Miscellaneous - Religion   

Goal of human life

CHENNAI : The objective of human birth being liberation from rebirths, there are two ways open for an individual to pursue this goal. The first — by engaging in worldly life — is the easier one and can thus be adopted by one and all; the other is difficult, which is through renouncing the world and devoting oneself totally to spiritual life. It is apparent that this path requires total detachment from the world and thus only a few will qualify for it. But, it must be borne in mind that irrespective of the path one chooses, the end to be realised ultimately is the same — realisation of God.

In his discourse, Sri P.R.Vaidyanatha Sastrigal said the Supreme Being could not be known through the instrumentality of the senses and the mind, and hence the scriptures explain methods through which He can be realised. Scriptural study under a preceptor to learn the teachings of Vedanta, and the path of Yoga are methods to progress on the spiritual path. Yoga also encompasses Vedanta and hence at certain stages of evolution requires meditation on its teachings. The Vishnu Purana discusses these methods through the examples of the two kings, Kesidvaja and Kandikya, in the lineage of Janaka, who was an emperor and sage of great renown. His descendants were also spiritually inclined and such cases illustrate the truth that it is possible to realise the goal of liberation while engaging in worldly life (through Karma yoga).

Kesidvaja was adept in Vedanta and once when a feud arose between him and Kandikya, he won easily and the other retired with his minister and priest to the forest. One will wonder why one who was so philosophical acted like any other ruler. That he was different came to be known when he performed a sacrifice for spiritual merit. A tiger killed the cow used in this sacrifice and in order that his sacrifice was not disrupted he was advised to atone for it. All the priests he consulted told him that only Kandikya knew how the atonement should be done. But, how could he approach one who would be nursing enmity towards him? Herein lay his greatness. He decided to approach Kandikya without any fear about his life for he could easily kill him. Kandikya was also magnanimous enough to teach him thus showing that he also was not swayed by the lure of power and pelf.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Cartoonscape
The Hindu Crossword No. 8456
Solution to Puzzle No. 8455
Goal of human life
dated November 24, 1955: Soviet praise for Bhakra
dated November 24, 1955: Khrushchev and the cot
Weather

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu