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

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

Power of discrimination saves one from ruin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI, JAN. 28.The mind of a man can be compared to a stage where different

types of fine arts like music, drama and dance are organised and enacted.

Likewise, thoughts of various shades are harboured and an individual has to take

a right decision which will enable him to register success in life.

 

In the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord, after having delivered His sermon, asks Arjuna

to resort to that path which will be beneficial to him, using his wisdom. God

has given man, the faculty of thinking and then to choose what is good for him

and reject the evil. The power of discrimination is therefore a tool that saves

man from ruin or leads him to victory.

 

In the Mahabharata, the noble Yudhishtira, though he was fully aware of the

disastrous consequences of gambling, yet fell a victim to weakness and lost

everything in the game of dice. He knew of the designs of his cousin backed by

his evil-minded uncle.

How to keep the mind filled only with pure thoughts has been mentioned in our

scriptural directives. Service to God in any form and retaining His merciful

qualities and pleading with Him to give us proper guidance to use our ability of

thinking will enable us to prosper.

 

Should God appear in person and ask a devotee of his needs? Invariably he may

seek wealth and a good position in life. ``Why you are granting the wishes of a

devotee only on asking'', Parvati once wanted to know from Lord Siva. The latter

took her to an aged couple and their son. When suggested to seek what she

desired, the woman wanted to remain to be young forever while the husband,

anticipating the outcome, begged that she be given a big-sized nose.

 

The two quarrelled when the son pleaded with God that they be restored to their

earlier forms. The couple did not care to use the faculty of discrimination and

got what they deserved.

 

In a discourse, the Sakatapuram Sankaracharya explained how man, in general, is

always in the grip of some inexplicable fear - of his future, of death or of

safety. Saints, with their minds absolutely conditioned, will never be afraid of

any event.

 

So too, a person should have full faith in the scriptural injunctions as many

doubt the necessity to carry out religious rites, particularly the post-funeral

ceremonies. The sages had left these traditions for the good of all and for the

soul's peace.

 

 

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