Lessons for householder
As we continue to walk the path of serenity and wisdom following the edyfying conversation between Sri Ram and Lakshman in the forest, Ram imparts his insights on the autumnal surroundings.
His first illustration offers a pointer to householders. Wherever there is less water, the fish start suffering; as unintelligent householders suffer without money. The householder should understand the importance and value of money; earn and cherish it accordingly. They should not resort to unacceptable and deceptive methods to earn and amass wealth. A householder should be smart, efficient and practical in handling worldly affairs. They should know how to manage their finances. There is a mistaken notion that religion does not approve of earning money. Our scriptures are very clear about this point.
Besides looking after one’s own families, the householders are also supposed to feed those belonging to the other three stations of life — the brahmacharis (students), the vanaprasthas (elderly) and the sannyasis (renunciates). When a guest arrives, feed him well. Don’t try to avoid him/her by saying: “You must have had your lunch already!” Instead of asking “Would you like to have lunch” invite them to be seated saying, “Lunch is ready. Please join us.” Allow the guest to stay with you as long as he wants. The Taittiriya Upanishad says, “If you give to the guest with reverence, you will also be given things with reverence. If you give in a common casual way, you will also receive in a similar manner. If you give in an insulting or demeaning way, you will also receive the same way when your turn comes.”
In another context, it is pointed out that householders should also have bhakti (devotion) and vairagya (dispassion). They should get joy from meeting mahatmas. In this way, the Ramayana gives clear guidelines for everyone. It tells us how a king should conduct himself, what should be the attitude of a devotee and how a sanyasi should behave. Every aspect of life is covered.
The autumnal sky is clear, without any clouds. The cloudless sky is like the mind of a devotee, pure and devoid of any worldly desires. There are some rare gentle showers here and there, like the rare few who develop intense devotion to the lord. In the Bhagavatam purana, Bhagavan Sri Krishna has said that he may even give mukti (liberation), but bhakti (devotion) is not given so easily. In this highest kind of single-pointed bhakti, the devotee does not want dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (desire-fulfilment) or even moksha (liberation). His goal is very clear: He wants only devotion at the holy feet of the lord and is prepared to undergo any number of trials and tribulations for it.
Swami Tejomayananda, head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, is an orator, poet, singer, composer and storyteller. Visit www.chinmayamission.com.
© Central Chinmaya Mission Trust.
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