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

 

Characteristics of a 'man of perfection'

 

CHENNAI, FEB. 14. Among the variety of topics dealing with codes

of conduct for a human being to lead an integrated life, an

extremely fine portrayal of a ``man of perfection'' has been

presented by Lord Krishna Himself in the Bhagavad Gita. How can

we recognise such a person of steady wisdom, how does he

function, what is his method of approach, does he live in

solitude or does he mingle with people and join their activities

and such other questions which are bound to be raised by some,

have found place in an exhaustive and complete exposition of the

inner experience and outer conduct of the man of outstanding

calibre.

 

The description of such a saintly person is that he lives in the

world but ``is not of it''. He will use his intellect through

which he can ``see'' as it is one of the two powerful instruments

given by God, the other being the mind which is blind. It has to

be controlled and properly directed. Mind can be compared to an

official at a lower level, while the intellect performs the

duties of a chief. If the former does not carry out the

superior's order, one cannot expect harmony. The man of wisdom

has a steadfast mind controlled by intellect. This will not mean

suppression but is an act of supplication. The senses will not so

easily yield even to such a wise man, because their lure is

strong and often times may go against feeble resolve. The

strength of the sense-enjoyments is also so great that even those

attempting to check their influence by following the path of

abstract concentration and spiritual knowledge, may at times be

swept away by the sense-storm. The two sinful gourmands are

desires and anger, which will consume knowledge, as smoke covers

the flame, dust in the surface of the mirror and the womb, the

unborn baby. >>

 

A few hours ago, i wrote a poem describing this. For the more poetic, it might

lend some images....

 

Dancing From Om to Oz

 

Within each heart's a trinity

Yet maps written bold remain mystery.

A heart's life spent loving all beings the same

Is two lived as one, world without blame.

 

In a vast heart of love,

With a mirror erected

All love once projected,

Came back -- was reflected.

 

And yet there was more.

Than these two -- world and she.

A third Formless Essence

A mysterious He.

 

That formless one, touching the heart

Gave birth to the child of one precious heart

Mystery rare, the birth of these three

Heart filled with worlds and that formless one, He.

 

Speechlessly awed,

With three seen as one,

Gazing in stillness,

Wisdom seal won.

 

Compassion moved in her,

And she turned away

With the seal to remind her

Of the one born that day.

 

"How simple," she thought.

There's nothing to fear

It's all emanated,

Dancing to here.

 

She did dance the duo.

Danced best as she could

But the music was wrong

And not very good.

 

She thought to herself,

"Three were once one.

Who split them apart?

Where is the sun?"

 

The mirror, once joyous, suffered her pain.

Three years of tears from not knowing his name.

She knew all along that the key was a he

Perfection of Wisdom, ancient mystery.

 

A heart of compassion can dance many years

No matter the music, no matter the tears

 

But that precious union of he, she and thee.

Is mystery rare -- it's Solomon's three.

 

With mystery occluded, she looked for that he

Perfection of Wisdom she knew him to be

With one star to guide her, with it as the third

Projected from love, she flew like a bird.

 

He caught her one day

In the palm of his hand

Said "hello little one,

Nice of you to land."

 

She trembled a bit

And was ready to fly

When she glanced up and saw

Her star -- in his eye.

 

Now once again,

Three within one

The heart can recall

It's own precious sun.

 

But in case she should err

In naming the three,

Where words tend to fail and split she, he, and thee,

All she can say of the mystery rare

Is that if for a moment, she thinks she can see

In that single moment, He ceases to be

 

Perfection of Wisdom, star shining bright

She needs your eyes

Please lend her your sight.

Funny to know the heart seer is blind

She needs his eyes always to guide.

 

Compassion will always need wisdom, you see,

But whether he needs the she

Is the real mystery....

 

 

Tamra Temple 14 feb 2001

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This article is emailed to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran )

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

 

Characteristics of a 'man of perfection'

 

CHENNAI, FEB. 14. Among the variety of topics dealing with codes

of conduct for a human being to lead an integrated life, an

extremely fine portrayal of a ``man of perfection'' has been

presented by Lord Krishna Himself in the Bhagavad Gita. How can

we recognise such a person of steady wisdom, how does he

function, what is his method of approach, does he live in

solitude or does he mingle with people and join their activities

and such other questions which are bound to be raised by some,

have found place in an exhaustive and complete exposition of the

inner experience and outer conduct of the man of outstanding

calibre.

 

The description of such a saintly person is that he lives in the

world but ``is not of it''. He will use his intellect through

which he can ``see'' as it is one of the two powerful instruments

given by God, the other being the mind which is blind. It has to

be controlled and properly directed. Mind can be compared to an

official at a lower level, while the intellect performs the

duties of a chief. If the former does not carry out the

superior's order, one cannot expect harmony. The man of wisdom

has a steadfast mind controlled by intellect. This will not mean

suppression but is an act of supplication. The senses will not so

easily yield even to such a wise man, because their lure is

strong and often times may go against feeble resolve. The

strength of the sense-enjoyments is also so great that even those

attempting to check their influence by following the path of

abstract concentration and spiritual knowledge, may at times be

swept away by the sense-storm. The two sinful gourmands are

desires and anger, which will consume knowledge, as smoke covers

the flame, dust in the surface of the mirror and the womb, the

unborn baby.

 

Swami Swaroopananda, in a lecture, said meditation on phenomenal

objects even when pondering over the abrogation of worldly

enjoyment, will give birth to passion, which when it receives

setback, causes anger which leads to delusion. The latter will

destroy memory, the loss of which will wipe out all real

understanding about God. The absence of pure intelligence will

ultimately land him in destruction.

 

How desire and anger result in catastrophe is illustrated through

Sita in the Ramayana, who is a pinnacle of human perfection.

Despite Rama's plea to Her not to be lured by the golden fawn,

She insisted on possessing it stating ``I have never asked

anything from you and so just grant this one request.'' Again, in

Her anger when Lakshmana, who was standing guard advised Her and

said that he would not leave Her alone as ordered by Rama, She

poured out harsh remarks, even suspecting his motives.

 

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