Treeintheseed13
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.
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 Amāṉuṣya
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.