If You Don't Accept The Gift???

There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him.

 

One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.

 

Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.

 

Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?"

"If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"

If You Don't Accept The Gift???

There once lived a great warrior. Though quite old, he still was able to defeat any challenger. His reputation extended far and wide throughout the land and many students gathered to study under him.

 

One day an infamous young warrior arrived at the village. He was determined to be the first man to defeat the great master. Along with his strength, he had an uncanny ability to spot and exploit any weakness in an opponent. He would wait for his opponent to make the first move, thus revealing a weakness, and then would strike with merciless force and lightning speed. No one had ever lasted with him in a match beyond the first move.

 

Much against the advice of his concerned students, the old master gladly accepted the young warrior's challenge. As the two squared off for battle, the young warrior began to hurl insults at the old master. He threw dirt and spit in his face. For hours he verbally assaulted him with every curse and insult known to mankind. But the old warrior merely stood there motionless and calm. Finally, the young warrior exhausted himself. Knowing he was defeated, he left feeling shamed.

 

Somewhat disappointed that he did not fight the insolent youth, the students gathered around the old master and questioned him. "How could you endure such an indignity? How did you drive him away?"

 

"If someone comes to give you a gift and you do not receive it," the master replied, "to whom does the gift belong?"

YOGA - HAND & FINGER POSTURES

Mudra is the science of hand and finger postures. It can help to cure bodily ailments in a wonderful manner. It affects the body's energetic sysytem and the flow of prana (life energy) within it. It actually helps in balancing the five elements ( panch-tattvas ) in the human system to their optimal levels.


A mudrā [muːˈdrɑː](Sanskrit: मुद्रा, lit. "seal") is a symbolic or ritual gesture in Hinduism and Buddhism. While some mudrās involve the entire body, most are performed with the hands and fingers. A mudrā is a spiritual gesture and an energetic seal of authenticity employed in the iconography and spiritual practice of Indian religions and traditions of Dharma.


In yoga, mudrās are used in conjunction with pranayama (yogic breathing excercises), generally while seated in Vajrasana pose, to stimulate different parts of the body involved with breathing and to affect the flow of prana in the body.


A brain research paper published in the National Academy of Sciences in November 2009, demonstrated that hand gestures stimulate the same regions of the brain as language.


General Guidelines for Mudra Practicing:
One should practice mudras in sitting postures either in meditation pose or sitting on chair keeping the back straight.


One should not practice Mudra full stomach.


One should discontinue the Mudra in case of uneasiness or pain in any part of the body.


It is important to know the benefits & contraindications of the Mudra before you adopt it.
It is very important to press the right points when taking the hand in Mudra. For e.g. in


Gyan Mudra one should press the thumb with the index finger at the point when pulsation like the heartbeat is felt and in case of Varun Mudra press the triangular tip of the little finger with the triangular tip of the thumb (as shown in fig.). If pressed near the nail it lead to dehydration else it helps in balancing and activating the water element in the body.


For optimum benefits practice Mudra with both hands.


It is important to be regular and consistent in practicing to yield permanent results.


Do not continue practicing the same Mudra after achieving results.


One should practice spiritual & healing mudras for 45 minutes to have victory over the Mudra or one may practice in many times a day prolonging the time period of holding every time.

TYPES OF MUDRAS

1.Abhaya Mudra:

How & When:
"Abhay" means "fearless". Abhay Mudra represents protection, courage, and dispelling of fear. It acts like a shield for the practitioner. The Mudra is kept naturally with fingers joint, thumb close to fingers by the side of the head facing forward. One often sees Lord Buddha Meditating in this hand gesture,

Sequence:
1.Raise both your hands to the sides of your head.
2.Touch the forefinger to tip of thumb (just as in Gyan Mudra).
3.Hold the hand vertically straight by the sides.


Benefits:
a) Mind becomes fearless.
b) Gives a feeling of courage and strength.
c) It gives one the will power to take challenges and face them bravely.
d) This Mudra, which initially appears to be a natural gesture, was probably used from prehistoric times as a sign of good intentions - the hand raised and unarmed proposes friendship, or at least peace; since antiquity, it was a plain way of showing that you meant no harm since you did not carry any weapon


2.Gyan Mudra:
"Gyan" means "knowledge". It is the gesture of knowledge. This mudra is considered to bestow intelligence and wisdom. Hence the name.


