Of Their Needs and Our Wants and Akshaya Tritiya

In school, we had a lesson on the short story by the world-famous Russian author, Leo Tolstoy. The story was called “How Much Land Does a Man Need?” Many of you may have studied this, too. If not, you can read the entire story here. (Link to story)

Here’s the gist of the story. A farmer Pahom goes to the land of the Bashkirs who have a startling offer – by paying 1000 rubles, he can begin walking at sunrise and cover as much area as he wants, and it will all be his, provided he returns to the starting point by sunset the same day.

The delighted Pahom starts off and in his greed to cover a huge area, doesn’t realize how the time is running. Exhausted and on the verge of losing his breath, he somehow manages to drag himself back to the starting point even as the sun sets. The Bashkirs cheer at his feat, but Pahom drops dead, and is buried in a grave that measures a mere six feet – that’s all the land he finally needed!

That story gives us a window into the difference between a want and a need. In the good (?) old days, people slogged all their life to meet their needs, rarely having the resources to fulfill their wants. Yet, life was relatively more peaceful. 

In today’s times, people have grown more prosperous and we find that the line between “want” and “need” is growing more and more blurred by the day. No wonder then that peace has flown out the window.

We are bombarded constantly by stimuli that drive us to consume, without any pause, to contemplate over what it is that we are consuming, and whether it is something we truly need. “I buy, therefore, I am,” has become our mantra. Consumption is good for business; and business drives the economy and of course the economy has to be on the up and up.

During this lockdown, when access to goods has been forcibly curtailed, many people have begun re-discovering that they can actually make do with very little. And this realization has led them to ask a pertinent question, which this image so eloquently asks.

The English novelist Matt Haig has an answer to this question.  Read and contemplate over the connection he points out between the economy and happiness.

Today is Akshaya Tritiya - an auspicious day. The word ‘Akshaya’ means ‘that which does not diminish or end’. Unfortunately, the significance of this day has been hijacked by a segment that is believed to be a major ‘driver’ of the same ‘economy’ that we’ve been discussing.

In the cacophony created by these drivers, we have forgotten that Akshaya Tritiya is a day meant to be spent on performing rituals for the ancestors, and in doing ‘daan’ or donation and charity. People now pride themselves on their ability to while away this day in hoarding wealth in the form of gold. 

If you wish to celebrate Akshaya Tritiya in the real sense, especially in these times which are difficult for so many who are less-blessed than you, here are a few genuine causes to which you can donate any amount of your choice.

1. Indic Collective is providing monetary help to the needy persons who are part of the temple ecosystem – the flower sellers, the musical instrument performers, the servitors, and the temple priests - and whose livelihoods have been disrupted by the lockdown

Donate here: https://www.indiccollective.org/temple-support-covid-fundraiser/

2. Youth for Seva is serving food (Annadaana Seva) to the needy who are unable to earn their livelihood due to the lockdown.

Donate here: https://www.youthforseva.org/COVID-19-Annadana-Seva

3. As announced by the PM of our country, the PMCARES fund is dedicated to providing quality treatment and for research on ways to beat COVID-19

Donate here: https://www.pmcares.gov.in/en/

I've always heard my elders say that on the day of Akshaya Tritiya, one must do things that one wishes to have/keep doing in plenty for the rest of the year. So, now you know why I've written this blog today! 😄😄

Overcome the Hanuman complex!

We all know that in the Ramayana, it was the mighty Hanuman who jumped across the ocean, reached Lanka, and located Sita who had been captured by Ravana. What is less commonly known is the part that went before he took that great leap.

Seeing the huge, unending ocean, all the vaanaras felt dejected. Not a single one thought himself capable of the energy to cross it and come back.

Then, the eldest of the party, a bear called Jambavan, turned to Hanuman and asked, “You too feel you’re incapable of this feat, Hanuman? You have amazing powers; you’re Pavan Putra - the son of the Wind God – but you’ve forgotten these powers. Now is the time to remember and make use of them!”

