With a contemporary analysis of present day
problems, one can easily draw the conclusion that we are living in an age of
confused ideologies and man is not behaving in conformity with codes of conduct
becoming of human dignity. Having found ways and means of rectification of
these two crucial aspects of life it could be ensured that methodologies fully
capable of solving global problems have been identified. Now since the
objectives and plan of action has been formulated, next comes the requirement
of the persons. Who would implement it? Here the ray of hope shines in those
highly talented individuals, who are prepared to make the most superior endeavour
of life by donation of their time. However, here it should be kept in mind that
TIME DONATION of lethargic idle men or contributions of persons prone to mental
inertia would not be of any use. It should come from those persons, who are
prepared to work hard and have deep emotional involvement in the objective of
the project.
Who would succeed in this endeavour? "Those
who will be able to establish their credibility by going through acid-tests.
Those who would be able to prove the high standards of their ideology,
character and behavior", says Mahakal (God- the supreme Governor of
Time). The endeavour could be very easy for some and formidable for others.
Easy for those who consider human life an invaluable gift of God. Difficult for
others, who have become immobile in the vice grip of passions, insatiable
Breeds and obsessions of being superior to others. Indian spiritual doctrines
mention about three main types of mental shackles which are considered root
cause of all worldly miseries. The trio has either been referred to as Lobh
(greed), Moh (attachment to things, persons, events, and ideas) and Ahankar(self--ego
or false vanity) or as Trishna (insatiable ambitions), Vasna(carnal
desires), Ahanta (a sense of belonging to the first person).
These are explications of one and the same thing.
Let us now examine the ways in which these attributes create problems for man.
The first of these shackles i.e. Lobh or Trishna makes one
continuously engaged in accumulation of property and wealth. In the process man
does not refrain even from resorting to undesirable practices and becomes an
addict to related bad habits. The result is appearance of a variety of problems
in this life and in the life beyond death
(see the analogy in the Christian belief that entry of a wealthy person into
heaven is not deemed possible). It is very easy for anyone to live the life of
a common citizen with average means. To acquire this much for sustenance, one
needs only a few hours of works. The remaining time can easily be utilized for
virtuous benevolent work or other benevolent pursuits.
For comfort and convenience, people generally follow a practice
of investment of accumulated wealth and property into assets, which provide
them interest at regular intervals. In ancient days, there was a custom,
according to which, earning members of the family voluntarily surrendered the
services of one of their family for preservation of their glorious traditions.
During the ancient Golden Age of Humanity (Satyug), one person from each
Brahman family undertook extensive travels in service of humanity. A
little rethinking on the utility of this custom could revive this tradition.
Another bondage in this world is that of worldly attachment (Moh).
It is ironical that knowingly man gathers around himself such a large
family, that its sustenance becomes somehow possible by working round the
clock. Individuals with a large number of dependent family-members can only pay
a lip-service to human welfare. Efforts of married couple become many times
more fruitful when there is mutual co-operation between the spouse and responsibilities
of the offsprings is reduced to a minimum. Otherwise, the two common needs of a
man of looking after children on one hand and fulfilling ambitions of becoming
wealthy on the other drain him of all vital energy. Greater number of children
is in fact a disastrous result of carnal desires. Childless couples have some
scope for social welfare activities. For the rest, increasing desire for more
children in the family results in exclusive deployment of body and mind for fulfilment
of this one objective and later on for looking after the needs of the progeny.
A matrimonial alliance does not become a bondage for the
person, who confines his objectives to imbibition of self-reliance and
cultural excellence in family. Nor does it become burdensome, if one does not
aspire to force an elevated status on the family members. Whatever be the
circumstances, a social worker must reduce the expenses required for living. In
this context, it may also be remembered that whereas a social worker is
required to minimize the expenses, it is also necessary for him to learn
shouldering responsibilities happily in a pleasant family environment. The
family responsibilities should not be made so hard to leave little time for any
other thought or action.
