| Spiritual Excellence
in Action |
 |
By Swami Bhoomananda Tirtha
What is spiritual
excellence – its nature, scope and potency? Normally, the
coveted aim before an earnest spiritual seeker is to know
the Supreme Truth himself, to actualize it as a personal
living experience, and thereby to become ‘fulfilled’.
The path followed is essentially of self-absorption and
withdrawal from world involvements to transcend the dwandwaas
(dualities) posed by the mind and to reach a state of
oneness of vision and experience. Samyak darsana or comprehensive vision is the zenith to which he
reaches through Brahma-jijnaasaa.
The only function, if at all, he will take up thereafter is
the dissemination of spiritual wisdom for the benefit of
seekers and the afflicted. But, this does not mean that
spirituality has its application only to this field.
By the might and grace
of spirituality, the external common causes like immediate
and long term social and national needs, as well as
evolutionary needs of mankind to move towards a greater and
lasting harmony, can also be met. It is a strong
motivational force, and when provided by noble teachers and
leaders, it can inspire an individual, a society, or mankind
as a whole; it can deliver people from fear and corruption
– strengthen their minds for winning any moral or noble
cause. The moralizing and harmonizing effect of true
spiritual leadership is most sublime and long-living.
Current
relevance
In-depth analysis of
this dynamic aspect of spirituality is particularly relevant
in the light of recent Hindu resurgence in Kerala, in which
some Sannyasins are participating as leaders. Normally,
Sannyasins are given exclusively to jnaana-nishthaa
and the imparting of spiritual wisdom to the seekers who
come to them. So, this kind of participation strikes a
departure, if not a contrast, to the set ideas of people.
In fact, the subject is
of an eternal nature, relevant as much to the ancient past
as to the immediate present. This is a theme you can find in
Ramayana, Mahabharata, Shrimad Bhagavata and other allied
spiritual texts. Therefore, I shall discuss it at some
length.
Krishna
– the warfield Guru
Look at Kurukshetra.
The stage is set for the great moral war. Proud Arjuna
arrives – he has a Great One to hold the reins. Arjuna
orders, Krishna obeys. The chariot is taken to the front to
enable the great warrior survey the enemy lines. Alas, there
were Bhisma and Drona – his own grandfather and preceptor
– standing in front!
The moral war starts,
but within. The invincible hero crumbles in utter distress,
affliction and repentance. Suddenly he begins to speak words
of retreat.
What is to be done at
such a juncture? Arjuna knew only one side of the human
glory and the factors contributing to it. To be a full
victor in oneself, the outer expanse cannot alone be the
adequate trainer. The other half is the one that verily
transcends and excels!
When the external
circumstances overpower the mind, it must be turned inward
to search for the subject source and arrive at the remedy.
Infinite grace, immeasurable profundity, is stored in
one’s own inner reservoir. Even the very external fright
and confusion subsist on this inner causal source alone.
“Get to this internal
source; sink and reflect upon deeply, till you find the
clarity, resolve and inspiration you need to withstand the
crisis and march forward” – was the process administered
by Krishna.
Krishna’s spiritual
help was great and timely. It marked a striking contrast to
the spiritual lore. The Upanishads discuss the Supreme Self.
But what for? To inspire the mind to retreat from the world
and seek contentment in quietitude; to merge with the soul
and become extinct thereafter. The Upanishadic teacher
generally sits quiet in his hermitage, at most, with a few
devoted disciples. Is that what happened with Krishna in
Kurukshetra? The scene differed, the purpose also; but the
subject source of the teaching remained the same.
This can and will
transpire even today, particularly in our blessed land of
Bharat. Our culture is capable of enabling the transmission,
with even more complex benefits. For the present causes of
Dharma, the immortal wisdom of the Upanishads can be made to
speak afresh. The knowledge of the undying Self will
deliver its wonder and magic wherever it is applied. As
it leads one to the quietness of nirvikalpa
samaadhi, it will empower another to radiate with
brilliance, courage, and enthusiasm to meet all outward
challenges.
