Tarak Ghosh
At present, I am engaged in a
discourse centered around Babaji Maharaj's (D. Prajnadas Kathia, a renowned
philosopher, spiritualist, and social scientist from India) exploration of
Karma Yoga. The essence of this discussion revolves around his profound
embodiment of action, serving as a guiding light for others.
The existence of desires, when left
unfulfilled, can result in various disturbances within the mind. It is from
these unfulfilled desires that anger arises, and this anger subsequently leads
to the manifestation of sinful actions.
In the Bhagavad Gita, it
is stated that a person who can resist the temptations of lust and anger before
departing from this world is considered a yogi and finds happiness. D.
Prajnadas Kathia, a renowned philosopher, spiritualist, and social scientist
from India, used to emphasize that greed affects our lives in numerous ways.
Greed manifests itself in
various forms, and while it is often recognizable, there are instances when it
disguises itself, making it challenging to identify. Unfulfilled desires and
the longing for them create disturbances in the mind, which eventually give
rise to anger. This anger, in turn, leads to sinful actions. In the earthly
realm, crimes are punishable if one is caught, but sins are not judged in any
earthly court. Instead, they are recorded in the divine court of God.
Babaji (D. Prajnadas Kathia) was well aware that the suffering experienced
by both the saint and the common man stems from unjustifiable greed. Greed
gives rise to cravings, which, in turn, lead to sin. Moreover, if these
cravings are left unfulfilled, anger arises.
Anger arises when our desires remain
unfulfilled, and this anger often leads to sinful actions. Within a family,
most individuals strive to conduct themselves virtuously, but their sins and
virtues inevitably intersect.
A person who is pure and chaste
possesses neither sin nor virtue. It is crucial to remember that if one acts
with the expectation of receiving small rewards, they become bound by karma and
continue to wander in the cycle of samsara. Instead of acting with the mindset
of "What will I gain in return?" one should adopt the perspective of
"My duty lies in the action itself, not in the outcome."
Maintaining a pure mind
is the key to well-being. Meditation serves as the internet, enabling
communication with God and Sadguru. Chanting mantras acts as a filter,
purifying the mind and eliminating unnecessary thoughts and distractions.
Babaji advised sadhaks to let go of thoughts about the future. Babaji
emphasizes that in order to attain greatness, sacrifices must be made. One can
only become a companion of the sun after letting go of many stars.
Babaji has repeatedly mentioned the importance
of regularly reading the sixth chapter of the Sri Gita, known as 'Dhyanayoga',
which provides guidance for householders as well. Baba asserts that both
selfless action and meditation, which are ancient practices, have the power to
bring immense happiness to both saints and householders.
Regarding Niskam Karma, he
explains that it involves living life with a noble resolution or holding
auspicious ideals in high regard. The only sacrifice required in this practice
is the life force wasted on idle actions. Furthermore, Baba elucidates a verse
from the Gita, stating that selfless action serves as a stepping stone towards
meditation. This act of renunciation leads one closer to spiritual
enlightenment. Lastly, when an individual wholeheartedly embraces a righteous
ideal, it eventually transforms into a divine manifestation.
Babaji Maharaj further
elucidates another verse, stating that we possess the ability to be both our
own adversaries and allies. Should we desire, we can transform our foe into a
companion. Additionally, it is crucial to keep in mind that unnecessary sighing
should be avoided by every member of the family. Baba emphasizes that a genuine
saint refrains from expressing anger towards others, even through sighing.
He was not just a social
reformer; he was a remarkable man who had a deep appreciation for nature.
Perhaps today we can witness the increasing number of earthquakes both within
our country and abroad. The recent earthquake in Syria has demonstrated our
vulnerability and helplessness in the face of nature's power.
Moreover, we are also
confronted with the threats of tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. In essence, if
nature desires, it can effortlessly annihilate and dissolve this world into the
vast expanse of the universe, leaving no trace behind. In his book 'Gita
Chirantan', Babaji Maharaj elucidates a verse from the Gita, emphasizing that
if we selfishly indulge in the gifts bestowed upon us by God, we are akin to
thieves.
Our responsibility lies in not
only enjoying these divine blessings but also offering them back to God. It is
our duty to assist the gods in their endeavors, striving to mitigate air
pollution, noise pollution, and water pollution. Since our existence relies on
oxygen, it is imperative that we plant more trees and replenish nature with the
gift of oxygen. In other words, we must not take God's gifts for granted;
instead, we should make arrangements to return them, lest we become thieves.
And as with any act of theft, we must be prepared to face the consequences.
Babaji In his explanation, Maharaj emphasizes the importance of conserving and
returning rainwater to nature in a pure manner.
By doing so, we can contribute to the beauty
of the world and benefit from each other. The first step towards achieving this
is to control our excessive consumption. Additionally, Maharaj emphasizes the
need to maintain the clarity and flow of the Ganga-Yamuna rivers, as this is a
form of worship. Failure to do so may result in divine punishment, as nature
can manifest itself in various forms such as Putna, Kalinaga, or Kanga.
In the 'Karma Yoga' stage of
the Gita, Babaji Maharaj explains that through selfless actions, one can attain
spiritual growth. Rain is a result of these selfless actions, and it provides
nourishment for the production of food. Life itself originates from this food.
By engaging in righteous actions, one can attain a connection with the divine.
Those who solely pursue sensual gratification are cursed and lead a futile
existence.
Remember, your actions in exercising your rights—specifically, your efforts in raising a child—do not automatically grant you entitlement to those rights.
Remember, your actions in
exercising your rights—specifically, your efforts in raising a child—do not
automatically grant you entitlement to those rights. In other words, you cannot
base your judgment on what the child has witnessed or not witnessed. However,
if a child is raised in such a manner, they will undoubtedly fulfill their
responsibilities.
I am confident in this belief.
Please bear in mind that it is your responsibility to contribute to the Ashram,
but when you view this contribution as an investment and expect a return, it
indirectly leads to loss. I have observed numerous businessmen who, in the
hopes of reaping benefits, donate illicit funds to ashrams. They then attempt
to manipulate the 'sadhus' of that ashram and pursue their own personal
interests. Ultimately, this behavior results in harm.