How & When:
The most important and most known Spiritual Mudra is Gyan Mudra. Even a layman is well versed with this hand gesture adopted by even Gods and Gurus like Buddha, Christ, Guru Nanak Dev ji, and Swami Mahavirji etc. There are many variations of this Mudra as will be discussed later in this part.


To perform this Mudra one joins the tip of the index finger with the tip of the thumb of the same hand, keeping the rest of the three fingers straight. The hand is then kept on the knee facing up with elbows straight and body seated in Sukhasan, Padmasan, and Vajrasan or may be on chair with straight back. One can keep this Mudra for as long as comfortable and possible. One can perform this Mudra as any point of time. There are no diet restrictions for this Mudra.


One should preferably perform this Mudra while meditating to get maximum benefit out of it. Mornings and evenings are supposed to be the best time for it.



Benefits:
1.Bestows intelligence and wisdom.
2.Purifies the mind of the practitioner.
3.Cures many mental ailments.
4.Gives a feeling of joy.
5.Cures intoxication and addictive habits.
6.It helps boosting the cell activity in grey matter of brain.
7.It helps in meditation and naturally calms down the breath.
8.It brings peace within and lets one connect with self.
9.It brings the realization of rising beyond Trigunas.


3. Poorna Gyan Mudra:


This is the mudra of Lord Buddha. It clears the aura in the subtle astral body.


How & When:
The hand position is the same as Gyan Mudra for this Spiritual Mudra, except for the position of hands. The right hand is kept close to the chest with palm facing forward in Gyan Mudra and the left hand which is also in Gyan Mudra is kept on the left knee with palm facing up. The best time for this Mudra is during meditation.

Sequence:
1.Sit cross-legged.
2.Keep both hands in Gyan Mudra Posture.
3.Now keep right hand near chest region.
4.Keep left hand near knee region.


Benefits:
•This mudra improves memory to a great extent.
•It soothes irritable temperaments.
•It causes electrical changes in the electromagnetic activity of the brain leading to increased clarity and understanding.
•It relaxes the nervous system and calms the irritable temperaments
•The Mudra bestows intelligence and wisdom. This Mudra was generally performed by Seers and Yogis as the time of giving blessings to the disciples and students.
•This Mudra also adds to the Aura and Prana of the practitioner.


4. Cup/Chalice Mudra:

How & When:
This is a two hand Mudra. To perform this Mudra keep the right hand in the lap facing up and then keep the left hand over the right hand with the thumbs joined together pointing up(one may also do it alternatively by keeping one set of fingers over the other set of fingers facing up and the thumbs joined pointing up ) to form a cup with the hands. The order is to match the yoga asana. You would place the right hand on top of the left hand if the right leg is on top of the left leg and vice-versa.

Benefits:
a) This Mudra focuses on helping you balance your right-left energies. It promotes balance of the male-female energies.
b) This Mudra immediately lets u connect to self and also activates and balances the Sacral Chakra and Root Chakra.


5. Dhyana Mudra

How & When:
The Dhyana Mudra is generally performed by both hands. According to tradition, this Mudra derives from the one assumed by the Buddha when meditating under the Peepal tree before his Enlightenment The hands are generally held at the level of the stomach or on the thighs or to be more precise in the lap. The right hand is placed above the left, with the palms facing upwards, and the fingers extended.



In some cases the thumbs of the two hands may touch at the tips, thus forming a mystic triangle.

The esoteric sects obviously attribute to this triangle a multitude of meanings, the most important being the identification with the mystic fire that consumes all impurities.
Benefits:
a) The Dhyana Mudra is the Mudra of meditation and of concentration and of the attainment of spiritual perfection.,
b) It is generally prescribed to students to increase focusing ability as concentration exercise. It indicates the perfect balance of thought, rest of the senses, and tranquility.
c) The Dhyana Mudra helps mortals achieve this transformation.


6. Linga Mudra


"Linga" or "Angustha" means "phallus". Thumb is a symbol of masculinity.

Sequence:
1.Join both the palms.
2.Interlace fingers of both hands.
3.Extend one thumb upwards.
4.Encircle extended thumb with the index finger and thumb of the other hand.


Benefits:
•This mudra generates heat in the body and thus, while it "burns" away accumulated phlegm in the chest, it also makes the body more resilient to the cold.
•It helps in increasing dynamism in a person.
•Persons with bilious temperament should practice this mudra under the guidance of able and experienced person.
•Chronic cold is easily cured.
•It burns unwanted calories in the body, thus reducing obesity.


