Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?

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Quotations serve as powerful tools for conveying messages with authenticity. This content highlights notable quotes and incidents that underscore moral and ethical lessons, emphasizing the value of respect for women and understanding the concept of the soul’s continuity. It references Ramcharitmanas, discussing themes of justice, devotion, and surrender to the divine, illustrated through Lord Ram’s dialogue with Bali. Philosophers like Bertrand Russell and Chanakya stress the importance of practicality in beliefs and relationships, arguing that doubt and a balanced approach are essential to navigate life’s complexities. Such wisdom can guide individuals through challenges.

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Quotations are statements made by an important celebrity, and others use them to refer to that statement. They can be from any scripture, book, periodical, or source in print or electronic media. Quotations are powerful tools for conveying a message with authenticity.

Elaborating on this, a reference to an incident from Ramcharitmanas would be appropriate. It was the incident of Bali’s death. Bali, a powerful Vānar king of Kishkindhā, was killed by Lord Ram while he was in a duel with his younger brother Sugreeva. Bali had snatched the legitimate rights and the wife of his younger brother.

While on the deathbed, Bali complained about the “injustice” to Lord Ram, saying why had he killed him that too, deceiving him while he was in a duel with his brother. Reprimanding Bali, Lord Ram said that the wife of the younger brother, sister, and wife of one’s son is like a daughter. There is no sin in killing those who have ill will and vicious intentions. Tulsi Das Ji has described beautifully in his epic book. He wrote:

"Anuj Badū Bhagini Suta Nāri,
Sunu sath kanya sam e chāri
Enahi Kŭdristi Vilokai Joi,
Tāhị Badhe Kachu pāp na Höie."

It is the utmost respect a woman must get and is the essence of Indian ethos and thought process. In the current world, when one hears a lot about atrocious behaviour and gender-based crimes, it becomes all the more important and relevant. 

Tulasi Das was a spiritual poet who did commendable work towards the unification of society. In those times of social compartmentalisation, he successfully tried to unite various sects with a common spiritual thread. In one verse he sums up the feelings of total surrender to Almighty who is omnipresent, omnipotent but compassionate and benevolent. He writes:

"Jehi Vịdhi Nāth Hoi Hịt Mōrā,
Karau So Bēgị Dās Mai Torā"

The devotee here beseeches His blessings, praying to the Lord for his good the way the Lord wants because He is all-powerful. Total surrender is the essence of devotion when the devotee leaves himself free after consigning himself to the Supreme Soul, who is one and Absolute. It is the faith that gives a person strength and courage to do what otherwise seems challenging.

The same feeling is reflected in Gita when the Lord commands His devotee to surrender before Him. Leaving everything come in my shelter and I shall releive you from all worries and pains.

Sarvārdhmān Parityajah
Māmekam Sharanam Brajah

Ancient scriptures are treaties and storehouses of knowledge. They teach the human race many valuable things to lead a virtuous life with purpose. Gita teaches us about the continuity of life. Everything has a life. Holy Gita preaches that everything is perishable except for the soul – Atman – that never destroyed. It passes from one to another form like we change our cloths.

Na Jāyate Mriyate Vā Kadācin
Nāyaṁ Bhūtvā Bhavitā Vā Na Bhūyaḥ
Ajo Nityaḥ Sāśvato ’Yaṁ Purāṇo
Na Hanyate Hanyamāne Sarīre

The self-conscious is an abstract. Soul can neither be destroyed nor can be harmed or burned. No weapon can damage it nor does any fire can burn it.

The concept of continuity has been supported by scientific evidence. It is understood that cytoplasm can’t be created or destroyed; instead, it is passed down from generation to generation through progeny. This process is akin to the laws of energy, which also can’t be created or destroyed, although their forms can change.

The concept of the soul has found a place in many Indian philosophies. The philosophy of Buddha also underscores it but in a different way. The essence is that there is a continuity of life, and it manifests itself in a cycle of birth and death. Death is a type of reconstruction. The decomposition of a dead organism merges it with the five elements—Tera, Aqua, Ignis, Ventus, and Aether. They reconstitute and give rise to another life form.

Apart from the philosophical aspect that influences life, the practical and routine way also determines the course. One of the important things is belief. It leads to expectations, culminating in pain and dejection when are not met. The great English philosopher Bertrand Russell suggested not to dogmatically believe one thing or the other. Adding further, he says that one should entertain one’s ideas with some measure of doubt.

“I think we ought always to entertain our opinions with some measure of doubt. I shouldn’t wish people dogmatically to believe any philosophy, not even mine.”

Bertrand Russell

It is a real thing, which is glaring, too. The belief is good; it inculcates confidence in an individual, but the dogma leads to danger.

Life, at times, becomes precarious. It poses challenges and causes hardships that make an individual strong. Timidity and over-simplicity are impediments in fighting adversities. A person should not be very simple and over-innocent. It is impractical. The purest form of gold is not fit for jewellery design. Some amount of other metal, like copper, is to be added to make it hard enough to carve a piece of jewellery out of it. Similarly, one needs to have wit and tact to deal with adverse situations.

Sage Chanakya has also said it, albeit differently. Chanakya said that in the forest, straight trees are felled first. An oversimplistic person is impractical and suffers a lot. The conmen take advantage of their nature to hoodwink them.

A practical approach towards life and relationships is explained by various thinkers. Western thinkers have a more worldly approach. Leo Tolstoy, the famous Russian thinker, has said about social influence and relationships. He said:

“Influence in society, however, is capital which has to be economized if it is to last.”

Tolstoy

These quotes sum up the essence of life experiences, which help find ways in difficult situations and boost self-confidence in an individual.

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