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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/03/28/stories/2003032800990900.htm)

 

Miscellaneous

-

Religion

  

 

Human body is an abode of God

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

MARCH 28

 

.. It is not a secret that everyone desires to enjoy total (unadulterated)

happiness. How to achieve this baffles the individuals. It is here that our

scriptural literature plays its role in preparing and training him to experience

this, by advising him to abide by the Divine Law, "Dharma", that gives him

protection. The forces of virtue and vice are within each one of us and our

sacred epics tell us how if we uphold and follow in this life the rules relating

to the former, it will lead to a better rebirth and thus help us to continue the

process, ultimately leading to the goal of salvation. We should put in efforts

towards treading the path. In this context, we should know what happens to the

soul when it gets liberated from the body. Life presents a constant turmoil

between good and evil, of piety and selfishness.

 

The Kurukshetra war in the Mahabharata is symbolic bringing out the conflict,

which goes on within a person. Sage Vyasa, whose culture, philosophy, social

consciousness and literary excellence are still seen in India, composed this

work of international fame. His contribution to the sacred lore is such that we,

of the modern days, can feel the influence, which it exerts on this soil. The

Bhagavad Gita brings out the "war" (tussle), which goes on within everyone

daily. The epic itself has been commented upon by several scholars among whom

was the great spiritual leader, Sri Madhvacharya, who has left us his lofty

thoughts in 5200 verses in his "Mahabharata Tatparya Nirnaya".

 

Elaborating this theme of "internal war", Swami Vidyasagara Madhava Theertha

said it is necessary for man to know what happens after his death. The concept

of "Dharma" (righteousness) will help one to realise the soul's journey after

the body perishes. The very first verse in the Gita mentions how the question of

the blind king and the reply by Sanjaya are linked with the problems staring at

man in life, the ways to face them and how the two forces meet. This body is

itself a "Kshetra" (a field) and an abode of God. Duryodhana represents

"selfishness" refusing to part with anything and he stands for "evil". The

Pandavas who are pitted against him and his associates symbolise virtue. The

mind that is attached to objects of enjoyment makes for misery while it fetches

release when detached from them.

 

 

 

 

 

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