9. Our MIND and Karmic Immortality

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देहे त्यागितां कीर्ति मागें उरावी।

मना सज्जना हेचि क्रीया धरावी॥

मना चंदनाचे परी त्वां झिजावे।

परी अंतरीं सज्जना नीववावे ॥८॥

How does a person win over death to become immortal? If this pursuit is towards physical immortality then the battle is lost even before it begins. However there is another way a person strives to live forever. This is KARMIC immortality. Egoistical people try to achieve that by giving their names to buildings or school or hospital wings and other such materialistic possessions or by getting their busts and statues erected. This struggle makes one wonder, why is it so important to be remembered after death? The answer is clear, man loves validation!

People who take great efforts in making sure to be remembered long after they are gone are those who have not been able to overcome this compulsive obsession of fame. Even though very few of such celebrated individuals really matter to the world once they are gone, unfortunately there is no way these people realise the futility of their effort while they are alive. And continue to live (and die) in the farce that they will be always remembered by those who live.

Samarth Ramdas throws light on how to achieve immortality through humanitarian pursuits. In such pursuits there is no room for ego or no need for validation. A person with a pure heart and loving soul continues doing things for others without any ulterior motives. This is the real KARMIC IMMORTALITY. In the first line of this verse Samarth Ramdas highlights this fact beautifully. DEH (body) SODITA (after you die) KIRTI (image) MAAGE URAVI (left behind). Once you die, let only good memories, good impression of you be left behind. There is no use leaving behind your footprints on materialistic constructs, rather, a seeker should live in the hearts of those who truly love him/her for what he/she has done during the lifetime.

Conquering this realm of the heart is almost impossible. Samarth Ramdas encourages a seeker to continue tirelessly despite the difficulty. He advices, MANA (o mind) SAJJANA (like a benevolent person) HECHI KRIYA DHARAVI (work tirelessly towards achieving this). When a person directs his/her efforts for others without any selfishness, the results (big or small) create a positive impact on the surrounding world. Such goodwill can not be bought with money or might. It has to be born in the people's mind for you. But consistency is another key in this effort. Samarth Ramdas reminds a seeker to consistently keep doing selfless deeds for others.

The moment I acknowledge the fact that my problems are inferior to somebody else's problems, I become humble and willing to help that other person. It gives me a chance to look beyond myself and become one with the rest of the world. Such compassion and empathy which a seeker feels from within resonates without , around him/her and gets reciprocated. This form of validation is the most genuine form of positive affirmation.

Many times, people in power deter from doing what is right. Eventually their decisions or actions or both result in earning them a bad name and hate. Hence it is important not to hurt anyone or be revengeful towards others. A SAJJAN (righteous person) will refrain from exercising his/her power to do bad for others. Such person will never ever openly humiliate anyone or look down upon those who need his help. On the contrary, this person will silently and diligently do his work and walk away without claiming any credit for the actions.

A famous proverb in Hindi which says, "नेकी कर दरिया में डाल (Neki kar, dariya mein daal)" is an endorsement to what Samarth Ramdas says ahead. MANA (o mind) CHANDANACHE (sandalwood) PARI TWA JHIJAVE (diminish like that). When you help those in need with a pure heart then be ready to diminish your existence like a piece of sandalwood. Do not expect any rewards, receipts or glorification in return of your help. The only form of affirmation which you should look out for is to see if your deeds have made any SAJJAN happy. So a seeker is told to direct his/her efforts towards doing good for good people and not to expect anything in return. 

The moment a person starts extending help without getting anything in return, without hoping for any fame or publicity or recognition from the society, that person has become immortal for those few (or many) whom he managed to help during this lifetime. As long as a seeker is fondly remembered as a good person after he/she dies, that person continues to live forever!  

Watch the video on the shlok here:

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