7. Mritasanjeevani Mudra


"Mritasanjeevani" means "Air". This mudra helps balance the air element in the body.



Sequence:
1.Fold the index finger (fore finger) on the pad of thumb.
2.Press the forefinger gently on the pad.
3.Touch the fore part of third (longest) finger and fore part of fourth (ring) finger with the fore part of thumb.


Benefits:
•This mudra strengthens the heart.
•It is very useful in all heart ailments.
•It helps normalize blood pressure.
•This mudra has also been found to increase self-confidence.


8. Prithvi Mudra


"Prithvi" means "Earth". This mudra helps balance the earth element in the body.

Sequence:
1.Place the tip of the ring finger (third finger) on top of the tip of the thumb.
2.Extend all the other fingers.
3.Keep them comfortably straight as possible.


Benefits:
•Normalizes body equilibrium.
•Helps remove physical weakness.
•Increases tolerance and patience.
•Helps all who practice spiritual meditation.


9. Shunya Mudra


"Shunya" means "zero" or "sky". Sky is connected with the highest forces - with the "upper person" - with head.

Sequence:
1.Lower the middle finger and place finger pad on the fleshy mound area of your thumb.
2.Cover it with your thumb.
3.Extend index, ring and little fingers.


This should be practiced for atleast for 45 minutes at a stretch for optimum results.


Benefits:
•This mudra improves impaired hearing.
•It cures earaches in minutes.
•It also helps in nausea, vertigo, and travel sickness.


10. Surya Mudra


"Surya" means "sun". Sun is the source of energy. Virtue of its energy is present in all living beings. Surya mudra attracts energy of the Sun.

Sequence:
1.Touch the third (ring) finger to the pad of thumb.
2.Press the thumb gently over this third (ring) finger.
3.Keep the other fingers aloof.


Benefits:
•This mudra decreases Earth element in body.
•It cures mental heaviness.
•It also reduces body fat.
•The mudra is good for weight loss.


11. Varuna Mudra


"Varuna" means "Water". It balances the water element in the body.

Sequence:
1.Touch the fore part of the smallest finger to the fore part of thumb.


Benefits:
•Regular practice of this mudra balances water element in body.
•This mudra enhances physical beauty.
•It decreases dryness in skin and body.
•It is beneficial in controlling coughs, colds, asthma, paralysis, vibration, sinuses, and low blood pressure.


12. Vaayu Mudra


"Vaayu" means "Air". This mudra helps balance the air element in the body

Sequence:
1.Fold the index finger (fore finger) on the pad of thumb.
2.Press the forefinger gently on the pad.
3.Keep the other fingers aloof.


Benefits:
•Helps in all nervous ailments.
•Helpful in pains and aches.
•Specific mudra for patients of Cerebral Palsy and Parkinson's ailment.

"Does God listen to our prayers?"

"Does God listen to our prayers?"

Sri Ramakrishna: "What are you saying? You will call on God and He will not listen? He is omnipresent and omniscient. How do you know that He does not listen to your prayers? You have no faith, so you are doubting Him."

"Do you know how to pray?"

Sri Ramakrishna taught from his own experience, not through knowledge acquired through books. Gangadhar (later Swami Akhandananda) recalled:
"Once I spent a night at Dakshineshwar with several other disciples, and the Master had us all sit for meditation. While communing with our Chosen Deities, we often laughed and wept in ecstasy. The pure joy we experienced in those boyhood days cannot be expressed in words. Whenever I approached the Master he would invariably ask me, "Did you shed tears at the time of prayer or meditation? And one day when I answered yes to this, how happy he was!"

The Master said: "Tears of repentance or sorrow flow from the corners of the eyes nearest to the nose and those of joy from the outer corners of the eyes."

Suddenly the Master asked me: "Do you know how to pray?"


Saying this he flung his hands and feet about restlessly like a little child impatient for its mother. Then he cried out: "Mother dear, grant me knowledge and devotion. I don't want anything else. I can't live without you."


While thus teaching us how to pray, he looked just like a small boy. Profuse tears rolled down his chest, and he passed into deep samadhi. I was convinced that the Master did that for my sake.

Ramakrishna - Soul of the East

Ramakrishna - Soul of the East

 "Ramakrishna was God manifested in a human being... Vivekananda was a radiant glance from the eye of Shiva," so said Sri Aurobindo, the founder of the Integral Yoga. Vivekananda looked upon his Master as the embodiment of perfection. "In the presence of my Master, I found out that man could be perfect even in this body."    

