I am a good person . Why I am suffering ?

Hare Krishna. I started this blog to cherish the past. Few months before I had been to Vrindavan , where Lord Krishna spent His childhood days. This town is 10 KM away  from Mathura, the city of Lord Krishna's birthplace , near the Agra - Delhi highway. My son-in-law isnpire me to write on Krishna Consciousness  and on self realisation , if any , I experience. One common question I come accross with many colleagues , friends or relatives - "Why I am suffering. I am a good person ?" , whenever I talk on Krishna . For this question I too ponder many books outside Bhagavad Gita , as if  I ask anyone to read Bhagavad Gita straight away , they may or may not, but with the question unanswered !

I  read Bhagavad Gita  once or twice but could not completely understand the essence . When I attended a discourse on BG , I understood that even Arjuna asked for clarifications from  Sri Krishna after  He completed His   Gita upadesam to Arjuna.  So when we read again and again  then only we get the original meaning . I was guided by my daughter and son-in-law to read “The Bhagavad Gita As It Is “  of His Holiness Srila Prabhupada for the true translation of the original script. I am yet to finish!

In the mean time it so happen to buy a tiny book at Vrindavan ISKCON  Sri Krishna Balaram Temple, with the same title of the question for which I am also trying  to  find a convincing answer for  myself and others in a simple language. I wish to reproduce the same in the same form without adding any of my input , and I believe , all who read this will certainly accept the truth .

I AM A GOOD PERSON , WHY I AM SUFFERING ? ( Title of the book )

(  Practical tips to avoid suffering and misery )

Why I am suffering ?

First, let us understand what is suffering. There are three types of suffering:

1. Suffering caused by the body and mind.

2. Suffering   inflicted by other living entities.

3. Suffering caused by natural disasters.

Sometimes we suffer bodily, and sometimes we suffer mentally. We have suffered from the beginning of our birth, even in the womb of our mother. If we analyze our life, we will find that we are always suffering from either one or a combination of these three kind of miseries.

The animals are suffering, but they do not know how to remedy the suffering. But human beings are making scientific, philosophical, cultural, and religious advancement, progress in so many lines, because they want to be happy. This reasoning power is especially given to the human being.

The reason why we are suffering is because of ignorance. We send our children to school to save them from suffering. If our children do not receive an education, we fear that they will suffer in future. We understand that suffering is caused by ignorance, a lack of knowledge. We do not think, “ I am committing mistakes. That is why I am suffering.” We commit mistakes out of ignorance, which in turn causes more suffering.

How to accept / react to this suffering ?

Obviously we have to tolerate suffering. One of the characteristics of an intelligent person is tolerance. Everyone is tolerant to a degree, but if we properly understand that we are not the body, although we may suffer, we will not feel the suffering as acutely.

For example, if one thinks, “ This is my car,” and is very attached to it, he suffers more when it is wrecked than a person who thinks, “It can be repaired, or I can leave it.” Similarly, my body is the vehicle that I , the soul , reside in . I act with the body, so I must take care of it. We should not stop actions; rather, we should act properly to avoid suffering. That is natural. Just as with a car , you need it, so you take good care of it. We must take care of our body because we need it to fulfill our duties and desires in life to be happy.

As long as we are in the world, happiness and distress will come and go. So we should not be disturbed by them. Our real business is to try for knowledge of self-realization.  Self-realization means understanding the difference between the body and the soul. It is the goal of human life. Suffering and so-called happiness will come as long as we have material body, but we must come to the knowledge that “ I am not the body; I am a soul within the body. I have gotten this body because of my past activities.” That is knowledge that will help us become free from suffering. Proper action will help us avoid suffering in the future.

If the soul is by nature blissful why are we suffering ?

Whether we  are a minister or an ordinary man in the street, we must suffer. That’s  a fact. We are suffering on account of our body, and we may be doing something now that will cause us to suffer more in the future. We are suffering because in the past we did something that caused a reaction for that activity. For instance, if we touch something hot, we will get burned. We may not know  the object is hot, but even in our ignorance we must still suffer and be burnt. Similarly, we may not know why we have a particular disease , we do not understand the cause of the disease, but still we get the disease and suffer. If accidently we drink poison, even though we do not know it is poison, the effect will be there. So we must seek out the original cause why we are suffering by understanding our mistakes.

What about the material remedy along with this spiritual remedy ?

There are two types of remedies: treatment of symptoms and treatment of the original cause. Medical treatments in the form of surgery, medicines, etc. are part of the symptomatic treatment. They are important because we have to do the needful to relieve the symptoms of suffering. But real relief comes when we understand the cause of our suffering and stop those actions.

