The Hindu : Remember God always

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 08, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Remember God always

CHENNAI JAN. 8 . Scriptural texts exert considerable influence over mankind by virtue of their capacity to educate, instruct and guide about higher life. The Mahabharata in particular is a reference point for all times, since it encapsulates the entire spectrum of knowledge and wisdom. This encyclopaedic work chronicles God's direct discourse. It is a byword for ethics with its unequivocal projection of what is virtue and Adharma. Above all, it adheres to the Upanishadic teaching of the nature of the Supreme Being.

In his lecture, Chinthalavady Sri K. Ramamurthy dwelt on the correlation between scientific concepts and philosophical thoughts. The Mahabharata contains a wealth of detail on management and human resources, political governance, concepts of space and time, weaponry and warfare. The discerning may well marvel at the fund of perspectives that the epic throws up. Saints have highlighted the fact that "after going through all sources of knowledge and deeply contemplating on the same again and again, the key lies in meditating on the indwelling Narayana, to know everything He leads us to knowledge and all knowledge lead us to Him."

The methodology of leading a successful life, both spiritual and worldly, lies in remembering God during all activities, physical, mental and spiritual. Such focussed energy provides the basis for the success of any endeavour and the formula for virtuous living revolves round that factor. The Supreme Being protects and sustains the entire universe. Over several lives the soul gains knowledge about itself and the Supreme. The source material for this is threefold— from life experiences, logic and scriptural works. The last tool helps to shed ego and progress towards the Supreme. A concerted effort of all the three will help to gain redemption from rebirth.

Every individual can empathise with the epic's characters. The Kurukshethra war is an eternal one raging within everyone. To emerge victorious one has to realise the imperishable Lord present within. Therein lie the lessons of the Mahabharata, which is essentially the sum and substance of Vedic knowledge and wisdom. As Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, "the wise man who realises Me as the Supreme Person— knowing all he constantly worships Me with his whole being. (Arjuna), this most esoteric teaching has thus been imparted by Me; grasping it in essence man becomes wise and his mission in life is accomplished."

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