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In one of his recent lectures at
Chennai Swami Suddhananda talked of that inner strength, which neither flounders
nor is weakened by vicissitudes of fortune or changes in situations without. One
who discovers and dwells on this strength within, radiates those endearing and
enduring virtues all over, becoming thus a manifestation of divinity, In this
regard, Suddhananda drew attention to the statement of Bhagavad Gita (10, 41)
that whatsoever is glorious, genuine, beautiful and strong are verily
representative portions of this divine splendour.
Avery important step in realising
this noble state is giving up one's ego (ahamkara). Suddhananda pointed out how
one's going to Kashi (Benares) and giving up once and for all a particular dish
or vegetable that one is most attached to, is symbolic of something more
significant, which too should follow. This is that of giving up one's
self-centredness, self - righteousness and ego, which indeed are difficult to be
free from. Kashi, he noted, literally means, "that which illumines." Unless the
visit to the place and the symbolic resolution is followed by obtaining true
illumination within, through shedding of the ego, such symbolic acts would
become limited to being empty rituals.
In the above regard, Suddhananda
also talked of the need to appear, at times, vulnerable and dependant, giving up
pretensions to condescension or standing on prestige. Referring to his own case,
he revealed that neither he nor his ashram owned a car. On account of this, he
would have to request others at times for transport. By this process, those who
are thus approached are allowed to be of service and feel privileged for having
been given the opportunity.
Similarly, Suddhananda observed
that aged parents, who are prepared to openly and happily ask for help from
their children, obtain love from them. In contrast are those who continue to
pretend to be at the giving end, even after their children have grown up and are
self-supporting. Because of this needless hostile approach, even those children
who would otherwise be loving and caring, are turned off and forced to maintain
a safe distance.
Freedom from egoism (ahamkara),
leads one on, as do other sublime virtues of head and heart. By conceiving and
cultivating these, whereby these become integral aspects of one's personality,
one discovers and dwells on the authenticity and power within. This indeed
is that inner strenght, which never ever can become fragile. |
