Miscellaneous - Religion   

Path of integrity

CHENNAI: Scriptures and the Puranas point out that this earth is a very sacred place and human birth is a blessing for it offers one a passage to salvation. Seers who are realised souls have exemplified the truth that one can realise God even when very much rooted to the world, and have pointed out the importance of a life of ethical value.

In a lecture, Sri N. Veezhinathan said that practice of righteous living becomes easy when one develops detachment to material objects and people (Vairagya). The realisation that all accomplishments and achievements are temporary and subject to the force of Time and that birth spells certain death is the springboard on which the spirit of Vairagya is nurtured.

In the Ramayana, when Bharata tries to persuade Lord Rama to come back and rule in Ayodhya, Jabali, a revered sage in Dasaratha’a court, supports this view from an atheist’s angle and tells Lord Rama to accept the kingdom offered by Bharata and not pay undue heed to the word of promise.

This deliberate argument is only to reinforce the truth of rightful living that should not be abandoned at any cost. Lord Rama also speaks about the importance of doing one’s ordained duties. Whatever is one’s destiny will happen at all costs no matter whatever one does to escape it. With a pot one can obtain only the amount of water according to its capacity, no matter whether one draws it from a well or the ocean. Whatever belongs to one cannot be taken by another. Whatever is got is what belongs to one. What is not got is not one’s due. It is not advisable to think of the irrevocable past.

The tone of scriptural injunctions is that of a master dictating the dos and don’ts for righteous living, while the Puranas teach in the tone of a friend. But the Kavyas (literature) edify with the concern of a loving wife. The virtues of integrity, justice and honesty celebrated in the great literatures reflect the moral calibre of the times.

In the play Mrichakatika, even a servant, pledged to do the bidding of his master, hesitates to do anything that is not permitted by the moral code, and preserves his integrity. He refuses to commit a murder in secret saying that secrecy cannot absolve one of it.

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