Guest guest Posted July 29, 2009 Report Share Posted July 29, 2009 54. Senses and Maya Ravana was in no way inferior to Rama in terms of knowledge but sage Valmiki, the composer of Ramayana, described Ravana as a fool and extolled Rama as one of wisdom. The reason was that Rama put His knowledge into practice and led an exemplary life. On the other hand, Ravana did not practice the knowledge he acquired, became a slave to his senses and thus ruined himself, his kingdom, and his entire clan. Education is meant not to satisfy the senses but to make one transcend the senses and set an ideal to society. Human body is bound by senses, which are responsible for both good and evil. Hence, it is the foremost duty of man to make proper use of the senses. The fundamental ignorance called Maya (delusion) plays many tricks with you. It makes you believe the rope to be a snake and you run away in fright. It makes you imagine a lake of water where there are only the hot sands of the desert, and you run towards it to slake your thirst! And you call it, " mayaa, " meaning, " through me, " " for me, " in Sanskrit, thus identifying yourselves with it, as if it is real and beneficial. The moment you realize it is illusory, it ceases to bother you. Maya creates the universe; it spreads before the mind the vast paraphernalia of the objective world. It is a Narthakee (dancer), an enchantress who entices the intelligence and traps the senses. This Na-rtha-kee can be subdued by Kee-rtha-na. Keerthana is the contemplation and singing of the glory of God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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