In the following lines produced from the penetrating pen of K.D. Sethna, we shall observe how, in the march of evolution, one Avatar paves the way for the next one:           

Ramakrishna, the illiterate man from the temple of conventional worship, was a veritable colossus of mystical experience; in him direct and immediate realisation of the Divine Being reached an intensity and variety which made him a marvellous summing-up of the whole spiritual history of India, with a face carrying the first gleam of a new age of the human soul - the age that will be known as the Aurobindonian.             

And do we not remember the supremely prophetic utterance of Sri Aurobindo? "We do not belong to past dawns, but to the noons of the future."             

"East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet." The famous statement by Kipling was proved false when Vivekananda, with the flood of Sri Ramakrishna's inspiration, gloriously united the East and the West with his unique message on religion.             

India wants "to be." The West wants "to do." Is it not at once safe and advisable  "to be" first, and then to offer one's contribution to the wide world? "Atmanam Viddhi, Know Thyself, says the Upanishad. First know thyself, and then do thou proclaim thyself. This was Ramakrishna's secret.  

There are different paths leading to the Divine. But the shortest and most sunlit path is the Mother Cult. This Mother Cult was most powerfully shown to the Indians by Sri Ramakrishna. The never-ceasing injunction of his teachings was, "Approach the Divine as a child approaches his mother, with the same purity, sincerity, ardent love, and faith, and the Mother will come to you! Call "Ma, Ma"; call again and again. The Mother is bound to come." 

When the influence of Western culture had almost caused the real "self" of India to die, and the children of India were running amuck to imitate Western culture, Ramakrishna Paramahansa knew that the time was ripe for him to revive the lost tradition of India.     

"Sri Ramakrishna," said Nolini Kanta Gupta, the celebrated Bengali author,

"represents spirituality at its absolute, its pristine fount and power. In him we find the pure gold of spirituality at a time when duplicity, perplexity, deceit and falsehood on the one hand, and atheism, disbelief and irreverence on the other reigned supreme...When spirituality had almost disappeared from the world and even in India, it existed, as it were, merely in name, there was the advent of Sri Ramakrishna bringing with him spirituality in its sheer plenitude and investing it with eternal certitude and infallibility."            

It was Ramakrishna, too, who showed the greatest reverence for women that the world has known. He felt that women were the embodiments of the Divine Mother and he treated them as divinities. His own consort, Sarada Devi, he worshipped as the Divine Mother Herself.             

Far and wide travelled the renown of Ramakrishna's spiritual teachings, influencing, among others, the French savant Romain Rolland. So deeply was he touched that in the evening of his life he wrote the memorable book, The Life of Sri Ramakrishna. Two lines of significant insight I quote from that book.              

"The man whose image I here invoke was the consummation of two thousand years of the spiritual life of three million people... His inner life embraced the whole multiplicity of men and God."              

Professor Max Muller, another famous European, was also an ardent admirer of Ramakrishna. Max Muller had devoted the major portion of his life to the study of the Hindu scriptures, had translated the Rig Veda into English, and was the author of History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature and Sacred Books of the East. Among his later works was Ramakrishna: His Life and Sayings.   

Once Swami Vivekananda went to Oxford to pay homage to Professor Max Muller, whom he looked upon as a sage and a "Vedantist of Vedantists and kindness itself." On Vivekananda's departure, the Professor, who had seen seventy winters, accompanied the Swami to the railway station, justifying his coming by saying, "It is not every day that one meets a disciple of Ramakrishna Paramahansa."   

Sri Ramakrishna, to thee we offer our deepest homage. Our hearts feel that what you possessed was the Infinite, and that the Infinite was your heart's Eternal Home.

A PERSON LIMITING YOUR GROWTH

Baba said, "If you can do anything, do some good" in Sri Sai Satcharitra, ch.  10

 

One day not too long ago, the employees of a large company at St. Louis, Missouri, returned from their lunch break and were greeted with a sign on the front door.

 

The sign said: "Yesterday, the person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room that has been prepared in the gym."

 

At first everyone was sad to hear that one of their colleagues had died, but after a while they started getting curious about who the person was. The excitement grew as the employees arrived at the gym to pay their last respects.

 

Everyone wondered: "Who is this person who was hindering my progress? Well, at least he's no longer here!"

