sumitsehrawat
June 11th, 2005, 03:57 PM
Both the "good" and the "pleasant" approach a man. The wise one discriminates between the two and having examined them prefers the former while others choose the latter. The good and the pleasant represent the paths of spiritual knowledge and of sense pleasures. It is the deluded who take recourse to the latter. These remarks formed the base for the dissertation given by the Lord of Death (Yama) on what happens to life when it ceases. The Mahabharata states that death and immortality are established in this body. One gets mortality by pursuing illusion while immortality is assured to those who seek Truth. Another verse says that a father should treat his child, up to the age of five, with deep affection; between five and 15 induct discipline and then treat him as a companion. The two factors mentioned above are termed "Sreyas" and "Preyas".
Kathopanishad, the most popular among the Upanishads containing ancient wisdom, has philosophy, mysticism and useful imageries put together. The message of the Upanishads is that we should develop fearlessness and moral strength. They recognise human freedom and dignity and call upon everyone to assert his or her Divine status. The Kathopanishad exhorts every human being not to be a creature. "Do not remain a cattle of the Gods". It commences with the story of a young man who asked his father, who was making a generous gift of cows, as to whom he (the boy) is going to be "donated". Annoyed at his pestering, the father said " I shall give you to Death". The youth implicitly obeyed the command and waited at the doorsteps of Yama's abode and was welcomed. Two of his boons - to cause his father's anger to disappear and to teach how to reach heaven was granted. His third query was that when a man dies, some say "everything is finished" while some believe that "something remains". Which is correct? Yama who was disinclined to enlighten him on this "profound mysticism", tempted hi by offering wealth and other pleasures to make him desist from asking this question. But the boy was adamant and was keen only on getting an explanation for his doubt-what lies after death and whether there is anything changeless in this world of change. Then the Lord of Death started detailing him the mystery.
Januray 14, 1987
The Hindu
Kathopanishad, the most popular among the Upanishads containing ancient wisdom, has philosophy, mysticism and useful imageries put together. The message of the Upanishads is that we should develop fearlessness and moral strength. They recognise human freedom and dignity and call upon everyone to assert his or her Divine status. The Kathopanishad exhorts every human being not to be a creature. "Do not remain a cattle of the Gods". It commences with the story of a young man who asked his father, who was making a generous gift of cows, as to whom he (the boy) is going to be "donated". Annoyed at his pestering, the father said " I shall give you to Death". The youth implicitly obeyed the command and waited at the doorsteps of Yama's abode and was welcomed. Two of his boons - to cause his father's anger to disappear and to teach how to reach heaven was granted. His third query was that when a man dies, some say "everything is finished" while some believe that "something remains". Which is correct? Yama who was disinclined to enlighten him on this "profound mysticism", tempted hi by offering wealth and other pleasures to make him desist from asking this question. But the boy was adamant and was keen only on getting an explanation for his doubt-what lies after death and whether there is anything changeless in this world of change. Then the Lord of Death started detailing him the mystery.
Januray 14, 1987
The Hindu