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

 

Fear, worse than dreaded disease

 

CHENNAI, MAY 22. All scriptural texts call on human beings to

develop one of the most inimitable qualities, fearlessness, more

particularly during their earthly existence and when they are

fully aware that this term had been fixed and determined by God.

The prime command of God is that men should banish ``fear'', as

all events can be summed up in that weakness. This fear, more so

in the wake of impending death, is a depriving factor. The vision

of death will frighten anyone but the purpose of scriptures is to

make men to stand bold and cast off this fear.

 

Many may tremble when they face certain calamities which may lead

them to death or when they fall sick and know that their end is

nearing. Scriptures describe it merely as a sleep only to awaken

shortly, donning a new role. Others describe it as a journey with

a specified destination. A story is told of a ruler who, on being

informed in advance that a cyclone will hit his country, prayed

to God to save the people. His deity replied that only 50 would

die but later the king realised that nearly 1000 had perished.

``What about your assurance'' he asked God who said the others

died dreading that they too would be swept away. Anticipatory

fear is worse than dreaded disease.

 

No one should hence lament about their exit from the world. Those

who had acquired spiritual knowledge will never be upset about

death, as it is a natural phenomenon, even as the wealthy, with

the tendency to give charity, will not hesitate to donate

liberally to just causes or the noble men would not mind

entertaining guests. This was the candid advice tendered by

Bhishma to Duryodhana who was constantly nagging him as to why

this colossal loss of lives in the war, when he (Bhishma) would

give up his partiality to the enemies (Pandavas) and when he

would display his ferocity.

 

In his Mahabharata lecture, Sri K.P. Arivanandam said, the

Kurukshetra war symbolised the constant tussle that goes on

within a man between evil and good, and the attitude of some who

will never listen to reason and who will always hate whom they

dislike out of jealousy and whom they would like to destroy.

Witnessing the tragedy that struck his army, Duryodhana used

harsh words at Bhishma, the commander-in-chief who in reply

advised him to fight and not be worried constantly about the

result. Bhishma told him that he would fight to the last but

added that still he cannot kill the Pandavas as they are

supported by the Lord. ``Tomorrow I will destroy the enemies'

army like a forest fire. I can do that and nothing more. Go and

sleep. Fight till the end. Do not be concerned about failures.

Success and defeats are common in war''.

 

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