 

One by one the employees got closer to the coffin and when they looked inside it, they suddenly became speechless. They stood over the coffin, as if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul. There was a mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see himself. There was also a sign next to the mirror that said: "There is only one person who is capable of setting limits to your growth: it is YOU."

IN GOD WE TRUST

Baba said, "Make Me the sole object of your thoughts and actions; and you will, no doubt, attain Paramartha (the spiritual goal of life)" in Sri Sai Satcharitra, Ch. 18, 19.

 

A man named Jack was walking along a steep cliff one day when he accidentally got too close to the edge and fell. On the way down he grabbed a branch, which temporarily stopped his fall.

He looked down and to his horror saw that the canyon fell straight down for more than a thousand feet. He couldn't hang onto the branch forever, and there was no way for him to climb up the steep wall of the cliff. So Jack began yelling for help, hoping that someone passing by would hear him and lower a rope or something.

 

"Help! Help! Is anyone up there? Help!"

 

He yelled for hours, but no one heard him. He was about to give up when he heard a voice.

 

"Jack, Jack. Can you hear me?"

 

"Yes, yes! I can hear you. I'm down here!"

 

"I can see you, Jack. Are you all right?"

 

"Yes, but . . . Who are you, and where are you?"

 

"I am the Lord, Jack. I'm everywhere."

 

"The Lord? You mean, God?"

 

"That's Me."

 

"God, please help me! I promise if You'll get me down from here, I'll stop sinning. I'll be a really good person. I'll serve You for the rest of my life."

 

"Easy on the promises, Jack. Let's just get you down from there; then we can talk. Now, here's what I want you to do. Listen carefully."

 

"I'll do anything, Lord. Just tell me what to do."

 

"Okay. Let go of the branch."

 

"What?"

 

"I said, let go of the branch.. Just trust Me. Let go."

 

There was a long silence. Finally Jack yelled,

 

"Help! Help! Is anyone else up there?"

 

Have you ever felt like Jack? We say that we want to know the will of God, but when we find out what it is, we can't handle it. It sounds too scary, too difficult. We decide to look elsewhere.

When He says, "Let go of the things that stand between you and Me, and trust Me with your life. It sounds pretty scary, but when we let go, we find freedom and safety in His hands."

Feed to Hungry Goes to Lord

Baba said, "Know for certain, that he who feeds the hungry, really serves Me with food. Regard this as an exiomatic Truth" in Sri Sai Satcharitra, ch. 42

 

Ruth went to her mail box and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address.

 

She read the letter:

 

Dear Ruth,

 

I'm going to be in your neighborhood Saturday afternoon and I'd like to stop by for a visit.

 

Love Always,
Jesus

 

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. "Why would the Lord want to visit me? I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer." With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets.

 

Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer. I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner." She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents.

 

"Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk...leaving Ruth with grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.

 

"Hey lady, can you help us, lady?" Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway. A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags.

 

"Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us, lady, we'd really appreciate it."

 

Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and, frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to.

 

"Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him."

 

"Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway." The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley. As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart.

 

"Sir, wait!" The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. "Look, why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest." She handed the man her grocery bag.

 

"Thank you lady. Thank you very much!"

 

"Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering. "You know, I've got another coat at home. Here, why don't you take this one." Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders.

 

Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street...without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest. "Thank you lady! Thank you very much!"

 

Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox.

 

"That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day." She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.

 

Dear Ruth,

 

It was so good to see you again. Thank you for the lovely meal And thank you, too, for the beautiful coat.

 

Love Always,
Jesus

 

The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.

 

THIS IS A SIMPLE TEST.......

வாழ்க்கை எதிலே ஓடிக்கொண்டிருக்கிறது?

"வாழ்க்கை எதிலே ஓடிக்கொண்டிருக்கிறது?

ஆசையிலும் நம்பிக்கையிலுமே ஓடிக் கொண்டிருக்கிறது.

சராசரி மனிதனை ஆசை தான் இழுத்துச் செல்கிறது. அவன் தவறுக்கெல்லாம் அதுவே காரணமாகிறது.

வேண்டும்' என்கிற உள்ளம் விரிவடைந்து கொண்டே போகிறது. போதும்' என்ற மனம் சாகும்வரை வருவதில்லை.

ஐம்பது காசு நாணயம் பூமியில் கிடந்து, ஒருவன் கைக்கு அது கிடைத்துவிட்டால், வழிநெடுக நாணயம் கிடைக்கும் என்று தேடிக் கொண்டே போகிறான்.

