Copyright@shravancharitymission
By Kamlesh Tripathi
By Kamlesh Tripathi
THE CORRELATION BETWEEN
KARMA AND TAPASYA
It is widely believed that Hinduism is not
a religion but a way of life, where one could continue to remain a Hindu even
without really practicing it. But when you run through the religious texts it doesn’t
say so, that simplistically. In fact, it won’t be a misnomer to say Hinduism is
all about good and bad Karma—and ‘Karma’ alone is the essence of
Hinduism. While Karma emanates from your mindset, tapasya (prolonged,
intense and rigorous form of meditation) is the versatile vehicle of
karma that takes you to your goal, and in case of any misdeeds it also acts as
the penance, to pull you through tough times. Hence, once could say a ‘Tapasya’
in many ways is only a planned and focused karma.
If you go through Hindu texts dispassionately
you would find, there were no free lunches, not even for Gods. Everyone had to
fight for each specific issue where opponents could not be taken for granted
just because someone commanded a superior position, breed, hierarchy or a better
brand. And, competitor intelligence then, was a vital strategy for survival.
While one could continue in life, being an average and inactive person. But for
Herculean, milestone and phenomenal achievements one had to go in for long and
arduous tapasyas where even Gods were not spared from the drill.
When Pandavas were exiled from their
kingdom, Lord God Krishna advised Arjun to obtain Divyastras (divine
weapons of various Gods) as that would have help Pandavas in the future, while combating
the Kauravas. But Divyastras were not available off the shelf, even when Arjun
was a very close sakha (friend) of Lord God Krishna. And for Divyastras
the only way out was to perform rigorous tapasyas to please respective Gods to bless
him with their weapon, which Arjun did successfully. Specific Devatas (God)
had specific powers but, no, one, Devata had all the powers vested in her or
him. Devatas on many occasions were even found weaker than asuras and danavs
since power and might were never a constant factor, as mentioned in the famous
and historic episode of Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) and
so Devatas often had to perform long tapasyas to win over asuras. And asuras
too were not behind in this, as they often performed mind boggling tapasyas to
obtain vardans (blessings) which they used for destructive purposes.
Ravan the king of Lanka had done a lifetime
of tapasya and was well entrenched as a tall pundit but his tapasya was not followed
by good karma and so all his knowledge went for a waste. So in Hinduism can not
one say both karma and tapasya work in tandem? Good karma with intense tapasya
will yield good results, while good karma with intense tapasya followed by bad
karma will only dilute the effects of tapasya. And as long as the arch of good
karma continues time shall be kind to you.
Let me also tell you another story that
will give you a flavour of how even Gods had to go in for intense tapasyas for specific
events as no one had unlimited powers, and how at times they had to be
interdependent on each other to attain
self goals by keeping aside their personal egos. And that is why it is said, it
is extremely difficult to shoo the ego in us. And every person has his ups and downs
in life where karma gives us the flexibility of adjusting to these ups and
downs through the prowess of tapasya.
Once when Lord Brahma (the creator of
universe) was narrating a story to Rishi Narad he said,
Dear Narad! Once
when Prajapati Daksh left for Mandirachal Parwat (Mandirachal Mountain), I too decided
to perform a difficult vrat (a religious practice to carry out certain
obligations with a view to achieve divine blessings for fulfillment of certain
desires) and started praying to Devi Jagbamba, wherein I repeatedly told her in
my prayers what I wanted. When Jagdamba was pleased with my vrat she gave me darshan
(divine audience). I bowed in respect and said ‘pranam Devi,’ she
asked. ‘Tell me Brahman! Why have you been praying to me so passionately, and tell
me soon.’
On hearing this,
I folded my hands and politely said—‘mother! A God named Rudra who happens to
be an avatar (incarnation) of God Sadashiv has insulted me. So, I desire you take
the form of Sati (Shiva’s first wife) and destroy his arrogance. Kindly take
birth as Prajapati Daksh’s daughter to attract God Sadashiv towards you.
Bhagwati! Barring you, there is no one else in this universe with the power to
attract him erotically. And in anticipation that you’ll accede to our request, and
so very excited to receive you as his daughter, Prajapati Daksh is already underway
his intense tapasya in Mandirachal Parwat.
On my saying
so Bhagwati was shocked and surprised beyond words and she even looked worried.
She said—‘what is this that you are saying Brahma ji? You want me to attract Lord
God Sadashiv, and for this malicious job you’re seeking my help. Therefore, in
reality whatever you’re doing is only Lord God Sadashiv’s criticism. And this
is a big mistake. Everyone knows I cannot do anything against God Sadashiv. Tell
me what will I gain by attracting the nirvikalp (that does not have an
alternative) God Sadashiv, as I am only like his menial maid. And for the
salvation of his devotees only he has taken the avatar of Rudra.
Lord God Sadashiv is the undisputed emperor of all the three Lokas. He
is also yours, and Lord Vishnu’s swami. Even in yoga, he is ahead of both of
you. I am indeed astounded to hear this foolish thought coming from you, where Lord
Brahma wants to captivate Lord God Sadashiv who happens to be the king of Maya
(the supernatural power wielded by
Gods and demons) and I am truly dumbfounded at this.’ And after saying
this Devi Jagdamba went back to meditation, when she received a message from
Lord God Sadashiv that without my blessings nothing happens. With my consent
only Sri Brahma and Prajapati Daksh are in intense vrat and meditation. So give
them the vardan and take birth in Prajapati Daksh’s family and I’ll
accept you. Important: Even Lord God Sadashiv had to seek interpersonal help in
a polite manner by requesting Devi Jagdamba.
After
receiving instructions from Lord God Sadashiv, Devi Bhagwati said, ‘Brahma ji—‘its
fine. I will try my best, so that Lord God Shiva falls for me, and marries me
as his second wife. As such there is no one in the world who can break Lord God
Shiva’s concentration and attract him sensually, and even I don’t have this power
and capacity. Nevertheless, I will endeavour to attract him after obtaining an
avatar to fulfil your desire.’ And after this she disappeared.
Meanwhile Prajapati Daksh was into deep and
rigorous tapasya in Mandirchal Parvat. He kept meditating for three thousand years.
In summers he used to meditate in the middle of fire and in severe winters he
used to immerse himself in cold water, and in between tapasyas he also obtained
proficiency in pranayam. At last when Bhagwati
was happy with his tapasya she gave him darshan.
Bhagwati Shiva knew everything and so she
said to Prajapati Daksh—I’m extremely happy with your tapasya and therefore you
can ask for a vardan (blessings). Daksh with folded hands said—Devi! If you are
happy with me then you please take birth in my family as my daughter, since Lord
God Sadashiv has taken a new avatar in the name of Rudra as Brahma’s son, and
there is no one to match him and therefore you too need to take an avatar to
marry him. For in the universe there is no other person who can do this. Brahma
ji for this very important work has sent me here to Mandirachal Parvat for a
long-long tapasya. Now you also with your attractive maya (illusions)
try and attract Lord God Sadashiv and oblige the world. Jagdamba said—‘it will
happen in this manner only.’ From your wife’s womb I shall take birth as your
daughter and to endear Lord God Sadashiv I will do intense tapasya. And after
saying all this Bhagwati Shiva disappeared as she had a long to-do-list to be
completed.
Karma is the opportunity to do important
things in life while tapasya the preparation and that alone differentiates
between the Devata and the man.
*****
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