Amity and Love for All-bn
Amity and Love for All In-spite of any Difference of Opinion
Every individual has his own characteristic temperament; everybody has its own views whether they be right or wrong. It may not be possible for us to agree with others on all points. However, we should always reason out dispassionately and without bias, and try to understand others view-points also and reconcile ourselves if we find that the others viewpoints are correct and ours are wrong. There is nothing of ashamed of in this. To err is human, and life is but a continuous process of learning and correction. It is said, “To be erring is man’s privilege and to forgive is God’s duty.” No man can really be perfect, and perfection is the quality of God alone. Understanding this, we should not be dogmatic and obstinate regarding our pet-nation. Thus, even if differences happen to arise with others, we should not let these to undermine the basic bonds of affection either with our family members or with outsiders. Sri Sathya Sai Baba gives us the example of Siva’s family. In the picture of Siva’s family, we find that Lord Siva and Mother Parvati are seated together along with their sons, Ganesa and Subrahmanya, amidst most antagonistic animals and creatures, mortal enemies to each other, viz., lion and buffalo, peacock and cobras, cobras and a mouse, all these the vehicles of the different members of the divine family. But in the picture, we find all of them to be in great amity and harmony.
Restraint of one’s anger and hot temper and evincing of positive affection even to our “supposed enemies” should be cultivated and practiced under all circumstances.
Sri Satya Sai Baba says, “While you are living alone in a forest, there is no scope for anger against any – because there is none else beside you there – and, if then say that you have controlled your anger, it has no meaning at all. When you are remaining within the worldly surroundings, amidst large numbers of people, where there is ample scope for strile and for you to lose your temper, in such circumstances, if you are able to show restraint, if you are able to control your anger, then you have indeed achieved greatness.” Thu, while living in the family, within the society, we should try to sublimate our petty emotions, jealousies, hatred etc., Baba says, when we feel our anger is rising up, we should immediately take a glass of water, and take the Name of God. A mere remembrance of God will immediately cool down our temper and restore our equanimity.
In the perspective and light of understanding that we are all brothers and children of but one God, and that, at the subtler leve of our personality, we are all indeed one, and that there is no separate ‘he’, ‘me’ of ‘you’ in truth Ko hi nahi paraaya-we should try to cultivate our hearts, filling them with amity and love for all.
Our participation in family work and family sadhana
Everyone has a duty to do, his part of service to others. This service should begin at home. We are social beings; none can live by himself without some help or other from other people. From birth to death, we need the help of others. So, in return, we owe a duty of service to others.
Children should also, therefore, try to render whatever little service they can, say by way of helping mother in the domestic chores, helping younger sisters and brothers in their studies, etc., No bit of service is too small; does not the Ramayana tell us the story of the little squirrel, which also contributed, within the limitations of its capacity, in the building of the bridge over the ocean by carrying and putting there a few particles of sand? Sri Rama, Lord of the worlds, was all gratitude to the squirrel for its service to Him.
Children, even more so the grown-ups, should not be exacting and troublesome to their parents. They should evince adjustability without causing any inconvenience to others. Home, indeed, is the best place of apprenticeship for one for his being able to conduct himself properly in the Society and world later.