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It is common observation that
while some allow themselves to be damaged by unfavourable occurrences in
life, some take these in their stride and are sometimes, in fact, even
empowered by apparent disasters. It was indeed rightly said that hammer
forges steel but shatters glass!
In a similar manner, good
tidings and onset of fortune bring euphoria and often also a sense of
supercilious contempt in some, while enlightened and evolved persons are
hardly carried away by such fleeting events.
The acid test which distinguishes the mentally
weak from the strong is the capacity to be equanimous in both adversity and
prosperity, which more often than not, even themselves out in the final
analysis. This aspect is summed up in the reply of Yudhistira (Dharmaputra)
to the question of the celestial being (yaksha), as it finds place in the
Mahabarata. To the question, "Which is the greatest endurance ?" Yudhistira
replies, "The capacity to be patient and be balanced in situations of both
pain and pleasure."
Rudyard Kipling terms both
triumph and disaster as "imposters" (poem, IF). Imposters truly they are the
wise see through these to recognise them for what they actually are - mere
illusions! Apparent success could also prove to be one's undoing finally,
while certain perceived failures could ultimately prove to be blessings in
disguise.
Reaction of despondency or unregulated ecstasy
to different situations in life merely serve to damage the body-mind
mechanism. Recognising thus that these verily are sins, the Bhagavad Gita
urges (2, 38) upon the need to join the "battle of life" with equanimity
whereupon one will not incur any sin. This equilibrium, the Gita declares
(2,48), is verily yoga . In another remarkable verse (6,7), the matured is
depicted as one who is "uniform in cold and heat, pleasure and pain, honour
and dishonour."
Balance, poise and precision,
besides courage, tolerance, resilience and forbearance --- these virtues
indeed are the manifestations of an evolved personality, rooted in
equanimity and consistency. This verily is also a measure of one's toughness
within, which would brave inflictions and aberrations from without too.
Ultimately these resistances, stubborn though they may be, have to give way
to this inner power and authenticity. Indeed tough times don't last but
tough people do! |
