GITA PRESS TO MY
RESCUE
-- A P ANAND
The cynics may scoff at certain
happenings in their lives but God’s own ways are different and surprising much
beyond our imagination. His mysteries are unknown. Sometimes we are consumed in
anger or disappointment when Lord does not favour our actions or wishes and our
hopes dash utterly. Sometimes we reveal that His decision not to favour or
endorse our will was actually beneficial due to some hidden agenda. Bouquets
and brickbats are part of our lives and we must accept finite disappointments but
not lose infinite hope even in arid life. We must distinctly understand that
the will of God only prevails and we should not start distancing ourselves from
Him in desperation but should only think that the time of His not helping us
was not ripe or appropriate. His un-favours transform into providence and we
should never label our adversities as curse/ jinx and butting our heads with
the stone-wall is of no use. His blessings are in disguise: more the problems,
more the daring. We should never be tantalized by the so called tinsels of
these finite worldly affairs. Anne Bradstreet has rightly said, “If we had no
winter, the spring would not be so pleasant. If we did not, sometimes, taste of
adversity, prosperity won’t be so welcome.”
Time is always having upper hand and
one is, sometimes, having many throes in life like loneliness, anger, hatred
causing suicidal tendencies and there is none to help and guide but if one is
virtuously nurtured/ groomed and disciplined well at initial stage of life even
his fate lines will change for betterment due to his gathering courage and
determination. When the Dame Fortune smiles, all the adversities are vanished
and one treads the right path. The adversities result in fortitude and out of
tragedies can come many blessings provided one visualizes and realizes them.
Let me peep into and flash back my
illustrious past as still, sometimes, I bask in the glory of yester years,
though full of perils and pleasures. Sri Parmahansa Yogananda says that we are
the victims of our own habits and emotions which reflect in our body and mind.
Though I don’t hail from a very rich
family but come from very high caste and my family members gave much importance
to education, morals, ethics, niceties and discipline. In my school days, due
to lack of institution for higher studies, in my town I had to walk on foot to
attend school at another place, miles away, there being no transport avenues at
that time.
The teachers
were very supportive and cared a lot for the students. Apart, not even
electricity and drinking water were available in my town. In spite of rough
life and people not academically educated, the life was simple, trustworthy and
socializing with love and respect. Unfortunately, soon came a time when India
was bifurcated due to political and communal polarization and I had to leave my
home town (now in Pakistan) with family members as a refugee to the other part
of the country, known as India. The events took tragic turns and on the way, due
to communal disturbances, I lost not only my home but all family members also
the scar of which is still not healed. Though there was absolutely no guidance
of any kind and there were huge constraints and blockades before me at that young
and naive age of 17 years, I ruffled all the weathers due to my platonic love
for all, family values, austerity and righteousness, the full credit of which
goes to my parents for grooming me properly. Though the life was bland and
hopeless of wrenching times, I still consoled myself and tried to live in utter
calm and peace. Also I thanked Clement God for His mercy and enjoyed His
bounties.
At the raw age of 19 years I tied a
nuptial knot to share my weal and woe with someone. I am blessed with five
children, mostly in medical fraternity, who are doing very well in India and
abroad. To enhance my own education, I studied in engineering of top-notch
institutions as it was my ruthless determination to pursue further studies the
desire of which was ingrained in me. I am thus a self-made person.
In fact, in the early years of my
marriage and without any direction I was a wounded, sulking and famished soul
and was leading a topsy-turvy, abrasive and horrific life. I was suffocating
and wriggling like a fish out of water or like a smouldering wick as the time
had not been kind to me. My fate was like a shuttle-cock.
Under the above circumstances I was
in search of a true spiritual prop of some holy man for my inner solace. It
was/ is my firm belief that to reach the corridors of Merciful God one has to,
first , soften his mind and attitude towards life and eschew ego, an
intervening wall. Many wily/ bizarre god men came across but I could not fix my
mind on them as it was/ is found that they try to maintain their stronghold on
the credulous/ gullible devotees and adopt any undesirable methods/ antics to
bring the other person around their own way of thinking or try to bring them in
their fold. They wring some good for self from the hapless (unlucky) situation
of others.
Though my several technical articles
were already published elsewhere, it was in July, 1998 that my first spiritual
article “Prasadam” (Manna) was published by Gita Press, Gorakhpur in their
monthly magazine, “Kalyana Kalpatru” which infused a great delight,
satisfaction and push to me. Since I have flair in writing, there is no going
back in contributing my articles for this spiritual magazine till death or my
hands are held by a natural force/ Force Majeure. The enlightening articles of
great persons/ sages/ holy men appearing in the magazine have produced
indelible effect in my life.
When I anchored my mind to Gita Press
it brought a sudden twist in my life. Alas! I would have joined it much
earlier. It seemed as if, in a slow pace, God had started filling my coffers
with the fragrant flowers of spirituality. It proved as a Torch of Hope and a
beacon light to show me the right path in life. It also seemed needless to have
any other luminous body. It proved as a lodestar for me and soon I started
feeling a state of rapture. It also acted as a “Chaitanya Jyoti” (enlightening
and effulgent flame).To be very truthful, Gita Press is my soul mentor. My
faith in God helped me to face the upheavals of life as faith is the vital
force to catapult our life. I, now, recognize no boundaries of any kind,
physical or mental, while dealing with people as the love instilled in me
recognizes that it is the only thing which salvages mankind by countering
hatred and violence to forge unity and stability. This also helps in stopping
bleedings of borders of our countries. Sri Parmahansa Yogananda said the
following words which aptly apply to me also: “O Father, when I was blind I
found not a door that led to Thee. Thou hast healed my eyes; now I discover
doors everywhere: the hearts of flowers, the voices of friendship and memories
of lovely experiences. Each gust of my prayer opens a new entrance to the vast
temple of Thy presence.” The cause of a change in my life was the dormant
religious tenets, disciplined life style and will-power from childhood which
sprang up, suddenly, later on.
In the beginning of transition period
of switching over to spiritual journey it looked very tasteless but later on it
became very charming. One should not be lost in the pleasures of life or become
its subservient/ slave. I don’t clamour for pelf/ luxurious life and undesired
worldly wants but keep to austerity as luxurious life, ultimately, leads to
lethargy. I confess, sometimes I am unable to control my tempers as I cannot
tolerate non-cogent and unjust affairs but try my best to remain balanced and
cushion the blow. I bow down to gods of all religions and also to Supreme Lord
who is the source of all creation. Sometimes in joy and seclusion I enjoy the
waltz. Please remember as to what Meera Bai said in the love and ecstasy of
Lord Krishna, “Ghayal ki gatti ghayal
jaaney,aur na jaaney koey; Hari mein to prem diwani…” (The condition of a wounded
person is known to another wounded one, none else. O Hari I am possessed in
sacred love…).
When we are
intoxicated with the quaff of His divine nectar, we are on the right path and
fully anchored to reach Him. Brahmalina Swami Ramsukhdas rightly said that with
the art of living and perseverance one’s salvation is sure. Due to observance
of spirituality one becomes suave (charming, confident and elegant)
personality. We should leave such a mark in this world that we are fondly
remembered with deep respect. Enmity leaves behind ugly scratch marks only. I
am satiated with whatever I could achieve under the given circumstances. Gita
Press and its sacred literature have enhanced the sheen of my divinity and
transformed me to sufficient extant.
A P ANAND
E/120,
“VIRGO”, LOWER KHARODI
MARVE ROAD,
MALAD (WEST)
MUMBAI—400
095
Ph: 022-2862
0872
E. mail:
anandpanand@yahoo.com
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