By: Dr. G. R. Vijayakumar
The relationship that drives people crazy with anger and frustration are from a past life. These are the people who get under your skin and exasperate you endlessly. Very often, these Karmic relationships are with your own family members and socio-religious circles. Karmic relationships mean that you have had prior lifetime with this person, and you both were sent back to be together to work out things peacefully.
In September 2016, I had a painful experience and was depressed for almost six months. I quietly moved into a flat in the University campus, devoted more time to contemplation and studies, silent communion with plants and trees during my long walks and grew younger by associating myself with students. The trauma converted me instantly into a faithful follower of Mahatma Gandhi.
In January 2017, a pious soul invited me to join in a Vishnu Sahasranama Homa at Chennai. It was an opportunity to detoxify my Soul. I have always felt that holding in old anger is caustic and sickly. I know that blaming is a projection of our ego. I did not blame anyone as it helps none nor does it balance the Karma.
On reaching Chennai on 25th January 2017 noon, I went to All India Sai Samaj. I sneaked into Sri Narasimha Swamiji’s cottage and chose a quiet place. My intention was to meditate on Sri Narasimha Swamiji and seek an answer. I lost track of the time. Suddenly I heard “You will never know the truth about it”, a soft voice said. I opened my eyes to see Sri Narasimha Swamiji right in front of me.
“I know you are here to find out as to why you were treated shabbily in September, but you cannot know till you know what it is about”. Swamiji said enigmatically.
“What do you mean Swamiji”?
Your experience is an epic, a ballad, perhaps a reality but definitely a philosophy.
Sri Narasimha Swamiji smiled luring me into more questions.
“Can you tell me what the philosophy is then?” I requested.
“Sure”, began Sri Narasimha Swamiji .
“Your sad experience in September 2016 is like the Kurukshetra war waged on your sterling qualities. They are nothing but your five senses: sight, smell, taste, touch and sound………….and do you know what the perpetrators are?” He asked me narrowing his eyes:
“The sycophants are the ‘Kauravas’ – that hundred vices that attacked your senses, but you have fought them boldly……….and do you know how?”
I shook my head again.
“When Krishna rides your chariot!”
Sri Narasimha Swamiji appeared brighter and I gasped at the gem of insight.
Krishna is your inner voice, your Soul, your guiding light and if you let your life in his hands you have nothing to worry. You have followed your Guru in all humility and it is the right thing.
Swamiji continued. The Karmic relationship is akin to have a tug of war. They are power plays, when one person will pull, and the other person will pull back. No one wins in the Karmic power plays. But when you drop your side of the rope through the process of forgiving yourself for getting into the tug of war, the power struggle stops.
You are a devotee of Sai Baba. Your Soul agreed to follow Sai’s dictum because it is necessary for your spiritual progress. Continue as a devotee, you would evolve in ‘Bhakti-Marg’ and no trauma would occur. For a person of your nature, develop intense devotion. Sai Baba is close behind your thoughts and will warn you. Do not ignore those red flags! Vow to listen to them from now on. Life lessons only count if we learn from them.
I was stupefied but came around quickly with another question.
“Then why are others supporting them in spite of their vices and crooked deals?”
Sri Narasimha Swamiji nodded, sadder for the question.
“They are like Bhishma and Kripa in Mahabharata. It just means that as you grow up, your perception of your elders changes. The others, whom you thought were perfect are not all that perfect. They have faults. And now you are aware who is for your good and who is for your bad. Your decision to dissociate from such people is exemplary and is for your own good. Krishna preached Arjuna to fight even Bhishma and Kripa for his own good even though it is the hardest part of growing up. Follow Gita to the core.”
I slumped down on the ground, not because I was tired but because I could understand and was stuck by the enormity of it.
“What about Karma?” I whispered.
“Ah”said Sri Narasimha Swamiji , “You have saved the best for the last. Karma is the brother to your senses, he is desire, he is a part of you but stands with the vices (Sycophants). He feels wronged and makes excuses for being with the vices as your desire all the time. Does your desire not give you excuses to embrace vices?”
I nodded silently. I looked down consumed with a million thoughts, trying to put everything together and when I looked up, Sri Narasimha Swamiji was gone……………disappeared…………..leaving behind the greatest philosophy of life.
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