Day: July 13, 2024

Swami ji said…

Coal and diamonds, both come from mines ; both are made of the same matter. Yet, coal we are hesitant to touch with our bare hands – but , diamonds – we move heaven and earth to get our hands on. And , the difference in our behaviour does not end there itself. While on the one hand – coal powers the very houses we live in – we never stop once to think of and appreciate the coal miner who works day and night, endangering his life – to bring us this precious commodity. But, it is the one who wears diamonds ; comes across as affluent and
wealthy – he is the one who is looked at with great respect by us. It is sad but true – that the coal miner might not even exist for most of us – but, the image of that person, laden with precious stones could flash through our mind again and again – with us secretly desiring to look like that person.

” क्या हम लोगों का सम्मान उनकी हैसियत देख कर करते हैं ? वो कितने धनी हैं ? उनके पास कितनी पूंजी है ? इंसान की इंसान होने की कोई कीमत नहीं है क्या आजकल हमारी आंखों में ? We have always been told that we are God’s children and He loves all of us equally and treats us in a just and fair manner – then who are we to be selective in deciding on the different treatment that we will mete out to people – to those who matter to us and those who are of no significance to us. Disdain, disrespect and distaste for all those who we feel are of no consequence to us and thus look through them ; make them feel like worms – but , at the same time , treat all those who matter to us with respect , awe and deference. To say that we are not aware of how we treat others ; speak with them and behave with them – as and when it suits us – would be a blatant lie.

This is the bitter truth of the society in which we live today. Respect – सम्मान – has become a currency for us. Spent only when we can get something for it. Gone are the days when we respected the man ; the person himself. Now , we, only respect a man for what he is in society ; the position he holds ; what he has to offer us in the present time and what he can do for us in the future.

When Lord Shiva went as a bridegroom to Ma Parvati’s abode – to be married to her – He went with his tribe of ‘ganas’. With matted hair, ash strewn across His body and tiger skin as His garment – He appeared before Mainavati –
His mother-in-law to be. Seeing Lord Shiva in this terrifying form of His , Mainavati – was so frightened and scared – that she fainted out of fear. Later she felt betrayed and was angry – on thinking that her daughter would be marrying someone devoid of the divine physical appearance of Lord Vishnu or other ‘devtas’. Her agitation at this was so great that she rejected Lord Shiva as Parvati’s husband in that particular form of His. Lord Shiva had to change His form – to a more pleasing one – and could only then marry Parvati. Didn’t ‘Sati’ self – immolate Herself when her father, Daksha, humiliated Lord Shiva?

It is this behaviour that manifests in our behaviour and nature too. We respect what we are able to see ; and, thus, value it superficially and materialistically – only. We fail to understand that what actually deserves respect is not always wealth or power, but – the unique individuality of others and their virtues.

The hard working vegetable vendor who stands in the streets – be it summer or winter – providing us with vegetables near our homes – he deserves our respect – and, certainly not the tones of superiority that we use while haggling with them over a penny. The domestic help who make our life easier by working for us – they deserve respect for doing all those chores that we find too tedious to do.The waste picker who cleans our streets ; the delivery boy who brings home the products and food we need – they all deserve respect for doing their work sincerely and honestly. To think that just being
compensated
monetarily by us for their work is enough – is a mistake to begin with.
Remember, we all are dependent on each other in someway or another.Thus, we must express our appreciation for one another. We must make it a habit to respect everyone around us – irrespective of our standing in society or in the eyes of people.

” हमें याद रखना चाहिए कि … दूसरों का अपमान करना किसी की आदत हो सकती है , उनका स्वभाव हो सकता है – पर सब का सम्मान करना – चाहे वो छोटा हो या बडा – हमरा संस्कार होना चाहिए…”