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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Bad company is harmful

 

CHENNAI, SEPT. 6. When Providence blesses a person with the power

of discrimination (as possessed by a swan which is traditionally

believed to feed on pearls and credited with the natural gift of

separating milk from water), the mind, when tamed, can abandon

evil and get immersed in goodness. But by force of old habits

even the noble may deviate from doing pious deeds. However, just

as the servants of the Lord can get their errors rectified by

resorting to religious way of life and can get their sorrows and

weaknesses eradicated, even the wicked may occasionally do a kind

act due to association with saintly men when their evil nature

may be changed. The pious will be honoured notwithstanding their

mean appearance. Hence, bad company is harmful, while moving

intimately with the good is an asset in itself.

 

In his introduction to the Hindi version of the original Sanskrit

work, the Ramayana, its author, Sri Tulsidas, has laid emphasis

on the benefits which will accrue by the constant chanting of the

name of Rama, God in human form. Valmiki was a highway robber but

due to Divine grace, uttered this glorious word (though initially

in the reverse order) and produced the immortal epic. In this

great poem, as Ravana lay dying, he told Lakshmana that he wanted

to build a stairway to heaven and make the salty sea water,

sweet. But he put off executing them and without considering the

consequences, rushed to do evil. He added that was why he was

breathing his last, wounded by Rama's arrows.

 

If a person commits wrong, he will live to regret it. If one

carries out a good deed, history will glorify him. People do not

name their children as ``Ravana'' or ``Duryodhana'' because they

were wicked characters. The study of the tale of Rama

(Ramacharitamanas), composed by Tulsidas, will show us the path

of virtue. The message therein is to ``uphold righteousness''.

``We entered this world with clinched fists and leave it with

open palms, empty-handed'' said Sri Musafiranand in a lecture.

One extremely valid writ contained in this Divine poem is about

the inviolability of Destiny.

 

``Fate is most powerful. Life and death, profit and loss, honour

and disgrace are all in the hands of Destiny. Why then blame

anyone or show anger without reason? Emperor Dasaratha is not to

be pitied. On the other hand pity the few holy men, ignorant of

the scriptures, who had abandoned their duties in order to

indulge in physical pleasures. Pity rather the businessmen, rich

but miserly, who neither worship Lord Siva nor offer hospitality

to guests. Pitiable too in every respect are the insincere men

who do not devote themselves to Lord Hari''.

 

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