Seeking forgiveness for life’s trials
Think of a person who has offended you. He has now realized his mistake, and comes to apologize sincerely. What will you do? You will certainly give it a thought, and if the offence is not intentional you may forgive. Now expand this phenomenon to our situation. Throughout our life, we face many setbacks, problems, troubles, etc. Why does it happen? I will explain in this article and its solution.
This Creation is based on dharma (highest religious principles formulated by God). In simple language it is: “What you sow is what you reap.” Then, it is logical to accept that whatever adversities we face must be due to our infringing dharma in the past. We all have a past including previous lives when we have done many sinful and impious acts. These all must bear bad fruits. Why else are we here in the ‘duhkhalaya’ (place of misery). (The Bhagavad-Gita 8.15) These bad fruits include two kinds of punishments. One is of fixed type of something bad happening like a major disease. The other is faulty ‘svabhava’ (nature), which is being lusty, greedy, hateful, etc. Such nature makes us act in bad ways, and we get into trouble repeatedly.
Unfortunately, our reaction is equally faulty. We lament, blame others for our woes and even blame God. Our overinflated ego does not allow us to admit that we must have acted badly earlier as we are presently doing also. This is gross ignorance. What should ideally be done? We must go to the authority, who can condone our past mistakes. I am referring to God – the Controller. Wise persons have done so in the past and benefitted. Ravan was immensely proud of his material possessions and power. He even foolishly kidnapped Seetaji. Surely, Lord Ramachandra had to punish him. Credit to Ravana that he admitted his past sins before leaving his body. Another famous example is of Arjuna; He tried to be too casual with Lord Krishna, but realized his mistake. He prayed for forgiveness to the Lord quite sincerely. (11.41-45)
How do we approach the Almighty? We first of all strike a relationship with the Lord by doing spiritual practices, which are easy to do. What can be easier than chanting Krishna, Krishna, Krishna…………… Similar each processes are ‘darshan’ (seeing the Lord in his Deity form), ‘naman’ (offer obeisance) to God, etc. Now we are ready to sincerely beg for forgiveness.
This is what I have been doing. My Lord has not only condoned many of my past bad acts, but also given me many boons as well. Because I took responsibility of my faulty past. And I have promised to be on my best behaviour from now onwards. Sincerely apologising and continuing with the same earlier ways does not impress God, who knows us fully. Yes, it is stressful to become pure and watch all my acts by the body, senses and words, but it can be done. I am glad to state that I am doing quite well.
The writer is a spiritual teacher and a popular columnist; views are personal
