IN QUEST OF ETERNAL
TRUTH
--A P ANAND
India is in the vanguard of
spirituality with rich heritage from primordial. Its coastline (about 7000Km),
mountains and heartlands are dotted with famous temples, pilgrimage centres and
seats of wisdom and culture. It has also produced an array of un-parallel and
renowned saints, so far. Our life sustains, mainly, on the prop of love and
faith the sparks of which are to be ignited. These are also the fundamental
requirements to imbibe spirituality. With ravages of time/ steeped in history,
our values of morals, ethics, niceties and propriety have eroded and thus we
are entrenched in and grappling with difficult situations. There is no
qualitative upbringing/ predisposition of younger generation. The parents and
preceptors are the driving force to chasten us. Unless we are entangled in the
prickly thorns of our life, we will not understand its true meaning and
purpose. We suffer what our hands have wrought. We are also responsible for the
warp and weft of the life we have knit by ourselves. We cannot reform ourselves
unless we are famished (hungry for spirituality) souls. There is a dire need to
realize God, know self and imbibe God’s teachings. One should be dispossessed
and immersed in dispassion. Also one should become protégé/ thrall of Lord
Supreme. To achieve this goal, one has to fathom the depths, churn the mind and
allow beloved God to dwell in one’s shrine of heart. Unfortunately, a cunning
and tricky “Heron” (subterfuge) with fake saintly gesture, standing on one lame
leg, as if in penance, waiting for an opportunity to prey on fish (our naïve
nature) is already there which is to be driven out first.
To earn noble deeds one has to do so
many virtuous acts. One has to remain in the company of pious people who act as
touch-stone/ Midas touch. One attends sacred “Satsangas” (congregations) to
listen to the saints and godly persons. His mind-set changes for betterment and
his sacred knowledge enhances when he takes refuge in them. Apart from this the
preceptor will take upon himself the burden, bruises and even festering wounds
of devotee’s mind and heart for healing. He will take pilgrimages of sacred
places with the will of God to understand truly the meaning of spirituality. By
now he also knows that life is uncertain and he has to expiate his sins at the
earliest.
Keeping the above in mind and due to
inner mystical explosion through divine thoughts the devotee starts his
pilgrimage to holy places, the temples which are shelter and solace to weary
souls being house of God; “Mathas” (monasteries) and “Mahamandleshwaras” (heads
(2)
of religious order) to gain knowledge
of scriptures and culture and takes dips in holy waters of rivers, ocean, lakes
or wells etc. These pilgrimages light up the devotee’s dark (ignorant)
heart. It also acts as a beacon light
for his life’s journey. The true devotees will apply to their forehead the mote
(speck) of paw dust of the saints/ devotees/ believers of the sacred land of
visit symbolizing surrender, soon after reaching there. Some may apply/ sport
the residue of sacred fire as “Tilkam” showing the reverence and lineage/
sectarianism they belong to like “Ranga”( Symbol U used by Vaisnavites) or
“Linga” (symbol ≡ used by Saivites). During his pilgrimage across the country,
he comes across many temples of Lord Siva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Lord
Krishna, Lord Rama, Lord Ganapati, Lord Hanuman and many other gods and
goddesses. In Siva temples he finds “Lingas” and “Kulkundlinis” (in the shape
of female genitalia) which indicates power of Lord Siva to destroy lust for
life. These are always facing north side, where the pole star (Dhruva Naksatra)
exists. Dhruva is considered on high pedestal in Hindu mythology as he totally
surrendered to Lord Siva and could touch Lord’s conch from his deep penance.
There are 12 Jyoti Lingas (self-emanating) in India. The Lord is consecrated
with the leaves of “Belva” (Aegla Mermelos with cooling effect) tree in triune
(symbolizing renunciation of three types i,e worldly, godly and physical),
curd, water, wild flowers, ricin leaves and ashes from dead-body burning ghats
(“Marghat”/ funeral pyres or crematorium). Ashes are the symbol of detachment.
It is observed that in this process even the uneducated become visionaries (
conferring inner bliss without reading books ) and imbibe divine acts. During
the pilgrimage and visits to temples they take divine manna (“Prasad”) and
divine libation/ (“Charan Amrit”—sanctified water of Lord’s divine feet,
partaking of which one is blessed) and become religious and pious and start
believing in personal and impersonal gods, though Supreme Lord is in the form
of spirit. They bow their head to all sacred places.
Some devotees start donning saffron
clothes or robes. They also recite Lord’s name. They are so eager to commune
with God and long in their efforts to have His glimpse like a peacock or a Chatak
do for drinking a drop of rain water when the sky is overcast with pitch dark
clouds ready to burst. We have access to God through prayer and good deeds. He
is not to be acquired but reached through meditation with the help of a strand
of rosary beads etc. which is the one way. Performance of rites and rituals
also bear scientific meaning provided we follow them by delving deeper.
(3)
While going on a pilgrimage the
devotees called “Varkari” proceed bare-footed to the shrine in the form of
“Dindi” (procession) singing devotional songs, dancing and eulogizing the deity
(singing paeans) with pulsating beats of musical instruments and drums which
creates carnival atmosphere. They, often, carry the palanquin with their deity
therein on shoulders. Haunting devotional songs and “Kirtanas” give impetus to
our flights to reach God. Rendition of dances and music in courts (of Rajaas)
and temples in olden days with hypnotic beats of drums were very popular. Some
such dances like “Kathak” (classical North Indian) dance with rhythmic and nimble movement of feet, Kathakali of
Kerala; Dandiya dance performed during Navratri with jingling sounds of bells
and clattering of gushing sticks (“Dandiya”) and crescendo musical tunes,
Manipuri devotional dance depicting Radha and Krishna; Bharatanatyam temple dance
of Tamil Nadu, Odissi dance of Odisha and Bhangra dance (harvest dance) of
Punjab are worth mentioning. It is not out of place to mention here that in
Bengal the street minstrels, called ‘Bahuls’ sing devotional and ballads songs
by roaming. These songs are called “Pallibati” and “Bhatiali” in the villages
on the strum of “Bhapang” (Ek Taara—single strand musical instrument) or
fiddle. Hare Krishna Movement (ISKON) was started by His Divine Grace A.C.