ஒரு விஷயம் கைக்குக் கிடைத்து விட்டால் நூறு விஷயங்களை மனது வளர்த்துக் கொள்கிறது.

ஆசை எந்தக் கட்டத்தில் நின்றுவிடுகிறதோ, அந்தக் கட்டத்தில் சுயதரிசனம் ஆரம்பமாகிறது.

சுயதரிசனம் பூர்த்தியானவுடன், ஆண்டவன் தரிசனம் கண்ணுக்குத் தெரிகிறது. ஆனால் எல்லோராலும் அது முடிகிறதா?

லட்சத்தில் ஒருவருக்கே ஆசையை அடக்கும் அல்லது ஒழிக்கும் மனப்பக்குவம் இருக்கிறது.

என் ஆசை எப்படி வளர்ந்ததென்று எனக்கே நன்றாகத் தெரிகிறது. சிறு வயதில் வேலையின்றி அலைந்தபோது "மாதம் இருபது ரூபாயாவது கிடைக்கக்கூடிய வேலை கிடைக்காதா? என்று ஏங்கினேன்.

கொஞ்ச நாளில் கிடைத்தது.மாதம் இருபத்தைந்து ரூபாய் சம்பளத்திலே ஒரு பத்திரிகையில் வேலை கிடைத்தது.

ஆறு மாதம்தான் அந்த நிம்மதி. "மாதம் ஐம்பது ரூபாய் கிடைக்காதா?" என்று மனம் ஏங்கிற்று. அதுவும் கிடைத்தது, வேறொரு பத்திரிகையில். பிறகு மாதம் நூறு ரூபாயை மனது அவாவிற்று. அதுவும் கிடைத்தது. மனது ஐநூறுக்குத் தாவிற்று. அது ஆயிரமாக வளர்ந்தது. ஈராயிரமாகப் பெருகிற்று. யாவும் கிடைத்தன. இப்பொழுது நோட்டடிக்கும் உரிமையையே மனது கேட்கும் போலிருக்கிறது!

எந்தக் கட்டத்திலும் ஆசை பூர்த்தியடையவில்லை. `இவ்வளவு போதும்' என்று எண்ணுகிற நெஞ்சு, `அவ்வளவு' கிடைத்ததும், அடுத்த கட்டத்திற்குத் தாண்டுகிறதே,ஏன்?

அதுதான் இறைவன் லீலை!

ஆசைகள் அற்ற இடத்தில், குற்றங்கள் அற்றுப் போகின்றன.குற்றங்களும் பாபங்களும் அற்றுப்போய் விட்டால் மனிதனுக்கு அனுபவங்கள் இல்லாமல் போய்விடுகின்றன. அனுபவங்கள் இல்லையென்றால், நன்மை தீமைகளைக் கண்டுபிடிக்க முடியாது. ஆகவே தவறுகளின் மூலமே மனிதன் உண்மையை உணர்ந்து கொள்ளவேண்டும் என்பதற்காக, இறைவன்ஆசையைத் தூண்டி விடுகிறான்.

ஆசையை மூன்றுவிதமாகப் பிரிக்கிறது இந்து மதம். மண்ணாசை! பொன்னாசை! பெண்ணாசை!

மண்ணாசை வளர்ந்துவிட்டால், கொலை விழுகிறது. பொன்னாசை வளர்ந்துவிட்டால், களவு நடக்கிறது.

பெண்ணாசை வளர்ந்துவிட்டால், பாபம் நிகழ்கிறது. இந்த மூன்றில் ஒரு ஆசைகூட இல்லாத மனிதர்கள் மிகவும் குறைவு. ஆகவேதான், பற்றற்ற வாழ்க்கையை இந்துமதம் போதித்தது.

பற்றற்று வாழ்வதென்றால், எல்லாவற்றையும் விட்டுவிட்டு ஓடிப்போய் சந்நியாசி ஆவதல்ல!

"இருப்பது போதும்; வருவது வரட்டும்; போவது போகட்டும்; மிஞ்சுவது மிஞ்சட்டும்" என்று சலனங்களுக்கு ஆட்படாமல் இருப்பதே பற்றற்ற வாழ்க்கையாகும்.

ஆசை, தீமைக்கு அடிப்படையாக இல்லாத வரை, அந்த ஆசை வாழ்வில் இருக்கலாம் என்கிறது இந்து மதம்.