When a patient comes to a doctor, the doctor will give medicine, diet, and restrictions. If the patient follows the advice, then there is every chance he will be cured. The cause of disease can be reversed by proper activity. We should strive to correct whatever activity we did in ignorance that is causing our present suffering.

The law of physics is that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Sometimes even if we trying to be good we may do something that will get a bad reaction. No one is perfect; everyone has defects. So long as we have a material body, we will commit some mistakes. “ To err is human.” But when we understand that we are not this body, then this is knowledge. “ I am the soul within the body. I am falsely identifying myself with this body. The body is the sourse of my suffering and entanglement.” When we understand the difference between the soul and the body, we become free from suffering.

How to get this remedy ?

While we are suffering we are always agitated, “ I am this body.” But if we realize that  “ I am not this body, I am something else, the soul within the body,” then we are immediately free from anxieties. There is no more fear, no more anxiety. Ultimately, everyone is afraid of death. But  if we understand fully that we are not this body,  then killed or not killed, we are not in anxiety.

What are the ways that I may not suffer in future ?

Sometimes people accuse: “ Why God has created this distress ? Why am I suffering?” We are suffering for our own fault. God created us to become happy. He’s is happy. We are part of God. We should be happy. But if we don’t accept the way of happiness by following His instructions, then that is our fault. So we must suffer. Every religion has a code of laws given by God. By following His instructions , we come immediately under His protection and are relieved of all suffering.

Does God Exist ?

God and the doctor we alike adore

But only when in danger, not before;

The danger o’er, both are like requited,

God is forgotten, and the Doctor slighted

[John Owen, Epigrams ]

Generally, when people are in danger they turn to God for help, just as a sick person might go to a doctor for relieving his pain. Certainly this is intelligent, to seek help when needed, but it would be better to seek God always, not only when in danger. In the same way, it is intelligent to live a healthy life as per the doctor’s instructions. Then we can become free from disease and suffering.

What is a healthy life ?

All scriptures teach us to live a healthy and clean life, and to help others. In general  there are four principles to a healthy life:

Cleanliness

Truthfulness

Mercy

Austerity

Cleanliness

“ Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” We need to be clean internally and externally. External cleanliness means keeping our body and surroundings clean. We should bathe at least once in a day. It is not necessary to use soap every time we bathe. We should clean our teeth in the morning when we wake up, and at night before we go to sleep. Our fingernails should be kept clean so dirt does not go into our food. Our home, clothes, utensils, and food should be clean. In  food habits, nowadays junk food, smoking and alcohol are some of the major factors causing diseases, so  they should be avoided. These simple rules of cleanliness will help us be healthy and happy always.

Internal cleanliness means that we should keep our mind pure by avoiding lust, anger and greed. We should practice to become peaceful, forgiving and kind to others. Many diseases are caused mentally and later manifest physically. We should try to forgive those who have hurt us, and pray for their betterment. If we remain bitter about things that have happened to us, then we only harm ourselves. We can succeed in life and things can improve if we try our best with enthusiasm.

Truthfulness

We should strive to speak words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others. A person who keeps his word of honour is called truthful. One should not distort the truth  for some personal interest.

Mercy 

We should not cause undue harm to any living entity, whether human or otherwise. If we understand that God is the father of all living entities, then we can see everyone as our brother or sister.

Austerity             

Austerity means to accept some inconvenience for a higher purpose. It might be inconvenient to eat healthy foods and maintain cleanliness, but for the higher purpose of good health we should be prepared to change our lifestyle for the better.

Courtesy : ISKCON Library Society ,Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir, Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg, Raman Reti, Vrindavan  U.P.281121 INDIA

Wish you all A Very Happy and Prosperous New year . Lord Krishna's blessing will be showered on you and your family for ever. Chant Hare Krishna and Be Happy.

Margazhi Matham - reminiscences of Mylapore Days

Margazhi matham  - Reminiscence of Mylapore days !

Yesterday  when I was watching  Star Vijay TV , a Tamil Channel , they announced a week long program for Margazhi matham. A live program at Kancheepuram with the oldest charm of margazhi kolam , pandi and dayam games etc….. On seeing that I called Suganthi, my wife, to see the program and recalled my olden days, school and college days ( 1960s to 1970s) spent in Mylapore during this auspicious month.

It’s a God’s gift to all human to travel  fast to the past ! My mind travelled very fast to my past Mylapore days of this special matham .  So I decided to write and share my reminiscences of  the happy moments spent with full of energy , life and fun enjoyed during the full month of Margazhi in my old Mylapore , Madras ( 16,T V Koil Street ).

