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

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

Spiritual goal must be pursued from young age

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI, JAN. 31. Only man among all creations of God has been endowed with

discriminating intellect. Lord Krishna, who has reiterated the significance of

human birth in the Bhagavad Gita, says that it is after countless births that

one is born as a human being. If it is not utilised properly there is no

guarantee that one will be born as a human being again in the next birth. Hence

the scriptural texts and saints underscore the importance of striving for

liberation when one is privileged to be born as a human being.

 

Spiritual life cannot be divorced from day-to-day life in the world and it

requires only an attitudinal change by orienting all actions towards the goal of

liberation from rebirths. It is essential to devote sometime everyday to

spiritual practices because one cannot afford to relegate this to old age when

the infirmities of the body will not allow one to sustain such practices.

Moreover, habits die hard and hence devotion to God must become ingrained in

one's nature even from childhood. Unlike one's material possessions which one

has to leave behind when giving up the body, the merit of spiritual practices

never deserts an individual in his future births and the process of spiritual

evolution will continue in the next birth.

 

In his discourse on the Ramayana, Sengalipuram Sri Rama Dikshitar said study of

the Sundara Kanda conferred both secular and spiritual benefits. Hanuman, who is

the central figure in this canto, is revered in the religious tradition as both

a great devotee of Rama and also as a deity to be worshipped for success in any

enterprise. Valmiki describes Hanuman's physical prowess, sagacity of mind and

scholarship to highlight that he had all the necessary qualities to succeed in

the task of locating Sita, which was entrusted to him. Besides, he had total

control over his senses and mind which speaks volumes of his dispassion very

essential in a spiritual aspirant.

 

Even great sages have occasionally been swayed by the senses and succumbed to

the attractions of the material world. Intellectual ability is very different

from the capacity of an individual to control his mind and the senses. The

Ramayana draws attention to this trait in the context of Hanuman searching for

Sita in Ravana's palace. He who deliberated before doing any action, in his

anxiety to find Sita searched for Her in Ravana's private apartments. When he

did not find Her there he realised the folly of even looking for Her there and

continued his search elsewhere in Lanka after praying to Rama, Lakshmana and

Sita.

 

 

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