Page 38 - Bhakthinivedana 2012 January English Magazine.pmd

personality while giving delight Retrospective questions such as
to the persons concerned. Lord
Krushna, in the 10th Chapter of
Bhagavad Gi:tha, says to this
effect—
“Whenever you find qualities
of performing noble deeds, of
beauty or magnificence in any
person or object, know that it is
born out of only a fractional part
of My will.’
So, when we practice this thought,
all the excellent things we adore
in people around us clearly
appear to us as a manifestation
of God’s grace. This will keep our
minds broad enough not to fall
into narrow attachments with the
people.
The third ‘don’t’ is: ‘Do not
steal other’s wealth.’ This
wealth includes money, efforts,
fame and knowledge of others.
To steal other’s wealth is to
suppress our own creativity and
potential, apart from causing
distress to people. Taking to
shortcuts, bribery to earn money,
to steal other’s knowledge
to boost up our enterprises,
taking undue credit of the
success of a team effort—all
these are forms of stealing.
One strategy to overcome this
temptation seems to develop
empathy towards fellow beings.
38 Bhakthinivedana • Jan 2012
The last line of the poem is
these can help - “How would I always to be borne in mind.
feel if somebody steals my hard Practising the above three
earned wealth and fame? Today virtues will make us successful
I might be strong enough to rob in our day to day households
others; what if someone stronger and workplaces. A person who
comes to me tomorrow?” These practises these don’ts becomes
thoughts should well control the powerful by virtue of his efforts.
temptations which we may come He overcomes the triple defects
across in our day to day lives. of anger, lust and greed. Free
from inward hindrances, such a
Yudhistthira of Mahabha:ratha, in
person can pay great attention
the episode of Yaksha Prasna, is a
to the work he has taken up.
wonderful example before us. The
Undoubtedly, success would be
Yaksha asks the thirsty pa:ndavas
his/hers!
not to drink water from the
lake he owns. Proud of their Gone are the days when morality
strengths, other pa:ndavas drank was incompatible with worldly
water without permission and success. With individuals and
immediately fell unconscious. It organizations attempting to live
was Yudhistthira alone who could up to a value culture, with the
control the dying thirst he was people of the world perceiving
experiencing. No, he would not the horrible results of lack of
take something which belongs scruples, it is beyond doubt that
to others. He would not steal morality will save humanity in
even if he is capable. Needless each one of us!
to say, it was he who answered
all questions of the Yaksha and
revived his brothers.
Sri Hanuma:n exhibits the traits
of an excellent team member
all along Sri: Ra:ma:yana.
His interaction with the team
members, after he successfully
locates Si:tha, is worth studying
in great detail for all those of us
who wish to excel.