Noble Thoughts for a Happy Life

[Many readers who perused the note “Bhavaraju Narasimha Raoji Honoured” in the last number (Jan-March 1987) of “Triveni”, expressed their desire to read the article by Mr. Narasimha Rao which was published in the Bhavan’s Journal (April 1-15, 1986). In deference to their wish this article is reproduced with the kind courtesy of the journal.
Associate Editor]

Aano bhadrah kratavo yantu visvatah – Rigveda

“Let noble thoughts come to us from every side,” says the Rigveda.

Man is a social animal. In his merely animal state his sole concern is the satisfaction of his animal needs – hunger, sleep, freedom from fear and procreation. While at one end of his being he may be an animal, at the other end, he, is an enquirer, searching for answers. He seta goats for himself and strives to reach them. This is the beginning of his quest for a happy life–­a life higher than mere material happiness, a life which teaches him the unity and oneness of life; a life in which he realises that in the memorable words of Lord Jesus – “In losing life he gains it.”

Now, happiness can be temporal or temporary and spiritual or permanent. Man being what he is he derives happiness, or rather feels happy, in different ways. My master and mentor, the late Shri Ramakotiswara Rau – who made it his life-mission “to draw together the cultured men and women of all lands to establish a fellowship of the spirit, and to promote movements that make for idealism in India and elsewhere” – used to feel supreme happiness when he saw Triveni, his dream-child, coming out of the press in colourful robes. My esteemed friend, the late Shri Iswara Dutt, used to feel extremely happy when he enjoyed a cheroot after breakfast and a steaming cup of coffee, before writing his editorial for the “Twentieth Century.” My good friend, Shri Sastry, feels very happy when he listens to the divine music of that Queen of Karnatak Music, Smt. Snbbu­lakshmi. My neighbour, Shri Rao, feels happy when he enjoys a picture, almost every alternate day, in the company of his beloved wife. Why, it amuses me beyond description when I am beaten hollow in a game of tennis by my son, without opening my account. Therefore, this feeling of happiness is different from person to person according to their Samskaras or proclivities. All this may be classed as temporal or temporary happiness.

We must remember that true happiness has Dharma at its basis and sorrow proceeds from lack of Dharma. Everyone of us is afraid of sorrow and is desirous of happiness. “Kshipram hi maanushe loke siddhirbhavati karmajaa”.“People seeking the fruit of actions worship the gods in this world, for in this world of men, the point of action comes quickly”, says the Gita. Hence, Dharma can be based on happiness in this world. Happiness which is durable for the present and future lives is the only permanent happiness.

For attaining that state and for enjoying a happy life our Dharmasastras kept lofty ideals before us. Some of them are – ­service, beneficence, devotion and renunciation.

“Ayam nijah parovetti gananaa laghuchetasaam
Udaaracharitaanaam tu vasudhaiva kutumbakam”

“This is my man, that is a stranger or an outsider. So discriminate the narrow-minded. For the generous ones, the whole world is kin.”

That should be our ideal for serving humanity, and one should endeavour his best to live up to that ideal, as far as it lies in his power.

Our epics and Puranas are replete with illustrious characters who are beacon lights for all time. Sri Rama, the embodiment of the highest concept of Aryan nobility, out of respect for his father’s alleged wish, banished himself to the forest for fourteen years. Bharata the ideal brother, renounced the kingdom which was secured for him by his mother Kaikeyee who fell a victim to vicious advice.

Bhishma, the Mahabharata version of Sri Ramachandra, renounced his kingdom and his personal happiness and led a life of a Karmayogi to please his father. Prince Siddartha renounced his kingdom, his beloved wife and dear son and found eternal bliss while meditating under the shade of the Bodhi tree and was revered by his devotees all over the world as Gautama, the Buddha. His noble life and golden words inspire men and women of all ages and climes. Says he –

“Rise from dreams and loiter not,
Open to truth the mind
Practise righteousness and thou eternal bliss will find.”

“The bliss of a happy life is attainable by everyone who walks in the noble eight-fold path. He that cleaves to wealth had better cast it away than allow his heart to be poisoned by it, but he who doe, not cleave to wealth, and possessing riches, uses them rightly, will be a blessing unto his fellow-beings.”

Lord Christ, “the prince of glory,” sacrificed his precious life for preaching the Gospel. His sermon on the mount is a classic, and a sacred Mantra to mankind. Here are a few amongst the gems – “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you .... When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth .... Thine alms may be in the secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”

Muhammed, the Great, who had to fight his way for existence says–“Whosoever is kind to God’s creatures, God is kind to him. Therefore be kind to man on earth, whether good or bad; and being kind to bad, is to withhold him from badness so that those who are in heaven may be kind to you.”

Guru Nanak, the great preceptor of the Sikhs, tells us the truth when he says–“God is not pleased by obstinate penance only, nor by religious garbs. He who fashioned the vessel of the body and poured into it His ambrosial gifts, will only be satisfied with man’s love and service.”

The gentle words of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa are ambrosia to real Sadhakas for a happy life. He says: “Don’t find fault with anyone, nor even with an insect. As you pray to God for devotion, so also, pray that you may not find fault with anyone.”

Now, coming to our times, we have before us Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji discovered happiness in serving mankind, in working for the freedom of our country and bringing relief and succour to the oppressed sections of our society. When he found himself drawn into politics, he asked himself what was necessary for him in order to remain absolutely untouched by immorality, by untruth, by what is known as political gain. He came to the conclusion that if he had to serve the people, he must discard all wealth, all possessions, and he discarded everything. He derived great comfort and greater joy in sacrifice. He therefore declared: “The secret of a happy life lies in renunciation. Renunciation is life. Indulgence spells death. Let us not mistake that if one has wealth it should be thrown away, and wife and children should be turned out of doors. We should ponder well as to what our duty is today. And so, the best and most effective Mantra is–“Tena tvaktena bhunjeethaah”, that is, “enjoy your wealth by renouncing it.” Expanded it means: “Earn your crores by all means, But understand that your wealth is not yours; it belongs to the people. Take what you require for your legitimate needs, and use the remainder for the society.”

He evolved the doctrine of “Trusteeship.” He wanted the capitalists to hold their wealth in trust for the people and use it for social good and not for personal enjoyment alone. He wanted a social order which would secure the greatest good of all, that is, Sarvodaya.

The noble thoughts of great men are meant for all ages. They bear the stamp of eternity and whenever invoked–be it in any language and any country – they make the listener nobler and draw him towards divinity. Let us therefore welcome nobler thoughts from every side and pray:

“Asato ma sadgamaya
Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya
Mrityor ma amritam gamaya.”

“From untruth lead us to truth;
from darkness lead us into light;
from death lead us to immortality.”