Day: January 13, 2024

Swami ji said…

The measured duration of time that God allots to each one of us – in each lifetime of ours – is an opportunity given to us to improve our ‘karmic’ account – where we should put in all our energy and focus more on doing ‘पुण्य’, and , distance ourself from – “ किसी भी तरह का पाप…” Every ill-thought of ours; a silent mental barb; wishing for another person’s downfall; suspecting another of wrong doing; making someone feel like a culprit without any conclusive evidence – all such ‘acts’ too become part of our bad ‘karma’ – बुरे ‘कर्म’.”

“हम कितनी जल्दी दूसरों पर संदेह करते हैं, शक करते हैं ?” It takes us no time to harbour misgivings against others ; to mistrust others. And , at times we are unwilling to hear them out, as they try to defend themselves, from the barrage of accusations, that are flung at them by us. Even the great ‘devtas’ were susceptible to ‘suspect’ one another in times of trouble. It is, thus, important to realise that we – mere mortals are as vulnerable to this malicious emotion, as dry leaves are in stormy winds.

We fail to realise that by giving sanctuary to ‘suspicion’ in our heart and mind – we are mindlessly wasting precious time – imagining the various ways in which we have been betrayed. Barely do we to lose something, or, rather misplace something at home – and we immediately start casting doubts on the domestic help, an adolescent teenager or someone who could be frequenting our home regularly. Hours are needlessly spent on visualising how the ‘suspect’ was able to carry out the ‘theft’.Suspicion makes us believe the worst in others. Whatever little flaws they might have displayed – in the past are amplified in our mind – in the present time.

What we need to remember is that – ” ‘संदेह’ बेकार की मुसीबतें खड़ी कर देता है…” Misunderstandings develop unnecessarily ; relationships take a beating and are ruined for ever. Has the thought ever occurred to us – ” दूसरों पर ‘संदेह’ करने के बदले हम उनपे ‘विश्वास’ क्यों नहीं करते ? विश्वास तो पहाड़ों में भी रास्ते निकाल देता है…” Any relationship – be it between parent and child, between family members, between friends – is akin to a plant that needs to be nurtured. And, what water and sunlight are to the plant; belief and encouragement are to a relationship. Suspicion, on the other hand, is suffocating for ‘the’ one – who is always suspected of wrong doing. He feels as though he is constantly walking on glass ; mindful and fearful of coming across as a culprit. Such relationships turn sour very fast. Belief and encouragement shown by us – make others believe – that we are confident in them and inspires them to be loyal to us, as it makes them feel they are someone we ‘trust’. Trust – the very remedy a person ridden with ‘suspicion’ needs – to calm his mind.

Yes, we do not have to blindly trust everyone that we come across in our lives. There is always past behaviour ; references from others that must be considered by us. But , if possible, we must always give ‘trust’ a shot. Suspicion is like an iron gate, keeping us jailed in – away from new possibilities. Trust – ‘विश्वास’ – gives rise to new beginnings, new friendships, new journeys.

The epic ‘Ramayan’ depicts the unwavering ‘trust’ that Shri Ram reposed in each individual – who He met – while searching for Sita ma in the forests, when she was forcefully taken away by Ravan to Lanka. He ‘trusted’ Sugriv to keep his promise to help him search the forests for Sita ma with his ‘vanar’ sena. He ‘trusted’ Vibhishan – his enemy’s brother – to lead him to Ravan and reveal his weaknesses to Him. Would we have trusted a King who had just won over his kingdom with our help – to support us with his army – a few months later ? In today’s world that would seem foolhardy, and , perhaps, it might have seemed the same to some people back, then, too. But, the Lord placed His trust in all of them throughout. Would we ever accept our foe’s brother as our friend ? Would we trust him ; trust his words and irrespective of what he said – would we listen to him? But, even here, the Lord did so, smilingly.

How can a saint turn a thief into a good man , if , He does not trust him enough – that he will even ‘try’ to turn into a new leaf ? Even, we, who are blinded by the illusion of the material world, should feel fortunate that God trusts us – उन्हे हम पर ये विश्वास है कि, हम जैसे भी हैं – we will make an attempt to search for Him – not anywhere outside of us, but , within us…Then who are we to doubt anyone else ?