EQUANIMITY IS DIVINITY: In The Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 17 Stanza 16) Lord Krishna
says serenity of mind, kindness,silence, self control and purity of heart – this is called “Mental Austerity”.
मनःप्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः ।
भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते ॥
Mana prasaada sowmyatvam mounamaatma vinigrahaha |
Bhaava sanshuddhirityeta tapo maanasamuchyate ||
Chapter 17.16
Life has many pairs of opposites. It is a mixture of good and evil, ups and downs, success and failure.When things are favourable we humans feel extremely happy and feel we are on the top of the world.If something goes wrong then immediately we feel depressed and dejected and even go to the extent of taking one’s own life. This is the saddening aspect of modern day life and it is really alarming. Very few among us remain undisturbed and keep our cool and poise.
To explain further about equanimity Lord Rama’s life is the best example. Lord Rama’s father King Dasharatha offered him the crown.He accepted it with poise.The very next day his father asked him to renounce everything and go to forest for fourteen years.
This did not depress or sadden Lord Rama. Wealth or poverty, profit or loss, success or failure, auspiciousness or inauspiciousness is part and parcel of human life. It is unwise to succumb to these aspects of life. Being over elated during happiness and dejected during misery is not a wise approach. We should not feel anger or resentment towards anyone for our problems. Lord Rama accepted both commands of his father with equanimity, smiling and looking like a fresh lotus flower in the description given in Kamba Raamayana. He never entertained any ill will towards Kaikeyi and took leave of her with due respect. Let us keep our calmness and tranquility in our journey in the ocean of our birth and reach liberation.