Hanuman
– The magic of devotion
Now think of Hanuman,
the embodiment of devotion. The monkey king Sugriva engaged
his entire team in the task of finding Sita. Hanuman was in
the group that went southward. Having failed in the mission,
the entire southbound group found no meaning in coming back,
and decided to fast unto death remaining where they were. It
was then that the island of Lanka was spotted by Sampaati,
the eagle king, and the news conveyed to the group.
The discovery instilled
new hope in them. But, how to cross the wide expanse of sea
in between? Who will dare to make the attempt and by what
means? Who is that ‘chosen’ one? The monkeys started
recounting their physical strength and the memorable feats
performed by each other. But none of these glorious records
could inspire them to rise up to the present need. Finally,
the quiet and mighty Hanuman, whose strength lay more in his
exclusive devotion and surrender to Rama, came out as the
‘chosen’ one, determined to undertake the feat for the
sake of his beloved Lord. He was a Raama-bhakta whose entire being was soaked in devotion and
surrendered to Rama. He was a Raama-daasa,
given to the service of Rama in all possible and
‘impossible’ ways.
Hanuman, determined to
succeed in his mission, in any circumstances, climbed up to
a suitable point on the Mahendra hill, to take the fateful
leap. Every cell of his body was glowing and reverberating
with the power of Raama
mantra. Strong faith and supreme devotional current
rendered his body light, flexible and expanding like air,
then subtle, powerful, and radiate like fire. Fixing his
mind on Rama and exercising his will exclusively for the
mission, he could easily perform the ‘impossible’ feat.
Not only did he
complete successfully the mission of meeting Sita and
getting her message back, but all alone in the land of
powerful enemies, he sang the glory of Rama in thunderous
voice and demonstrated the power of Raama-bhakti
in a devastating manner. He met Ravana like an ambassador,
and finally set fire to the Lanka city.
A
significant contrast
This Hanuman episode
strikes a significant contrast to Valmiki’s own life –
his conversion from vicious Ratnakara to sage Valmiki
through Raama-naama-japa.
In his case, it was to set the devotee whole-heartedly to a
formidable objective task. In both instances, it is the same
devotion, to the same Lord, and the magic worked through the
same mantra! One is subjective, a purely inward application
of devotion and spirituality; the other is an external,
objective manifestation of the same devotional and spiritual
excellence.
In truth, the object
does not stand apart from the subject. It exists within the
subject. Both together make the Supreme Indescribable Truth.
So, the inward spiritual pursuit and the merits it begets
have always a full outward bearing and application. These
can be harnessed whenever needed – as was done by Hanuman.
Epics
message eternal
Our epics are replete
with similar examples – amply demonstrating the invincible
power of spiritual excellence in the subjective as well as
objective spheres. The question is: Do the sages’
narrations have an eternal import, relevant to all
situations and challenges of the world, irrespective of the
prevailing social order? Or, should we have to wait for a
more fortunate period of time, a situation far different
from the prevailing one, to think of such moral excellences
as we find displayed in Prahlada, Harishchandra, Rama, Sita,
Yudhisthira, Draupadi, Sudama, and the rest? We must know
whether the epics were a sheer pursuit of leisure and
pastime for the Sages, or these are as material and earthly
a proposition – a course of action and a conduct for the
humans to take up with fate and fidelity and pursue with
determination as any modern adventures of science!
The message and
exhortations of the seers are clear and final. They do want
the seeker to know that the invisible cause is as sure as a
friend, benefactor, and protector, as its visible agencies
existing around; they are in fact, even more resourceful and
timely. Let there be colossal opposition from the sentient
and insentient sources alike; the Great Womb of Creation can
and will save the seeker of truth and reward his venture.
The heavens have to follow his resolve.
