This series was originally published in Tamil MadhuraMurali monthly magazine in India, as a 12-part series. Based on Sri Swamiji’s Madhurageetham, “Govindanukku Aatpatta Kudumbamamma Engal Kudumbam”, it speaks beautifully of how the family members of our satsang lead/need to lead their lives.
‘Living the Life’ – with Abundance and Benevolence
– Govindanukku Aatpatta Kudumbamamma #11
(The true fruit of being a part of a satsanga is to have only the divine name remain constantly in the tongue. After showing this, next Sri Swamiji shows us the result of this which is the contentment, peace, and bliss that flowers in the heart…)
We have already seen this sloka in an earlier episode in this series. In this, Sri Swamiji sings beautifully of “paritushTa chitto”, i.e. the experience of “tushTi” as:
“manathinAl niraindhuLLOm”
There is no greater wealth than contentment of the mind. When Bhagavan came as Vamana, He asked for three paces of land. When Bali said, “I will give you a whole village; a whole continent,” etc., Bhagavan smiled and replied, “If we keep growing our desire for money or other worldly needs, that becomes a cause for bondage and sorrow. Having the attitude of contentment with whatever we get, opens even the doors of liberation; and becomes a reason for true happiness.” The reason for the contentment of these devotees (Govinda’s family) is their attitude that, “Bhagavan who is Vasudeva, is conducting my life. We are completely beholden to Him. Whatever is essential for us, He bestows that on us through His grace. Whatever is not essential for us, He pushes it far away from us. Relishing this beauty of His care is indeed our state!”
Hence we are “manathinAl nirandhuLLom…” (contented in our hearts). We who always seek only the blooming of Govinda’s face; always wish to live only in a way that He would approve of; and in a way that he would feel proud of; are, by His grace, naturally are elevated in our character (gunaththaal uyarndullom).
In Srimad Bhagavatam, in the first question that Vidura asks Maithreya Rishi, he beautifully speaks of the reason for sorrow of the people of the world. “The reason for sorrow is because the mind goes in the path of adharma; the reason for the mind going towards adharma is because it is turned away from Govinda; the reason for this is the actions of past births.”
In satsanga, our thoughts, words, actions, are intended only towards Govinda’s love. Hence we are elevated in character (guNaththAl uyarndhullOm).
By exhibiting the wonderful qualities that please Govinda, such as diligent effort sans laziness, compassion, sweet words, friendship with all, chastity, contentment, happiness, humility, we are elevated in character (guNaththAl uyrarndhuLLOm). A person does not gain honor only because of wealth, position, education, or family status. True honor for a person is only because of their qualities (guNa), isn’t it? Hence, because of lofty qualities, we are elevated in character (guNaththAl uyarndhuLLom…).
There is one thing that cannot be earned by any other means, except through Guru Krupa and Bhagavan’s Krupa. That is ‘Peace’! Complete faith in Guru-Hari’s grace is the seed for peace. Everyone in the world is striving and struggling only to find this peace of mind; yet they find it elusive.
Because we are beholden to “kurai ondrum illAdha Govinda” (Govinda who is faultless), we do not lack anything in our mind or our qualities, and live abundantly and benevolently in our peaceful and contented life.
If one feels that he is lacking in something, he will live like a miser. Only one who feels that he does not lack in anything and that he has everything he needs, and lives with gratitude and contentment, can ‘live the life’ abundantly and benevolently.
Govinda has indeed made us live like that!
(The series will conclude next month…)
Sri Ramanujamji, disciple of HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji Originally published in Tamil Madhuramurali magazine in Chennai
