Message of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Sookti – May 25, 2020 – Mysore
Compiled by: Parimala Eshwarla
Prathamē nārjitā vidyā, dviteeyē nārjitaṃ dhanaṃ
Tŗuteeyē nārjitaṃ puṇyaṃ, caturthē kim kariṣyati?
What is it that a person can achieve at the time of death – when he has not utilized his early years for acquiring proper education, when he did not acquire money during the middle portion of his life and when he did not use his old age to engage himself in charitable deeds, in rituals, in serving Sadguru and other such good deeds that earn merit. Barring lamenting there is nothing he can do in this last stage!
Manō imē mānavāh- for being related to Manu (the first human on earth), human beings are called mānava. It was Manu who laid down the detailed dos and don’ts of human behaviour. The directives laid down by him are called Manu dharma shastras. He classified the entire human longevity into 4 divisions and clearly specified what should be done in each stage of life.
Time is without beginning and ending. It is indivisible, immeasurable and does not deplete. In it, all time periods are not the same. A striking difference is visible between summer and monsoon. Winter differs from Summer. In according to that season, our life-style takes on certain disciplines.
Likewise, human life is classified into 4- infancy, childhood, youth and old-age. This sookti says that the first 20 years of life are known as the first stage of life. Thereafter, up to the age of 50, it is middle aged (youvanna). The next decade is vārdhaka and beyond it is vruddhapya (old-age).
If the person does not properly complete the activities prescribed for each of these stages of life, his life is a sheer waste. It is devoid of essence. It is lustreless.
The first 20 years must be utilized for equipping oneself with all the different types of knowledge necessary for a good future. In this stage the children are freed from other tensions and troubles. Their minds are not weighed down by stress and problems and they should not be weighed down with stress either. They do not have many desires and they should not also have many desires. Therefore, they must utilize this time for acquiring the different types of knowledge. They must focus on their studies and concentrate and through this acquire great renown.
The second stage spans from 20-50 years. This is the stage when he marries, has children, and leads a happy life with his family. Since money is the most important criteria to lead a comfortable life, in this stage he must work and earn. Using intelligence and with proper efforts, while ensuring that his efforts are righteous and lawful, he can earn sufficiently and provide his dependants with comfortable life.
The third stage 50-60 is meant for engaging in charitable activities. This is the stage that comes just before old-age sets in. He must now focus on mantra, japa, and other rituals.
In fact, these good activities must be performed through all the four stages. However those who have not utilized the first two stages for these deeds must necessarily engage in them now.
What can a man, who has not utilized his three stages of life, fruitfully, do in this last stage of life? When his teeth have all fallen off, when skin is sagging, mobility is restricted, vision is diminishing, – what is it that he can then do?
At this stage barring experiencing the results of his past actions, there is nothing he can do. There is no new action he can engage in.
This sookti thus reminds us that we must complete those actions that are specified for that stage of life.