Binding that unbinds

Usually nobody likes binding. There is always an inner urge to have freedom to do what one wishes to do without any binding. Eager wait for Friday – is that not an urge for freedom from routine work? Weekend is the time when we are ourselves and hence we enjoy it most. However, while we enjoy weekend, there is also a hidden consideration to the fact that it is that work that we do on weekdays is what enables us to enjoy weekend. The result of the hard work on those week days entitles us to spend a time with family without any bindings of work.

If we apply weekday weekend analogy to life, the young age can be considered as weekdays whereas old age can be considered as weekend. It is the hard work that is performed during young age entitles one to have leisure time during old age. Old age is not just about enjoying the saved money, but enjoying the respect and love earned throughout life.

That is why though it is important to pay attention to savings for a worry free old age, it is equally important to pay attention to earning respect and love, as without respect and love life cannot be worthwhile. What is the strategy to be adapted to earn respect and love?

 

If one wants to earn respect and love in society, one has to perform acts that are respected by society and discard acts that are disrespected by society. From the ages it is the known fact that people who follow dharma eventually earn respect and love in the society. They earn respect not only from people who follow dharma but even from people who do not follow dharma. Classic example is that of Lord Rama. He earned respect not only among people who were sincere followers of dharma but also from his enemy, Ravana. During war between Rama and Ravana, at a time when Ravana’s ministers objected decision of Ravana to send his daughter-in-law to Rama’s camp to bring his son’s remains, Ravana remained firm on his decision to allow his daughter-in-law to visit Rama’s camp, as he had faith that Rama would not do the same that Ravana himself did and that is abducting woman.

On the contrary Ravana, lost respect even from his own family. His own brother Vibhishana criticized and condemned him for his act of abducting Sita.

To summarize, people who ignore dharma eventually lose respect in society, whereas people who follow dharma eventually earn respect and love in society.

To understand and follow dharma the best way is to surrender to the Guru and act as per His instructions. Where to find Guru? They say one need not go in search of Guru. Rather than disciple searching for Guru, usually Guru is in search of disciples who have sincere urge to know dharma. Developing that sincere urge is what is required to attract Guru. Once one earns respect and love of Guru, one is done, as with Guru’s blessings one gets respect everywhere.