In the previous episode, we had commenced an important discussion between Yaksha and Yudishtra, which is called “Yaksha-Prashnam”, wherein Yaksha is asking a few important questions pertaining to “Dharma” and Yudishtra is giving answers to them. This is in a bid to save the lives of Yudishtra’s four Paandava brothers, who had fallen unconscious after consuming water from Yaksha’s lake. In this manner, we’ve witnessed the first set of four questions which Yaksha asked and what is Yudishtra’s reply for all of them. Most importantly, Yudishtra explains one of the most miraculous things in this world wherein the “Atman” resides inside the “Deham” even though the “Deham” has not one but nine openings in it. As Yudishtra explains this, Yaksha asks the next question: “Oh Yudishtra! Fine! The “Atman” residing inside the “Deham” with nine holes is miraculous. But is there something else that is more miraculous than this in this world?”
As Yaksha asks thus, Yudishtra talks about the next miraculous thing in this world. He says thus, “Oh Yaksha! Yes. There is an even more miraculous thing that keeps happening in this world. More than miraculous, it is ridiculous – Those living beings which are alive in this world think that they are going to live permanently without any death! This feeling comes in, even while seeing other living beings die in front of them! Human beings are no exception to this as well. Even though we see our friends, family members, etc. pass away as our life progresses, we do not realize the fact that we are also going to pass away like this some day into the future! Without this awareness, we keep fighting with one another for petty things, unable to decipher the fact that nothing is permanent in this world! This lack of awareness is extremely miraculous and ridiculous at the same time for me! Moreover, when it comes to human beings, the 4-5 people who carry the dead body of a person will think that if there are more deaths in the locality, they can do this job and earn more money! Is there anything else more ridiculous than this? Without realizing that these people who are carrying dead bodies today, are also going to be carried by some other people in the future, they keep account of the number of dead bodies they carry and the amount of money that they can make per body! Hence, the illusion that takes over at this time is extremely miraculous!”
We might have seen this even in our own families and friends’ circles. Whenever our aged grandparents or relatives pass away, we get that thought that they have had the unfortunate event of death in their lives, but we are “Chiranjeevis” without any death! Little do we realize that we are also going to go on the same pyre some other day in the future! Moreover, we keep running here and there to earn more and more money. However, is there a guarantee for our existence the very next moment? What if we meet with an accident somewhere or what if an earthquake or any other natural calamity occurs? Or, what if an unforeseen circumstance happens and we get hospitalized with some critical ailments? We never know what will happen in the future, yet, we keep planning for years ahead! Of course, I’m not saying that we should not plan anything for the future. However, what I’m trying to say here is that, we should try and live the present moment more than planning for the future. We should make the maximum out of the present moment and ensure that we execute our “Karma” (Action) in the best way possible.
So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and let us wait till the next episode to continue this important discussion further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 