The Zenith of Creation

The traditional number of created beings is 84 lakhs, and man is the final item of the evolutionary procession; but, why did the number stop at 84 lakhs? It stopped because man is the zenith, the fullness; he is Madhawa in fact, though he has ignored the truth and holds fast to the belief that he is just a man. He is endowed with manas, buddhi, chitta, and ahankara (mind, intelligence, reasoning faculty, and ego), all four in an integrated personality, whereas the birds and beasts and all other species have mostly ahankaram (ego) alone. The lives of the later are centered around the aham and its desires and demands. But, man has the capacity to follow sathya, dharma, santhi, and prema; man alone has it. If he does not evince that capacity and develop it, he is as bad as a vanara or a danawa (ape or ogre). When man was created, there remained nothing higher to create.

There is a story about Kalidasa which illustrates this point. It is said that the other poets and scholars in the court of Emperor Bhoja were green with envy at the quick rise to fame of Kalidasa and at the largesse that the Royal patron showered upon him. So, they poisoned the ears of the Emperor against Kalidasa and when he challenged Kalidasa to disprove the allegations, he was alone and helpless against his traducers. Kalidasa could appeal only to his other patroness, Kaali mata, Mother Kaali. He told the king that they could all come to the temple of Kaali and when he prayed to Kaali, to stand witness to his integrity, they could hear the answer that the Goddess would give. He had such faith in his Mother.

The entire court was present next morning at the Temple; Kalidasa prayed. Then, in the tense silence, they all could hear a Voice... "Kawirdandee, Kawirdandee, Bhawabhutistu punditah"* (Dhandi is a poet, Dhandi is a poet; Bhavabhuti is a pundit). That was all. No reference was made to Kalidasa, when all that was wanted was a judgement about Kalidasa and his merits. Naturally, Kalidasa was enraged. He forgot himself in his rage and shouted, "Koham rande? (Who am I, you slut?)". Kaali kept calm; Her temper was not roused. After a moment, she replied, "Twamevaham, twamevaham, twameva aham, na samshayah" (You are Myself, I am thyself, undoubtedly). That identity is the destiny of man.

Let Every Act Be Saturated With Bhakti

Sage Vyasa made man aware of his value. He collated the vedas, wrote the Mahabharata and the Bhagawata and the eighteen puranas and the Brahmasutra. All these contain the same nectarine teaching, though the vedas may be more highly revered. A boat may be a small appliance, but it can take you across the sea. A lamp may be a small contraption, but it can light your path across a jungle. What is wanted is persistent effort, ceaseless karma, activity. The torch may illumine only a distance of two yards and you may have to go two miles in the night. But do not despair. Hold it in your hand and walk on. With every step, the torch will illumine a few steps more and so, you can reach the goal safe. Walk on, do not sit idly on the side of the road. Move on from one step to another - shravanam, mananam, nidhidhyasanam (hearing, recapitulation, concentration). Only, let every act be saturated with bhakti. Bhakti is not something added on to make life more appetising; it is the very breath of life. It should inspire every act, every word, every thought.