There Is No Time For Complacency

The structure of human body is so much specialized in comparison to other living beings that man has hardly any need to think about problems and inconveniences detrimental to his subsistence. Why amongst all living beings who are found living happily and playfully, the human species, which is so much evolved, is plagued with problems? Today man is being strangled under the vicious grip of many adversities like sickness, sorrow, deprivations, misery, alienation and perturbation. Worries and apprehensions are one's constant companions. Everyone is found lamenting about one's own countless characteristic problems, because of which one feels strangulated in a suffocating environment. Is it not enigmatic that the most evolved species of this world has to live in most miserable conditions?

A little consideration would show that the reason is not far to seek. Today man has woven around himself such a strong cobweb of lust, infatuations and egoism that these worldly shackles continue to torment him day and night. A human being is so much eager to satiate his greed, bonds of attachment and ego that except aspiring for more and more one does not find time and energy to think of something else. Nor does one feel motivated to extricate oneself from this labyrinth and like a spider withdraw its web to escape from the confinement.

Man's natural needs are limited in number. They are easy to satisfy within a few hours of one's endeavor. There does not appear any need to beg or borrow. Fruits of one's personal efforts can be multiplied manifold. Perseverance endeavor for success, even in an unknown field, can provide one ever increasing returns. In the process, each moment of life becomes full of contentment, happiness and exhilaration.

It is an enigma of life, that living beings generally tend to follow a self-destructive course in running after ghosts of happiness. The moth rushes towards the burning wick-lamp and instead of receiving anything in reciprocation burns its wings and dies in misery. When birds and fishes look for easy food which is available without any effort they fail to see the deadly bait end hook of angler's net. A deer in the desert is unable to identify the mirage and loses its life running after the pool of water which does not exist. The musk deer wanders aimlessly in search of aroma emanating from its own navel. A dog feels happy in tasting its own blood, while chewing a dry piece of bone.

Being an intelligent being, man is expected to behave more prudently. He even does so to some extent, but in matters pertaining to collections of worldly objects and acquisitions thereof, he behaves like a maniac. For no rhyme or reason man keeps on collecting useless articles and not long after appears happy in discarding them. In social behaviour man emulates the flock of sheep, in which each follows the herd irrespective of destination. Swarms of locusts are overwhelming but they also lack direction and purpose. Consequently, they face mass annihilation in the burning sands of some odd desert or sea. But one feels bewildered in finding the human species behaving in such an irresponsible manner. Why does man, who creates wonders in the world without, behaves so foolishly for one's own self and heads voluntarily for self decadence, and even vehemently opposes those who desist him from doing so?

Skill and intelligence can be utilized in two ways. Irrespective of ethical considerations one can make use of them for achieving success in any field by taking recourse to all possible ways. In such cases, activities for the apparent personal benefits are motivated by selfish interests, for which man adopts all fair and foul means without any qualms. On the other hand, while utilizing one's excellence one can also give preference to ethics and morality. Here one takes decisions and initiates action only after thoroughly analyzing all aspects of propriety, honesty, responsibility and courage relevant to the issue. In latter case, human skill and intelligence keeps the interests of other beings also in view along with the personal interests and acts according to conscience.

Unfortunately in all endeavours modern man is giving too much importance to the apparent materialistic aspects. Materialism is dominating all facets of society. While interacting with a fair, young, attractive, well-dressed youth, does one ever think of the possibilities of contagion of diseases like AIDS, Syphilis or Tuberculosis, the person might be harbouring? The cunning and hooligans exert their influence in all sections of society and succeed in intimidating most of the persons. Most of the affluent persons are found in possession of wealth acquired by unfair practices. There are many imposters amongst the so-called leaders hypocritically advocating merits of idealism. On the other hand, there are persons who are always prepared to face any hardship to maintain their standards of credibility, talents and efficiency at whatever price they have to pay. For them it is not their physical appearance, but high character which becomes a source of inspiration for upliftment and progress of millions of other persons. Such are the individuals, who shape the destiny of super persons throughout the course of history and protect the excellence of ideals for humanity.

