Deivathin Kural Series - 19

03 JULY 2006
Om Namah Sivaya.
1. These are translations of what the erstwhile Pontiff of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam, has spoken over sixty years, published as, ‘ Deivathin Kural ’, available in ten volumes, in the Tamil language.
2. We should all try to attain true Gnanam. What is that ? There is nothing other than God. What ever name you assign it, the only reality is that and nothing else. The One seems as everything. As long as our minds are involved in appearances, the problems of disparities will continue. To turn one’s mind away from appearances, one should get to know the basic reason or logic of existence. Once we come to recognize that the basis is ONE, then where is the scope for comparisons ? In that is the permanent state of bliss, and that is known as Gnanam.
3. In the worldly life satisfaction and happiness, seems to be there. But it is so temporary. How can we make this happiness last ? What comes can go also. What is satisfying one moment, vanishes the next. Let us say that we are looking at the Sun’s rays falling through the leaves of a tree. Now you see the light and now you don’t. In the sadness of life, happiness seems to be so transient. The only way out, is to know that our satisfaction is not dependant on conditions. It is our reality. It is our birthright. Sadness is an avoidable option.
4. It is surprising that, no one is spared. One may think, that Rich people do not have such problems. One may presume that people in positions of power, are beyond the reach of sorrow. Thinking so, one may aspire to achieve wealth and power. If you ask a rich man as to what are his problems, he is likely to tell you a story of epic proportions. If you are sitting in a low stool and fall, you may sustain some sprain. Higher we go greater the fall. Actually a rich man has more problems of protecting his wealth. So in this world, nobody says that he is happy. Even when he says so, he will know that, he is bluffing.
Everyone thinks of Himself or Herself, as the smartest, handsomest, brainiest and simultaneously, saddest and most mis-understood. Sadness seems to be our kin. The reason for this is that, we have sown the seeds of sorrow, even before we are born. There is no escape.
5. But there is some method in the madness. We can learn to bear our ill fate. We can learn to not add to the agony, by refusing to commit the same error. If we become inert due to brain damage, we do not suffer. But in that state we are not happy either. In deep sleep, we are not unhappy. But neither are we aware. Only Gnani, or the realized, is wakeful and permanently happy. Not that there won’t be any bodily ache or pain or wearing out. But he will be rid of apprehensions and worries. The outer conditions do not affect his inner being.
6. In a well, a filled bucket seems to weigh less when submerged in water. Once above the water level, it seems to weigh more. This principle is used to move heavy timber in rivers. Similarly, let us merge our problems in the river flow of Gnanam. There will be problems. But they will be easily managed.

Sambhomahadeva