The Hindu Article - Different methods to realise truth

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Date:24/04/2003 URL: Tirukkural, guiding light for humanity

http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/24/stories/2003042400840900.htm

 

Miscellaneous - Religion

 

Tirukkural, guiding light for humanity

 

CHENNAI APRIL 24 . "Laugh over your obstacles and when you face

misfortunes. There is nothing like this remedy to overcome them."

This statement is contained in one of our ancient texts dealing with

morality, personal conduct, political rule and a variety of subjects

concerning humanity. Will this quality of maintaining equanimity

under adversity be possible to cultivate is the question that arises

from this advice.

 

Scriptures and other books remind us that man alone is gifted with

the power of discrimination, which he should use when problems

confront him, as he can weigh the pros and cons before arriving at a

decision. Today man stands at the crossroads, baffled as to the path

he must choose. He goes about chasing after peace and happiness. The

Thirukkural, in the form of couplets, noted for brevity and

impregnated with profound moral truths, serves as a guiding light for

humanity, telling man "how to live". Is it necessary for every human

being to keep a goal before him and strive to reach it? His sole

intention should be to achieve this ideal. How to aim at it has been

mentioned by Saint Thiruvalluvar in his work. His recipe to gain

happiness springs from strict adherence to the Law of Virtue. All

other steps merit no praise, says the saint.

 

"There is no greater wealth one can acquire than Dharma (or Aram in

Tamil) and no misfortune greater than forgetting it." How to adopt

this in one's life? Evils like envy, craving for vanishing pleasures,

anger and harsh speech should be avoided. "That course of conduct,

which steers clear of desires, wrath and offensive comments should be

eschewed and the mind kept pure", adds the poet. No doubt, to desist

from enjoying worldly pursuits is not that easy as even if one tries

his best, these pleasures will continue to exert their influence and

will not leave him, said Swami Omkarananda in a lecture on

Thiruvalluvar's theme of an integrated life. Citing the story of an

ascetic who while bathing in a river saw at a distance a black

apparel floating and thinking that it may be a woollen blanket, which

can be used in winter by some one, he requested another person to

seize it but unfortunately it was a bear, which even when that person

wanted to discard it, would not leave him. "Protect righteousness, it

will in turn safeguard you," advises the Mahabharatam.

 

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