Article sent from The Hindu on indiaserver.com

[Guest guest]

=============================================================

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

=============================================================

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

 

Remain poised amidst vagaries of life

 

CHENNAI, MARCH 22. Human life in the world is an admixture of

joys and sorrows and it is very often related by elders that no

one can enjoy unalloyed happiness always or face only unhappiness

in life. Human birth is the result of previous deeds and hence it

is not possible to escape from one's Karma. A wise person who

understands this truth reposes faith in divine dispensation and

accepts his lot with equanimity of mind and prays to God to give

him strength to face the vicissitudes of life.

 

Likewise, it is also necessary to retain mental poise when

fortune smiles without going overboard with joy or get totally

depressed when beset with problems. Moreover, some people have

the tendency to take the credit for their successes and blame

Providence for their failures without realising that whatever

they enjoy in life is due to the combined result of their Karma

and Providence.

 

The life of the Lord when He manifested as Rama serves to teach

this important lesson which every human being must learn to face

life situations. Rama underwent great trials and tribulations

just like an average human being and His conduct in these

situations is worthy of emulation. The manner in which Rama

conducted Himself when He was banished to the forest on the eve

of His coronation is a case in point.

 

Though there was a total reversal in His fortune Rama was only

intent on fulfilling the boon Dasaratha had granted to Kaikeyi

without any thought of personal discomfort. The Ramayana notes

that after reaching Chitrakoot and in the company of sages ``Rama

for His part rejoiced and shed the agony caused by His exile from

the city of Ayodhya.''

 

In his discourse, Sri M. R. Nagasubramaniam said that the same

could not be said of Dasaratha who was beside himself with grief

caused by separation from Rama. When Sumantra returned from the

forest after leaving Rama, Sita and Lakshmana in the forest, the

king gave vent to his sorrow raving like a mad man and swooned

unable to bear the agony. Even Kausalya who had remained in

control when they took leave of her could not contain her

distress when Sumantra conveyed Rama's parting message to her.

Forgetting that Dasaratha was also suffering the same pangs of

separation from Rama like her, Kausalya spoke harsh words to him

even though she was foremost among his devoted wives. She gave

vent to her pent- up anguish by condemning Dasaratha for all that

had happened without realising that it was not going to change

the situation. Unable to bear the harsh words the king swooned

again crying out to Rama.

 

Copyrights: 2001 The Hindu & indiaserver.com, Inc.

 

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly

prohibited without the consent of The Hindu & indiaserver.com, Inc.