In the previous episode, we had witnessed the completion of Rishabha Deva’s advice to all of us on the way through which we can attain Moksha. In this, he describes four levels through which we transcend, which also indicates the four levels of transitions that our mind undergoes, as we bring it under complete control. In concurrence with what Sage Kapilaachaarya explained before, mind control is of paramount importance if we’ve to reach the highest goal of our human birth. This is the most difficult thing to do for all of us especially in this Kali Yuga and in today’s scenario, given innumerable amounts of disturbances and distractions that we come across every passing day. If we look at Sage Kapilaachaarya’s accord on the same subject, it might seemingly be impossible for us to achieve Moksha, as he deeply emphasizes on the fact that Moksha is never going to be possible if we’re not going to bring our mind under control. However, Sage Kapilaachaarya hasn’t explained clearly as to how we bring our mind under control. This explanation is given here by Rishabha Deva, wherein he clearly says that the mind can be controlled by offering ourselves in service to a Mahatma (Spiritual Master).
However, in yesterday’s episode, we had witnessed that this merely is not enough! This is because, if we’re solely devoting ourselves to the Mahatma, another form of ego in the mind might start taking shape, that we’re getting this golden opportunity to serve a Mahatma, which many others in the world do not have! To burst out this ego too, Rishabha Deva says that the best way to control our mind is to be of service to living beings other than humans – It might be plants, trees, shrubs, all kinds of animals, insects, etc. The reason why Rishabha Deva is emphasizing on this point is that, if we’re offering our services to animals and making sure that they feel protected and safe, we’re raising our tolerance level and thereby we’re getting rid of our ego too. If we’re serving Mahatmas or Spiritual Masters, still we would end up accumulating ego. Whereas, if we serve animals, what kind of ego are we going to accumulate? If we’re volunteering ourselves to clean cowsheds, wash the cows, work amidst the foul-smelling cow dung, extract milk from the cows, feeding them, etc. we’re becoming more and more tolerant to adverse things in life. By doing so, our mind gets prepared to handle any type of situation that might come up in life. This in turn, adds to our maturity level. Thus ultimately, the more our mind becomes mature, the easier it is for us to bring our mind under control. Once our mind comes into our control, all of us know by now as to where are we going to reach!
Apart from this important point, there is also a corollary to this – These kinds of activities such as taking care of animals, protecting them, feeding them, etc. are an integral part of our Sanaathana Dharma. It is to be understood that our Hindu scriptures treat all living beings equally with equal amounts of care and love. There is no place for violence or killing one for the other. This is the specialty of our Sanaathana Dharma. Unlike some other religious clouts wherein, torturing and killing animals are encouraged in broad daylight, our Hindu Sanaathana Dharma focuses on how to take care of these animals according to the ways through which it should be done. Therefore, ardent followers of Sanaathana Dharma are “Sathvic” in nature. It is to be remembered that we’ve discussed about the three “Gunas” or “Characteristics” of a human being – “Satva Guna”, “Rajo Guna” and “Tamo Guna”. If we’re going to torture, kill and devour the flesh of animals for whatsoever reasons, it is imperative that we’re going to be extremely high on “Rajo Guna” and “Tamo Guna”. In simpler terms, this implies that we’re going to be short-tempered, impatient, lazy, inactive, etc. all through our lives. Whereas, if one follows the principles laid down by our Sanaathana Dharma meticulously, he / she is going to be extremely high on “Satva Guna”, wherein this person is going to be a calm, composed, highly intelligent and balanced in nature.
This is exactly what we’re also trying to achieve here. The more balanced our mind becomes, the more mature we become! In turn, our mind comes under complete control. All these activities are thus a sequence and not stand-alone ones. Thus, the point here is that, to attain Moksha, one requires the highest amount of mental maturity, and how does he / she attain that state? It is only through constant and repetitive “Saadhana” – Serving Mahatmas, Spiritual Masters, and also by serving animals. Of course, it might be easy for us to say all this, but would be extremely difficult when we actually start practicing it. Henceforth in future, if we happen to get an opportunity to be of service in a “Go-Shaala” (Cowshed), or to serve Brahmins, or any highly spiritually realized people, let us make the maximum use of it. The more we offer ourselves dedicatedly, the more mature our mind would become.
So for today, let us once again re-think and realize the significance behind why Rishabha Deva is explaining this point in this much of detail. In turn, we should also realize the significance of our Sanaathana Dharma, which focuses on love and not on violence and torture towards all kinds of animals and plants. We shall wait till the next episode to witness the next important event. Stay tuned! 😊
The Indian Dharma 