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

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

Contentment leads man on the path to liberation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI, FEB. 2. Contentment is a rare virtue to be found in the world as it is

common for human beings to desire more and more wealth and sensory pleasures.

But, it is not possible to satiate one's desires because one can see for oneself

that as soon as one is fulfilled another springs up in the mind. This is the

reason why contentment is prescribed as an essential quality for a spiritual

aspirant. One should learn to be satisfied with one's lot in life. If a person

becomes avaricious the Lord will make him take birth in the world. As it is

evident that worldly life is a mixed blessing it is undesirable to seek material

pleasures which are shortlived. If an individual is satisfied with whatever

comes his way then he will not succumb to temptations and this trait will lead

him on to liberation from bondage.

 

In his discourse on the Bhagavata Purana, Sri B.Sundar Kumar said the Lord

Himself taught the importance of the virtue of contentment in His incarnation as

Vamana. As He had manifested to fulfil the boon Aditi sought from Him, the Lord

assumed a dwarfish form when He went to King Bali's sacrifice to seek alms from

him in the guise of a religious student. Seeing His resplendent diminutive form

there was speculation about His identity in the assembly and Bali welcomed Him

with due respect and ceremony.

 

The king felt greatly honoured and told Him, ``Today my sacred fires stand

properly fed according to the scriptural ordinance. This land as well as mine -

whose sins have been destroyed by the waters used in washing Your feet - has

been consecrated by Your tiny feet. Take from me whatever You desire for I infer

You to be one who seeks something. Duly accept from me a cow, gold, a house

provided with all luxuries and comforts...'' The Lord was happy with Bali's

spontaneous gesture. After duly praising him for speaking as one worthy of his

great lineage (Prahlada's grandson) the Lord sought a small strip of land, three

paces long, as measured by His stride. Vamana gave the reason also, ``I seek

nothing else from your magnanimous self, the ruler of the world. A learned man

receiving by way of a gift only as much as it is actually wanted by him incurs

no sin. He who is not satisfied with three paces of land cannot be sated even

with a continent. This discontentment with wealth a!

nd sense-enjoyment is responsible for the transmigration of the soul;

contentment with whatever is obtained by chance has been declared as conducive

to liberation. Therefore, only three paces of land do I ask of you.''

 

 

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