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

 

Divine Law is eternally valid

 

CHENNAI, FEB. 19. Even those who have been zealously upholding

the provisions of the Law of Righteousness can be seen getting

disheartened when faced with problems which seem to defy

solution. At that juncture, when they may come to feel that God

has been unkind to them, the only way to comfort them is to

remind them of several others in similar situations having

suffered on a bigger scale and how even kings had been reduced to

penury (though for a brief time). What is needed to boost the

sagging morale of such sincere men who had been temporarily upset

is not to despise what our religion says.

 

Sages, saints and scholars had therefore taken pains to paint out

how the Divine Law will be eternally valid and its constitution

is based on sound tested principles. They cannot be amended to

suit one's whims. Some of the commands may appear harsh requiring

extraordinary efforts to follow them. Traditions which had

stemmed from this Law of Virtue may change from place to place as

in the case of temple worship. In North India, anyone can perform

poojas to idols whereas this privilege is confined in the South

only to qualified priests. But these are exceptions and not rules

in themselves. Man, who is born alone and leaves the world alone,

will carry with him only the fruits of his righteous acts. Virtue

follows the body that has been abandoned by all. Those who do not

violate the injunctions will surely derive the rewards in some

cases, immediately and for some, at later days. The best example

given is that of a plantain tree. Within a short time after

planting, there will be sprouts showing up but to get the leaves

and fruits, one has to wait for some time.

 

Also, those who stand by the law will be given tests by God to

see whether they do not deviate from it. In the Mahabharata,

after the conclusion of the Kurukshetra war, Yudhishtira was

grieved at the enormous loss of lives and underwent mental

torture, when he was led to the grand old man, Bhishma who was

awaiting the final call. At the request of the former, Bhishma

gave a lengthy dissertation on the duties and responsibilities of

a person, particularly of a ruler and on character development.

The topics dealt with ranged from administrative efficiency to

ways to control citizens and how, even in the wake of trials, one

has to adhere to the law (Dharma). Salient points from their

dialogue were explained by Sri Vaidyanatha Sastrigal in a

discourse. Bhishma's advice in a nutshell was: ``See God in

everyone and everywhere. Never feel that you alone are great.

Practise qualities like gentleness, compassion, self-restraint

and tranquillity. Truth is the greatest penance and Krishna is

the Lord of the Universe.''

 

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