Ceaseless change is the nature of this world. Rising from mud and back to mud is the story of every being. Seasons change, weather changes, night to day and evening to morning.
The moon waxes and wanes, the body is born, grows fat and thin, young and old, healthy and diseased, then finally dies. Buffetted by these continuously changing patterns, man is tossed around mercilessly. He clings helplessly to a situation, a person, a job, expecting permanent joy, but to what avail? One searches for a secure dependable support, he feels he has found one, but alas, soon the support is wrenched out of his grip by change and he is left helpless.
As a little girl, the walls of my room were adorned with characters from the Disneyworld. Then I put up pictures of my parents. They were my world. As a teenager, my walls were quickly adorned by handsome looking tennis stars. Soon enough they were replaced by “oh so captivating” actors.
I would never change those charming faces that smiled at me from those walls. Aha, and then I met this charmer, my beloved, and up went his picture. Down came that picture when my little daughter was born. My fascination changed with anything that promised permanent joy.
Either the object left me or I left the object. Soon the harsh truth dawned on me that one can depend on nothing for permanent joy, not even one’s own mind. What is the support of a drowning man? Only a lighthouse that stands on the firm bedrock of the ocean is unaffected by the huge rafters attacking it. Man clings to those breaking rafters.
The picture on my wall now is my only refuge, my Lord. Depending on the one who never deserted His devotee, I seek shelter at His feet alone. Hold the hand of Him who will never let go.
Prarthna Saran, President Chinmaya Mission Delhi.