A furore was raised recently on the fundamental rights of living beings. The pertinent question going around was who is to decide what to eat and what not to eat. Is this the decision of an individual living being or a governing body? In the broader sense, does one earn the liberty on the choice of food as soon as one is born? The answer is ‘No’. Not only human beings, but all the species on this planet depend on mother nature or the Omnipotent Supreme Personality of Godhead to provide them their basic need of food and water.
A child cannot decide what is good for him or her. Likewise, a sick person cannot decide what is good for him or her. Though he may yearn for some sumptuous meals, he has to follow the doctor’s advice. A similar situation on the choice of foods exists in the regions where there is severity of atmospheric conditions or cultural limitations or financial problems. Sometimes the choice of food is also attached to religious sentiments. One cannot eat everything available as everyone has limited means of eating. One cannot eat as much quantity as one wants, due to the limits of his body capacity and so on. So, what do we do? We follow the dharma of tolerance, isn’t it?
What is dharma? Dharma means that which holds the individual, family, society, country―in sum, the whole world, together. Where there is dharma, there can be no conflict. For dharma enables a way of life that enables peace and harmony, truth and justice. When the path of dharma is abandoned, you find yourself following adharma, which is just the opposite.
We have been brought nearer by science physically, but our hearts are apart now. Cultivation of love can remove this distance between hearts. We tolerate limitations, for those whom we have love and affection. We tolerate for our family, but we tend to forget this when there is some other motive or interest. If circles are drawn with different centres, circumferences will cross. If there is one centre, there may be small or big circles, and there will be no crossing.
When human beings lose the capacity to understand difference between civilisation and non-civilisation, good and bad, they lose everything. There is one pithy saying to know the criterion to understand what is good and bad, beneficial and non-beneficial: ‘When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; and when character is lost, everything is lost.’
Sreela Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupad preached the doctrine of divine love as per the teachings of Lord Sree Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He explained that developing love for Supreme Personality of Godhead Sree Krishna—the Absolute Whole—will foster love for all. When somebody loves someone, he loves his/her as a whole. He will not love one part of the body of the lover.
In English it is said: If you love me, love my dog also. This means when someone loves God, then naturally he will develop love for all creation of God, including human beings. A lover of God, will never commit violence against anyone. Non-violence as well as tolerance is automatic in the culture of pure love. Love of God is the greatest force on earth, which can bring unity of hearts among all human beings.
Scriptures invoke that among all spiritual practices, Sri Harinam-sankirtan is the best and the most effective sadhan to attain ‘Krishnaprema’ or love for Godhead in ‘Kaliyuga’. This spiritual practice of ‘Nama-sankirtan’ is a universal religion under which banner, people of all sects and ranks can unite.
B V Vaman Maharaj is In-charge, Sree Chaitanya Gaudiya Math, Chandigarh