The lesser we talk about such persons who, are foolish, clumsy and are not prepared to give importance to anything in life besides exhibition of their cleverness, manipulation and vulgar displays of riches, the better it would be. The majority these days, consists of this class of people. Hence there is hardly any justification in accepting the propriety of the so-called “public opinions". One cannot hope to protect human values by emulating the majority of this class. It is thus imperative and proper that instead of getting overawed by the sphere of influence of the so-called great people one should seek the patronage of the truly great persons and value even if they are considered weak and subdued in the existing milieu.

Any reference to greatness in modern concept is inconsequential, since it is ephemeral and like a soap bubble floats high in the air and disappears in a short time. The discussion here relates to those who like a lighthouse in the sea remain unperturbed by the commotion around them and enlighten the path of many. Whether or not this planet is supported by Seshnag (a metaphorical expression pertaining to stability of solar system, indirectly implying dependence of social stability on wisdom) it remains an undisputed fact that dignity and reputation of human race depends exclusively on these idealists who can be relied upon for establishing lasting peace and progress. These are the persons who can be called truly prudent and contemplative.

Nowadays clever manipulating persons establish their supremacy in society following contemporary practices designed to achieve success by fair or foul means. The wise on the other hand, do otherwise. They think and act in manner conducive to promotion of discipline, besides enthusing people for incorporation of modesty in thought and character. Enlightened individuals having such dignified objectives in life never lose sight of the following three essential aspects of human existence and endeavour to seek answers to related queries. One: That man, who is an artistic creation of nature, unparalleled in animal kingdom, has been gifted by God with unique advantages. Why has Creator bestowed on man these exclusive characteristics? Two: How can one make the best use of one's resources and status in the existing environment? And Three: Since death is as much a certainty as birth for man and at any moment of life one is likely to die, how is one going to justify before the creator, the values of life chosen for self ? One, who on self-examination is prepared to answer these questions satisfactorily for one's ownself, is the person who has truly understood the sanctity of human existence and has made proper utilization of opportunity and activities in life. The number of such persons in a society may be insignificant. But those who have understood this concept are the exclusive individuals who could be considered rich in talents and having a high order of credibility in society.

Then, there are others who are least concerned about these virtuous aspects of life; who never give a thought to such considerations or do not find any necessity or time for them. Who would consider this latter category of humanoid animals as responsible human beings, who remain totally unconcerned about such vital responsibilities of human race? The society sarcastically refers to such persons as "Big", "Clever", "Worldly - Wise" and "Manipulators". Like counterfeit currency, such persons often establish their status by fair or foul means, but they prove to be worthless by all norms of dignified human behavior. The credibility of one's dignity is tested on the anvil of ideals. Only after going through this test, one becomes a superperson, who makes an impact over majority without any distinction of caste, creed or status. The zeal of such persons inspires everyone coming in contact and like clouds they shower their love equally and on all beings. Like sun, which illuminates and provides warmth to one's own self as well as to others and is ever active in pursuance of this mission, they constantly endeavor to acquire wisdom for self, attempt to make others wise and extend their warm-heartedness to all. Only such persons understand the mystery and purpose of their birth as human being and appreciate the responsibilities, which make it possible for them to live objectively and proudly and present before the Creator a satisfactory account of multifarious activities of their life.

It must be appreciated that even the lowliest of living beings, such as worms and insects pass their entire life in activities related to their own sustenance and procreation of their kind and that too more leisurely than a human being. If the life of man, who is the most beautiful creation of God, also remains confined to this much of activity, it should be considered most unfortunate. Hence, the aforementioned way of life is the only correct step towards self-evolution of a being. Researches in Hindu philosophy have established that soul too undergoes a progressive evolution through various life-cycles, in which, after inhabiting various forms of lower orders of biological species, it appears in human body. Thereafter, following successive births as a human being, it either again degenerates to lower orders, or progressively evolves into a superior person as a patriot, martyr, social reformer, saint, godman, messenger of God etc., and ultimately merges with the omnipresent Super Soul i.e. God. Hence, one is warned to be careful and avoid the pitfalls by following the righteous path. 

In normal situations of life one has the freedom of a casual approach in deliberations and actions, but often there arise moments of contingency necessitating quick decisions and immediate actions. Let us take some examples: One cannot remain indifferent to a raging fire in the adjoining house. When the signal turns green, the passenger has to show alacrity in boarding the train. During a written examination, all questions are required to be answered with total concentration within the stipulated time. Any distraction during examination proves to be disastrous. Unless one promptly treats a person seriously injured in an accident, the latter is likely to die because of excessive blood-loss. Today, human race is facing such a contingency in which one cannot afford to be indifferent.

