BY PRAKASH B KULKARNI 

 

 

HUMBLY, I wish to pour out my mind with personal opinions on the subject. The ultimate goal of life is self-realisation. It is professed that the whole universe or cosmos ‘Brahmand’ is one ‘Atman’ – Soul and all the living species are its in-built particles as the cells in the body. It means we should look to every other person as a soul, which is same as in ours. We should ‘go within’ and rest in Soul for bliss and peace of mind with contentment. Of late, there is a spate of programmes on Spirituality, Motivation, Wellness etc. on T.V./ You Tube. Various ‘Gurus’ (self-styled) are exclusively delivering discourses an spirituality. To make the discourses attractive they are accompanied by musicians to mesmerise, amuse the audience. The programmes are arranged in a grandeur and fanfare which are sponsored by business-men, corporates who have hold over the entire event. It is a absolutely necessary to organize such ‘satsang’ programmes to unite people in society, showing them the path-way of morality, ‘bhakti’ (Devotion). In contrast, it is observed that some ‘maharajs’ / ‘gurus’ delivering discourses behave differently on and off the stage wearing a mask! Many so called dignitaries in different fields seldom ‘walk the talk’. ‘Maharajs’/’gurus’ who advocate to shed ego are fully immersed in ego and surrounded by coterie.

 

It is said that one who can’t practise, preaches. Easier said than done. Many motivational authors who inspire thousands of persons, when it comes to their personal problems, get succumbed to pressure. In Marathi there is an apt proverb – ‘Bole taisa chale tyachi vandavi paule’ – meaning - we should prostrate before persons whose worlds and actions synchronise. According to scriptures, spirituality means ‘Realisation of self.’ We should go within, introspect and experience inner-self. We don’t know whether God exists or not but there is some universal Divine power that regulates the whole universe in a rhythmic and systematic manner. ‘Bhakti Marg’(Path of devotion) is also a way of attainment of spirituality and peace of mind. According to me, spirituality is observing human values in life at any cost, dealing with other persons in a fair manner with all the sympathy and empathy, respect, humility, help needy persons.

 

While performing our duties, our intentions (‘neeyat’) and thoughts should be very clean and clear based on ethics and morality. As said by Brahmkumar Nikunjji – ‘People firmly following moral norms in the face of heavy odds is slowly becoming a vanishing tribe. The criminal may get bail here, but he will not be escaped or bailed out at the hands of Almighty’. As said by Brahmkumar Nikunjji – ‘Alexander the Great wished on his deathbed’. ‘I want my both hands to keep dangling out of my coffin because I want people to know that we come empty handed in this world and we will go empty handed’. All human efforts or struggle throughout life are directed or aimed at achieving or chasing happiness and peace of mind. Happiness derived out of materialism that gives comforts is illusive and not blissful.