The Hindu Article - Characteristics of a man of wisdom

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Date:06/05/2003 URL:

http://www.thehindu.com/2003/05/06/stories/2003050600460900.htm

 

Miscellaneous - Religion

 

Characteristics of a man of wisdom

 

 

CHENNAI APRIL 6 . Man measures everything in life by his desires and

all his energy is focussed on fulfilling the same. However, despite

possessing the latest car or going on a world tour for holidays or

sampling all the fast food eateries, he is still left with a sense of

ennui. Such pursuits often mask an inner listlessness, a feeling that

something is lacking in life. Happiness is a state of mind and is not

to be found merely in worldly objects. One may argue that fondness of

material things is after all a typical human tendency — so how can

one live without desires and yet be happy in this world? In the

Bhagavad Gita the Lord explains the characteristics of a man of

wisdom, and the manners, speech and conduct of such a person. Wise

indeed is he who seeks nothing but is yet happy and contented. There

are many forms of desires — from the subtle to the intense, which

govern a man. He who is immune to the cravings of the mind is said to

have achieved a perfect balance of mind.

 

An average person exults when everything agreeable happens and is

distracted by unfavourable turn of events. However, if he has scaled

the heights of wisdom he will be equally poised, both in times of

stress and moments of joy. Since there is no hatred in his mind

towards anyone or any object, he does not give vent to his feelings,

pleasant or otherwise. At the slightest threat from external agencies

a turtle withdraws itself into its protective shell. Likewise a man

possessing complete mastery over his senses can exercise his will

judiciously and remain unperturbed, whether exposed to the good or

the evil.

 

The ocean is the confluence of different rivers, yet its nature

remains unaffected. Similarly a man who is possessed of equanimity of

mind remains untouched by grief or joy, lust or anger, fear or

anxiety, attraction or repulsion. Desire being a natural corollary to

human nature, it is not possible to cultivate detachment overnight.

However, it is within one's reach to make small sacrifices to begin

with and gradually progress, said Swami Tejomayananda in his Gita

discourse. When one's hunger is satiated, the urge to eat subsides.

Likewise once the obstacles are overcome, negative emotions get

displaced. The more one studies scriptural texts and contemplates on

them the greater the benefit that he derives.

 

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