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

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

Human birth, meant for realising God

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI, DEC. 21. All living creatures except human beings are of service to

other living beings bemoans a saint in an indictment of his fellowmen. He says,

man, though endowed with a superior intellect, out of selfishness employs it

only to his advantage unlike other beings which live according to how nature has

designed their role in creation. Yet, saints have glorified human birth as a

golden opportunity because man alone among the countless living beings can

actualise his spiritual potential as he is endowed with free will. All his

sensory faculties and the mind must be utilised towards realising the goal of

liberation from bondage.

 

Human birth therefore entails certain responsibilities and in this matter the

scriptures are the best guide. Just as all living beings live according to their

nature human beings must express their moral and spiritual nature in their

actions, which is their Dharma. There are specific guidelines to be followed

according to one's birth and circumstances in life. For instance, the Dharma of

a ruler will be certainly different from that of a citizen. It is said that

Mother Earth salutes those who lead a life wedded to Dharma. Examples of such

virtuous men include Viswamitra, Durvasa, Parasurama and Sukabrahmam, according

to tradition.

 

The Ramayana, for instance, in the context of Viswamitra's visit to Ayodhya,

describes Dasaratha's spontaneous joy when the sage arrived at his palace. The

epic describes in the king's words, ``I consider your advent precisely as

welcome as securing nectar in one's hands, as rainfall in a waterless tract, as

the birth of a progeny to one without a child, as the recovery of a treasure

irretrievably lost, or joy proceeding from a festive occasion. I wonder what

supreme object of your desire I can delightfully accomplish.''

 

In their discourse, Sri V. Subbaraman and Selvi V. Alamelu said the sage was

overjoyed that the king had volunteered to help without waiting for him to

express the reason for his visit. The sage then directed the king to send Rama

by describing Him though he had not cast his eyes on Him till then, for guarding

his sacrifice. An interesting aside related by scholars in this context is that

Viswamitra wanted to atone the wrong he had caused by separating King

Harischandra from his wife. So his real intention in visiting Dasaratha was to

be instrumental in bringing about the marriage of Rama and Sita. But Dasaratha

who did not know of all that was to transpire retracted his promise and Vasishta

had to intervene.

 

 

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