That Man I Love

04/05/10

"The more we learn 
the more would we realize
that  less we know "
(Spring Leaves   KMG)

          Once a while it is good  to refer to our ancient scriptures.To know where we are, where we have to go, and in what direction to go.And, what the life's  Supreme Ideal is, and, how we have to mold our life to achieve that Objective.  For all these, what better counsel can we get than the teaching of the Lord thru Bhagavad Geeta, the quintessence of our Scriptural Wisdom !        

 I propose to reproduce here from It, six passages that end with, or contain, "That man I love".  However, a thought may flash in one's mind that, the Lord loves only such ones he mentions in these passages, and hates the others who do not conform to His expectations!  Nay, the Lord never hates anyone. He is the Well-wisher of all. When He states "That man I love", it only indicates that He cherishes the qualities and virtues described in those passages, and desires all to develop them. If the Lord too has 'love and hatred' and vulnerable to such 'pairs of opposites', then, He is no better than you and me !         

Now, a caution on a possibility of some misunderstanding in these passages.  Many passages in Geeta frequently contain the pronouns 'I, My and Me'. A superficial comprehension of these, may lead to interpret them as rather egoistic. This aspect was covered in one of my Fri-Calls long time back. To briefly recapitulate, the utterances are not of the personalized God Krishna, the Charioteer of Arjuna, nor are they meant only for Arjuna. In Advaitik context, even the word 'Vaasudeva' does not refer to Krishna, the son of Vasudeva, but connotes "Vasati-Iti-Divyati": That which 'Exists and Glows' (Asti and Bhaati), implying the All-Pervasive, Omnipresent Omnipotent Supreme Consciousness.  Now, on to the six passages (Sloka-s 13 to 20 of Chapter 12,Bhakti Yoga, from Sir Edwin Arnold's  "Song Celestial"), that exhort us how to lead our lives, to march on the path of progress towards life's Supreme Ideal of Eternal Bliss : 

     "Who hateth nought of all which lives, living himself benign, compassionate, from arrogance exempt,  exempt from love of self, unchangeable by good or ill,  patient, contented, firm in faith, mastering himself, true to his word, seeking Me heart and soul, vowed unto Me, -- that man I love! "      

"Who troubleth not his kind, and is not troubled by them,  clear of wrath, living too high for gladness, grief or fear, ---  that man I love! "      

"Who dwelling quiet-eyed, stainless, serene, well-balanced, unperplexed, working with Me,  yet from all works detached, --- that man I love! "     

 "Who fixed in faith of Me, dotes upon none, scorns none, rejoices not and grieves not, letting good or evil hap, light when it will, and when it will depart, --that man I love! "  

"Who unto friend and foe keeping an equal heart, with equal mind bears shame and glory, with an equal peace takes heat and cold, pleasure and pain,  abides quit of desires, hears praise or calumny in passionless restraint,  unmoved by each, linked by no ties to earth, steadfast in Me, ---  that man I love ! "   

" But most of all, I love those happy ones to whom it is life, to live in single fervid faith, and love unseeing, drinking the blessed  Amrit of my Being! "