The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Virtue always triumphs

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Thursday, Sep 30, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Virtue always triumphs

CHENNAI, SEPT. 30. Evil is rampant — it is all the handiwork of Kali, elders say. However, unrighteousness has been an aspect of life from time immemorial. It flourishes unbridled in the bosom of every mind that fails to perceive right from wrong. It is for this reason that scriptures advocate that all should adhere to dharma. The Thirukkural advocates a personal code of conduct, which when followed diligently, will fetch a person his spiritual goal. No one should plot the downfall of those who perpetrate evil, otherwise the God of righteousness will compass his ruin. Men hardened in sins do not fear evil, but the good dread it. Some may escape one's enemies but the wrongful deeds will surely follow a person, hunting him down remorselessly. Just as how one cannot escape his shadow, evil will dog his heels for going off the path of virtuous conduct.

People, in their worldly wisdom often say that one can only be practical in this world, and the survival kit demands retaliation. If a dog bites a man, he does not bite back. When one indulges in egoistic thoughts of oneself or bears grudge and allows imaginary insults to fester, then such a person is only compounding his own problems. If one truly loves himself, he will not do any harm to others, fearing divine retribution. One can always pay back with kindness instead of in kind, said Sri V. V. Natarajan in his discourse. It is the simplest guidelines that are often the hardest to follow and adopt in our day-to-day life. This is why it is important to adhere to the stipulation that if you cannot do good, at least refrain from doing bad things. Some people believe ends justify the means. For example, the sashtras say that it is one's bounden duty to protect one's mother and ensure her comfort. ``Though you find your mother starving do not do anything which will be condemned by the virtuous,'' enjoins the Kural. Only if one successfully synchronises one's thoughts, words and deeds on the path of righteous conduct, rejecting all that is evil can one aspire to greater heights in one's spiritual life. One irrefutable source of strength in such a way of life is the company of virtuous men. Ravana was a pious man, yet he failed to control his senses and did not hesitate to squander his merits with his wrongful conduct of yearning for another man's wife. Duryodhana was always in stellar company, surrounded by the some of the noblest champions of good conduct like Bhishma, yet he spurned good counsel and preferred the evil designs of Sakuni. Both paid the price, since virtue will always triumph.

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