The question merely is:
Do you look to that Infinite Source dearly, confidently, as
you towards the external world? Nay, do you depend on IT
EXCLUSIVELY?
Spirit
superior to matter
The mighty literature
of our land is pivoted on this unique concept of The Power
within, which is also the Power behind the entire
creation. All the scriptures sing in unison, the supremacy
of this Invisible Presence.
The first mass of
matter, or the space in which it entered or say, vice-versa,
cannot be a creation of either. The ‘ultimate substance’
could not have sprung from another similar to itself. The
material universe conceals a spiritual sovereignty. So too
our material body hosts within it a transcendental core,
capable of infinite expansion.
Does not our brain,
though small, generate and preserve ‘reflective
magnitudes’ of infinite dimensions, which our eyes see
outside? What must then be ‘infinitude’ of the power and
being, which shapes the amazing brain mass? The brain is not
designed and formed by an outside source or power. The
growing process is an act, a display, from within the
growing entity itself. The Supreme Power, therefore, lurks
within. The sage looks to this inner power alone,
exclusively, for doing and achieving whatever he sets
himself to.
The
present crisis
As weeds grow on the
soil, if left uncared, so too human minds breed unwelcome
tendencies, which tend to destroy the individual life as
well as the social harmony and well-being, constant
vigilance, discipline and austerity, all tended by the most
painstaking effort, are a must to keep the minds healthy and
growing. Every generation has to discern well and strive
hard to ensure that, by its own practices and pursuits, only
the healthy inheritances are preserved while some new
harmonious acquisitions are added to them. It is in this
field of social growth that Knower of Truth has a unique
role of leadership to play - by virtue of his love for
mankind, and the wisdom, experience and equipoise he has
gained by long painstaking pursuit of enquiry and austerity.
Ours is a blessed land
empowered by a great culture. A mighty wealth of literature
and culture, built around the ultimate quest of human mind
has been handed down to us through the ages. Revolving on
this eternal pivot, a society has manifested highest levels
of moral and spiritual virtues as well as exemplary
instances of social harmony based on reason, propriety,
equality and awareness. Yet this society is now suffocating
under the clutches of reckless greed and tyranny of power
holders, power seekers and power brokers. Vested interests
are ruling triumphantly over all public affairs including
the field of religion – as a moral righteous citizen is
denied his fundamental rights in every walk of life, so also
is a true devotee denied his fundamental right to worship in
a temple. The lofty ideals and the noble promises of our
constitution are being mocked at everyday in an increasing
measure.
But, do we have the
right to blame the vested interests and sit indifferently
waiting for a more opportune moment to come? Are not the
public – their apathy, lack of enquiry and wisdom, and
above all myopic selfishness – to be blamed equally for
this state of affairs? If men of character, reason and
integrity do not come forward to know and to protect this
great culture form the stench and filth the vested interests
have thrown on it, then who will our society look forward
to?
The standards of ethics
and decency in a society are always best enforced by public
opinion. Democracy can be safe and smooth only when people
refuse to accept anything substandard. On the other hand,
nothing is so dangerous in democracy as the unshakeable
apathy of a docile citizen.
The
call before us
The post-independence
period is too short in the long history of our Nation. Let
not anyone be unduly haunted by its seeming disorder. There
is enough time to mend and immortalize ourselves again. The
sons and daughters of our land can and will accomplish the
task, as did their forefathers.
If we ourselves do not
resist the evil tendencies of our Society, then who will?
The question is ‘social’, not ‘personal’. Do we not
have a love, consideration and responsibility towards the
society to which we belong, from which we are born, and by
whose favour and gifts we enjoy our living? The call before
us is to herald the krita
yuga now, out of our own option, using for the purpose,
the purity of our thoughts, the sublimity of our motives and
wholesome commitment of our will. The challenge comes from
the world. The inspiration is to emerge from within, from
the culture and association provided by our epics,
scriptures and their immortal authors.
* * *
