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

 

Heart is the shrine where God lives

 

CHENNAI, NOV. 19. The Mahabharatam contains a reference to a

question posed by a man of righteous conduct to the grandsire who

had gained experience in various fields. ``How can one get

peace,'' was the query. To this the following story was narrated.

Once a king made his elephant drink plenty of liquor and then

went on it for a ride. On the way the animal threw him off.

Terrified, he ran for his life, fell into a well and was caught

in the roots of a tree that was dangling within. The king noticed

a black mouse and a white one gnawing the roots holding him.

Looking down, he saw snakes and scorpions waiting to bite him.

The mad elephant which had chased him was waiting outside the

well to trample upon him. The king even then not realising his

precarious position, opened his mouth to taste a drop of honey

from a beehive above.

 

The king represents an individual human being; the mind, the

rogue elephant; and attachment, the liquor. With these he comes

to the world; the mind has thrown him into the well of rebirths.

He is being supported by the roots which symbolises his lifespan

and which is being cut short by the mice of day and night. As

soon as his allotted time ends, he gets rebirth and is again

caught in the worldly turmoil; he hopes to get happiness some day

but fails. Human beings can get rid of the vicious elements like

anger, greed and ego only in their lifetime as this privilege is

denied for other creations. But most people do not realise the

value of life and the opportunities provided for them to avoid

coming to the world again. Saints who preached the message of God

have explained the mysteries of life to ordinary men in simple

language. ``If you fall back, do not mind; you can always stand

up again. We have been deputed to guide you. A river does not

drink its own water. A tree does not eat its own fruits. Saints

come only for the sake of others. Kabir has described their

greatness as follows. God is like the ocean, and saints are the

rain-bearing clouds. God is the sandalwood tree while His

messengers are like the breeze which carries the fragrance.'' God

is within everyone's heart but can be experienced only by the

grace of a enlightened spiritual leader. One among such guides

who lived amidst us till July 1966 had left us the following

immortal words: ``What is man's eternal religion. Does the child

inside its mother's womb know of any caste or religion what lies

ahead, after death and where does the soul transmigrate. No one

seems to be interested in such questions. It is the spiritual

master who can unveil the facade of ignorance and help men to

build their communion with God.'' This was Sri Hansji Maharaj

whose selfless dedication was recalled at a function last week.

 

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