The Hindu Article - Truth eternal in nature

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Date:24/02/2003 URL:

http://www.thehindu.com/2003/02/24/stories/2003022401640900.htm

 

Miscellaneous - Religion

 

Truth eternal in nature

 

CHENNAI FEB.24 . The most common human reaction to difficulties in

life is fear. Fear leads to mental block and hence the mind will be

unable to think about the problem calmly and consider the next course

of action. As the person is afraid of the situation he tries all

possible ways to avoid tackling it. It is only when there is no way

out that he tries to confront it by coming to terms with the problem.

Mental catharsis must be familiar to the majority of people because

it is a rare person who has the courage to face difficulties.

 

Avoiding to face the reality of the situation or postponing the whole

issue out of fear will not help to tackle a crisis. Some tend to find

a way out of such a dilemma by shifting the responsibility on God.

One cannot shy away from discharging one's duties and must learn how

to manage the circumstances of life. Only when every individual acts

in conformity with Dharma will there be order and peace in society.

The teachings of the Bhagavad Gita take off on this theme by

describing Arjuna's state of mind when the prospect of a war with his

kith and kin became a reality.

 

As a warrior it was his duty to punish those who transgressed Dharma

even if they were his elders and relatives. All his bravery vanished

before the emotional crisis in which he found himself and the

palpable fear he felt imagining the outcome of the war made him

adduce several reasons to avert the battle when he submitted to Lord

Krishna. Escapism becomes the norm in the life of a person who is

unable to come to terms with reality. But such an attitude will not

solve the problem. Everyone has to learn how to act in such

situations with presence of mind. The Gita showed man how to act

rightly, said Sri Suki Sivam in his discourse.

 

As to the relevance of the teachings of the Gita today Lord Krishna

Himself draws attention to its perennial validity. It is underscored

that the Lord and the truth are eternal though the situation in which

it is taught in the different ages differs. The Bhagavad Gita was

taught to Arjuna when he faced a dilemma in his life; though the

modern situation may be different human predicament remains the same.

The Sun is cited as a metaphor by the Lord to bring home the concept

of eternity with reference to His teachings. The Sun, which is the

basis of life on the Earth, is ancient but with reference to the

world it is also new because it sets and rises everyday.

 

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