Saying so, Jambavan narrated the story of Hanuman’s birth and childhood prowess.

Anjana was an apsara, who, through a curse, had become a monkey maiden. She was married to the monkey King Kesari. When Raja Dasharatha had performed the putrakameshti yagna for begetting children, as per Lord Shiva’s instruction, a portion of the payasam was carried by Vayu (the Wind God, also called Pavan) and delivered to Anjana. After consuming the sweet, in due course, Anjana gave birth to a son who was courageous, strong, intelligent, and also extremely naughty.

When still a child, Anjaneya (the son of Anjana) flew high into the sky, intending to eat up the Sun which looked like a ripe fruit. Afraid of what would happen, Indra hurled his thunderbolt at the child, breaking his jaw – giving him the name Hanuman.

Vayu was angry at how his son had been treated, and stopped the winds from blowing over the world; life came to a stop. Indra apologized. He and the other deities all came to bless the child Hanuman with many boons that made him even more powerful.

Armed with these special powers, Hanuman’s antics increased. He would play pranks on innocent persons but one day he went too far and a meditating rishi was his target. Angered by this mischievous behaviour, the rishi cursed Hanuman, saying he would lose all his special powers including the power of flying huge distances.

Aghast, Hanuman and his mother Anjana prayed for the rishi’s forgiveness. He relented, and proclaimed that Hanuman would not lose his powers, but would lose his knowledge of his own powers; at the time when they were desperately needed, he would be reminded of them by some wise person.

Now, on the ocean shore, Jambavan gave the timely reminder to Hanuman. Assuming a gigantic size, he flew to Lanka and the rest….is the remaining part of the Ramayana. 

Pic courtesy: Quora

One of India’s famous psychiatrists, Dr. N. N. Wig, dubbed this lack of knowing one’s true potential as the “Hanuman Complex.” 

He would encourage the patients who came to him, by explaining how, like Hanuman, they are inherently capable of overcoming the problems they face; only thing is that their illness has temporarily made them feel weak, so they have forgotten their own capability. In other words, the power to change their lives rests within themselves; all they need to do is re-discover this power and make the necessary efforts to change.

I first heard of Dr Wig in the year 2011 when I was writing an article about 10 famous doctors of India. This idea stayed with me ever since, and I realized that it applies to not just patients, but to most common people.

During all these years of teaching youngsters, I have made use of Dr. Wig’s “Hanuman complex” and indeed, found that it works miracles for their self-esteem and confidence.

Today, as I watched this awakening of Hanuman happen in the Ramayana serial on TV, I had the impulse to write this post. And some parts of our country are celebrating Hanuman Jayanti today, so what better occasion for this post?

I’m definitely not as wise as him, but I’m trying to be a Jambavan to all of you reading this.

“You are capable of great things! Awake and realize your true potential! Grow and do good to yourself, and to the whole world!”

To read Dr. Wig's article, click here   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2912672/pdf/IJPsy-46-25.pdf

Lockdown TV-inspired Gyaan!

Since the past week, I’ve been doing something I do very rarely – watching TV. No points for guessing what are the programs that have caught my attention!

The last time Ramayana and Mahabharata played on TV, I was just stepping into my teens. Thanks to my mother’s narration, and my own reading of Amar Chitra Katha comics, I already knew stories from these epics. So the appeal of the serials, then, was in watching the action actually unfold on the screen.

When DD started airing these serials again during this pandemic-induced lockdown, I was moved to watch them purely by a sense of nostalgia. But as the episodes air day after day, I realize that they’re giving me insights like never before.

I first realized this during one of the Mahabharata episodes.

Satyavati’s father negotiates with Raja Shantanu and later, with his son Devavrata, asking for his word that only Satyavati’s children would ascend to the throne of Hastinapur. 

Then came an episode from the Ramayana.

The ill-advised Rani Kaikeyi misuses her 2 boons due from Raja Dasharatha to reserve the throne of Ayodhya for her son Bharat and to banish Rama to the forest for 14 years.