நான் சிறைச்சாலையில் இருந்தபோது கவனித்தேன். அங்கே இருந்த குற்றவாளிகளில் பெரும்பாலோர் ஆசைக் குற்றவாளிகளே.

மூன்று ஆசைகளில் ஒன்று அவனைக் குற்றவாளியாக்கி இருக்கிறது.
சிறைச்சாலையில் இருந்துகொண்டு, அவன் "முருகா, முருகா!" என்று கதறுகிறான்.  ஆம், அவன் அனுபவம் அவனுக்கு உண்மையை உணர்த்துகிறது.
அதனால்தான் "பரம்பொருள் மீது பற்று வை; நிலையற்ற பொருள்களின் மீது ஆசை வராது" என்கிறது இந்துமதம்.

"பற்றுக பற்றற்றான் பற்றினை அப்பற்றைப்
பற்றுக பற்று விடற்கு" என்பது திருக்குறள்.

ஆசைகளை அறவே ஒழிக்க வேண்டியதில்லை. அப்படி ஒழித்துவிட்டால் வாழ்க்கையில் என்ன சுகம்?

அதனால்தான் `தாமரை இலைத் தண்ணீர் போல்' என்று போதித்தது இந்து மதம்.

நேரிய வழியில் ஆசைகள் வளரலாம். ஆனால் அதில் லாபமும் குறைவு, பாபமும் குறைவு.

ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் கிடைக்கும் என்று எதிர்பார்த்து ஐநூறு ரூபாய் மட்டுமே கிடைத்தால் அந்த ஐநூறு உனக்குப் பணமாகத் தெரியாது.

இருநூறு எதிர்பார்த்து உனக்கு ஐநூறு கிடைத்தால், நிம்மதி வந்துவிடுகிறது.
"எதிர்பார்ப்பதைக் குறைத்துக் கொள்; வருவது மனதை நிறைய வைக்கிறது" என்பதே இந்துக்கள் தத்துவம்.

எவ்வளவு அழகான மனைவியைப் பெற்றவனும், இன்னொரு பெண்ணை ஆசையோடு பார்க்கிறானே, ஏன்?

லட்சக்கணக்கான ரூபாய் சொத்துக்களைப் பெற்றவன் மேலும் ஓர் ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் கிடைக்கிறதென்றால்ஓடுகிறானே, ஏன்?

அது ஆசை போட்ட சாலை. அவன் பயணம் அவன் கையிலில்லை; ஆசையின் கையில் இருக்கிறது.

போகின்ற வேகத்தில் அடி விழுந்தால் நின்று யோசிக்கிறான்; அப்போது அவனுக்குத் தெய்வ ஞாபகம் வருகிறது.

அனுபவங்கள் இல்லாமல், அறிவின் மூலமே தெய்வத்தைக் கண்டுகொள்ளும்படி போதிப்பது தான் இந்துமதத்தத்துவம்.

பொறாமை, கோபம்' எல்லாமே ஆசை பெற்றெடுத்த குழந்தைகள் தான்.

வாழ்க்கைத் துயரங்களுக்கெல்லாம் மூலகாரணம் எதுவென்று தேடிப் பார்த்து, அந்தத் துயரங்களிலிருந்து உன்னை விடுபடச் செய்ய, அந்தக் காரணங்களைச் சுட்டிக் காட்டி, உனது பயணத்தை ஒழுங்குபடுத்தும் வேலையை இந்துமதம் மேற்கொண்டிருக்கிறது.

இந்துமதம் என்றும் சந்நியாசிகளின் பாத்திரமல்ல. அது வாழ விரும்புகிறவர்கள், வாழ வேண்டியவர்களுக்குவழிகாட்டி.

வள்ளுவர் சொல்லும் வாழ்க்கை நீதிகளைப் போல இந்து மதமும் நீதிகளையே போதிக்கிறது.

அந்த நீதிகள் உன்னை வாழவைப்பதற்கே அல்லாமல் தன்னை வளர்த்துக் கொள்வதற்காக அல்ல.

உலகத்தில் எங்கும் நிர்பந்தமாகத் திணிக்கப்படாத மதம், இந்து மதம்.

உன் உள்ளம் நிர்மலமாக, வெண்மையாக, தூய்மையாக இருக்கிறது என்பதற்கு அடையாளமாகவே அது `திருநீறு'பூசச் சொல்லுகிறது.

