Ushering autumn
In my earlier columns on the vision behind the Ramayana, we dealt with Sri Ram sharing his thoughts with Lakshman on the natural phenomenon around them — the monsoons. He speaks about devotion, knowledge, dispassion and right conduct. He tells his brother what to avoid and what to watch out for. Now that rains are giving way to autumn, we will consider what Sri Ram says pointing out the signs and the significance of the season to Lakshman.
The kasha-grass with white flowers has spread like a carpet over vast areas, suggesting the advent of old age for the rainy season. The constellation of Agastya (Canopus) appears and the waters dry up, just as greed dries up the contentment of mind. When greed enters the mind, contentment is pushed out and when contentment comes in, greed has to beat a hasty retreat. There is no limit to greed. It thirsts for more and more, and does not hesitate to snatch what belongs to others. The only way to remove greed from the mind is to cultivate the virtue of contentment, by entertaining yourself with the wealth earned by your own hard work through righteous means.
The waters of rivers and lakes have become clear as the rains wash away all the dirt and dust, reminding Ram of the hearts of saints, which become pure as negativities are given up. During the rains the water is turbid and there is flooding; but slowly the waters settle down at the right level, like a wise man who gives up attachment and gradually gets established in knowledge. As we continue to give up wordly thoughts, possessiveness, attachment and desires, our inner vision becomes clearer and steadier. As a person starts getting glimpses of his real self, his desire for external enjoyment begins to decrease. The more he gives up desires for outer things, the more clarity he gains in his vision of the self. Gradually, as we develop interest in this self-knowledge, slowly our desires wither away. Then, there will be no further interruption in our awareness of the self even in the midst of activities.
With the coming of autumn, the khanjana (wagtail) bird also comes, just as the punyas (meritorious actions) start bearing fruit at the right time and good things start happening. All of us have experienced it in our lives. There are times when, in spite of all our efforts, things seem to go wrong. These are the results of pap karmas (sinful actions) done in the past. At such times we should not lose heart, but remain steady, courageous and cheerful, with the confidence that good times will come. Remember that even this will pass away.
Swami Tejomayananda, head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, is an orator, poet, singer, composer and storyteller.
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