Bhaja Govindam Verse- 8

काते कान्ता कस्ते पुत्रः

संसारोऽयमतीव विचित्रः ।

कस्य त्वं कः कुत आयातः

तत्त्वं चिन्तय तदिह भ्रातः ॥ ८॥

kaate kaantaa kaste putraH

saMsaaro ayamatiiva vichitraH

 kasya tvaM kaH kuta aayaataH

tattvaM chintaya tadiha bhraataH… (8)

The realistic view on life’s situation may not be to our liking; but it will give clarity of thought necessary for a true spiritual aspirant. The Acharyas seldom despise earthly relation of husband and wife, father and son, etc. The scriptures assert the sanctity of such relationships that form the moral foundation of society. But spiritual aspirant should be keener and contemplate more. We must wonder who we really are. Before my birth, who I was, where I was ? Who was my wife before our marriage ? A daughter of somebody. One fine morning she entered my life. Like this, I have no clue who were my sons or daughters. After death, all these relationships come to an end, whether we like it or not; whether we accept it or not. Yet people foolishly think all this is permanent. Strange indeed are the ways of the world. The more we brood on the transient nature of all these things, the more we will come closer to truth, which will be a good beginning for spiritual life.

Spiritual aspirants should not misunderstand that family life is the end and aim of life. All earthly relations will come to an end, sooner or later. Hence we should understand that God alone is our true relative: he alone is our mother, our father, our relative, our friend. Do your duty to wife and children; but give your love only to God.

The wife of this life may not be that of the next one; the same is the case with other relatives. The Upanishads tell the story of a husband and wife whose only son died. They were so grieved that they approached a holy man and pleaded with him to resurrect the dead son. The holy man tried to convince that it is a futile task. The son, anyway has to die at a later date; It doesn’t make any difference even if he gets another span of life. However, the attachment on the son was too much, and the sorrowful parents did not accept any excuses. At last, the holy man had to apply his supernatural powers and wake up the boy from the dark realms of death. Responding to the holy ministrations, the boy opened his eyes and looked around. The holy man asked him: “Aren’t you happy to come back to life? Don’t you recognize your parents? Here is your mother crying for your coming back; Here is your father waiting for you to open your eyes….’’ The boy looked puzzled and asked the holy man: “I cannot understand anything. Which father are you talking about ? Which mother ? Sometimes I was a son, sometimes father, I was mother, I was husband. Now I don’t know about which parents you are talking about. Leave me alone; let me go back from where I came”. This story precisely tells us the facts of life, though harsh.

These earthly ties are transitory. Today they seem to be the be-all and end-all of life, and tomorrow they vanish. Your real tie is with God.