Health and Happiness - Dr Dwarakanath
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As we reach the closing stanzas of the
divine song of Shankara in ‘Bhajagovindham’, he comes strongly more than his
usual self. He says, our body is the temple and the soul in it is God’. It is
our duty to keep both the body and the soul pure by guarding them from
defilement. There are several means suggested by our great ancestors, which are
valid for all times. These suggestions were time tested and proven beyond an
iota of doubt. It is our duty and most important endeavor to put them in
practice. While making mental obeisance to these great masters and personages,
we should resign ourselves to the will of God. It is the practice in Hindu
tradition to learn any sacred scripture at the feet of guru in gurukul- ancient
way of education in Indian system. The disciple used to put his complete faith
in the guru and the guru used to free the disciple from the vagaries of birth
and death. Such was the sacred bond between the guru and sishya- disciple.
Though the time has changed and in the
present day world, it is very difficult to get a competent guru and a sincere
disciple. With that, the practice of being directly instructed by a guru has
almost ceased, except in few lucky souls among us. Under the present
circumstances, until you find the right Guru, there is nothing wrong to treat
the photo of ishta daivam (Holy deity), holy book or a temple as guru. But the
only important condition is earnest desire and complete devotion to obtain
liberation, nothing less than that at any cost. Faith is the secret power in
the human mind to hold on to what we intellectually believe and not yet come to
experience in our life.
Faith in god and faith in the wisdom
of guru are most important for the disciple to become liberated from sansara
soon. Because once surrendered to the lotus feet of the guru, it is his burden
to guide the disciple till he reaches the destination. But, the disciple, on
his part, has to obey the guru, manasaa, vaacha and karmana so much so that he
firmly believes that guru is God. Sincere adoration and devoted surrender to
the guru are the most important ingredients. While establishing such a firm
faith in guru, the disciple has to control his sense-organs and the mind so as
to experience the lord that dwells in one's own heart.
Again, Sri Shankara rightfully
commands us all, who wish to truly attain realization the essence of path of
truth! Shankara’s words when translated without mincing words says, “Oh fool,
at least now understand the purport of life and cross the life's ocean with the
help of worshiping God and reciting his sacred names with every breath that you
take”.
In the next week, let us see, what the great saints
of India thought about the works of Shankara, especially the Bhajagovindam.
Long live the Guru Parampara- Guru- Shishya sacred relation… India!
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