This world is a unique creation of God. It is full of diversity. It is natural, therefore, for comparisons to occur in this world. But if in personal lives we get engulfed in the endless cycle of comparisons and comments, the path of life will become thorny. Unnecessary comparisons with all and sundry, and in every matter, generates jealousy and ill-will and this in turn leads to mental tension and suffering. We must get out of this negative mindset.
We should realize that in this universe every work of the Creator is unique and without copy. Every creation has its own beauty and identity, its own color and texture, its own nature and distinct features. It has also its own limitations. A swimming fish in the pond cannot be compared with a monkey frolicking on trees. What comparison is there between a mud born lotus and a garden rose, or a summer fruit like mango with an apple of the cold regions? We cannot compare the Brahmkamal which is found in the deep interiors of the icy Himalaya with the Tulsi plant which daily spreads its fragrance in our courtyards. Thus, every work in nature is unique in itself. We just have to observe them and wonder at the artistry and aesthetics of their creator-artist.
The same is true for human beings. Every person has taken birth with a special purpose to perform a specific duty. He has been sent to add to the beauty of this earth-garden. The need is to recognize one’s inherent nature and the assigned goal in life, what is the hidden thought-emotion which is yearning to get expressed, what is the latent talent which is set to add a new dimension to the beauty of the creation, what is the original being which lies only within oneself and that has been waiting for many births to come out into the open? Only those who are able to find answers to these questions are able to recognize their native originality.
Indeed, our fundamental need is to recognize this originality rather than waste our time in fruitless comparison with others or imitating others. Every person is unique, only one of its kind. Every person is an aggregate of the thoughts, emotions and actions which have accumulated over endless cycle of birth and death; and which endow him with specific powers and attributes. Of course, there are some weaknesses too which one can refine and remove by dint of one’s endeavor.
It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. – Herman Melville”
Originality is determined by our innate nature, not by the outer form. This principle is especially applicable to the field of spirituality. The loquacious saint Maharishi Ramana, the epitome of childlike simplicity Ramkrishna Paramhansa, the brilliant orator Swami Vivekananda, the bohemian weaver Kabir, the shoe mender Ravidas, the dancer devotee Mirabai – all these persons might appear different beings outwardly, but at the level of consciousness all were liberated souls who had become one with the supreme element and were existing at the apogee of consciousness. In their external expressions, however, they differed from one another according to their different native individuality.
Thus, it would be totally meaningless to compare them with one another, or to assign mutual rankings to them. It would be a gross insult to the Nature. Every one of them made a distinct contribution to the upliftment of human nature. The need, therefore, is to recognize one’s own individuality, and at the same time understand the individualities of others. On this basis alone – by liberally accepting and appreciating the specific attributes of one another – can we live in harmony with others, and make a positive and meaningful contribution to the society. As for making progress in one’s own individual life, here too, inspiration can be drawn from those who are also onto the path of progress. We can adopt their virtues and make these as ladder for our own ascension in life. By comparing ourselves with others and getting mired in the cycle of jealousy-envy, tension and disquiet, we would only fall, not rise. There is no end to this vicious circle. The need is to refine our own personality and bring to the fore our own uniqueness and originality.
This is the highway to development—both material as well as spiritual. We have to first reform ourselves rather than the world at large, to first set our own house in order rather than correct others. The sooner we realize this truth, the better for us. This would be possible only by knowing our native originality, by rightfully expressing it and by refining it to perfection.
Everyone is equal in the eyes of the lawEmperor Jahangir was known to be indolent due to his addiction to wine and opium. But he was famous for his justice too. Once his beloved queen, Nur Jahan, was shooting arrows at the bats. The arrow hit the gardener and he died immediately. Gardner’s widow came to the court the next day and requested for justice. Upon investigation, they came to know that it was Queen Nur Jahan’s arrow that hit the gardener. Jahangir felt awkward as he couldn’t summon the queen in the court. He gave a sword to the widow and told her to kill him. He said, “Nur Jahan made you widow, you take this sword and kill me and make her widow.” Emperor’s generosity and justice melted her heart and she bowed her head in front of the emperor.
“Always be a first rate version of yourself, instead of a second rate version of somebody else. – Judy Garland”
Source: Akhand Jyoti Magazine May-June 2019