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

 

Significance of human existence

 

CHENNAI, DEC. 4. Human body is a reservoir of auspiciousness. It

may be compared to a bamboo pole which has many joints which

interrupt its smoothness. For a man, the six evils (desire,

anger, greed, attachment, pride and jealousy) represent the bends

(or joints). Also, this body has been referred to as

``Tungabhadra'', Tunga meaning ``infinite'' and Bhadra,

auspiciousness. Everyone should hence carefully introspect to

check whether this sacred gift of God (the body) is being

properly put to use or is being mishandled. It was Sage Narada

who gave this name, Tungabhadra, to the human frame, which means

that it provides limitless happiness.

 

Understanding the sanctity behind this name, the body should be

utilised only for noble and sacred purposes and to derive bliss

therefrom. Human life should not be looked at from just a

worldly, material and physical perspective. Through intense

enquiry, sages of yore had unravelled the deeper significance of

human existence. Man today faces misery and does not lead his

life as he ought to, viz., in the service of people. Totally pre-

occupied with himself and members of his family, he has no

thought for the community or the society he lives in.

 

The Vedas declare that it is a rare blessing to be born as a

human. Sage Narada recognised the identity of man with God and

had declared that the Almighty is not outside but within man. The

sage had added that ``After attaining God, man gets total

satisfaction, fulfilment and ecstasy''. On the other hand, he

revels in seeing God as man. Such perception arises from utter

lack of faith and deluded thinking. The truly good will see God

in every human being. The evil one, on the other hand, reduces

even the Divine to mundane levels. Such a person can be described

as a Ravana who mistook God as an ordinary person.

 

In a discourse, Sri Sathya Sai Baba explained how scriptures

offer to men many ideals to be kept in front of them. Realising

his folly at the end, Ravana fell grieved that by yielding to

lust and anger, he had brought ruin to one and all. ``I could not

conquer hatred and jealousy and thereby lost all my relatives.

Unable to realise the fundamental Truth, I lost my kingdom too.

Do not repeat my mistake.'' This was the warning Ravana gave

prior to his death. Noble souls are very powerful because they

completely grasp the basic Truth. Ravana acquired multiple

capabilities, even spiritual, but these achievements were of no

use at all. Becoming a slave to attachment, and hatred, he had,

in the end, to suffer and perish. If unlike him, one imbibes love

in one's heart, one can emerge victorious even under most adverse

circumstances.

 

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