Pt. Varistha Persad, SWAHA International
Isolation and exile are words that we have heard many times from our Pundits for decades as they narrate the experiences of Shree Ram and other forms of the divine, mainly in the Raamcharitramanas and Bhagavad Gita, but they have never really been appreciated or experienced until now. In addition, how easily we forget the trials and tribulations of our ancestors. The reason why these two texts are first and foremost in our society is because of the shared experiences between the physical conditions of the forest for Shree Ram, Sita Maa and Lakshman and the dislocation and oppressive conditions of the cane fields that our ancestors faced under the Indentureship system. In this new reality with overbearing conditions being forced upon us by the virus, it is critical for our mental health to find solace in the pages of our scriptures as we live day by day in isolation from our biological families and the brothers and sisters in our community.
On the issue of strengthening the mind and dealing with present challenges, we are reminded of the same problem Arjuna dealt with in the Bhagavad Gita as he spoke to Lord Krishna in Chapter 6, Verse 34. The nature of the human condition is by nature to engage in satsang and truthful association. Loneliness and isolation are now causing great instability, even more so, in our children and elderly.
चञ्चलं हि मन: कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद्दृढम् |
तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम् || 34||
chañchalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛiṣhṇa pramāthi balavad dṛiḍham
tasyāhaṁ nigrahaṁ manye vāyor iva su-duṣhkaram
The mind is very restless, turbulent, strong and obstinate, O Krishna.
It appears to me that it is more difficult to control than the wind.
As Lord Krishna responds, we are reminded that the taming of our senses and the forced conditions of the new normal can actually help us in this journey to self-realization by bringing greater control of the mind in an uncontrolled environment. The forced circumstances should be welcomed into our lives as we must re-establish our purpose and our ultimate goal. All along, the wise ones, the pundits and the spiritual in our society have encouraged us to maintain a balance as we juggle studies, work, families and entertainment. The temples never closed nor did the pundits stop performing their duties; but now, those who have never struck this delicate balance are crumbling under the pressures of this forced isolation. In addition, our children and elderly, who seem to have been forgotten, are now overwhelmed with changes that we never faced before.
As we move forward and struggle arm in arm in this present situation, we are reminded that we must revisit our purpose in this life. Our ancestors struggled through many harsh conditions but did so with tremendous strength and focus, knowing and believing that their children would prosper and gain better opportunities if they sacrificed. Are we to turn our backs on their blood, sweat and tears or are we to take on the challenge to chart a new way forward for our children? This is our challenge and the sacrifices we make now will bring, once again, a life of love, togetherness and prosperity.