Today, human endeavour is sharply divided in two opposite directions of progress and regression. There is not much time left to make a choice between the two. Boarding a train going in a direction opposite to the destination could be disastrous for an indecisive passenger. Time and tide do not wait for anyone. All great men in the course of history owed their success to timely decision of action for the right cause. Among such persons were Hanuman,Vbhishan, Arjun, Buddha. Had they vacillated in decision, they would have lost that easy opportunity to become great, which they had availed of by recognizing the need of the hour. A farmer knows that only limited numbers of days are available for sowing and harvesting. Any wastage of time during this period results in a big loss in the income from the crops. Though a habit of complacency (Pramad) is always the main factor contributing to huge loss in any venture, it must be remembered that there are moments of unprecedented opportunity which are very significant and are lost forever because of least indifference. Even the horse of the best breed cannot win a race unless 'it makes the best use of time with a steady pace. Whosoever followed the advice of messengers of God had left his name in the history in indelible ink. It is so well known how Dhruva,Prahlad, Uma, and Savitri were benefited by following the directives of Rishi Narad. However, there is no dearth in this world of fools who disregarded even the most valuable hints and messages. The sanctity of wisdom lies in its association with a fruitful endeavor at an appropriate time. That moment has now arrived.

-By Sri Ram Sharma Acharya

The Significance And Propriety Of Donation

Giving of alms and charity go hand in hand and are believed to be equally beneficial. In parlance of spirituality, these are conferrer of supreme benefits like entry into heaven (Swarg or Bahisht) the ultimate deliverance from worldly bondage (mukti), acquisition of para-normal powers (siddhi), bestowal of divine grace, capability to perform miracles and the like; whereas colloquially Daan-Punya are said to be promoter of all-round progress, success in life and are also harbinger of superiority in all walks of life. The practice of Giving alms signifies that giving is an act of virtue, whereas Taking i.e. depriving one of rights is sin. The outcome of sin in this world and in the world beyond life is physical and moral decadence. In parlance of spirituality, this itself is metaphorically known as Narak (Hell or Dozakh). Man has been given full freedom by God to choose his own activities, which may either be related to virtue or to sin. It is true that at times the milieu exerts pressure against this choice, yet what transpires ultimately depends on where the power of will of the person converges as Sankalp (a firm resolve for action with unshakable conviction in its propriety). The foregoing hypothesis is amply substantiated by the life-events of well known historical personalities like Harishchandra, Karn, Bali, Dadhichi and Bhamashah. However, those aspiring for the highest goal of entry into Heaven or Absolute Salvation are required to make even greater surrender of personal interests. Devotion to God has only one expression i.e. homogenisation of one's desires and aspirations with those of the deity being worshipped. This is how an insignificant mass of fuel acquires the brilliance of a raging fire. God is known to be affectionately disposed towards the devotee. He readily entrusts his power to the totally -surrendering - devotee and acts according to Tatter's wishes. It is exemplified in events like personification of incarnate Shri Krishna as a dancing partner of Meera and as the faithful servant guiding the blind saint Soordas by holding his stick. Sudama, Chaitanya, Hanuman and Arjun belonged to that category of devotees, who liberally sowed the seeds of everything they had acquired by endeavours of their body and mind, in the field of god and in return filled and stocked their granaries with a million times more grants of divine gifts.

The elites amongst the noble are revered by the masses as Dev Manav (divine men or angels). Entire creation of God remains indebted to such persons for their unusual contribution to mankind. All super persons have found only one way for promotion of excellence in this world. They took a pledge and persevered to pay back a million times more to the humanity than what they gained from this world. Had they been obsessed with miserliness, irrespective of their riches, they would have been counted amongst the class of avaricious persons, who like ghosts and spirits are incapable of doing anything except disturbing others.

