The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : The saint-soldier approach

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 21, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

The saint-soldier approach

CHENNAI, DEC. 21. It is often said that man's sufferings emanate from three sources — from his own body destined to decay and perish, from external forces beyond one's control and from another human being. While the physical hardships can be mitigated or postponed by judicious care and caution, one cannot dispense with mental tension caused by others all too easily. Not only does the latter call for mental fortitude but it also requires a sea change in people's attitude to life, which may not be possible for all practical purposes since human nature will feed and fester on lower aspects of life. Not everyone possesses the equipoise to conduct themselves virtuously in every encounter. It is not for want of trying that man is unable to suppress or annihilate suffering as recommended by the Buddha. How then does one overcome such multi-pronged imperfections? Can one embrace saintly qualities and still soldier on?

One of the best ways of comprehending the concept of `saint-soldier' is to understand the two entities as `truth' and `state,' said His Holiness Giani Sant Singh Muskeen. A person starts to view truth as a formless power containing within itself an admixture of such intangibles as kindness, courage, beatitude and bliss. On the other hand state is power in a tangible form. It is one of life's quintessential traits that the two often have a parallel existence. A person, who holds truth as dear, may not be driven by any other earthly consideration but that of virtue; and as such he will be unlikely to command a position which will enable him to establish his way as the prevailing one. He can at best persevere. Power on the other hand tends to tread the grey margin as far as upholding virtue is concerned due to various exigencies. Truth is often tested and more often than not gets trampled upon by might. Suffering is very much a part of a person's spiritual journey as is evident from the sore trials faced by numerous legionnaires who dedicated themselves to guiding mankind on the correct path towards God. The result of such a study will make it clear that an ordinary man will be unable to attain a perpetual state of pleasure or pure bliss. The challenge can be overcome if one wields truth like a staff used for navigating water rather than as a tool of suppression as in ancient times when alien forces held the upper hand. It is an irreversible aspect of truth that in the face of any adversity or even challenges its inherent nature remains unsullied and tranquil.

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