TreeInTheSeed13

Treeintheseed13

Sakthi Vikatan - 27 May, 2014

 

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Victory’s support power.

By Sēvārathṉā Doctor T.S. Narayanaswamy. Images: Aras

 

People have certain views and desires. We can call them wish, desire, and avarice. He considers it a victory when these desires fructify. Because of it, he enjoys supreme bliss and sets a higher goal for himself. Desire become avarice. His journey for victory continues.

He considers it victory when he accomplishes what he chose to do. Others consider him a victor. Let us consider the underlying power for his victory.

'‘Man Proposes; God disposes.’ Man can decide but God can either reject it or accept it. 

Let us delve into the path shown by God for the victorious outcome of man according to his own liking. It shows the pinnacle of success attained with confidence by man. The religious texts show us the way.

For success in life, the support power is an individual’s thinking ability. The self-confidence is the prime mover. Among body, mind, intellect and Ātmā there is cooperation between mind and intellect. The power of mind lays the path for short- and long-term success in plans and endeavors.

What is the gain in the success of my endeavors? What benefit do they offer to the fellow humans? Do my deeds cause demerit or evil? Once we know the answers to these questions, we should make appropriate plans, our aims will find success.

Elite power of Lofty thoughts!

The thought waves formed by the cooperation of mind and intellect give us the ability to translate the thought waves into deeds. That power is the pointer to our victory. Therefore, having achieved fruition of our endeavors, we should realize the buried Amāṉuya Sakthi (supernatural power) in us offering victory.

First

Immersed in deep thought ‘What do I desire?’, we should write down our motive on paper in one or two lines. It might appear simple. This is an attempt to condense and gather in a few drops, the widespread, ocean-wide waves of desire.

For example, let us assume a man wants to join ranks with the superrich. That is a huge desire.

Ability, indefatigable effort, the time factor to enrichment, straight forwardness in amassing wealth… are some considerations; with these moderating influences, the greed for riches tones down to desire. Considering all these factors, there are a transformation to a noble intent and a rising hope to accomplish his objective.

There is a saying: “God grants what you deserve and not what you desire.”

Second

After we write down our motive on paper in one or two lines, we should plan its execution.  In executive training, there is a rule: ‘Plan of Action should be enriched by Action plan.’  

What, what all, and how to do, through whom, priorities of projects and the deadlines should be weighed; these factors and a frame of execution become the road map.

Thirdly…

The afterimages of a photo linger in our mind when we shut our eyes after seeing it. Using this faculty, we should examine the dimension of our motives.

Looking at our objectives, studying the questions listed below, knowing the answers and acting accordingly, will help us reach the pinnacle.

·       Why do I desire to attain it?

·       What benefit do I get?

·       How do I propose to attain it?

·       Are my objectives Dharmic?

·       What is my strength?

·       What is my weakness?

·       Who will stand beside me to help attain my objectives?

·       Will God approve my desires or objectives?

·       To attain the pinnacle of success, another human power is positive thoughts. Deep thinking as its base, the positive power abides in the subconscious mind, which modifies the behavior and performance levels to one’s advantage.

·       Giving up negative thoughts and paying attention to growth of the positive thoughts, restriction of mind becomes diminished and actions become normalized.

·       Wrong expectations are not positive thoughts. Many of us make wrong estimate of our intrinsic human power potential and accumulate a repository of unfulfilled desires.  Though lacking the ability, they desire to enjoy high lifestyle and to hold high offices beyond the scope of their intellectual means.  Disappointment is what they end up with.

Desire beyond ability and contrary expectations deliver disappointments and failure. The consequent shock and grief brings mental stress and constraints.

Expectations against nature creates disappointment, which engenders unhappiness.  That subjects a person to serious mental agitation.

Because of it, his personality changes. He needs the help of a psychiatrist. The root cause is desire. The Buddha advances the Tattva, “Desire is the cause of unhappiness.”

A question arises. “Could we live without desire? Is it not desire the foundation for progress?”

Have desires for a full life: food, clothing, and shelter. Work for them. Desire going beyond the basic needs is for luxury and ostentation. Nothing is wrong in your attempt to attain them. When there is a failure, there is diminution of tranquility of family life.

The elders said, “A satisfied mind is the golden remedy.  If you develop a sense of satisfaction and the desires are under control, you would attain the fruit of your efforts. Accordingly, a sense of satisfaction and tranquillity will prevail.  How do you nurture and grow a sense of satisfaction?

The tree in the seed

Piḷḷaiyār revealed His calculation!

Sundar is a 10th grade student. He desired to take the first rank with high marks. His family is full of Bakthi, faith…

Ten days before the final exams, his grandfather advised Sundar, “Hey Sundar, “On your way to school, stop in the Piḷḷaiyār temple at the end of the road and make circumambulations and worship. That will help you to rank first in the class.” Sundar agreed with his grandfather, thinking he must come first in the class and it is good to have Piḷḷaiyār’s help in that effort. From that day onwards, he circumambulated Piḷḷaiyār.

His faith gathered strength and intensified.  He made ten times more ambulatory worship than he first intended. For the extra time, he left home early for that purpose. He did well in the examination.  Results came but he did not come first in the rank.

Because of missing the first rank, he became angry with Piḷḷaiyār. He went to the Piḷḷaiyār Temple and remonstrated with Piḷḷaiyār, “What is this? Piḷḷaiyārappa! I put faith in you and circumambulated you daily with devotion. Is this the reward? I did not come first in the class.  If I spent the time in studies instead of circumambulating and worshipping you, I would have earned more marks and earned the first rank. Why did you forsake me? Why?

Immediately Piḷḷaiyār appeared before him and addressed him, “Son! Do you remember the incident, when a water-lorry almost hit you?”

Sundar said, “Yes, the truck came. My good luck… Then an elderly man standing there pulled me by my hand and saved me.  What has that to do with my missing the first rank?”

Piḷḷaiyār spoke, “I was that elderly man! The circumambulatory merit bore fruit that day and that time and saved your life. For you your rank was important. For Me, your life was important. Your merit bore fruit and helped you escape death. You did not receive the fruit of first rank in the class. Let that slide. You continue your studies diligently. You will score high in the exam. Continue your temple worship. You will accumulate auspicious merits. Your efforts will bear fruits. But, let me decide the when and the how of the benefits you reap from your supplication.” So saying, He disappeared.

Yes, God does not offer what we ask Him for.  He gives what we need.