The Hindu : Basis of spiritual life

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 31, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Basis of spiritual life

CHENNAI DEC.31 . The Hindu way of life is based on the belief that there is a supreme power, which is beyond the ken of the human senses and intellect— existence of God. Those who believe in God follow the tenets of this religion with the objective of realising Him. This Reality can be inferred even by understanding how human beings function. One can easily discern that every organ in the human body has a specific power and also that the faculties are all interrelated and work in tandem to enable the individual to exist as a person. Then there is the life force, which is basic to every living being. The next logical query is, "What is the power which enables the life force in a being to function?"

In his benedictory address, Sri Jayendra Saraswati Swamigal said the Self (Atman) was the basis of life and ultimately the source of all existence. Hence a true believer cannot afford to have just faith in God but must also realise Him as the Self of all existence. A common human tendency is to shift the blame for one's predicament on God, especially in times of difficulties. A true devotee must be first convinced that the Self is the source of eternal joy and hence not responsible for one's lot in life. The joys and sorrows an individual faces are due to Karma he has accumulated in his previous births. The adage that one can reap only according to what one sows must be applied to the human predicament also. Further none can afford to be complacent without making effort to progress spiritually.

How many would recognise God even if He were to come in person? One can see from the Mahabharata that were several among those who lived during the Krishna incarnation who did not recognise His divine nature. An extreme case was Sisupala whose transgressions were tolerated by Lord Krishna 100 times. On many occasions Krishna enabled His devotees to envision His cosmic form. Yashoda was blessed with the vision of the entire universe inside the mouth of Krishna when He was a baby. When Krishna went as the envoy of the Pandavas He showed His cosmic form in the assembly of kings. The creator, Brahma was blessed with this vision when he hid the calves and children and Krishna assumed all their forms.

Arjuna was privileged to behold His divine form when Krishna expounded the truth in the Bhagavad Gita. Belief in God is the foundation of spiritual life and an aspirant must develop devotion and make effort to realise Him as the Self for attaining lasting joy.

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