Food for thought - 05.12.2021
“Sun dreams of giving life to the dead;
Moon dreams of being companion to the companionless;
Ocean dreams of quenching the thirst of all life on earth;
Man alone dreams of himself and only himself”.
Today’s food for thought is basically to compare the fundamental difference between Man and Nature.
Sun is an integral part of every life form on earth. It helps in food preparation for the plants and it provides heat for animals, it helps man to understand all life forms on earth.It is the first being (adi-bhuta), the light of all souls.
Prashnoupanisad says :
“ The sun indeed is life.After rising he enters the eastern quarter and infuses the life breath in that region. Then successively, he illumines the southern,western northern, upper, lower and interspatial regions of the universe. Thus he is the giver of the vital breaths to all these regions. He arises at the primordial fire”
Sun is the light of all lights as it gets tucked into the bed of the ocean, it dreams of another day to revitalise all life forms; it is the “atma jagatastasthushashcha” according to Rig veda meaning the soul of all beings,moving and non- moving.
Such a jagathrakshakan dreams of a better tomorrow, places a more formidable task before it. To breathe life into the dead. Dreams are ambitions and goals which are set by the mind to gear up the senses and the emotions to face the future course of actions. So the Sun lays its ambitious plan and builds a dream to break the cycle of births and deaths, so all life forms become immortal like himself. What a purified thought? Katho Upanishad says “sun is the eye of all beings'', meaning it is the witness to all actions of men. It is not surprising that such a visible form of divine, dreams for the welfare of life forms tries to elevate them into the realm of eternity.The pure, divine intention is, to be acknowledged here, as it stands, detached from the misery and wrong doings of men, it only dreams of good things for all life forms on earth, including mankind.
Moon dreams of being companion to the companionless;
This is more poetic you may think, but in truth as sun goes to bed under the ocean, moon rises up filling the space of the sun to assist, provide company to the miserable life forms; to shine its cool light not to light up the world but to give company to those souls travelling to and fro from earth to different lokas; to provide company to those life forms who are searching for their loved ones; it provides company to the sick, dying.It is a everlasting companion to the oceans, surfing and calming the tantrums of the waves in mid ocean. It is the soul companion to the breathing sharks, playing dolphins and the growing coral reefs. As it melts away in the early hours of the morning, wondering about those left out in the world alone, cold and penniless, it falls into a slumber; its dream is only about the unwanted, drifting souls who sob for company. The moon vows in its sleep to be that companion who would be true, caring and loving, true to its name “Paal Nilavu”
Ocean dreams of quenching the thirst of all life on earth;
As the moon simmers on its surface playing, teasing, rising and falling, the oceans holding some of the life forms in its belly wrapping its arms around them, hugging them , promising them safety, comfort and security, it sighs as its emotions (the waves) strikes the shore, men women children, crabs, turtles all come running to paddle in its waters, but never to drink its water to quench their thirst. It looks up at the mountains which are the home of the rivers, gives out a sigh, yearning to be like the river,which dashes down the mountain bringing prosperity to the fields below, accepting arthis from millions of people, quenching the thirst of young, old, poor, rich alike and finally swims into the oceans ready to dissolve in the mighty ocean thinking about the river's journey the ocean turns back to its depths to ponder on its nature. “What is wrong? I am three fourths of this earth, still I am used only for transport, to look for wealth in my belly; am I not sacred; am I not fit for worship; am I not helping everyone; am I not selfless” As it tires itself out it goes into a deep slumber and dreams of millions of life forms running into its arms to drink its water, filling their stomach with its water, playing, laughing, joyful, celebrating. What a selfless dream by the ocean?
Man alone dreams of himself and only himself
Man is the gem of all creation. He is the crown jewel of God’s creation; top of the food chain, everything is created for the benefit of man; he is cradled in the luxury of this beautiful earth, he is a spoilt brat on this earth, he throws tantrums when he does not get what he wants; he cuts, kills and destroys everything around him for his selfish petty needs. He blames his wrong doings on nature; he spits venom on lower creatures and eradicates them from the nature for his selfish needs and survival; he battles with the weak forms of life; he overpowers the fierce and mighty beast in the forest; captures their land, destroys their homes and claims as a victory for mankind. Shame!!!.
After all this what happens next. He dreams and in his dream he is the hero, wishing for all good things in life without any consequences for all the bad things he does on a daily basis and cries foul when he is punished for his wrong doings. He preaches dharma; but performs adharma; he teaches ahimsa but causes pain and suffering to everything around him; He speaks of well being but only for himself.
What should we do as Self?
Brihadaranyaka upanisad says “ The self is the pure awareness that shines light within the heart” so look within and see what you are doing, weigh your actions for the heart is surrounded by senses. It is the Self that can recognize the wrong doings. The atma plays itself when you recognise its presence. Upanisad further says “ the man who is union with the atma and its ways sees without seeing; smells without smelling; tastes without tasting; speaks without speaking; knows without knowing for there is nothing to separate and that is the world of the brahman". This must be the goal of every human being on earth.
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