In the previous episode, we had witnessed an important message for our modern times, that we shouldn’t be blaming our “fate” for not achieving something significant in life. This might be applicable both for professional and spiritual achievements. Sage Kapilaachaarya clearly states here that there is always a possibility to change the course of our fate with our sincere hard work, dedication and determination. In this accord, we had witnessed a beautiful example of little Prahlaada, wherein he was born as a son to a Raakshasa father, yet was able to attain Bhagawan’s divine feet! Similarly, we had witnessed the case of Vibhishana too – Although he was born amidst Raakshasaas, he was the only one amidst his entire set of people to follow the path of Dharma persistently at all times. During our Ramayana project, we had witnessed how Vibhishana stood by his Dharma in two main occasions – When Ravana was about to put Hanuman to death, for killing many of his army men and when Ravana had kicked him out of Lanka. At a time when the whole courtroom of Ravana was hell-bent on punishing Hanuman with a death sentence, it was only Vibhishana who stood by the Dharma and convinced Ravana to defer it. This shows Vibhishana’s persistence to Dharma, irrespective of whatever happens to him. Even when his own life and status as Ravana’s brother was at stake and even when Ravana himself publicly insulted him, Vibhishana was unperturbed! He still chose the path of Dharma over Adharma and came to Bhagawan Rama seeking His surrender and blessings. Such is the persistence that is required, if one has to achieve Bhagawan’s feet.
Thus the point here is that, if we’re dedicated and persistent in our effort, and of course coupled with ardent and innocent prayers, Bhagawan’s heart would definitely melt and would ensure that we reach him without any hassle. Given this fact, we should understand that there is no point in blaming our failures or inefficiencies to our fate! We should be ready to buck up and work even harder than before, if we encounter failures in whatever we do in life.
Sage Kapilaachaarya continues further thus. Here, he describes beautifully how a baby takes form inside the mother’s woumb:
“Karmanaa daiva nethrena janthur devohapaththaye!
Sthriyaah pravishtamudharam pumsaha pretah kanaahsrayaha!!”
Kalalam tu eka raatrena pancha raatrena budbudham!!”
Sage Kapilaachaarya explains that the little baby takes the shape of a small egg in the first day and gradually as the fifth day and subsequently the tenth day passes, the egg grows bigger and bigger and by the end of the first month, the egg becomes prominent in the mother’s woumb. As the time enters into the second month, the head portion of the baby starts to become more and more prominent. During the third month the baby starts getting its hands and legs in place. As the fifth month is in progress, the bones, muscles, nails, tissues, etc. start growing slowly one by one. As all of these organs start taking shape, during the last few months of the pregnancy, the child gets connected to the mother’s woumb through the belly button. At this time, the uterus of the mother is filled with water and as the child gains growth, the water becomes more and this is why the woman’s stomach starts bulging. As the amount of water increases day by day within the woumb, there are also thousands and thousands of germs like some bacteria, viruses, etc. along with it.
During this time, Sage Kapilaachaarya explains that the child goes through immense suffering because of all these germs, congested place, etc. The child thinks within itself, “Oh! Why am I suffering like this within this closed place amidst all these bacteria, viruses, etc.? Am I a show piece amidst an exhibition? Why am I caged like this, just like how animals are caged inside the zoological parks? Just like those poor animals, I’m also stuck in between crores of germs, which is getting tougher and tougher to manage day by day!” More than all these, if the mother consumes some food stuff that is hot or spicy in nature, it directly affects the baby. The woumb’s temperature starts to increase and the baby starts feeling uncomfortable inside. Similarly, if the mother consumes something cold, again the baby starts feeling uncomfortable inside, because the temperature of the woumb starts to decrease. Thus, for the entire ten months of pregnancy, the child suffers inside the mother’s woumb owing to various reasons.
As the child completes the seventh month inside the mother’s woumb and as the child gets its hands and legs prominently, Sage Kapilaachaarya explains that this child folds its hands and prays to Bhagawna thus, “Oh Bhagawan! Look at my suffering as I’m inside this woumb! Will I start feeling better if I come out into the world or will I start feeling even worse when I come out?” Bhagawan gives a beautiful reply to this child thus, “Oh little one! Please understand that whatever you face inside your mother’s woumb is just a miniscule of suffering as compared to what you would face when you’re born outside! Consider your mother’s woumb as the safest place for you to dwell inside! Once you’re outside, you’re going to face thousand times more of sufferings and pain!” As the child starts sobbing thus, Bhagawan consoles the child: “Oh little one! But don’t worry! If you’ve to get liberated from this birth-death cycle, you’ve to burn all your “Karmas”. For burning your Karmas, you’ve to be born on this earth and there is no other option! Hence, take it in the positive sense and use your birth as an opportunity to reach me once and forever!”
This is an important message for all of us. It is amazing to witness how beautifully Sage Kapilaachaarya explains the process of pregnancy and how the little child yearns for Bhagawan, because of all the suffering that it has to undergo inside the mother’s woumb! So for today, let us ponder over these important points of Sage Kapilaachaarya and let us wait till the next episode to continue this further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 