Just yesterday was the episode where Ravana, hearing of Seeta’s beauty, dismisses words of wisdom from his well-wishers and hatches a plot to carry her away.

As I ponder over these three events, it strikes me that in each case, the protagonists thought they had everything figured out to achieve their selfish motives. Theirs was a perfect and fool-proof plan. But life went ahead and struck them the most unexpected of blows.

The persons who were at the receiving ends of these protagonists were caught unawares. Devavrata didn’t have any ‘plan’ to commit to brahmacharya; Rama didn’t dream of being banished by his dear ones; Seeta had no clue that she would be kidnapped and placed on a faraway, inaccessible island.

None of these persons expected such terrible situations to be thrust upon them and yet, they were able to recover. I’ve been wondering, ‘What was that special quality that helped them cope?’

· Was it their ability to truly live in the present moment, not hanging on to their idea of how things must be?

· Was it their willingness to adapt to the rapid change in their circumstances, with alacrity, never blaming others even for their obviously unfair behaviour?

· Was it their preparedness to face any personal discomfort that came their way, without EVER compromising on what was their dharma at that point in time?

Perhaps it was all of these, and some other factors I haven’t yet understood. But these are enough for me for now. I realize that trying to adopt these 3 qualities alone is going to keep me busy for quite some time to come.

In these unpredictable times we are living through, there is bound to be some sense of anxiety for what the immediate future holds. We are so used to planning for things, and having things (mostly) going as per our plans, that we feel lost in the face of uncertainty like this.

• Can we learn a lesson from what this blog post has talked about, and focus on taking life just one day at a time; maybe even one moment at a time?

• Can we look upon this period as one to cultivate a sense of surrender to the wish of the Universe/Nature/God – whatever you choose to call it?

• Can we start trying to go deeper within our own selves, and use this time to introspect and grow?

When you light a lamp tonight at 9 pm and sit for 9 minutes in quiet contemplation, please remember to feel grateful for all the things you’re blessed with. And send out a prayer for the world to be protected and healed. And for yourself, ask that come what may, you should be guided to always tread and never stray from the path of Dharma!

Going Inside!

Light from the dawning day filters in through the gap in the curtains. It caresses my eyelids, and gently wakes me up. But before the body can move into an upright position, the mind sends a 2-word quick reminder – Janata Curfew. No hurry to do anything today. Lie down for a while, it orders. I drift back to sleep, only to wake up after an hour because the stillness of the morning has been broken by the bang of a neighbouring gate.

I open the door to pick up the milk that has been delivered home and say a silent thank you, and prayer for these guys who make life easier for us. Standing at the door, something feels different. It’s the sound of the silence! Never has it seemed louder than today.

But slowly, I begin to hear. Sounds that are otherwise drowned out by the traffic. The swish of a neighbour’s broom as she cleans the space outside her home. Water gushing out of a tap somewhere. At least 5 distinct bird chirpings. The squeaking of squirrels. Humming bees. Grunting lizards. 

Two days ago, at around the same time, walking through the park, I had overheard this conversation between two old grandmas.

“It seems we have to stay inside the whole day on Sunday.”

“Why? What about our walk?”

“Haven’t you heard? It is to stop the Corona virus from spreading! The walk can wait!”

Passing them by, I heard this well-informed woman cut short her friend's questions with what has now become a familiar refrain - “Modi has told!”

Faith, indeed, is a wonderful thing.

Mulling this over, I remember something else I saw just yesterday in the newspaper. Read this. 

Example of a covidiot?

I’m afraid this person is infected by a virus that’s more virulent and dangerous than COVID-19. It’s the virus of bias. The virus of scorning the message because you hate the messenger.

It’s the middle of the day as I write this post. 

The silence still pervades. 

And it seems to be telling me that I’ve said enough for today. 

On the day of “जनता कर्फ़्यू”, it’s time to get on with “अन्तः कर्फ़्यू”! 

Leave the world to its devices! 

Go within! 

