The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Fundamental of all dharmas

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Thursday, Sep 16, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Fundamental of all dharmas

CHENNAI, SEPT. 16. God can remain in complete ecstasy without taking up creation thereby giving man avenues to criticise Him. To show that he is in no way concerned about the process of creation or the outcome thereof, He chooses to take a break between cycles of creation, whereupon His consort, concerned for the jivas (selves) urges Him to restart the cycle for the benefit of the jivas.

In her discourse, Smt. K. Gomathi, said that what is latent in the selves is patent in creation. Some adore God, some abuse Him while a few others are indifferent to Him. During creation all three types segregate and resolve into clear groups. This tripartite classification is the basic and motive force behind each man's activity. In situations such as Kurukshetra or occasions such as Janmashtami, the nature of man with respect to his orientation towards God becomes obvious and finds spontaneous expression.

Scholars state that in the time-tested cycles of creation each jiva undergoes thousands of lives, which is why it is not possible to comment on any particular life form. Arjuna's dilemma on the battle-field did not stem from a moral high ground against war per se, but a humane reaction to taking up arms against kinsmen. The Lord advised him to fight without passion or ill will since that which is imperishable (self) could not be killed or caused to be killed. Just as we cast off old clothes and don new ones, so too does the embodied self give up a decrepit body and enters another one. The essence of the Lord's above teaching is perennial, as is Arjuna's distress. The rights and wrongs of a situation are inviolate and what is essential is the right frame of mind in tackling the same. All of us are confronted with the painful duty of having to face up to situations which are a Hobson's choice. But getting egoistic or emotional over this can only take one away from the spiritual path.As the Lord said in the Gita, "that wise person whom these do not afflict, who is equanimous in pleasure and pain, is fit for immortality." The most fundamental of all dharmas to be observed is awareness of God. Just as students after completion of basic education choose branches of specialisation, choosing the field of God-related activity is by choice and not by birth alone. For, the spiritual life of man is at the core of his existence and God's creation is aimed at bringing out that special nature latent in him. Whatever happens in-between is incidental.

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