A Spiritual treat to COVID

Capt Purshotam Sharma (Retd)

In the enveloping gloom of fear and uncertainty of situation caused by the peculiar and traumic disease, our great nation came out with the powerful weapon of ‘Lock – down” without any loss of time as many countries just stood still and perplexed. Treating it a challenge of highly magnitude, we exercised much needed preserverence. We immediately took to ‘Seva’ (selfless service with reverent attitude to duty) and ‘Sadhana’ (Spiritual disciplines saturated with teachings of our scriptures). Both these Divine Disciplines are interwoven with purity and Love. ‘Seva’ or selfless service being given by our ‘Front line Warriors’ (Doctors, Nurses, Para-medical staff, security personnel and philanthropists) is unmatched and they have proved themselves to be an absolute asset to the society. Kudos to them for playing their role in this time of National calamity. It seems as if the Lord of the universe is working Himself through them day and night untiringly possessed with repository of dedication, equanimity and Love. As could be seen, these blessed souls are enthuastically displaying all the excellence of skill in their ‘Yoga of Action’ treading ‘Sreyas Marg’ (Godward Path or the Path of Goodness) as per our Holy Upanishads. The highest ‘Sadhana’ is ” DIL ME RAM! HAATH ME KAAM!”
They have sanctified their births on this planet and attained Salvation in this very life time for Jeevatma is the particle of Parmatma. Lord has been merciful to work through these noble persons like Mother Teresa and Florence Nightangale. Every right person in the society is thoughtful of these enlightened ‘Sevaks’ and ‘Rakshaks’ whole heartedly engaged in the accomplishment of sublime commitment of bringing COVID-19 victims back to cheerfulness by pulling them out of the jaws of death.
‘Seva’ with humility and efficiency is the worships offered to God who abides in the heart of every one.
We observe that the whole creation of the Creator is in self-less service in one way or the other. The Sun, the Moon, plants, shrubs, rivers, five elements of nature and even the tiniest creature. Our true nature is to serve. Service brings peace, prosperity and happiness. It makes our behaviour graceful and brings sense of universal fellowship. It elevates to higher self.
In our daily prayer to our Lord, we seek-
“SARVE BHAVANTHU SUKHINA SARVE SANTU NIRAMYA
SARVE BHADRANI PASHANTHU MA KASHCHAD DUKH BHAG BHAVET”
‘Let all be happy. Let all be free from any disease. Let all be good and noble. Let none be subject to misery.
Gandhi Ji’s daily prayer-song was :
‘VAISHNAV JAN TE TENE KAHIYE JE PEED PRAI JAANE RE
PAR DUKHE UPKAR KARE TOI MAN, ABHIMAAN NA AANE RE”
(Verses from Devotional song by Narsinha Mehta)
‘True devotee of Lord Vishnu is one who realizes the pains of others and carries no sign of pride in himself while serving the inflicted.’
In the Trinity, Vishnu is that aspect which sustains, fosters, stabilises and strengthens. He has incarnated from time to time to save and slavage the world.
Besides ‘Seva’ as a spiritual treat to the COVID-19 in our ‘Sadhana’ (Spiritual pursuits) we must live Godly life and offer heart-to-heart prayers to the Lord of Infinite Mercy who can only pull the suffering humanity from the clutches of global disastrous play.
‘Sadhana’ means : ‘Sama’ (curbing the wind from temptation) ‘dama’ (subjugating the organs of perception and organs of action), ‘Uprathi’ (discrimination and allowing no place to unreal objects), ‘Titiksha’ (having equal mindedness in gain or loss, pain or pleasure, in praise or censure), ‘Shradha’ (faith, faith, faith in ourselves and faith in God- this is secret of greatness” says Swami Vivekanda) faith is the root of spiritual tree of life. Its fruit is discrimination and illumination.
The ‘Samadhan’ is contentment or self-satisfaction that leads to self-sacrifice and through it one secures self-Realization.
We must always remember the revelations of the Lord in Srimad Bhagavad Gita :
“GATIRBHARTA PRABHU (SAKSI) NIVASAHA SHARANAM SUHRT
PRABHAVAH PRALAYAH STHANAM NIDHANAM BIJAM AVYAYAM”
(18/IX) (18/IX)
‘ I am the Supreme goal, the supporters, the Lord, the Witness, the Abode, the Refuge, the well-wisher, origin and End, Resting Place, Treasure-House the Imperishible Seed”
“ANANYA SCINT AYANTO MAM YE JANAH PARYU PASTE
TESAM NITYA BHIYUKTANAM YOGAKSEMAM VAHAMYAHAM”
(22/IX)
‘The devotees however, who loving no one else, constantly think of me, worship me in a disinterested spirit to those ever united in thought with Me, I bring full security and personally attend to their needs.’
Surrender in the feet of the Lord, take Refuge in him, seriously follow Divine Heritage as enunciated in Discourse 16 of Srimad Bhagvad Gita;
Offer prayers to seek His grace for fulfilling His promise of “I will release these from all sins; grieve not” he made to us at the same time, we have to resign all duties unto Him, the all powerful and all supporting Lord; and take Refuge in Him’
Chant repeatedly and loudly Om Shanti Shanti Shanti’ Om is the designation of universal Brahman, also meditate, observe silence and equanimity; follow :
Prevention Guidelines issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) and other authorities from time to time;
Regularly take prescribed Yogic exercises to ensure physical and mental fitness and observe the disciplines laid down by our sages, including Yajnas. With Arogya Setu, we can protect ourselves.
This way, equipped with self-confidence, dogged determination and Lord’s grace we’ll be soon victorious and relieved. His grace and our vigorous search for remedy, coupled with full faith, are bound to bear fruit and curb the menace of devil- COVID-19.
“Follow the Master
Face the devil;
Fight to the end;
Finish the Game”
(The author is former Office Bearer of
Ved Mandir Committee)