Absolute truths and ideals are eternal and self-sustaining. At times, one may find it difficult to adhere to them. Nevertheless, they continue to be dependable guides at all times, like the lighthouses in troubled sea. All human interactions are governed by an established law, according to which whatever is given is commensurately reciprocated. Attempts to befool others by pretentious displays beget only ridicule in return. There are persons who shirk from giving anything and in return of ostentations, expect to receive a multitude of benefits. However big castle in the air they build for quick returns of their conceited actions, what they actually get is only frustration, exhaustion and irritation.

Transactions in this world are governed by pragmatism. The supermarkets of this world are full of shelves decorated with things of beauty and joy, but none of them is available free. Those at tempting to acquire them surreptitiously either meet the fate of a shoplifter or are spurned for their naiveté.

It has been eternally established that contributions of any kind are reciprocated in one way or the other. Social recognition and cooperation are reserved exclusively for those who remain satisfied with minimal return for maximum contributions. On the other hand, there are those braggarts, hypocrites and swindlers who believe in having maximum returns for their minimal efforts. As a matter of fact, there is only one process of transactions prevailing in this world and the world beyond since time immemorial and in that, contribution always precedes the benefits of acquisition. Only cheats and dacoits follow the practice of first acquiring and then giving away a fraction as alms to satisfy their conscience, though even such persons are not always successful in their misadventure.

Unless one takes pleasure in building castles in the air or is prone to daydreaming, a pragmatic approach for solid achievements would necessarily require emulation of the practice being followed by the large-hearted benevolent supermen of yore, which brought them the double benefit of self- contentment on one hand and credit in the society on the other. It is this broad-mindedness and dedication to humanity which has provided saints, reformists, martyrs and social workers, profound advantages from this world as well as from God. Who in this world has ever got the gifts of celestial boons and paranormal powers without imbibitions of asceticism in life? Does one accumulate wealth without making any investment? Now and then one keeps on borrowing something or the other from people and nature. But do we care to keep an account of what has been paid back? Whenever some loan is taken for any business, it has to be returned with interest. Though this is also an eternal law of nature, paradoxically, everyone wants to be totally exempted from it. Here, in this world, everyone is always found looking for an opportunity to take something from just anyone. On the other hand, whenever one is asked- to make some contribution, the general tendency is either to exhibit a disinclination or polite helplessness.

                                                                                                      

It is an established law that for any significant gain in any field of human endeavour one has to make a commensurate contribution. There is absolutely no doubt that this law of nature covers all dimensions of time and space and sensory and extra- sensory transactions. This unwritten law of nature can be felt and seen working in all aspects of life. "Give and take", "Contribute and receive", "Sow and reap" and your bag will never be empty. Since time immemorial many miserly persons have attempted to circumvent this law, but they have failed miserably.

That brings us to another problem in this world abounding with "have nots". How does one receive something from those who have nothing to give? Would it not be childish to expect such people to follow the ideal of contributing for others and perform other virtuous benevolent acts which necessarily involve expenditure? Here, one aspect of the word "contribution" needs clarification. Generally, by "Giving" one means contributing monetarily by partaking one's personal resources. Unfortunately, the modern society measures acts of benevolence on scales of money or related resources and those persons who give away large amount of donation in cash or kind, earn name and fame are appreciated for their generosity. Being a current practice no doubt it has also been accepted as a norm. Persons having faith in the magic of greasing palms and clandestine gifts, claim that even God can be made favorable by making appropriate oblations of material things or by prayers and flattery. They believe that while bestowing favors, God hardly ever considers the ethics or propriety of the purpose of request.

