In the previous episode, we had witnessed few important lessons in detachment that Bhagawan Krishna is trying to explain to Uddhava, through the examples of “Patangaha” (Flies) & “Madhukrith” (Honey bees). In fact, as we’ve mentioned earlier too, this is part of a bigger conversation that is happening between King Yadu and an “Avadhoota” Sanyasin, wherein King Yadu is surprised as to how this Sanyasin is happy and at peace every time. The Sanyasin answers King Yadu that he derives happiness, peace and lessons for life from twenty-five different things in this world. Of the twenty-five, we’ve witnessed the important lessons from around 10-12 items till now, and we shall continue this discussion further in today’s episode.
Moving on thus, the next item that we’re going to learn some lessons from is, “Gajaha” – The elephant. The important lesson of detachment from the elephant that we should learn is that, normally the elephant gets aroused a lot with the sense of “touch”. If a female elephant comes in the vicinity, the male elephant would like to experience the touch of the female elephant and this would arose both of them. Similarly, our sense of touch as human beings are a bit high too. Now, if an elephant has to be captured, we might be knowing that there would be a huge pit that would be laid as a trap. A female elephant would be stationed near the pit. Unable to resist the arousal of touching the female elephant, the male elephant comes forward and would get itself trapped into the pit. Similarly, unable to control our urge of our senses, if we too go behind such arousals, we should be prepared to get trapped like how the elephant gets trapped into the huge pit. This is where, the Sanyasin explains that we should never get carried away by the desires of our skin and its touches.
Next, we move on to another important item called “Madhuha” – The hunter. We would witness that a swarm of honey bees would have taken lot of effort to build the honey comb that is full of sweet honey. This would have taken days or even months for the bees to build the huge hive and honey comb. However, the hunter comes one fine day with a huge stick and a driller, chases away all the bees from that spot and takes away the entire honey comb with him! This is the way through which we obtain honey. As the hunter does thus, can we say that the hunter is a thief, stealing all the honey from the bees? We can’t, because it is his job and he has been designated for this work. Similarly, we as “Gruhastas” might be earning lot of money, wealth and property as we progress with our daily lives. However, if a Sanyasin comes to our place seeking “Bhiksha”, he has all the right to ask so, without any inhibition and take away all what we have earnt so far. This is because, a Sanyasin should not earn money through the way that we earn. A Sanyasin should take care of his needs only by obtaining “Bhiksha” from Gruhastas. However, as a Gruhasta, it is our duty to protect the Sanyasins by taking care of all their needs. We cannot go and argue to a Sanyasin that why isn’t he earning the legitimate way like we do! Does the bee ask the hunter the same question? No, isn’t it? Thus, we should understand here that, if a Sanyasin approaches us, we should be ready to offer anything and everything that he asks us for. We should never let the Sanyasin go away without his needs fulfilled and this is one of the greatest sins that we would accumulate.
Subsequently, the “Avadhoota” Sanyasin talks about the lessons that can be learnt from “Harinaha” (Deer). To capture the deer, the hunter sometimes might playt some nice and soothing music to attract it towards him. Unknowingly, the deer too would get immersed and moved by the music and slowly come towards the hunter, only to get trapped by him. Similarly, we too, should sometimes not get carried away by some “unwanted” music. If the music is about Bhagawan and His “Kalyaana Gunas”, then it is fine. Other types of music that instills lot of “Raajasic” and “Taamasic” characterisitcs in us are to be avoided. Thus, this is the lesson that we can learn from the deer.
So for today, we’ve witnessed key lessons from the next three aspects – “Gajaha” (Elephant), “Madhula” (Hunter) and “Harinaha” (Deer). So let us understand these lessons for today, and wait for the next episode to continue this discussion further. Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 