Image from https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EThpyCwU0AATRy1.jpg

Margazhi Blogotsavam: Day 30: Mangalam!

On the 17th of December, 2019, sudden inspiration struck, giving birth to this concept of a blogathon for the entire month. When I sat down to post the first blog, inspiration struck again, resulting in the series being named #MargazhiBlogotsavam. 

And an utsavam it truly has been – marked by hectic activity and a lot of joy in the celebration. Full of bliss for the one writing the blogs, and, judging from the feedback, equally joyful, for the ones reading them.

Sustaining an activity like this on a daily basis for very long is however not possible. So, like any other festival, it is time to bring the curtains down, albeit temporarily, until the next festive occasion.

Perhaps the daily reading of the stories of devotees has planted the seed of bhakti in your hearts. If yes, it is important you care for that seed, and nurture it well, so that it germinates, takes root, and grows to yield the appropriate fruit. Here are a few suggestions towards this end.

• Set aside some time everyday – even if it is as little as 10 minutes – to chant the Lord’s Name. In this kaliyuga, when other forms of spiritual practice are not so easy, Namasmaranam is the easiest way ahead. Chant the name of your family deity, or your favourite deity, or a small mantra of your choice (except the Gayatri mantra).

• Select some small stotram of your favourite/your family deity. Recite it at least once every day, even if you have to read from a book/online site. Over time, when you have learned it by heart, it will become easier to recite even without those aids.

• For some time every morning and evening, play some bhajans or stotrams in your house. It will help to create positive vibes in the environment, and foster a sense of bhakti in you. If you can, sing along.

• Devote at least 10 minutes every day to some form of spiritual reading – it could be stories of devotees of God, or the Ramayana, the Mahabharata or the Bhagavatham – whatever is easy for you, and holds your attention.

• Make it a point to consciously remember God, ask for help, and chant His/Her Name before you begin any important activity, or at random, 5 times in a day.

• At the end of every important activity, or as a set routine of 5 times in a day, make it a habit to remember God, and say a simple ‘thank you’ for all the things that are going right for you.

• When you find yourself in a stressful event, PAUSE. Cut your stream of automatic thoughts. Chant your mantra 11 times. Pray for divine guidance. Then return to thinking of how to deal with the event.

• Keep track of how you talk. Are you always talking on and on? If yes, cultivate more silence in your life. Are you always criticizing others? Are you blaming/finding fault with them all the time? If yes, make a conscious effort to change to a positive way of talking that encourages people. If that is too difficult, just stop expressing your negative thoughts – that itself will lead to a big improvement.

• Constantly monitor your thoughts. Are you thinking negative thoughts? Does your mind wander thinking of unnecessary things? Are you stuffing your mind with unwanted stuff? Are you getting tense and worrying about things beyond your control? If yes, practice the pause. Examine your thoughts and discard the ones that are of no use to your growth.

• Take care of what you allow to enter your mind. The outside world is constantly bombarding us with stimuli. When you let it all go unfiltered into your mind, it weighs you down, and you end up feeling tired – both mentally and physically. If you have the ability to filter, do it. If not, cut off the stimulus itself. In other words, spend less time on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, TV, and mindless gossip.

• Pay attention to the people around you. If there is someone in need, do what you can to help them, with a sense of gratitude for being given the opportunity to serve.

These few tips that I have given are tried and tested ways to develop a sense of bhakti. I use them too, and that’s why I can confidently pass them on to you. If there is any further guidance you need, do feel free to send me a message on WhatsApp on 98450 66050.

Do also message me if you would like to have the PDFs of two books about the several devotees from across the country – one is the English translation of Mahipathi’s Bhakta Vijay, and the other, called Bhaktamal, is in Hindi.

Through today’s blog post, I want to express my humble pranaams to all of you who have come along and been a part of this #MargazhiBlogotsavam. Thank you for trusting in me, appreciating my efforts, and sending me your thoughts when you felt touched by what I wrote. 

