Today is the birth anniversary of a great saint of India, Bhagwan
Mahavira. Vira means a great warrior and Maha-vira means the greatest
warrior. Bhagwan Mahavira although never fought a battle and advocated
non injury, but is rightly termed as the greatest warrior. As a person
who conquers external enemy can be great but one who conquers internal
enemies like Kama (Desire), Krodha(Anger) , Lobha (Greed), Moha
(Attachment) , Mada (pride) and Matsarya (Jealousy) is truly greatest.
While
Bhagwan Mahavira conquered the greatest and almost unsurmountable enemy
that is the mind and found the final purpose of human life. King
Alexander the great who (almost) conquered all outside enemies did not
die contented and made a wish on deathbed that it should be known to the
world that Alexander could not carry anything and his palms were kept
open in grave.
However devotees like Mirabai, Tukaram and Jnanadeva while leaving the body were supremely contented.
Mirabai remarked too
Janam janam ki punji paayi, Jag me sabhi khovaayo, Paayoji maine raam ratan dhan paayo.
I have found a treasure of lifetimes and an imperishable wealth.
Saint
Tukaram and Saint Jnandeva too had the same experience. Jesus christ
even at the cross could bless people and this shows a glimpse to the
mind of a saint.
The
ancient Indian text Bhagwad Gita also speaks of conquering the mind and
Prophet Rama also gave the same message to Vibhishana (Vibhishana Gita)
in the Ramcharitmanas. If each and everyone in the world makes an
endeavour to conquer the mind rather than the outside world, world will
have long lasting peace as India could have for few centuries. The
peaceful environment resulted in great successes in art and
architecture, language, Science and technology and music.
Meditation
is thus good not only for the person who practices it but for the
entire world as it promotes peaceful coexistence. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
ji, the founder of Art of living is himself coming to Frankfurt and its
an amazing opportunity to learn meditation from the master himself. Join
us for an evening of meditation on April 24th.
#SriSrinFFM
