The Duties of Life

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The Duties of Life

 

The blemishes of the heart have to be washed by

the moral life and the doing of one's duty. A

time may come when man becomes tired and

weak but he should then pray thus: Lord, things have gone

beyond my capacity. I feel further effort is too great a strain.

Give me strength, O Lord!

 

At first, God stands at a distance watching man's

efforts, like the teacher who stands apart when the student

writes out answers to his questions. Then when man sheds

his attachment to Bhoga (enjoyment) and takes to good

deeds, and Seva (service), God comes encouragingly near.

For He is like Surya Narayana, who stands waiting outside

the closed door; like the servant who knows the rights of

the master and his own limitations. He does not announce

his presence or bang the door. He simply waits. And when

the Master does but just open the door a little, the sun rushes

in and promptly drives out darkness from within. When His

help is asked for, He is present by the side of man, with

hands extended to render assistance. So, what is wanted

from man is only the viveka (discrimination) to pray.

again…

 

Sadguna Is Jnana

 

Jnana means understanding, but it is not just an

intellectual feat. " Eating " does not mean the placing

of food on the tongue. Eating is worthwhile only

when the food is chewed and swallowed and digested and

assimilated in the blood stream and transformed into muscle

and bone, into strength and vigour. So too, understanding

or Jnana, must permeate and invigorate all the moments of

life. It must be expressed through all the organs and senses,

through all the Karmendriyas (five senses of action) and all

the Jnanendriyas (senses of perception). To this high stage

man must reach.

 

Mere accumulation of learning is not Jnana. Only Sadguna (virtue) is Jnana.

 

In order that one might do seva, a little Bhoga (festivity) too has to be gone

through. Such Bhoga is a part of yajna (spiritual exercise, sacrifice). To make

this body-machine function, the fuel of Anna (food) has to be used. Anna is not

yajna, but it makes yajna possible. Therefore, eating food is not to be laughed

at as catering to greed, as udaraposhana. It is part of worship.

 

Puja is not merely the plucking of a flower and placing it on top of the image.

The gardener who toiled to nurse the plant that gave the flower is also a

worshipper. It is only when food is given that the body can function. Even the

means for a sacrifice is yajna.

 

All Karma done for the sake of three entities is sacrifice, viz., to utilise the

world for the worship of the Lord, to establish peace and justice in society and

to control and coordinate the functions of the body. The first is called Yagna,

the second, Dana (charity) and the third, Thapas (penance).

 

All human acts must subserve these three needs.Lord, the Jnana (wisdom) to

remember Him.

 

(Sharing with Sai Love)

Ram.Chugani

Ramchand Chugani <rgcjp