[Advaita-l] Jagadguru Speaks: Remain Equanimous in All Circumstances

[S Jayanarayanan]

(Around the beginning of the month, a nugget of Wisdom from the Jagadguru may be posted
on the Chaturamnaya list : http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/chaturamnaya )
 
 
All through his life, man is confronted by repeated cycles of 
joy and sorrow, profit and loss, and the like. We see that this 
is well within the experience of everyone. Only when a jiva 
(individual soul) attains moksha (liberation from the cycle of 
births and deaths) can it experience eternal happiness. 
 
However, moksha cannot be attained so easily. When such is 
the case, man must at least steadfastly resolve to remain 
equanimous in times of happiness and sorrow. Whatever be 
the joy experienced or the difficulty that confronts, man must 
remain calm and equipoised. 
 
Some people behave contrary to this. During times of joy, 
they get carried away in euphoria and celebration, completely 
oblivious to everything else. As a consequence of this attitude, 
their ahankara (ego) increases and they also interact with 
others in a disrespectful manner. This is not correct. 
 
In similiar manner, when confronted with difficulties, they 
completely drown themselves in grief. This is also not correct. 
 
If the mind realises that such alternating circumstances are 
but passing clouds, then it is indeed possible to remain calm 
and peaceful under any circumstance. In this regard, our 
forefathers cite the Sun as an example: 
 
उदेति सविता ताम्रः ताम्र एवास्तमेति च |
सम्पत्तौ च विपत्तौ च महतामेकरूपता ||
 
It means that the Sun is red in colour, both at sunrise and 
sunset. Similarly, the wise remain equanimous in all life 
situations, regardless of the joy or misery these situations 
bring forth. The mental framework of the wise does not 
oscillate amid all the ebb and flow of life. 
 
If man understands this well, then no life situation can 
jeopardise his sense of balance. Thus, with a mature and 
discerning mind, he will remain in peace.