is the case with human life too ! You have to struggle

and work hard to come up in life. But to fall from a height and ruin yourself

is easy, simple and quick.

Take another example : When you shoot an arrow, the more you pull it backwards

closer to the string, the arrow goes farther.Similarly, if you work more, your

success will be equally greater.A rocket, the moment it is launched with force,

jerks backwards and thereafter it gets relased into space where it rises with

burning flames.So, in life the amount of effort you put in decides your rate of

success.

Question # 52 : Kindly tell us how to achieve greatness in life ?

Bhagwan : Never allow this sort of idea to get into your head. You are mistaken

if you think that you have achieved something very special and unique by

becoming great.No, not at all. Becoming great in life should not be your aim.

There are several great people in society. I don't think this is important or

that this matters most.Goodness is superior to greatness. Instead of aiming to

be great , try to be good. It is far more important to be a good man than a

great man.

What is the difference between the two ? A great man sees man in God, while a

good man sees God in man.Ravana, as portrayed in the Ramayan, was undoubtedly a

great man. He considered Rama, the Lord, a mere man. But, Rama was an ideal good

man. Rama saw divinity in a bird like Jatayu, in squirrels and even rakshasas

like Vibhishana. Women like Sabari, illiterate people like Guha as well as

saints appear to Rama like His own reflections. So, Rama was good.So, you

should try to get the reputation that you are a good and not a great man.

- Satyopanishad, Volume 1 : Prof. Anil Kumar Kamaraju.

 

Jai Sai Ram

sherry jagdeoTrinidad, West Indies.