From a satsang with Pt. Dr. Lomas Persad, Asst. Spiritual Leader, Sukh Shanti Bhakti Mandali
We are reminded that every individual is divine by nature and the holy scriptures were given to us so that we could rediscover our true nature and identify with that ultimate truth. Scriptures teach us that there are two sides to existence, the physical as well as the spiritual. On the spiritual level, there is the eternal, indestructible, everlasting soul that exists in each of us and which is part of Paramatma, the Almighty Being, the Supersoul.
The human body was a gift to us to awaken the inner spirit, the Divine Consciousness, and to combat the lower forces of kaam, krodh, madh, lobh (desires, anger, ego, greed) and so forth. We can control these lower tendencies when we are on the path of realising our true divine nature. Each of us must analyse ourselves and be truthful to ourselves. If we listen to the holy scriptures, we must then apply the words to our daily lives as we seek change and betterment for ourselves and the world.
To recognise that we are divine by nature is to understand that there is something greater than us in this universe. It means believing that that Lord blesses those who pray to Him, those who are on the path of dharma (righteous conduct) and who have true devotion, bhakti. We all know this and we must continuously practise it in order to develop spiritually. In the professional realm of life, we all seek to learn and gain a better understanding of ourselves and our profession; this frame of mind is also applicable on the spiritual path. If we remember that Sanaatan Dharma is a way of life, we will take up the challenge to transcend the lower aspects of life and see the bigger picture of who we truly are, the love and divinity within the self.
We must always remember that the body is divine, gifted to us by the Divine Being, and we are thus blessed to be born as human beings. If we perform good actions, then we will benefit; if we perform bad actions, then, in this life or in lives to come, we will suffer the consequences. This is the law of karma. It is the reason why we experience tranquillity and peacefulness in some places and oppression and difficulties in others. Our human life is as a result of the mercy of God and it is therefore our duty to worship Him. We fast so that we may gain patience. We perform charity so that we may reduce grief. We practise the teachings of meditation, fasting, service to others, charity, control of the mind and the lower tendencies as we seek to develop spiritually and improve our lives.
As a people, we are bound by duty to find our true essence. We must tap into that substance of divinity; live a dharmic life; do good; make those around us good; and, where possible, set a good example for others to follow. Then, we will reap the benefit of living such a life. Whatever good we do, there will be real merits if performed from a sense of true devotion. As Shree Krishna says in Chapter 18 of the Bhagavad Gita, “I shall liberate you from all sinful reactions.” Live your life in accordance with the holy scriptures; perform your duties; offer all your actions and their fruit to the Divine and remember that everything is possible because of Him. We must take every opportunity to chant the name of the Lord, develop a relationship with Him and always remember that we are a part of His divinity.
In the Ramayan, when Sita Mata was kidnapped by Ravan, Vibheeshan advised him to return Sita, saying: “Scriptures declare that within every individual, there exists wisdom and ignorance. Where there is wisdom, all forms of success, happiness, prosperity and goodness are showered on the mind of that individual. In contrast, where there is ignorance, there is misfortune.” Wisdom is that divine knowledge that each of us is divine by nature. We must make every effort to discover and identify with that inner spirit, that Divine Consciousness.
