In the previous episode, we had witnessed Sage Vyaasa giving an important answer to Yudishtra’s question as to which is more significant – “Tapas” or “Dhaanam”. Sage Vyaasa clearly explains how “Tapas” is extremely significant and how Yudishtra is currently undergoing “Tapas”. Thus, the word “Tapas” just doesn’t mean sitting in meditation for days and months together. It also signifies the experiences one undergoes at various situations – especially the suffering that one endures. However, even though one endures the suffering, the real question here is whether this person sticks to the path of “Dharma” or deviates from it for the sake of convenience. If the person is consistently sticking to the path of “Dharma” even during extreme suffering, this is real “Tapas”. Yudishtra is doing exactly this – Sage Vyaasa highlights how Yudishtra, even though he is experiencing enormous suffering, is consistent in his path towards “Dharma”. This is highly commendable and Sage Vyaasa motivates Yudishtra to continue this path further. Sage Vyaasa also reminds Yudishtra that there’s no success in life without pain and failures. Thus, whatever pain Yudishtra is experiencing today, are all learning lessons for a successful life tomorrow in the future.
Moreover, if we taste success in life at any point in time, we should not jump up and down in infinite joy. We should maintain our calm and composure. Similarly, if we face an extreme difficulty in life, we should not lose our self confidence or take it to heart and brood over it. We should learn to take both success and failure equally. This is exactly what Aadhi Shankarachaarya states as “Anavasaadha” and “Anuddharsha”. This is also exactly what Bhagawan Krishna is also going to explain in the Bhagawad Gita in our later episodes, for which, all of us are eagerly waiting. Here, Sage Vyaasa gives a beautiful comparison to highlight this point further. He says thus, “Oh Yudishtra! Now let us see how a farmer who is doing agriculture is extremely patient – At a time when the monsoon rains come to a halt and when there is an assured supply of water to his agricultural field, he takes this opportunity to sow all the seeds and is eagerly awaiting the water supply. However, due to some natural calamity or technical difficulty, if the water is not supplied, what would happen? For instance, if there is a failure of monsoon rains and the entire place becomes affected by drought, the farmer might still try his luck to sow the seeds, patiently waiting for some source of water to knock on his door. If it fructifies, the crops are saved. However, if this doesn’t work, all the crops are destroyed owing to lack of water. Hence, this loss wreaks havoc in a farmer’s personal life and finances, isn’t it? But does the farmer lose hope? He will still await the next monsoon season and pray that there is copious rain in the coming months. The farmer waits patiently, doesn’t he? Similarly, we also have to wait till the right time comes. Just like how the farmer doesn’t lose heart when his crops do not yield the desired results, you should also not lose your heart just because Duryodhana and the others are behaving in the way that is not desirable to you. Things will change. Just like how a good monsoon season would replenish all the water resources, a good time will come wherein your “Dharma” will also be established!”
This is a very important point that Sage Vyaasa is highlighting here. In similar lines, Bhagawan Krishna is also highlighting this point in a slightly different way in the “Bhagawad Gita. Even though we’re going to witness the Gita in a detailed fashion in the upcoming episodes (not very far off from here), just to suit this context, I shall only explain the meaning of the sloka, without going into it. Bhagawan explains to Arjuna thus, “Oh Arjuna! It is very difficult to impose a change into the physical body, whereas it is very easy to impose a change to our mind! Our mind is easily changeable, whereas our body is not!” As Bhagawan explains thus, Arjuna did not understand the head or tail of what He said! Bhagawan explains further thus, “Oh Arjuna! If we’ve to adjust our position of sitting or standing or walking or whatever, for our physical body, it is very difficult, as our body gets used to certain positions over time! However, with regards to our mind, if for instance we do not like someone today, and if that someone changes his / her course of action tomorrow, we would again start liking that person, isn’t it? Similarly, if I have the perennial habit of lying to others, and if someone points it out at me and is trying to correct me, I shall always pay heed to that person’s advice and change myself, isn’t it? However, if I’ve to change certain habits pertaining to our physical body, is it very easy to do so? For instance, if I’ve to reduce my body weight, am I able to do it right away? I’ve to perform various physical exercises to reduce my weight and it takes a lot of time doesn’t it? For instance, if I’ve to reduce my number of hours of sleep, am I able to reduce it right from today? Even if for one day we get up very early in the morning for something important, we have that impact for the whole day, don’t we? Hence, it is difficult to change the routines that the physical body gets attached to, for a long time. However, it is quite easy for the mind to come out of a routine thought process!”
So for today, let us think over and understand what Sage Vyaasa and Bhagawan Krishna are trying to explain here and let us see how these points are practically applicable to our daily lives as well! We shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion further! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 