உன் உடம்பு, நோய் நொடியின்றி ரத்தம் சுத்தமாக இருக்கிறது என்பதற்காகவே, `குங்குமம்' வைக்கச் சொல்கிறது.

இவள் திருமணமானவள்' என்று கண்டுகொண்டு அவளை நீ ஆசையோடு பார்க்காமலிருக்கப் பெண்ணுக்கு அது `மாங்கல்யம்' சூட்டுகிறது.

தன் கண்களால் ஆடவனுடைய ஆசையை ஒரு பெண் கிளறி விடக் கூடாது என்பதற்காவே, அவளைத் `தலைகுனிந்து' நடக்கச் சொல்கிறது.

யாராவது ஆடவன் தன்னை உற்று நோக்குகிறான் என்பதைக் கண்டால், இந்தப் பெண்கள் மார்பகத்து ஆடையைஇழுத்து மூடிக் கொள்கிறார்களே, ஏன்?
ஏற்கெனவே திருத்தமாக உள்ள ஆடையை மேலும் திருத்துகிறார்களே, ஏன்?
எந்தவொரு `கவர்ச்சி'யும் ஆடவனுடைய ஆசையைத் தூண்டி விடக்கூடாது என்பதால்.

ஆம்; ஆடவன் மனது சலனங்களுக்கும், சபலங்களுக்கும் ஆட்பட்டது.
கோவிலிலே தெய்வ தரிசனம் செய்யும்போது கூட கண் கோதையர்பால் சாய்கிறது.

அதை மீட்க முடியாத பலவீனனுக்கு, அவள் சிரித்துவிட்டால் எரியும் நெருப்பில் எண்ணெய் ஊற்றியதுபோல்ஆகிறது.

"பொம்பளை சிரிச்சா போச்சு; புகையிலை விரிச்சாப் போச்சு" என்பது இந்துக்கள் பழமொழி.

கூடுமானவரை மனிதனைக் குற்றங்களில் இருந்து மீட்பதற்கு தார்மீக வேலி போட்டு வளைக்கிறது இந்துமதம்.

அந்தக் குற்றங்களில் இருந்து விடுபட்டவனுக்கே நிம்மதி கிடைக்கிறது.

அந்த நிம்மதியை உனக்கு அளிக்கவே இந்துமதத் தத்துவங்கள் தோன்றின.
இன்றைய இளைஞனுக்கு ஷேக்ஸ்பியரைத் தெரியும்; ஷெல்லியைத் தெரியும்; ஜேம்ஸ்பாண்ட் தெரியும். கெட்டுப்போன பின்புதான், அவனுக்குப் பட்டினத்தாரைப் புரியும்.

ஓய்ந்த நேரத்திலாவது அவன் ராமகிருஷ்ண பரமஹம்சரின் உபதேசங்களைப் படிப்பானானால், இந்துமதம் என்பதுவெறும் `சாமியார் மடம்' என்ற எண்ணம் விலகிவிடும்.

நியாயமான நிம்மதியான வாழ்க்கையை நீ மேற்கொள்ள, உன் தாய் வடிவில் துணை வருவது இந்துமதம்.

ஆசைகளைப் பற்றி பரமஹம்சர் என்ன கூறுகிறார்?

"ஆழமுள்ள கிணற்றின் விளிம்பில் நிற்பவன், அதனுள் விழுந்துவிடாமல் எப்போதும் ஜாக்கிரதையாகஇருப்பதைப்போல் உலக வாழ்க்கையை மேற்கொண்டவன் ஆசாபாசங்களில் அமிழ்ந்துவிடாமல் இருக்கவேண்டும்" என்கிறார்.

"அவிழ்த்து விடப்பட்ட யானை, மரங்களையும் செடி கொடிகளையும் வேரோடு பிடுங்கிப் போடுகிறது. ஆனால் அதன் பாகன் அங்குசத்தால் அதன் தலையில் குத்தியதும், அது சாந்தமாகி விடுகிறது."

"அதுபோல, அடக்கியாளாத மனம் வீண் எண்ணங்களில் ஓடுகிறது."

"விவேகம் என்ற அங்குசத்தால் அது வீழ்த்தப்பட்டதும் சாந்தமாகிவிடுகிறது" என்றார்.

அடக்கியாள்வதன் பெயரே வைராக்கியம்."

அர்த்தமுள்ள இந்துமதம்  (கவியரசு கண்ணதாசன்)