Divinity in excellence

Mar 17, 2010, 12.00am IST
VIJAY VANCHESWAR.

The underlying message of all spiritual masters is that the paths are many, and the destination is one.

Various schools of thought and masters have prescribed various paths to suit the temperament and inclinations of seekers who are preparing to embark on a journey of spiritual inquiry. Thus we have the path of karma or selfless service, which blends with the natural proclivity of an individual who is action-oriented.

The bhakti or devotional path suits one who is inclined to engage in japa or prayers accompanied by the constant remembrance of the Supreme presence. Jnana or the path of Self-knowledge befits the seeker who is introspective and reflective by temperament.


Ramakrishna Paramahansa chose the bhakti route, while Ramana Maharshi advocated the path of jnana . These seers underscored the importance of annihilating one’s sense of ego and submitting unconditionally to the will and power of the Divine. The teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba provide a simple and effective recipe to devotees who throng his shrines.


The two attributes mentioned in Sanskrit as shraddha and saburi , and they refer to the qualities of faith and patience. The proverbs: ‘Faith can move mountains’ and ‘Patience is the greatest of all virtues’ has profound significance. As we reflect on the lives of seers, we find the presence of these two traits in ample measure. M K Gandhi symbolised these qualities both in letter and spirit. His message, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world’, continues to inspire people across the globe.


Sachin Tendulkar, the sporting icon, commands tremendous regard and popularity for the manner in which he exhibits these two traits. That people regard him as a perfect role model beyond his accomplishments on the cricket field is a reflection of this. Gandhi is acclaimed as ‘God’s gift to the world’. His fans adore Sachin as ‘God’s gift to cricket’. The endearing demeanour of Sachin cloaks a steely resolve, tempered with faith and patience to combat successfully the challenges and expectations that he faces. Just as there is a divinity that defines the breath-taking drive of a Sachin Tendulkar, there is an everlasting splendour in the melodious tones of Lata Mangeshkar and in the range displayed by Amitabh Bachchan.


Each of them attracts a huge following with the talent and beauty they exhibit in their chosen fields. They reveal to us a world where for a moment, we experience the joy of being in communion with the cosmic consciousness, oblivious of our individual, and petty concerns. Unconsciously, we also experience this joy when we share, give or forgive someone unconditionally, with love bereft of ill will. A moving concert, a wonderful piece of art or painting, a captivating performance by an artiste or a superlative display by a sportsperson, all these magically transport us to a higher, divine platform. “Life is not about the number of breaths that we take, but about all that leaves us breathless.”


Meister Eckhart says: “One can only stand in awe-inspiring wonder and savour the marvel of God’s diverse creations. To try to decipher and explain this with the mind dilutes its profound beauty.” Excellence might not be something that’s present already in us – most of us would have to show dedication, practice and a deep interest in something we have an inclination for before it becomes second nature to us. Once that happens, we will find that it is not all that difficult to experience that divine feeling.