More than all the previous Yugas, the Kaliyuga offers
multifarious paths through which man can acquire discrimination or
viveka. If it is education that is needed, there are as many
schools and institutions as you need, and, if it is wealth that
one is after, there are various avenues by which, with effort, it
can be honourably earned. In spite of this, however, we do not
find any increase in human happiness or peace. Indeed, there is
much more misery than in previous ages!
What then is the reason? The reason lies in human behaviour, in
man's way of living itself. Human life is undoubtedly the highest
in evolution and to give it meaning, spiritual endeavour is
essential, endeavour that is pure and holy. For this way of life,
character is all important. Character makes life immortal; it
survives even death. Some say knowledge is power, but it is not
true. Character is Power. Even the acquisition of knowledge
demands a good character. So, every one must yearn to attain
flawless character, without any trace of evil.
Note that Buddha, Jesus Christ, Sankaracharya and Vivekananda,
great Sages and Saints and Devotees of the Lord, all these are
treasured in the memory of man even unto this day. What quality
made them all memorable for all time? I say, it is the character
of each one of them.
Without character, wealth, education, social status, all these
are of no avail. It is the fragrance of the flower; it gives value
and worth. Poets, painters, scientists may be great, each in his
own field, but without character, they can have no standing in
society.
Doubts will certainly rise whether all those who are
now greeted with respect by Society have the character which we
consider essential to greatness. But, I am speaking of a society
and a character, which cling to certain unchanging values.
Ordinarily, society attaches varying importance to certain
qualities from day to day and fashions in character change with
the vagaries of society. But the basic nature of a flawless
character is eternal; it is the same, whatever the vicissitudes of
society. In that sense, it is eternal, being associated with
another immortal entity, the Atman.
Among the qualities that make up a flawless character, Love,
Patience, Forbearance, Steadfastness, Charity - these are the
highest, these have to be revered.
The hundred little deeds that we do every day harden into
habits; these habits shape into intelligence and mould our outlook
and life. All that we weave in our imagination, seek in our
ideals, yearn in our aspirations, leave an indelible imprint on
the mind. Distorted by these, we form our knowledge, our picture
of the world around us, and it is to this picture that we get
attached.
Man's present is but the result of his past and the habits
formed during that long period. Whatever be the nature of the
character that he has come by, it can certainly be modified by
modifying the accustomed process of thought and imagination.
The wickedness of no man is incorrigible. Was not Angulimala,
the dacoit, turned into a kind-hearted person by the Buddha? Did
not the thief Ratnakara become Valmiki, the sage? By conscious
effort, habits can be changed and character refined. Man has
always, within him, within his reach, the capacity to challenge
his evil propensities and to change his evil habits. By selfless
service, by renunciation, by devotion, by prayer and by
ratiocination, the old habits which bind men to earth can be
discarded and new habits which take us along the divine path can
be instilled into our lives.
To discuss the nature of this character, its ways and vagaries,
and to inform about the process of reshaping it, this is the
purpose of all spiritual literature, poems, epics, books and
periodicals. The Sanathana Sarathi has just this aim in view; it
does not seek either the exhibition of erudition or the
acquisition of name and fame.
But, it has to be said, that the mere reading of a book or a
journal will not vouchsafe viveka or discrimination. That which is
seen, heard or read must be put into practice in actual life.
Without this, reading is mere waste of time. If anything is read
to pass time, it passes with time and nothing remains.