Margazhi Blogotsavam: Day 29: He Showed us the Path to the Lord: Sri Ramanujacharya

About 9 kms away from Thirupathur in Tamil Nadu, is a village called Thirukoshtiyur. This village houses the temple of Sowmya Narayana Perumal, and is one of the 108 Divya Desams – holy shrines for the Vaishnava followers.

However, the other important reason for this place gaining importance is because of its association with Sri Ramanujacharya – the Preceptor of the Srivaishnavas, who propounded the doctrine of Vishistadvaita. 

Sri Ramanujacharya
Image courtesy: Anudinam.org

To describe the glory of Ramanujacharya will require a blog series of its own. Today, my attempt is to highlight one incident from his life, which holds a valuable lesson for us all.

Ramanujar is in desperate search of the path to salvation. His well-wishers have advised him to become the disciple of Thirukoshtiyur Nambi. So, he travels to Thirukoshtiyur, knocks on the door of Nambi, and says, “I have come to meet you.” But Nambi refuses to accept him as a disciple and sends him back.

Ramanujar makes 17 desperate trips, makes the same request, and is rebuffed 17 times. The 18th time that he visits Nambi, Ramanujar says, “Adiyen Daasan, Ramanujar vanddirken” – “Your disciple Ramanuja has come.”

Now, Nambi opens the door and welcomes Ramanujar. 

Did you notice the difference in the words that encouraged this acceptance? 

Right! As Nambi explains, “Your arrogance has gone. Now let’s talk!”

As desired by Ramanujar, Nambi teaches him the path to salvation. He whispers in Ramanujar’s ears, “Repeat after me the Ashtakshara mantram! Om Namo Narayanaya!” At the same time, the guru warns the disciple, “Remember, you must not reveal this mantra to anyone. If you do so, you will go to hell!”

Trembling with happiness to have learned the secret path to Vaikuntha, Ramanujar leaves the house of Nambi. There is a strange radiance in his face and also a strong resolve. Within the next few minutes, a shout is heard from the top of the temple, asking everyone to gather there.

Hearing the summons, people rush from far and near. They are surprised to see Ramanujar standing on the temple top. The next minute, he proclaims in a loud, steady voice, “Listen to me, everyone! Do you want to know how to go to Vaikuntha? Surrender yourself to God, and repeat the mantra ‘Om Namo Narayanaya’ and you are sure to reach Vaikuntha!” 

Image courtesy: Amar Chitra Katha
Note: Thirukkottiyur Nambi was also called Goshti Purna

Hearing the chant from the mouth of Ramanujar, all the people gathered there begin repeating the chant, delirious with joy at being blessed with this secret. 

Word soon reaches Thirukoshtiyur Nambi about the doings of Ramanujar. Furious, he sends word for the disciple and scolds him for having defied the guru’s orders. Carried away in his frenzy, he thunders, “You will go to hell for this sacrilege!” 

Ramanujar has a placid smile on his face. He is least affected by the effects of his actions. Humbly, he bows to the guru and says, “If my action helps a hundred others to attain salvation, I don’t mind going to hell!”

Nambi is stunned into silence realizing the large-heartedness of his disciple. Clasping Ramanujar to his bosom, Nambi declares, “You are Emberumaanaar!” (my lord) and from then on, Ramanujacharya was also known by this name.

Can we imbibe the perseverance of Ramanujar who approached his guru 18 times despite being rebuffed?

When things don’t go the way we want them to, can we introspect, and see where we may be making a mistake instead of blaming the world and the people around us?

Are we aware of ways in which we are being egoistic, and trying to change ourselves?

Like Ramanujar, are we prepared to sacrifice our comfort if our actions can help/benefit others - even those who are not related to us in any way?

Like him, can we develop such a deep sense of surrender to the Lord, realizing He is the sole refuge?

