Article sent from The Hindu

[Guest guest]

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

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

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

Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

Five types of miseries faced by human beings

 

CHENNAI, JULY 20. We can hardly find anyone in this world who has

not been subjected to suffering of some type, at one time or the

other. Whether he be a millionaire or a poor man, a top executive

or a farmer, everyone has to face five types of miseries. The

first is that of ignorance (Avidya Klesa) for which attachment to

the body is the root cause. Today, man gives importance to his

body and takes enormous efforts to sustain it. He aspires for so

many comforts and if he fails to achieve them, he gets frustrated

which leads him to despondency. On the other hand, if he develops

attachment to the soul, he will enjoy peace within. A proper type

of education will provide satisfaction to the spiritual needs.

 

The misery caused by mind is the second in the order as it is

constantly goading a man to acquire everything in the world. If a

man's mind is not troubled by such desires, he will be free from

worries and anxieties. The third is ``Asthitha Klesa'' due to

limitless wants, combined with body attachment and fickleness of

the mind. Man is not able to understand the nature of desires he

should entertain. Invariably, he yields to sensuous cravings and

hence is unable to tame the mind. Scriptures have told us about

the method to check its influence, viz., by incessant chanting of

divine names, keeping the tongue under control and refraining

from indulging in meaningless practices. Silence is a powerful

tonic.

 

The fourth affliction of man is the craving for excessive wealth

and property. A weak minded person who does not have the capacity

to satisfy his needs will go after the rich and powerful people.

If they do not respond to his request he will start hating them

and thus arises the fifth type of misery (Dwesha). Answering how

one can avoid these sufferings, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, in a lecture

mentioned how in ancient days, sages used to retire to forests

and enjoy peace there. They were wedded to ``silence'' which

enabled them to rein the mind. But this type of renunciation is

not possible now. Therefore it is the duty of parents to train

their children from their formative years and guide them so that

they avoided resorting to sinful deeds. Even as a stone tied to a

snake-gourd makes it grow straight, parents should attach the

``weight of discipline'' to their children, who should be trained

to possess the firm conviction that God resides within and around

them. Before undertaking any action, men should question within

themselves whether it is right or wrong and stick to the correct

path, even if someone criticises them.

 

Copyrights: 1995 - 2001 The Hindu

 

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly

prohibited without the consent of The Hindu