In ancient times, spiritual pursuits constituted an integral
part of the routine of social workers. It made them compassionate, because of
which there developed an all-round excellence, particularly in respect of level
of contemplation and character. These were the exclusive persons who earned
credit for maintaining the supremacy of national honour and dignity. Now-a-days
the society is witnessing a dismal degradation in the level of idealistic
pursuits. Today one hardly comes across such energetic persons, who could
enthuse and motivate others by putting forth their own examples, of upright
living. These days the number of blabbermouths has increased manifold, who are,
because of the great contrast in their words and deeds, found polluting public
mind and creating an environment of distrust in those very values which they
advocate for others.
The third great obstacle of human life is "Ahankar” (broadly
speaking a sense of personal ego or superiority). Even persons of equal status
are advised to maintain compatible humility and during interpersonal
interaction, convey a feeling of respect and appreciation for each other.
The foregoing are minimum requirements of any society for
retaining mutual goodwill and cultivating friendship. The behaviour of egoists
is opposite in nature. They beat drums and blow trumpets of their own
superiority and finding faults with others endeavour to establish their own
supremacy. Consequently, those coming in their contact feel insulted and brand
them as arrogant. No one bestows true affection or respect to such egoistic
individuals. They are friendless persons surrounded only by flatterers having
vested interests. No one comes to their help in emergency. It is often that
even in reputed institutions, ambitious persons desirous of projecting their
personality to forefront, create problems which ultimately results in
disintegration of the organization itself.
In practice of contemporary religion, a control on personal
traits of Lobh, Moh and Ahankar is commensurately rewarded by
increasing credibility of the person. Consequently one earns true respect of
people, who see their welfare in the advice of the former.
Today service unto humanity can be carried out in many a way.
Much is required to be done for health and educational standards of the masses.
There is also a necessity for provision of minimum means of comfort and
convenience. However, the most significant amongst human requirements is making
man habitual of high thinking and capable of seeking solutions to personal
problems with one's own effort and resources. Otherwise, perpetual dependence
on other's donations and help make man weak in will, as a consequence of which,
one continues to look for help from others and seeks favour either of some
deities or person of status. Such an attitude of mind is very much undesirable
from the point of view of human self-respect and self-dependence.
The true strength of a person lies in one's excellence of Gun,
Kerm and Swabhav (personal attributes, actions, and behaviour)
depending on which only, one is considered credible, trustworthy and
duty-conscious. An individual possessing these attributes commands respect of
all and sundry and easily creates an environment of corroboration and
co-operation.
The advent of a golden age for establishing a new world order
in the Twenty-First Century, would require ascetics of the order of Bhagirath.
Bhagirath went on an arduous expedition to the Himalayas, in search
of the source of river Bhagirathi (now popularly known as Ganga or
Ganges). Humanity is on the look out for such ascetics, who have imbibed
virtues to so great an extent as to become angel-like. In Sanskrit language one
who succeeds in making others conquer over their weakness is known as "Veer".
But the one, who goes on a step further to conquer one's own vices becomes "Mahaveer"
(which is also one of the names of deity Hanuman, who symbolizes
absolute courage, devotion and strength by virtue of his historical feats and
sacrifices for God's work). Such are the super persons who, following the
tradition laid by Hanuman, make a total surrender to God (who is an
ensemble of all virtues) and in the process earn the respect of entire human
race. Divine grace showers on such persons incessantly. The idea is not to
belittle the importance of personal endeavour, but it must be kept in mind that
for greater achievements in life, one does need invisible divine help.
Pure gold continues to be an invaluable asset for all times and
place. Counterfeit coins are not accepted by anyone. Even a blind beggar is
able to identify one. Similarly, high objectives necessitate credible great men
for achievement. The structure of Golden New Age of Twenty-First Century would
be built on pillars of many significant and heavy assignments, which can only
be completed by the elites of society having strong determination and high character.
A search is on for such persons. This is the object of the current Pratibha
Parishkar Movement of the mission. Individuals passing through the
acid tests of refinement of talents would not only be counted amongst the
forerunners amongst the elites, they would also establish their extraordinary
identity by leading others on the path to excellence.
Source:
‘’Donation of Time – The Supreme Charity’’ by Sri Ram Sharma Acharya
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