Miscellaneous - Religion   

Way to intelligent living

CHENNAI: The oral method of transmission of knowledge in the spiritual tradition signifies the onus that falls on the individual’s listening and imbibing skills. In addition, listening plays an influential role in shaping one’s personality, ideas, aims in life, etc., and hence it is important to choose to listen to those things that will be beneficial to awaken in us a sense of the purpose of our existence, said Swami Omkarananda in a lecture.

In the Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna’s teachings reinforce the importance of human birth and of its value in enabling one to transcend the cycle of Samsara. If one spends it in worldly pursuits this gift of birth is wasted. The Lord’s advice on what to do and what to avoid highlights the role of Sastras as signposts for mankind in this regard.

Scriptures state that the commonly acclaimed Purusharthas (goals of life) — Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desires) and Moksha (liberation) — on deep reflection indicate the need to align to righteousness at all costs. Pursuit of wealth or desire leads to a restlessness of spirit since nothing in life has a lasting value while righteous living can confer peace of mind. The Lord states that He incarnates time and again to reinstate Dharma when it is in danger of being overpowered by Adharma.

If one makes an effort to understand and follow the truths expressed in the Bhagavad Gita, one is sure to gain the necessary mental strength to overcome the hurdles that come in the way. Human effort becomes effective when guided by God’s grace. When being engaged in action of some kind or the other which is unavoidable, if one learns to renounce the sense of ego (Ahamkara) with regard to the action and the fruits of the action, which is the cause of bondage, one begins to tread the path to liberation. The tendency to renounce attachment to the world is the key to intelligent living. The Bhagavad Gita shows us how to get involved with the world and also remain detached.

Sri Ramakrishna quotes the analogy of the boat that is safe as long as it floats in the waters but is in danger when the water enters the boat. We are here to live in the world but we should learn to keep it at a distance and not allow the world to get into us.

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