Real Greatness
( Vaastavik Baddappan )
( Vaastavik Baddappan )
Shree Hari
Though being the fountain of eternal happiness, when does he become unhappy? Only when he accepts the slavish subjugation of the perishable and transitory objects, he grows sad, morose and sorrowful. Or else he cannot become unhappy. You don't want sorrow at all, but you systematically pile up the materials of unhappiness and willfully slip into the slavery of perishable goods. There is no happiness in slavishness, not even in dreams !
Listener - More people flock to him who is virtuous!
Swamiji - If many go to one because he is a man of virtues, then too you must be clear that virtues are not his real nature. These have also been acquired. If he is emptied of good qualities or virtues, then people will not go to him at all. Please think - how can man be great because people happen to go to him. Is not then his greatness dependent on external factors? Does a person become high or low, great or small because many people go to him? This is dependency on others, how can this be greatness?
This is nothing but dependence on others - "paraadheenataa" - if we view ourselves as great because of virtues we possess, or because of our better learning and education, or because more people give us more and more honor and hold us in high esteem! Of what avail shall it ever be whether we have or don't have virtues or whether or not more people pay regards to us? We remain what we are ! For how can one be really great or otherwise only because more people regard him so? Do people become low or small because people treat them so? Can greatness ever be given or taken away by people? How can anyone be happy who regards his greatness or dignity dependent on others' opinion? Opinions are never stable. A slavery to opinions is no test of greatness. You collect money, pile up bank balances, create a rich store of precious stones, pearls, rubies etc., and begin to think that you are a big man enjoying a high social status! If that be the case, you are certainly mistaken. Make the best use of your riches and put your prosperity in the service and welfare of people. It will be mere humiliation if you are great only due to the virtues you have or the wealth you own!
God is not subject to coming and going. He is ever present. If you sincerely become God's, you will be "really" great. If you really grow great, you will never be touched by the pride of greatness, or by the fear of smallness. You lose nothing if others hold you low in esteem. Nor do you gain anything by the praise of others. If you identify yourself with the eternal Lord, the great all pervading spirit of the universe, and acknowledge your relationship with God in right perspective, than you will be truly great, great in the real sense. Then you will not be swayed by the so-called greatness showered on you or withdrawn from you by other's opinion.
(to be continued)
Though being the fountain of eternal happiness, when does he become unhappy? Only when he accepts the slavish subjugation of the perishable and transitory objects, he grows sad, morose and sorrowful. Or else he cannot become unhappy. You don't want sorrow at all, but you systematically pile up the materials of unhappiness and willfully slip into the slavery of perishable goods. There is no happiness in slavishness, not even in dreams !
Listener - More people flock to him who is virtuous!
Swamiji - If many go to one because he is a man of virtues, then too you must be clear that virtues are not his real nature. These have also been acquired. If he is emptied of good qualities or virtues, then people will not go to him at all. Please think - how can man be great because people happen to go to him. Is not then his greatness dependent on external factors? Does a person become high or low, great or small because many people go to him? This is dependency on others, how can this be greatness?
This is nothing but dependence on others - "paraadheenataa" - if we view ourselves as great because of virtues we possess, or because of our better learning and education, or because more people give us more and more honor and hold us in high esteem! Of what avail shall it ever be whether we have or don't have virtues or whether or not more people pay regards to us? We remain what we are ! For how can one be really great or otherwise only because more people regard him so? Do people become low or small because people treat them so? Can greatness ever be given or taken away by people? How can anyone be happy who regards his greatness or dignity dependent on others' opinion? Opinions are never stable. A slavery to opinions is no test of greatness. You collect money, pile up bank balances, create a rich store of precious stones, pearls, rubies etc., and begin to think that you are a big man enjoying a high social status! If that be the case, you are certainly mistaken. Make the best use of your riches and put your prosperity in the service and welfare of people. It will be mere humiliation if you are great only due to the virtues you have or the wealth you own!
God is not subject to coming and going. He is ever present. If you sincerely become God's, you will be "really" great. If you really grow great, you will never be touched by the pride of greatness, or by the fear of smallness. You lose nothing if others hold you low in esteem. Nor do you gain anything by the praise of others. If you identify yourself with the eternal Lord, the great all pervading spirit of the universe, and acknowledge your relationship with God in right perspective, than you will be truly great, great in the real sense. Then you will not be swayed by the so-called greatness showered on you or withdrawn from you by other's opinion.
(to be continued)
From book in English "BE GOOD" by Swami Ramsukhdasji.
Ram Ram
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If in doubt regarding the translation, please read the original Hindi message by Swamiji.
FOR MESSAGE IN HINDI PLEASE VISIT Date : 23rd July, 2012 (Vaastavik Baddappan )
http://www.satcharcha.blogspot.in
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