Never Give-up Without Putting-in Sufficient Effort!

By H H Maa Purnananda

“Uddyamena Hi Siddhyanti Kaaryaani Na Manorathaih; Na Hi Suptasya Simhasya Pravishanti Mukhey Mrigaah.” – (Hitopadesh)

At the onset of the New Year 2024, may we all remain under the protection of Sree Guru Parampara so as to progress steadily upon our chosen Sacred Path. People resolve to change for better, with nobler thoughts, brighter ideas and more hard work to fulfil their ambitions. The brilliant thought of “change for better” lasts for a few days or weeks; or at the most for a month! Soon, the new challenges of life take over “the resolve of noble thought” and one falls back into the ditch of lower instincts and ignoble thoughts while facing unexpected, unpleasant circumstances and difficult situations.

Had it been so easy to be firm on the resolve to adhere to the nobler thoughts, then to put it in practice would not have been very difficult. Moreover, man has the tendency to give-up the resolve (Sankalp) even without sufficient effort put-in to achieve the set goal, mostly, when success was just round the corner! Best policy would be to continuously strive harder. Usually, most people do so for any material goal, but for the Higher and the nobler pursuits, people give-up too soon. In fact, on the Sacred Path, it is surely much more required to be steady and firm on one’s conviction.

Considering the given Shlok, it could be appropriate to understand “Uddyam” (effort or hard work), in light of Higher pursuits rather than the material ones. The devotees and seekers generally expect quick transformation, peace and harmony, elimination of sorrow, higher knowledge and so on as the outcome of their Sadhna; and that too, within a short time! The seeker has to be persistent and regular in Sadhna, disciplined and peaceful, cheerful from within and sincere in studying the Sacred Texts with firm faith and belief in the Guru, His Teachings and invaluable instructions. Again, without unswerving faith in the Supreme, none of these would work on this Path.

Here, the Shlok says that the accomplishment of any work is possible only by hard work and right effort, and not by only imagining so! The prey does not enter the mouth of a sleeping lion indeed! In pursuit of the Higher, man gets enchanted and impressed by the Knowledge and nobility of the Men-of-wisdom, the dynamic work of the Noble and the peace and harmony within and around the great Saints. This motivation is very important to begin with, but it is surely not sufficient to tread the Sacred Path. All the effort mentioned earlier would be very important for a devotee as well as a seeker and sooner one understands this, the better would it be for his transformation and evolution.

Once on this Path, the seeker would further have to strive constantly. It is often observed that firstly, people start this journey at a later age in life, and, by the time they truly get on to it, they find themselves to be physically quite unfit and dependant! So, good health and sufficient inclination along with dedication and discipline are also unavoidable. Considering all this, we understand as to why the Rishi-s and Sree Guru Parampara have prescribed all such Sadhna-s that are required to stay physically fit, mentally cheerful and intellectually agile to pursue the Sacred Path, surely, with the resolve “never to give-up without putting-in sufficient effort”.

Moreover, while going through the roller-coaster of life, man does hold on to the Higher when in trouble more than ever before; but, even though being under the shelter of a Guru, he does not get matured enough to prioritise his thought process constantly towards the Supreme. He gets overridden by the circumstances and continues to give priority to his worldly relationships, attachments and aversions, likes and dislikes, praise and censure, and so on. Therefore, he continues to suffer and ultimately he completely forgets about his Sacred Journey towards the Supreme, his own True Self! All his efforts as though go down the drain, and, unfortunately due to untoward deviation from the Sacred Path, once again he falls back into the cycle of death and birth.

This makes it further clear that the seeker is “never to give-up without putting-in sufficient effort” till the last breath, in the right direction, under the protection and refuge of Sree Guru Parampara; so that he would be blessed with the appropriate outcome of his “Uddyam” on the Sacred Path.

May the dawn of the year 2024 bring all the happiness and inner strength to dynamically pursue your chosen resolve.