Significance of human existence

CHENNAI, DEC. 4. Human body is a reservoir of auspiciousness. It may be compared to a bamboo pole which has many joints which interrupt its smoothness. For a man, the six evils (desire, anger, greed, attachment, pride and jealousy) represent the bends (or joints). Also, this body has been referred to as ``Tungabhadra'', Tunga meaning ``infinite'' and Bhadra, auspiciousness. Everyone should hence carefully introspect to check whether this sacred gift of God (the body) is being properly put to use or is being mishandled. It was Sage Narada who gave this name, Tungabhadra, to the human frame, which means that it provides limitless happiness.

Understanding the sanctity behind this name, the body should be utilised only for noble and sacred purposes and to derive bliss therefrom. Human life should not be looked at from just a worldly, material and physical perspective. Through intense enquiry, sages of yore had unravelled the deeper significance of human existence. Man today faces misery and does not lead his life as he ought to, viz., in the service of people. Totally pre- occupied with himself and members of his family, he has no thought for the community or the society he lives in.

The Vedas declare that it is a rare blessing to be born as a human. Sage Narada recognised the identity of man with God and had declared that the Almighty is not outside but within man. The sage had added that ``After attaining God, man gets total satisfaction, fulfilment and ecstasy''. On the other hand, he revels in seeing God as man. Such perception arises from utter lack of faith and deluded thinking. The truly good will see God in every human being. The evil one, on the other hand, reduces even the Divine to mundane levels. Such a person can be described as a Ravana who mistook God as an ordinary person.

In a discourse, Sri Sathya Sai Baba explained how scriptures offer to men many ideals to be kept in front of them. Realising his folly at the end, Ravana fell grieved that by yielding to lust and anger, he had brought ruin to one and all. ``I could not conquer hatred and jealousy and thereby lost all my relatives. Unable to realise the fundamental Truth, I lost my kingdom too. Do not repeat my mistake.'' This was the warning Ravana gave prior to his death. Noble souls are very powerful because they completely grasp the basic Truth. Ravana acquired multiple capabilities, even spiritual, but these achievements were of no use at all. Becoming a slave to attachment, and hatred, he had, in the end, to suffer and perish. If unlike him, one imbibes love in one's heart, one can emerge victorious even under most adverse circumstances.

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