” सही ‘दिशा’ ही हमारी ‘दशा’ तय करती है…”

Swami ji said…

The cycle of ‘karma’ cannot be ignored or avoided. The circumstances and conditions we find ourselves in – good , or , not so good – is because of the choices that we had made in the past. The decisions that we took in the earlier years of our life reflect our mindset of that time period – the follow up process of which prove to be either constructive or destructive for us. What we need to understand and accept is that – whatever we are or wherever we have reached in life today – is a reflection of the ‘direction’ that we decided to head in during our younger days. While for some ‘today’ is great, for some it is quite the opposite – all because of the direction they decided to set sail on long ago.

But, in the midst of all this, do we at any point question ourselves – hold ourselves accountable for the ‘state’ in which we find ourselves… ‘जो ‘दिशा’ हमने स्वयं अपने आप की करी है… क्या उसके लिए हम स्वयं जिम्मेदारी लेते हैं ?” When things go bad for us or take an ugly turn – we more than happily – pass on the buck to everything possible under the Sun. ‘हम ग्रहों की दशा को हमारे हालात के लिए, हमारी दशा के लिए जिम्मेदार ठहराते हैं…’ At times, we
hold our parents, friends , circumstances – everything else – but ourselves responsible for the dismal state in which we find ourselves. We do this because it suits us. We fail to recall the number of times we slipped – the innumerable times we were unable to resist temptation and ended up indulging in wrong and sinful activities – resulting in the messy situation that we now find ourselves in.

Even now – the direction we are heading in dictates our future – in this life and even the next. Thus, we must always be cautious and wise in taking the smallest of decisions that shape our life.This, however, can only be done if we have the foresight and guidance to see where our path is taking us. Those who keep God in their heart find this the easiest to follow. Even though they cannot see where they will end up, just the ‘nature’ – the goodness or peril – in the direction they decide to take – is something they develop an intuition for – as God is guiding them. Thus, those who regularly reflect and meditate on themselves become acutely aware of where they are headed in life and what they must do if they need to change direction. They are able to observe and glean from the world around them how ‘karma’ seems to work and thus become very careful of what they do. Such is the manifestation of God’s guidance in the spiritual practitioner’s life.

On the other hand, those who are trapped in the illusion of this world, are unable to tell which paths, which directions or what actions are beneficial for them. Enslaved to their physical senses, they are unable to see or sense any of the long term repercussions of their actions done today.

In life we must strive to be guided by honesty and righteousness. A sense of duty and humility is what directed Shri Ram from His Kingdom to the Forest – only so that he would become a King of the Ages – one who would be remembered and worshipped forever. On the other hand, insatiable desire and ambition made the demon king, Ravan – head from the Forest to the Golden kingdom of Lanka, which he coveted – only to see that very kingdom burn – in the last days of his life – as he paid for his sin, of kidnapping Sita Ma, at the hands of Lord Ram. Such is the destiny that awaits us – is in store for us – depending on the direction we take.