The Purpose of Life Part II - a discourse by HH Sri Tridandi Chinna Jeeyar Swamy

[Guest guest]

Respected Ramanuja Bhaktas,

 

Continuing my sharing with all of you what I took from HH Sri Tridandi

Chinna Jeeyar Swamy's magnificent discourse in Telugu on the purpose of

life...

 

Through much tapas in the form described previously (learning from

Teachers, contemplation, and practical application) our ancient sages

documented in the upanishads, the philosophical portion of the Vedas,

the purpose of human life. A quick study of these works reveals to us

that the purpose of life is in either mo:ksha or jna:na, and often-times

in the upanishadic texts these words are used interchangeably.

 

Interestingly, despite our talking of them as being the goals, our

understanding of these words seem to bring fear rather than resolve to

the human spirit. Jna:nam or knowledge makes us fearful because knowing

everything about this universe, with all of its mysteries and vagaries

is overwhelming and seems to be an impossible endeavor for even the most

renounced of individuals.

Mo:ksham, liberation, is fearful because it would involve leaving our

physical bodies and all that we know and all that we hold near and dear

to go elsewhere without return.

 

If seen from a different perspective, liberation can be seen in a

positive light. When a country is freed from tyrannical rulers, or when

a people are freed from slavery, this liberation is seen as cause for

celebration. Perhaps, mo:ksham is a freedom from what ails us, what

limits, what tyrannically rules over us, namely our false ego.

 

Be that as it may, however, the sa:stras go into great detail to state

that the granter of mo:ksham is God Alone, and He bestows it on souls

Out of His Own Volition, Out of His Own Mercy, and only if and when He

feels a soul is ready for this ultimate gift. So there is really

nothing that we can gain by seeking it out as the purpose of life.

 

The need for a purpose in life is clearly unique to the human

condition. Our observations of animals show that they really do not

delve into such deep questions. They merely do what they need to do

when their instinct tells them to do so and live in harmony with the

laws of nature. Humanity, however, distinguishes itself from the animal

by controlling the forces of nature and seeking out things for each

person's individualistic satisfaction.

 

Four qualities set human beings apart from the animals. Three of these

are rather non complimentary, while the fourth is the secret of our

purpose to life if it set in right direction. These four qualities are:

 

1, We do not really know if animals have a language, but we do know

that a bird's chirp is stating whatever it knows to state. A parrot in

a cage merely repeats what its owner tells it. Human beings on the

other hand have the capacity to lie.

 

2. While animals in the wild eat fresh foods that are supposed to eat

when they feel hungry, human beings prefer to eat many varieties of

foods that are prepared, hidden with the flavours many different spices

and cooked such that many of the nutrients are removed. It is

interesting that they will eat these foods whether or not they are good

for them, and even go to the extent of consuming items that, for all

intent and purpose, are spoiled.

 

3. Human beings are attached to things that not only the laws of nature

but even the Vedas regard as being unclean. We spend hours taking care

of our hair, making sure it is combed well and reflects the latest

fashions. And some of us are concerned about our nails, growing them

long, shaping them and painting them because we feel that it makes us

attractive.

 

4. The last quality that sets us apart from the animals, and the one

that can lead us to wisdom in term's of finding life's purpose centers

on the fact that human beings have control over their mind and

intellect, and by directing their thoughts they shape their actions and

take control of their lives. This is perhaps humanity's greatest

quality, the one that can lead us to wisdom and liberations.

 

How the upanishads define this 4th unique trait of the humanity and what

should be done with it will be discussed in the next posting.

 

adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan

Mohan