India is not a poor country. In the past, many foreign invaders viz. Turks, French, British, etc. invaded India. If only India was a poor nation what motivated the outside nations from far off places to invade India? India was a very affluent nation. In India, in the erstwhile State of Punjab, in the yesteryears, the plinth area of a house was 30 x 40 yards. The walls were covered with silver plates and the doors with gold. All this gold and silver was plundered by foreign invaders. The invaders those days had only limited number of soldiers, while India had a large number of soldiers. Why could such a strong army not safeguard the security of India? It was due to the inducements that the Indian soldiers received from the British in exchange of some vital defence secrets. Thus, the territorial interests of India were bartered for some tinsels by a few vested interests. The disunity among Indians was the reason for the establishment of foreign rule in India.
So, in the first instance, we should love our country as Lord Rama [i] had exhorted, “Janani Janma Bhumischa, Swargadapi Gariyasi”. This means that the physical mother and the motherland are greater than heaven itself. People should have national sentiment and have respect for Indian culture. Sacrifice, moral values and righteousness are very important and every Indian should cultivate these ideals.
There is, however, a lot of difference between the ancient and contemporary culture. Today, people firm up wedlock decisions after a few chance meetings in some public meeting places. Because of such impulsive decisions, marriages are often meeting with unpleasant consequences. So, in every activity, man should aim at purity of purpose which results in wisdom. In every aspect therefore, man should analyse carefully taking into account all implications and ramifications. A man who has realised himself would not have any problems as he would maintain equanimity under all circumstances. Man should take decisions based on guidance from the conscience, and not out of superficial considerations and ulterior motives. As far as the financial aspect is concerned, there will never be a time when it will be all-perfect. The secret of the creation is, ‘There will never be an aspect in which an individual will have absolute satisfaction / contentment’. It is rather unwise to seek the absolute satisfaction in any human endeavour / pursuit for there is no absoluteness in this world. In the ephemeral and ever-changing world, it is not possible to find something called ‘total happiness’. The following anecdote illustrates the futile attempt of people seeking happiness in the ephemeral world.
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There is, however, a lot of difference between the ancient and contemporary culture. Today, people firm up wedlock decisions after a few chance meetings in some public meeting places. Because of such impulsive decisions, marriages are often meeting with unpleasant consequences. So, in every activity, man should aim at purity of purpose which results in wisdom. In every aspect therefore, man should analyse carefully taking into account all implications and ramifications. A man who has realised himself would not have any problems as he would maintain equanimity under all circumstances. Man should take decisions based on guidance from the conscience, and not out of superficial considerations and ulterior motives. As far as the financial aspect is concerned, there will never be a time when it will be all-perfect. The secret of the creation is, ‘There will never be an aspect in which an individual will have absolute satisfaction / contentment’. It is rather unwise to seek the absolute satisfaction in any human endeavour / pursuit for there is no absoluteness in this world. In the ephemeral and ever-changing world, it is not possible to find something called ‘total happiness’. The following anecdote illustrates the futile attempt of people seeking happiness in the ephemeral world.
VEGETARIAN FOOD IN NON-VEGETARIAN HOTEL
There were two hotels in a town. One hotel was a ‘Vegetarian hotel’ while the other was a ‘Non-Vegetarian hotel’. A vegetarian entered the non-vegetarian hotel inadvertently. He called the waiter and ordered for some vegetarian dishes not being aware that it was a non-vegetarian hotel. The waiter was surprised at the order and questioned him “Sir, don’t you know that it is a non-vegetarian hotel. Haven't you seen the board outside?”
The message that should be taken from this anecdote is that the world is transient and it is not the place where people can find true happiness. Such ever-lasting happiness is not available in this ever-changing world. Hence, there is no use of scouting around for that which is unavailable.
The ancient scriptures declared, ‘Anityam, Asukham Lokam’ which means ‘The world is impermanent and gives no happiness’. Thus, it can be said that just like the non-vegetarian hotel, this world also has a sign-board stating, ‘Genuine everlasting happiness is not available here’! Giving a direction for finding such happiness, the ancient scriptures further declare, ‘Imaam Praapya Bhajaswa Maam’ i.e. God is the only source where such a search for eternal happiness can end fruitfully. In order to attain such eternal happiness one should gradually discard desires one by one. Removal of immorality is the only way to immortality. One should lead an ideal life as long as one lives in this world and leave behind an ideal example for posterity.
Note:
[i] Lord Rama, the son of King Dasharatha belonging to Ikshvaku dynasty, is said to be the seventh of the ten reincarnations of Lord Vishnu in the ancient Indian tradition. He made this statement to his younger brother Lakshmana in the epic Ramayana.
The ancient scriptures declared, ‘Anityam, Asukham Lokam’ which means ‘The world is impermanent and gives no happiness’. Thus, it can be said that just like the non-vegetarian hotel, this world also has a sign-board stating, ‘Genuine everlasting happiness is not available here’! Giving a direction for finding such happiness, the ancient scriptures further declare, ‘Imaam Praapya Bhajaswa Maam’ i.e. God is the only source where such a search for eternal happiness can end fruitfully. In order to attain such eternal happiness one should gradually discard desires one by one. Removal of immorality is the only way to immortality. One should lead an ideal life as long as one lives in this world and leave behind an ideal example for posterity.
Note:
[i] Lord Rama, the son of King Dasharatha belonging to Ikshvaku dynasty, is said to be the seventh of the ten reincarnations of Lord Vishnu in the ancient Indian tradition. He made this statement to his younger brother Lakshmana in the epic Ramayana.
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