We blame the misfortunes, miseries, setbacks, pains - whatever problems we face in life - on others. These others vary from stars to spouse, co-workers to siblings, parents to children. That's not the end - we try to find solace in blaming karma, past life, wrongdoings, horoscope, time to name a few.
Most of the messages I get from my WhatsApp broadcast readers can narrow down to one thing: "Udayji, I have misery and pain due to (blame on person or thing). How to overcome that?"
Our ancestors, through scriptures and literature, have given us three golden phrases that would prevent many untoward incidents in our life. Please cross-check it for your own sake.
1."Sariramadyam khalu dharma sadhanam”: Our Sariram (physical body + mind + the chemical process in the system) is the temple of our Self and should therefore be treated with great respect. To fulfill our Dharma (duty, responsibility, privilege, and right), first start with the body.
The human body is composed of trillions of cells. Each of the 200 different types of cells in the human body has a different weight and size. Cells are living things. Are you aware of them? The existence has given the responsibility of those trillions of living being to you. So, our first responsibility is towards our Sariram.
Hence, the ancestors have given thousands of scriptures detailing how to take care of the body and mind. Have you taken care of the body and mind? If not, then that is the first gross error! I am a little guilty on this account. Having learned yoga, pranayama, dhyana, and aerobics, I could have done a better job of taking care of my body. I didn't. So, whom should I blame for my ill-health and pains? Myself, right? Similarly, check your status - what have you been doing with your Sariram?
2. "Uddharet Atmana Atmanam" was the most important message given by one of our ancestors called Krishna Vasudeva in the Bhagavat Gita. That means, "I alone can bring about my upliftment and progress on all fronts." There is no one else in the universe who can do it. If you wait for some 'avatars; to come and help you, that is a gross error number 2. No one, repeat, no one can save you. Your problems are unique to you. Here also our ancestors have taught us well through scriptures how to address our problems and find a solution by ourselves. It is easy. Accept the self in you. To realize the self, you may have to follow your Dharma. The self (not sariram) is pure awareness or consciousness. That self is your best friend. He/she can help you better than anyone else in the universe.
Yes, in 90% of the cases when we are down and depressed facing setbacks, you might need someone to pat on your shoulders. To show you the right Dharma. Once you understand your Dharma, then you can focus on uplifting yourself. The Upanishads also echo the same idea: "Uthisthita Jagrata Prapya Varan Nibodhata" (Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached).
3. "Swayam Eva Mrigendrata": There is no official coronation ceremony held to declare the lion the king of the jungle. He becomes king by his own attributes and heroic actions. Swayam Eva Mrigendrata – A Lion can rise to prominence only through its own virtues, strengths, sacrifices, and efforts. Nobody’s approval is needed! Waiting for others' approval of our life is a third gross error.
Why do you need anyone's approval in your life? Once you know your Dharma (probably you might need someone's help to identify your Dharma, as you don't have time to read all scriptures and find out yourself), stick to that. Do the Karma based on your Dharma only. Declare yourself as the King of your life. Take control of life.
There is NO official ceremony. No one is going to give you a certificate to heaven. There is no heaven outside your life. Heaven and hell are here and now in the earth, in your life only. It is what we make it or mar it.
"Udayji, all said and done, I have wasted my life. I have done many things in my life, sacrificed for others, help others, but now I am in a fix"
"I have done many wrong things in life", "I have done a lot of good karma"
Thinking about the past is the most idiotic thing, I would put it above these three gross errors. There is no time machine that you can go back to even the previous second and rectify it. Your Sariram has got limited time only. You won't get an extra second before your date of death (DoD). So even thinking about the past is the Adharma you are doing to your Sariram. Past is gone, dead. It only has reference value, if at all you need it. If you did something wrong, well, stop doing it if you didn't like it. That's all. If we waste one moment about the past, we are wasting that precious one moment from the limited time given to us before DoD. Focus only on what to do next.
For, the scriptures assure us "Dharmo Rakshati Rakshitah", those who protect the Dharma is protected by the Dharma. No scriptures say someone will come down from above and protect you.
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