Temptations!

 

It was end of summer when Pāndavās reached Dvaitavana, so that the forest was full of flowering trees & colorful birds chirped everywhere. Coming to banks of river Saraswati, they saw numerous Ashrams inhabited by sages, so out of respect & for peaceful and sanctified atmosphere, they got down from their chariots. Sages came to welcome them & in return Pāndavās offered great respect to forest dwellers and walked together thro’ the forest

 

Coming to a spot beneath a large tree, they decided to construct a cottage there. As Pāndavās continued to reside at that place, Dhaumya passed his time performing sacrifices while King Yudhisthira endeavored to please the sages with offerings of fruits & roots

 

One day sage Markandeya arrived as a unexpected guest & Yudhisthira welcomed him with great care & attention. When he sage saw how Pāndavās were living in exile, it reminded him of Lord Rāmchandra’s forest life & so he smiled at the similarity. However, without understanding this, Yudhisthira felt hurt to see how the sage was apparently enjoying their plight. He said: O sage! Everyone who came here felt aggrieved seeing us in exile. How is that you alone seem to take pleasure in our suffering?

 

Sage said: I’m also very pained to see how you’re passing your days in the forest. I had smiled while remembering my previous meeting with Sri Rām, who was wandering about the Rsyamuka hills. Taking note of how your condition resembles His, I could not help but marvel at the similarity. Dear King! You should not allow yourself to become overly aggrieved because of your suffering. Not only you but everyone is working under the direction of the Supreme Controller. Nothing can take place without his sanction

 

Because we’re all controlled living entities, no one should become proud of his God-gifted strengths or abilities, nor should become angry at life’s reverses. Our duty is to remain on the path of virtue in all circumstances & in that way our success is guaranteed. I can assure you that if you act in this way, then at the end of your painful exile the strength of your virtue will enable you to snatch back your rightful prosperity from the hands of evil-minded Kauravas

 

After giving these instructions Rsi Markandeya departed

 

Yudhisthira felt a bit embarrassed about his quick perception of sage’s smile & not understanding its deep meaning. He felt at peace at the instructions given to him. He continued living with Brāhmanās in a spiritually surcharged atmosphere surcharged with transcendental vibration of Vedic mantras

 

We also come to conclusion quickly seeing externals. This could be dangerous & counterproductive to our cause. We normally are tempted & lacking power to resist the urge to react. We succumb feeling powerless, concluding that temptation is far too strong & I’m powerless against it. This conclusion is flawed

 

We should always fix ourselves to a higher purpose, that can take us away from these temptations. If we pursue a purpose, then the emotions taking us on a roller coaster ride will be under check. Filling life with meaningful activities gives greater impetus to resist. We fall to temptations not because we are powerless but because we’re purposeless

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife

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