Geethartha Chinthane 101: Understanding of universality eases grief

, Nov 22, 2024, 9:18 AM IST

Wise individuals do not grieve because they understand that death is universal and inevitable for everyone. Just as a mother does not blame the ground when her child falls, but instead consoles the child by empathizing with their pain, similarly, grief diminishes when we recognize its universality.

For instance, during a power outage, we feel a sense of relief knowing that our neighbors are also without power. Krishna carefully crafts his teachings, emphasizing that grief can be alleviated by realizing it is not exclusive to oneself.

The root cause of grief is the belief that “only I am suffering.” However, when we understand that sorrow is a shared human experience, it lightens the burden on the mind. A doctor, for example, encounters death daily but does not grieve like others because they recognize it as a natural occurrence.

Krishna uses the term nanu shochanti instead of just shochanti to highlight this difference. Grief amplifies when someone else is present to witness it. Even a child instinctively looks around after falling to see if anyone noticed, feeling more distressed if observed.

Wise individuals also experience grief, but it is not exaggerated or artificial. They understand the reality of life and death, ensuring their sorrow is genuine, not performative. This realization leads to equanimity in the face of life’s challenges.

~ Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Paryaya Sri Puthige Sri Krishna Matha

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