You are here: SriPedia - Ramanuja - Archives - Apr 2002

Ramanuja List Archive: Message 00009 Apr 2002

 
Apr 2002 Indexes ( Date | Thread | Author )
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]


Respected Ramanuja Bhaktas,

Continuing my sharing with all of you what I took from HH Sri Tridandi
Chinna Jeeyar Swamy's magnificent discourse in Telugu on the purpose of
life...

Through much tapas in the form described previously (learning from
Teachers, contemplation, and practical application) our ancient sages
documented in the upanishads, the philosophical portion of the Vedas,
the purpose of human life. A quick study of these works reveals to us
that the purpose of life is in either mo:ksha or jna:na, and often-times
in the upanishadic texts these words are used interchangeably.

Interestingly, despite our talking of them as being the goals, our
understanding of these words seem to bring fear rather than resolve to
the human spirit. Jna:nam or knowledge makes us fearful because knowing
everything about this universe, with all of its mysteries and vagaries
is overwhelming and seems to be an impossible endeavor for even the most
renounced of individuals.
Mo:ksham, liberation, is fearful because it would involve leaving our
physical bodies and all that we know and all that we hold near and dear
to go elsewhere without return.

If seen from a different perspective, liberation can be seen in a
positive light. When a country is freed from tyrannical rulers, or when
a people are freed from slavery, this liberation is seen as cause for
celebration. Perhaps, mo:ksham is a freedom from what ails us, what
limits, what tyrannically rules over us, namely our false ego.

Be that as it may, however, the sa:stras go into great detail to state
that the granter of mo:ksham is God Alone, and He bestows it on souls
Out of His Own Volition, Out of His Own Mercy, and only if and when He
feels a soul is ready for this ultimate gift. So there is really
nothing that we can gain by seeking it out as the purpose of life.

The need for a purpose in life is clearly unique to the human
condition. Our observations of animals show that they really do not
delve into such deep questions. They merely do what they need to do
when their instinct tells them to do so and live in harmony with the
laws of nature. Humanity, however, distinguishes itself from the animal
by controlling the forces of nature and seeking out things for each
person's individualistic satisfaction.

Four qualities set human beings apart from the animals. Three of these
are rather non complimentary, while the fourth is the secret of our
purpose to life if it set in right direction. These four qualities are:

1, We do not really know if animals have a language, but we do know
that a bird's chirp is stating whatever it knows to state. A parrot in
a cage merely repeats what its owner tells it. Human beings on the
other hand have the capacity to lie.

2. While animals in the wild eat fresh foods that are supposed to eat
when they feel hungry, human beings prefer to eat many varieties of
foods that are prepared, hidden with the flavours many different spices
and cooked such that many of the nutrients are removed. It is
interesting that they will eat these foods whether or not they are good
for them, and even go to the extent of consuming items that, for all
intent and purpose, are spoiled.

3. Human beings are attached to things that not only the laws of nature
but even the Vedas regard as being unclean. We spend hours taking care
of our hair, making sure it is combed well and reflects the latest
fashions. And some of us are concerned about our nails, growing them
long, shaping them and painting them because we feel that it makes us
attractive.

4. The last quality that sets us apart from the animals, and the one
that can lead us to wisdom in term's of finding life's purpose centers
on the fact that human beings have control over their mind and
intellect, and by directing their thoughts they shape their actions and
take control of their lives. This is perhaps humanity's greatest
quality, the one that can lead us to wisdom and liberations.

How the upanishads define this 4th unique trait of the humanity and what
should be done with it will be discussed in the next posting.

adiyEn rAmAnuja dAsan
Mohan






[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next] [Date Index ] [Thread Index ] [Author Index ]
Home Page
http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia
ramanuja-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to the list