The Devoted Bachelor - Part 6.

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

 

Our friend Krishna's criticism should indeed be taken seriously. The bachelors

life is not for everybody. I have never written anywhere in this series that

everybody should remain bachelors. As it is written in the Bible, " It is better

to marry than to burn. " But the same Bible states, " There are some who remain

eunuchs for the sake of the Lord " .

 

One should analyse oneself thoroughly before deciding this mode of life. The

spiritual path is like the rajors edge, very difficult to tread. Passions can

drive one wild and anything may happen to one who decides to remain a bachelor.

But again, are householders safe from danger?. One can never say when danger

will strike or when misfortunes will suddenly appear whether one is a bachelor

or a married man. As Vinayji has rightly pointed out, the bachelor has to

renounce three things, Putra -eshana (the desire for a child), Loka -eshana (the

desire for name and fame) and Bitta - eshana (the desire for wealth). He has

also to renounce the much desired embrace of a faithful wife.

 

For some the decision, by the infinite grace of the Lord, is already taken for

them. Often the eldest son of a poor family has to remain a bachelor to bring up

his siblings. Some are sick hence are forced to stay bachelors. Some have

endured great hardships and life no longer enamours them. Some have had failed

relationships which have hurt them immensely and made them realise the ways of

life. Some have seen marital discord at close range and prefer to keep out of

it. Many ladies want to lead independant lives, given the current scenerio. And

of course there are those who take the decision based on past samskaras. My

mails are for all so that they devote their lives entirely to God and be blessed

and happy. Swamiji's utterance that Sri Sarat Chandra will be the first in the

line for a new order of devotees who will neither embrace sannyasa nor take to

samsara has a tremendous significance for these bachelors. Swamiji has clearly

and authoratatively conferred " antar sannyasa " to all

those who renounce in this fashion and considers them no less than the Monks of

the Order. Should we loose such an oppurtunity while we still have the time?

Pray consider seriously.

 

From my personal experience I can say that difficulties will come but only for

the sake of effacing our ego and for making us more and more dependant on the

Lord. Difficulties and dangers are the shortcuts to " Sharanagati " , the ultimate

state that all devotees wish for. With all humility and without any ego I

declare that if I, an insignificant person by any standards, have survived and

am in a state to guide you today then anybody in this world can do it. We have

one life, out of infinite lives, which we are at present conscious of. We can

enjoy it or waste it for the sake of the Lord. But as the Gita clearly states,

no effort of a devotee ever goes to waste.

 

Thakur used to ask often, " Touch your heart and tell me, do you want this world

or do you want the Lord? " . Ask this question to yourself and act according to

the answer. I'll simply hate it if anyone of you takes the wrong decision and

then repents later. It is better to be on the right side and go through external

difficulties than take the wrong step and repent on the inside. Time and events

cannot be reversed.

 

To be continued.

 

Regards,

Jagannath.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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