Under these circumstances, one should not be surprised if philanthropy is understood merely as an act of donating money, property or articles for some socially useful purpose; or providing means of subsistence to needy persons. It is not surprising that today money being squandered for personal entertainment and egoistic displays is also being listed under the head of philanthropic expenditure. During the Middle Ages, one of the religious rituals accepted by the society was sacrifice of animals (Balidan). According to another custom prevalent in those days, the working-class (Harijans) were being given only leftover meals. This, they later rightly came to regard as a disgraceful practice and refused to accept such food. There was a time when the clothes discarded by sick persons were gladly accepted by the poor, a practice which today even the poorest self-respecting pauper would spurn. Now-a-days the concept of "Dan" (donation) has been very much misunderstood and exploited by the "merchants of religion". In the extravagance of a Hindu marriage, it has found various names like, Kanyadan and Vagdan. There is yet another common practice of giving Dan by donating money to some government - approved institution for the purpose of income tax relief. The do nor feels happy in the double advantage of, on the one hand savings in tax and on the other, social recognition as a philanthropist. Today, succumbing to pressure from person seeking donations; monetarily obliging family members and relations and going for a picnic on the pretext of pilgrimage are also considered as religious, virtuous or philanthropic acts. Some derive consolation in building places of entertainment such as gardens, parks and swimming pools, which they consider utilities of social welfare. With such a concept of donation, giving bribe should also be considered a kind of donation since it is given generously to benefit someone. Man has become so much conceited that drinks and drugs are also being considered consecrated after having been oblated to some deity (e.g. Bhang is offered to the deity Shiva). Exhibition of one's generosity by cash donations to an institution is also regarded as a virtuous act. That the personal image so built is encashed in some other way appears irrelevant to the donor. In a way in its present practice, giving donation may more appropriately be termed as a business transaction.

There can be only one criterion for considering donation as an act of virtue. The donation made must be made use of by a creditable agency for some noble purpose. On the contrary, any amount spent in the name of donation, which directly or indirectly promotes conservatism, hypocrisy, showmanship, addictions, dogmatism or superstitions, is likely to produce adverse reactions for the donor as well. Only when an activity results in promotion of excellence, it forms the basis for virtues which bring in multifarious benefits to the donor. On the other hand if donations tend to patronize vicious persons or evil designs, irrespective of the spirit behind giving, they are likely to produce a variety of disastrous consequences for the donor, the receiver and others.

An unduly given donation also produces many other problems. By making the recipient habitually dependent on the unearned money, the donor opens avenues of decadence for the former, who becomes prone to inaction. There is no harm in helping a class of persons in times of crisis, but making them habitually dependent on other's help, is like making a healthy person a paralytic recluse. There are no two opinions that in order to qualify as an act of virtue, the donation must accrue from one's honest earnings. Then there exists the problem of finding sufficient quantity of honestly earned money and resources in this vast majority of " have nots", which could be appropriately utilized for commendable welfare activities as virtuous donations. As a matter of fact, donations made generously by affluent persons are generally meant to redeem their own sins i.e. through an act of donation, they intend to lighten the burden of misdeeds on their conscience. 

Propriety implores each man to follow the living standard of an average citizen of his country. "Simple living and high thinking" must be the motto of life. One should feel contented with hard-earned money earned through honest means. Deceit and oppression should never form means of earning. Savings, if any, must be, without procrastination utilized for counteracting disorderliness and undesirable elements of society. The nursery of excellence and progressiveness is dying today because of lack of arrangements for augmentation of virtuous traits in the society. One has; therefore, to do whatever one can to save it. It has been a tradition during the past golden era (Satyug). It is as much relevant for modern times.

Donation of Time–The Supreme charity - I

Charity means Giving. It involves an endeavour to energize and develop natural capabilities provided by God to each human being and benefiting others there from. This is the basis for creating heavenly environment on this earth. 

Taking i.e. hoarding, usurping tantamount to depriving others of their rights and advantages. This, in fact is an act of sin of which hell is a metaphorical expression. 

All super persons born in this world have used an exclusive methodology for promotion of excellence. They reciprocated by multiplying manifold whatever they received and gave it to the world. 

Donation of money is only symbolical. It could as well be misused and create adverse reactions for the receiver. Real donation is that which one makes of one's talents, since out of talents only are generated wealth and resources. Donation of time is charity in real sense since time is a natural gift of God available to everyone in equal measure. 

However, one is not motivated to donate time for higher objectives unless there emerges in the heart of the person an irresistible urge to follow ideals in life.

We are passing, through an unusual phase in human history. The emergency necessitates immediate decision and fast action, like the one required when the house is on fire or the train is about to leave the station. Had Hanuman, Buddha, Samarth Guru Ramdas, Vivekanand and other super persons not taken a timely decision and action, they would have missed the glorious opportunity, which later made them famous. 

Jesus Christ has rightly said that an opportunity for a virtuous deed must be grabbed even if it is within the reach of left hand, lest one is misguided by Satan in the short time taken by bringing the right hand in the right place.

- By Shriram Sharma Acharya