== WHAT IS THE NEWS ==
Namaskar,
Generally people live in this world without any definite plan or
program. Most are unaware about the greater meaning and aim of life.
They proceed onwards in a whimsical fashion. This is the common way of
human beings.
It was like this in the past and it is like this today also.
Certainly, people have short term material goals such as getting a job,
finding a spouse, buying a house, producing children, and purchasing a
car etc, but rarely do they think about getting old, and least of all
about death. These latter aspects people do not consider. Rather they
naively think they will remain on this earth forever. They think of this
place as their permanent abode.
Hence they remain basically oblivious of the reality: Just as one day we
have come onto this earth, one day we will also go. This fact no one
likes to consider. No one plans in this way - it is extremely rare.
BABA EMPHASIZES THE AIM OF HUMAN LIFE
Baba, being the Sadguru, has come to enlighten human beings and show us
the right path. And indeed in countless discourses, stories, and
analogies, Baba reminds us - time and again - about "What is the right
path."
This idea He has given on so many occasions.
Why? Because it is the nature of human beings to get caught up in avidya
maya and take this world as their permanent residence and the entire
reality - when in fact it is just a relative truth. We've come here only
for a short while and nothing in this world is lasting. But people
forget about this fact. That is why Baba brings this point - i.e. that
human life is short - to the fore again and again.
He has given this teaching in Caryacarya (CC-II, 'Sadhana', point #8),
philosophical discourses, stories, shlokas, analogies, and in all kinds
of ways. Because we human beings constantly forget that this world is
not our permanent reality. People live as if they are going to remain on
this earth forever.
In contrast, Baba does not talk about the theory of gravity in dozens
and dozens of discourses. Why? Because already as a people we are aware
that gravity exists and we do not forget this fact. So there is no need
for Baba to remind us of this.
But about the greater meaning and temporary nature of life, people
regularly forget about this. Always we slip back into ignorance. Hence
Baba brings the point again and again.
Here following is one such unique teaching.
WHAT IS THE NEWS?
One day a yaks'a approached the great king Yudhisthira.
The yaks'a asked: "What is the news?"
(Note: The sense of his question was what is the real situation of this
material world.)
In reply king Yudhithira told: "The material world is like a frying pan.
The sun is the fire; the day and nights are the fuel. The passing
seasons are the stirring ladle and time is cook. All living entities are
being thus fried in this pan. This is the real news of what is happening
in the material world which is a miserable place full of ignorance."
Such was Yudhisthira's colourful and insightful reply and this is yet
one more way that Baba has brought this critical matter that we have
only come onto this earth for a short time. (Reference: AV(H)-29 chapter
14)
And certainly in so many ways Baba has discussed this point including
during one famous discourse in Bombay.
WHY THIS IS NEWS
The interesting thing about the Yudhithira's above analogy is that the
yaks'a is asking "what is the news". The yaks'a is not asking about
philosophy, ethics, nature of life or anything esoteric like that.
The yaks'a is asking the news, yet such was Yudhisthira's reply.
Why? Because that really is the news. Whenever people are told something
that they do not know then it is news.
Due to avidya maya people commonly forget that they are moving towards
their death. They do not remember the transient nature of life on earth.
People take money, prestige, beauty, attraction and all their worldly
attachments to be of a permanent nature. All their plans and programs
are based on this idea.
They see new-borns come onto this earth, but they never think that one
day they will go.
So Yudhisthira's reply that human beings are in a frying pan proceeding
towards death is indeed news.
It is just like if a coup happened years ago but just today more
revelations about the coup were reported then that would be news. Or
when archaeologists find new fossils. This is also news because human
beings were not aware about these events.
Thus the fact that slowly, slowly we are going towards death - that is
also news.
People think this place is their permanent abode. With that as their
reference point, their behavior, values, logic and reasoning becomes
skewed, even polluted. All of their priorities are based on the false
notion that they will remain here forever and ever. And indeed most live
their life in this way.
They collect cars, chase after the opposite sex, seek out fame and
fortune. They talk all these fleeting things to be the essence of life.
If they thought otherwise, people would keep away from useless
activities like harassing others, fighting, looting, and material
pursuits etc. And they would do more sadhana and help others. But this
is not the case. Just look around and see for yourself.
Thus, Yudhisthira's teaching of thousands of years ago is as relevant
today as it was then. That is why this is the news.
HOW WE SHOULD LIVE OUR LIFE
Baba's divine guideline is that we are to complete all important works
(sadhana and service) very soon. There is no guarantee how long we will
survive on this earth. That is why Baba says do all good works
immediately because human life is short. No one decides when they will
come and no one decides when they will go.
Baba says, "The scriptures say, Grhiitvaeva keshes'u mrtyurn'a'
Dharma'caret: that is, during spiritual practice one should think that
the god of death has already started pulling one’s hair – that one’s
death is imminent. And accordingly one should work sincerely and
vigorously; one will have to do a great many noble deeds within a short
period." (SS-11)
Thus we have not a moment to spare. None should get caught up in the
whirlpool of maya and think this world as permanent. None should chase
after frivolous things.
All should bear in mind that we have come here for a limited period and
we have a great many works to do. This is the main outlook of any sadhaka.
One should think: My life is for spiritual practice and serving others,
not carnal pleasures. All Baba's teachings are my food for moving on the
path divine. I must not get swayed by the glitz and glamour of avidya
maya. I am to remember that I am being cooked in one frying pan and
moving towards my death. I utilise my energies for sadhana, not mundane
allurements, then I will achieve eternal life, by His grace.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace He reminds us again and again that our human life is a
unique opportunity given to us by Parama Purusa. As human beings we are
to take advantage of our free will and do something great - attain Him.
That is what Baba is telling us in Yudhisthira's analogy.
Most of the scriptures of old are filled with thousands of pages of
dogmatic teachings and one has to swift through all those things in
order to find an ounce of truth. Ananda Marga is not like that.
Baba has given us only the most pertinent guidelines to get success:
Remembering the Goal of life is one such guideline. May we always
following His teachings and never get caught up in the whirlpool of
maya, thinking this world to be our permanent abode and chasing after
fleeting fancies.
If we remember the news of the day, we are bound to move on the right
path, by His grace.
Baba says, "If you are asked by God, “What do you want?”, what should
you say?"
"You must say, “O Lord, I want your blessings so that my intellect may
move along the right path.” You know that the intellect is the cause of
your downfall or evolution. So when your mind gets proper direction,
what else would you require?" (AV-21)
Namaskar,
Virendra
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