There are dark and beautiful sides; we have to choose right
Yes, there are two sides of this world. Unfortunately, we are too focussed on the dark and ugly side. We don’t see the beautiful side. Lord Krishna has described in the Bhagavad-Geeta about how wonderful this world can be if we make the right efforts. The Lord states, “A self-controlled person, by giving up all acts, which are against Dharma, lives happily in the house having nine gates.” (5.13) But what do we normally choose to do? We repeatedly cross ‘maryada’ in the false belief that we will escape punishment. Nobody escapes; every act of ours is being recorded for rewards and punishments. This is the ‘Karmaphala’ principle.
The Lord continues, “One who is capable of tolerating the urge caused by lust and anger is a true yogi; he is a happy person.” (5.23) God is not unkind; He has allowed all enjoyments which are not against Dharma. (7.11) All of us are generally aware of what sins are and what pious acts are. But we repeatedly cross the ‘Lakshman Rekha’ in the false belief that this is a lot of fun. And surely we are punished. On the other hand, if we obey Dharma, then, we are protected, because God is all for it. Dharma is so dear to God that He incarnates when there is decline in it, and there is ascendency of immorality. (4.7)
Lord Krishna informs how one can enjoy unlimited bliss, as He states, “A person having consciousness unattached to sense objects, enjoys that happiness within, which is extraordinary. He, having consciousness linked to the Brahman, experiences eternal bliss.” (5.21) What do we erroneously believe? That all enjoyments are through sense objects. Yes, they give enjoyment but of the temporary nature, and they leave us unsatiated.
Lord Krishna illuminates, “Beyond the senses, there is unlimited bliss, which can be experienced through intelligence. A yogi realizes it and thus does not get distracted at all from the absolute essence, that is God.” (6.21) What do we do? We limit ourselves to the satisfaction of the mind – the leader of our senses. (15.7) The following example will clarify. A yogi, one who is linked with God, begins to get positive responses from God, which are unbelievable, because God is so very different from us and unimaginably great. A yogi is, therefore, not attracted to pleasures of the senses.
I will narrate a few of God’s greatest qualities, which make Him so different from us. Unlike us, who are driven mostly by self-interest, God has only our interest, because He is complete, whereas we are eternally small and, consequently, incomplete. Nothing else was possible in Cosmic Design. By God being interested eternally in our welfare, this shortcoming is easily overcome; we just have to take God’s shelter by giving up our ‘ahankar’ (ego). We are God’s ‘ansas’ (parts), while God is the source. (15.15) Lord Krishna informs, “Whatever there is opulent, effulgent or even energetic, all that you should know as produced from a fragment of My splendor.” (10.41)
Yes, we are forever in deprivation, being small, but God is ever ready to provide what we need; we just have to make the right efforts. Isn’t that the most practical way to keep this creation functional for millions of years? Unlike an owner, who treats the world as an object for his or her enjoyment, God is ready to provide what we need for our enjoyment. Unlike a powerful person, who loves to be served, God is forever ready to serve us; we just have to qualify for this privilege. (9.22)
(The author is a spiritual teacher)
