Abhayam /Fearlessness can
come only when we accept the reality of human
existence. Right knowledge will help us to overcome fear and lead a
peaceful and happy life. Jnanad eva tu kaivallyam.
What is the reality of human existence? It is though known, none wants to
accept it, even in the ripe old age. Millions around have gone and are
going to oblivion.
On any day millions of birds and animals are
slaughtered by men for meeting their palate. They don’t understand that their
own turn will come when nature will swallow them… sooner or later. That is the
stark reality. Then why angst at all ?
"Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard" is a poem that talks about the inevitability of death. This poem
expresses the sentiment known as memento mori: a reminder
of human mortality.
“The boast of
heraldry, the pomp of power,
And all that
beauty, all that wealth e'er gave,
Awaits alike the’
inevitable hour.
The paths of glory lead but to the grave.”
Does
anyone wish to be reminded about the reality of life? No, definitely not. They
want to enjoy the perishable pleasures again and again. None will be able or
wanting to say, thus far and no further.
Hence
the following report arrested the attention of the nation recently.
“An
85-year-old man who voluntarily walked out of a Nagpur hospital, for a young patient, died at his home.
Narayan Dabholkar was admitted to Indira Gandhi government hospital in Nagpur
after he tested positive for Covid-19.
Despite
dipping oxygen levels, Narayan Dabholkar went against the medical advice of his
doctors and opted for a discharge after he saw a woman
pleading to get her 40-year-old husband admitted to the hospital.
The
85-year-old reportedly told the doctors, “I am 85. I have lived my life. Saving the life of a young man is more important. Their children
are young...please give my bed to them.” (source- Internet)
This is the type of fearlessness
/
Abhayam one should strive to develop in one’s life ere long.
Be
happy. Be safe.
7 AM
If you desire liberation ( Mukthi)( Moksham) from the worldly sufferings Saint Ashtavakra advises:
ReplyDeleteमुक्थिमिच्छसि चेतात् विषयान् विषवत्य्ज !
क्षमार्जवदयातोषशत्यम् पियूषवद्भ्ज !!
1.You forsake your attraction towards objects of sensual pleasures Asif they are poison
2.You acquire the qualities of patience( kshama),compassion towards fellow beings( Daya),straightforwardness in your dealings ( Arjava) and above all truthfullness. You drink them like ' Amritam'. Can we?
Continuing I would like to quote Bhagavat Gita chapter 16 verse 1-3 which describes devine attributes which all of us strive to acquire:
ReplyDeleteश्रीभगवानुवाच |
अभयं सत्त्वसंशुद्धिर्ज्ञानयोगव्यवस्थिति: |
दानं दमश्च यज्ञश्च स्वाध्यायस्तप आर्जवम् || 1||
अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधस्त्याग: शान्तिरपैशुनम् |
दया भूतेष्वलोलुप्त्वं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम् || 2||
तेज: क्षमा धृति: शौचमद्रोहोनातिमानिता |
भवन्ति सम्पदं दैवीमभिजातस्य भारत || 3||
Meaning of the above slogas is that we should acquire the Devine qualities such as:
ReplyDeletefearlessness, purity of mind, steadfastness in spiritual knowledge, charity, control of the senses, performance of sacrifice, study of the sacred books, austerity, and straightforwardness; non-violence, truthfulness, absence of anger, renunciation, peacefulness, restraint from fault-finding, compassion toward all living beings, absence of covetousness, gentleness, modesty, and lack of fickleness; vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, bearing enmity toward none, and absence of vanity.
Yes,I fully agree with you Sarma sir.That is why the current theme of this blog is kept as... Abhayam.
DeleteThat is only one of the attributes.
ReplyDeleteI believe,Sir, if that one basic attribute..Abhayam.. is achieved in life,rest will follow easily but in its absence all others may have very limited use.
Delete