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1965 from New York through “Sanskirtanas”
with a small bongo drum. This Movement is thriving now in the whole world.
Qawwali is a form of Sufi (mystic) devotional music which binds people, even of
lacerated hearts, and is sung with dances for connecting to God. During the
dance one goes to trance. The groove dance of Sufis is famous and a blend of
Hindu and Muslim culture, integration and interfaith concord. The performers
dance in scarlet boots and billowing pants or flared skirts. In India, Kashmir
is an abode of Sufi saints. The ecstatic
“Raas Lila” (Ring dance) of Lord Krishna along with Radha and other Vraja
belles braced with trinkets on sweet and melodious tunes emanating from His
Murli (Flute) was a divine play of soul enrapturing and most inebriating type.
Is it not true that not only human beings but animals (like cows) and birds
flocked around and lost sense due to rhythmic reverberating joyous and fascinating
songs of Lord. Divine songs and dances act as opioids in brain.
During the above mentioned dances,
songs and performance of “Kirtanas” the pulsating sounds of thrumming of drums,
trumpets, “tashas”, tom-tom and strumming sounds of cymbols, pied piper,
“jhanjh”, flugelhorn, clappers along with use of harmonium, lute(sitar), flute
and piano add richness to the performance. It is not only the feet that move
with rhythms but our fingers also dance with them in gestures and give
exuberant show worth people’s thunderous applause, cheers and even standing
ovation.
(4)
During pilgrimage the devotees take
dips in holy waters to cleanse themselves and vanquish their sins and pay
homage to their manes through ‘Tarpanas’ (offerings). While visiting the
temples we not only receive benedictions but also our resolves strengthen and
our wishes are fulfilled. Due to our divine emotions we appear before deity
with dewy eyes. The tears flow incessantly due to love, faith, reverence,
ecstasy and emotions towards Lord. These tears are due to pent up of emotions
(catharsis) but not weakness. Sometimes there is a dirge (mournful song) and
one cannot restrain the tears. Outpouring and shedding of tears profusely help
us to cleanse our inner-self. Sometimes one becomes a blubber (sob noisily and
un-controllably). When you reach back home you carry the thoughts, feelings,
events and sights etc. which not only remain etched in your heart but help to
refine you also. We also start study the magnum opus of the divine
personalities and become theologian. We ruminate about Nature which is Lord’s grace
and bask in the divine glories of Lord Father.
On completion of pilgrimage etc. and
joining the main stream of life, the devotee is reformed, redeemed and has to
take care to better his future life with virtuous deeds. He will not lead the
hellish life but will surmount/ weather the storm of life wisely and firmly.
His nervous system is mollified, inner rumblings disappeared and his life will
not be insipid but full of spiritual bestowals. He is, now, not mad after
material opulence. He has purged the dross of ego, passion, falsehood,
hypocrisy, anger, greed, pride, attachment and jealousy etc. He will exorcise
the evils through prayer. He is hued in devotion of God and His creation and
serves them selflessly being a paragon personality. He tries to remove/
demystify the ignorance of others as far as possible. Such a person can
lengthen his life. Singing, dancing and laughing can improve his health,
keeping despondency and loneliness at bay. Such traits stimulate the immune
system and laughing at self improves one’s understanding. By reciting Lord’s
name he adds credits to his destiny. He is always connected to/ in commune with
God. He holds patience like “Chatak” bird (Pied crested cuckoo). He will subdue
his sense organs and lead an austere life. It is now scientifically proved that
religious people are less likely to suffer from ailments or their medical
recovery is fast. They become humble and their life satiates. Some gems amongst
them may be beatified on death.
(5)
Spirituality infuses life even in the
wilting/ drooping body. Lord is “Patitpawan” and “Dindyala”. He is Merciful and
full of compassion. He is Providence. Have faith and hope in Him.
The reflection of God is embedded in
the eyes of those who instill faith in Him and leave everything to His
dispensation while doing their duty sincerely. The difficulties on our path
help us to concentrate on God’s love and grace. If we don’t take care the vices
will become grafts on the tree of our life. Devotee’s name and virtues are his
identity. Our worries/ difficulties/ vices are foist (unwelcome) and can be blast
off with the dynamite of sincere prayer to Lord. Prayer can prove as watershed
in our life. O man! Rise, make proper use of time in the true service of Lord and
never remain a couch potato/ comatose. Don’t become protégé/ thrall/ subjugate
of someone/ something. During life time you will brim with energy, love, faith
and art of living. Ultimately, you will revel in divine consciousness, attain peace
and salvation. Please don’t stem the rot only after committing crimes to avoid
stigmatizing but take care in the beginning of life itself.---------------------------------------------------
A P ANAND
Dated:
May 11, 2013
E/120, “VIRGO”, LOWER KHARODI, MARVE
ROAD
MALAD(W), MUMBAI_ 400 095
PH: 022- 2862 0872
E.
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