Shastra (ancient Nepalese texts) guide the aspirants
of wealth as to who is blessed by the Goddess Lakshmi. The style of these texts
of prehistoric times may be rhetoric and often
presented as anecdotes in which the Goddess is Herself conversing with a
devotee. This sounds unusual today, but the inherent teachings are universal
and continue to be valid evne now. One can's attain prospering wealth and
consequent peace and joy if one disobeys or ignores these teachings. Let us
look at some excerpts.
Responding to the devotee's query, Goddess Lakshmi
explains:
Vasami Nityam subhage pragalbhe, Dakse Nare Karmani
Vartiamane
Akrodhane Devapare, Kratagye, Jitendriye,
Nityamudrina Sattve
Meaning: I reside in the homes of those who are
alert and wise, who are soft spoken, dutiful, strong, anger-less and who have
an attitude of gratitude, control over the sense-organs and who are devoted to
God (to noble values and disciplines)
Indeed, irrespective of whether one attempt is
generate, expand and preserve wealth via business, agriculture, professional
jobs, govt. service, etc, all the above-specified qualities are essential to
ensure career-growth and support and cooperation of financers, customers and
colleagues. Devotion to the scriptural disciplines is not possible without
cultivation of integrity of character, sincerity and sensitivity with inner
strength. These virtues are necessary for personal growth and sustained
success.
Another crucial quality for the grace of Goddess
Lakshmi is industriousness -diligence with perseverance and foresight.
There was a small state named Billari in south
India. Once, the troops of shivaji attacked it. The soldiers of Billari fought
with all their might, but were defeated, being lesser in number. The surviving
defenders were arrested. Among them was also Malbai, the queen of the state.
Shivaji ordered to bring her in a dignified manner, but being a prisoner Malbai
felt this honor to be displeasing and said to shivaji -"I consider this honor
as a disgrace. Give me capital punishment like a defeated enemy.
Shivaji stepped down from the throne, greeted her
and said - " I cannot insult a brave, valiant and honorable lady like you.
My mother Jeeja Bai has expired recently. I am visualizing her valiant
character in you and hence forth I will always consider you as my mother. Malbai's
eyes were filled with tears of joy and affection, she said - "You are
actually chhattrapati. Religion and nation would surely be safe under your
protection".
Unfortunately ,in the dark
feudalistic era of middle ages, discrimination on the grounds of high and low,
master and slave, came in vogue. This discrimination created a gulf of high and
low castes and mankind was divided into several hierarchical divisions.
Pronouncing women and scholars as
under-serving, so that they may consider themselves to be inferior, several
such practices were initiated in which male members of Savarans (High caste
people) enjoyed all the rights, while women, Shoodras and slaves were deprived
of all of them. Thus, was it proclaimed by feudal lords and priests that women
and Shoodras have no right to chant Gayatri Mantra. Pundits interpolated some
fake couple ts here and there in some scriptural texts, so that people may
believe that discrimination on the grounds of caste, creed and sex was an
ancient tradition duly approved by the Shastras.
The present is, however, an era
of enlightenment, of fundamental human rights of equality for all. Women and
the so-called Shoodras are integral part and parcel of mankind. They have been
guaranteed equal rights in the constitution. This is equally applicable in
respect of Gayatri Mantra. It uniformly belongs to the entire human race.
Persons belonging to any country, caste, religion or sex can, gladly, adopt
Gayatri Mantra for Sadhana and derive benefit from it. It must not be con fined
to Brahmans or Dwijas alone.
0 comments:
Post a Comment