References

https://ramanujadasan.wordpress.com/2008/06/04/thirukostiyur-nambhi-thirunakshatram/ 

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Margazhi Blogotsavam: Day 28: For Whom Vitthal Got Tied Up to a Pillar: Sant Sakhubai

Gangadhar Rao and his wife Kamalabai lived in the village of Sinchirunipuram near Pandharpur in Maharashtra. After praying for long to Lord Vitthal, they were blessed with a baby girl, whom they named Sakhubai. From a very young age, Sakhubai was devoted to Vitthal and would sing bhajans in His praise in her sweet melodious voice, enthralling everyone.

Lord Vitthal of Pandharpur
Image courtesy: Vitthal Rukmini Mandir

After she grew up, Sakhubai was married to Krishna Sharma of Gopalpur, who was an arrogant man. Sakhubai’s husband, and in-laws were very cruel to her; they would torture her by beating, give her lot of work that kept her occupied from early morning to late in the night, never allowed her to rest, and gave her very little food to eat. 

Yet, Sakhubai did not harbor any ill-will towards them, nor did she retaliate in any way. She accepted all this as the fruit of some previous birth’s sins. Whatever work she did, it was with the name of Vitthal on her lips and in her heart – and it was only chanting His Name that gave her any solace. Deep in Sakhubai’s heart, a strong desire grew to visit Pandharpur and see her Vitthal of whom people sang such praises. 

One day, when Sakhubai went to fetch water from the pond, she chanced on a group of devotees who were going to Pandharpur. She was desperate to join them, because she wanted to see her beloved Vitthal at least once in her lifetime. When she rushed home and asked permission to go with the pilgrims, Sakhu’s husband was furious. He and his parents beat her, and then, to make sure she didn’t go anywhere, they tied poor Sakhubai to a pillar with strong ropes, locked the room, and left her there to starve. 

In extreme distress, Sakhubai kept crying and calling out to her Vitthal, “All I want is to see You, but I’m tied up here and can’t reach You! Show mercy on me, dear Lord, and let me have your darshan for which I have been thirsting for all these years!” In her agony, she fainted, and yet, kept chanting the name of Vitthal in her mind.

Vitthal rescuing Sakhubai from bondage
Image courtesy: Coimbatore Bhavsar

Suddenly, the room was filled with a divine radiance. A woman looking exactly like Sakhubai appeared, and untying Sakhubai, told her to go to Pandharpur, saying, “I will stay here till you come! Go and have a darshan of your Vitthal! Don’t worry, I’ll manage things here!”

Filled with divine joy, Sakhubai rushed out of the house and made her way to Pandharpur. When she reached the temple, she rushed through the crowds and clinging to her Vitthal, she was lost in the bliss of uniting with Him, and gave up her life then and there.

In the meantime, in Sakhubai’s house, her husband had taken pity on his poor wife and worried that she may die, he untied her. This Sakhubai now carried on with her usual duties, serving her husband and in-laws. The food she cooked seemed to have a divine taste for the family. Strangely, they now felt good-natured towards her.

One day, a neighbor of Krishna Sharma came and told him that he had seen Sakhubai in Pandharpur and that she had passed away there. Krishna was shocked to hear this. “What are you babbling?,” he shouted, “Sakhu never went to Pandharpur. She has been here as usual with us! Come and see with your own eyes,” he insisted and pulled the man to their house.

But Sakhubai was nowhere to be found! Her husband and in-laws looked everywhere in the house and outside, but they couldn’t find her anywhere! Now, finally, they understood why they had been feeling so different towards Sakhu of late. The Lord of Pandharpur had come to his devotee’s rescue! It had been Lord Vitthal Himself who had taken Sakhubai’s place!

Like Sakhubai, can we learn to not react when people behave badly with us?

Can we try to stay focused on our goal, heedless of all the obstacles - physical and emotional - that come in our way?

Can we work towards developing deep faith that the Lord is our sole refuge, and surrender totally to Him?
References

http://coimbatorebhavsar.blogspot.com/2018/08/saints-of-maharashtra-devotees-of_75.html

Bhakt Charitank (Bhaktamal). Gita Press, Gorakhpur