No amount of wealth and fortune can supply the needs of the human soul. Amidst plenty, one is plagued by loneliness. Therefore, one is always seeking something to fill the void. The only true answer to this quest for a sense of spiritual fulfilment can be found in turning to God, says MAULANA WAHIDUDDIN KHAN
Men of fortune become subjects of envy to the people around them. They are considered fortunate for having succeeded in achieving worldly power and position. But do those who have managed to come to the top necessarily feel that this is so? Possibly not. Wealth is not all that man needs. It can at best serve the needs of the body, leaving the soul to starve.
The feeling of something missing disturbs one. The rich feel as helpless as a common man does. Faced with an inner vacancy, a yawning gap in the soul that has to be filled, one turns to something or the other for a sense of plenitude.
This fact is borne out by the real life story of Alfred Brush Ford, great grandson of Henry Ford. In spite of all the luxuries at his command Mr. Ford felt something missing in his life. His soul was not at rest; it was hankering after something else. In this state, when he was introduced to the Hare Krishna movement, he felt attracted to it as it seemed to answer and satisfy the cravings of his soul.
He joined the movement. Afterwards he married a Hindu girl, Dr Sharmila Battacharya who was associated with the movement. Here is a part of the interview he gave to the AP correspondent:
“I am not a car. I’m a spiritual soul, just like anyone else.” he said. “I’m only a Ford by name,” he further added.
No amount of wealth and fortune can supply the needs of the human soul. Material things do not become part of one’s being. The soul, therefore, cannot rest in things beneath Itself.
That is why, amidst plenty, one is plagued by loneliness. One is always seeking for something which can compensate this loss, which can fill the inner vacancy, which can become a part of one’s being. Often man is unable to understand this and goes sadly astray.
The only true answer to this quest for a sense of spiritual fulfilment can be found in turning to God, the Lord and Creator of everything.
To know the pains of power, we must go to those who have it; to know its pleasures, we must go to those who are seeking it. – Charles Caleb Colton.
(Featured image: Alfred Brush Ford with his wife Dr Sharmila Battacharya)
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, 95, is an Islamic spiritual scholar who has adopted peace as the mission of his life. Author of more than 200 books, he is known for his Gandhian views, and considers non-violence as the only method to achieve success.
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Truly, the ultimate fulfilment can be found in turning to God, fine tuning with Divinity is the only way to find the ultimate happiness that we always seek after.
A beautiful dialogue between Sage Sanat Kumar and his disciple Debarshi Narada who asks his Guru where to find the highest happiness also addresses this very question narrated in The Chhandogya Upanishad which is a point to ponder over.
Narada asks:
“ सुखं भगवो विजिज्ञास इति”,
Please tell Oh Lord! where to find highest happiness.
Sage Sanat Kumar replies:
“ यो वै भूमा तत् सुखं नाल्पे सुखमस्ति”
The highest thing can only guarantee the highest pleasure and not the trifling things we are after.
Maulana Ji, you have so beautifully addressed the same question and resolved that it can be found in “turning to God”. ??
So soothingly written.
Fill the void with God.
Really…. that is the only path to ananda.