The first thing to speak is about the  big kolam in front of everyone’s house in Mylapore.  We lived in  Thiruvalluvar koil street, where the great Saint Thiruvalluvar born )  having very good neighbors . We will be very eager to see in the early morning , the kolam of Babu’s mother ( next door neighbor ) who ‘s colourful kolam will  be the largest one covering the whole width of the street in front of her house. Of course all other houses also adore with  kolam of their own design and colours , but  none will meet the standards set by her and no one broke the record till today I believe !!!

On the first day of Margazhi , after the start tune,  All India Radio  plays “ Margazhi thingal  mathi niraintha nannalal…” Sri Andal’s Thiruppavai , and Thiruvempavai . We in our childhood never sleep after sunrise , and particularly we will be very eager to see the Margazhi matha Bajanai in the early hours in our street. Dhoppa  ( Periappa ) used to take us , me and  my brother Gopi  , sometimes even before taking bath , to Kapaleeswara koil mada veethi to watch Sri Papanasam Sivan’s Bajanai and another leading team’s ( I forgot the musician’s name ) , on many days during this auspicious month. We used to go behind the bajanai goshti upto Fund office from Ambika Applam end and enjoy the rich bajans with instruments playing  along with the singers.  While returning many others who come across us,  ask  us , “ where is the bajan troupe ?” with  equal keen interest like us to join the goshti . Our dad used to wear a woolen muffler , to cover around the neck in this season. I love to have it around my neck too.

In all mada veethi also you can see big big kolams in front of all the houses and we enjoy seeing different types  of colourful kolams of Mylapore mamis’.

We cannot see a dull scene in our street  or any street in Mylapore , as all the houses are decorated with kolam in front and mamas, mamis , all young and old people will be moving  busily in the streets. In our street also two or three bajani goshti pass through reciting Andal’s pasurams , Thruvempavai and Thirupalli Ezhuchi.

In Sri Madhavaperuma temple , loud speaker will beam the pasurams. In 1960s’ and 1970s’ we could hear the koil mani of Sri Madavaperumal , Sri Kapaleeswarar and the hourly bell of Mylapore Fund Office. People may not believe if I say that in our terrace , we used to hear the movie dialogs of Kamadhenu cinema theater , during second shows ( night shows), as there are no sound barriers like high rise buildings ! Santhome church’s bell also can be heard in our terrace in those  good old days.

In our house  verandah grill , cows used to be tied by the milk vendor Mr.Raja , and fresh cows and buffalos milk he used to sell from 4 am.with hand punch monthly cards. Hope not much water they  add to thefresh milk !

Another important festival during Margazhi is Thiruvathirai , Arudra festival in Mylapore . Sri Kapaleeswarar temple and Sri Velleeswarar temple’s Arudhra darisanam is very famous and even in all small shiva temples , they perfom this utsavam.

Our great grandmother Smt. Baggiammal , wife of great thatha Sr. Deivasigamani , had donated a sum to Sri Velleeswarar temple to perform Arudhra darisanam to Sri Nataraja perumal on Thiruvathirai day in Margazhi and the proceedings of malai and maryadhai to be given the santhathiyinar. This was dated back to 1915 and last 95 years we are blessed to have the pooja done to Sri Velleswarar and take away the prasadam. Early morning mum and dad will attend “ vellai sathupadi – deity is covered with a white veshti and stand face to face – Ishwar and Ambal and some rituals they do. Later after the thituveethi ula , alangaram will be removed and the big pushpa mala will be put to the upayagartha, my father , and now to me and my brother( photo attached ).  We wish to do it in a big way with God’s blessing for the centenary Arudhra festival in Sri Velleeswarara temple .

Kali , venpongal, sundal  are very tasty and we used to share to all relatives and friends  in the neighborhood. In our home also we celebrate and  make kali, a sweet pongal like.

Goodaravalli is another  auspicious day in Margazhi , and our amma  make special pooja at home. All the thirty days we read the pasurams with a handbook .

The chillness of this month , we cannot enjoy in any other tamil month. After Margazhi , Thai matham starts and by Bogi on 13^th of Jan , the chillness goes away and summer starts !

We , the only three life  members of “3D Society “ – me , Gopi and Suresh , used the watch the  kolams from our terrace parapet wall  and commenting with fun and joy !

The reminiscences of Margazhi  , I wish to share to all old Mylaporeans . The glory of the past is always remembered , cherished  and  now felt missing in the present Mylapore days !

Chander.M.D. ( now not a resident of my birthplace , old Mylapore )

91-9444063837 / 9176606125