Sunday, November 8, 2009

The Chariot of Victory

A warrior in the battle is victorious similarly a man in society is respectable if he has the following chariot possessing the defined qualities as Goswamiji explains in Lankakand .Lord Rama tells to Vibhishan , his bhakt, ..

Vibhishan was disconcerted when he saw Ravna mounted on a chariot and the
Hero of Ayodhya,Lord Rama without any. His great fondness for the Lord filled his mind with
diffidence; and bowing to His feet he spoke with a tender heart: .My lord, You have no
chariot nor any protection either for Your body (in the shape of armour) or for Your feet
(in the shape of shoes). How, then, can You expect to conquer this mighty Ravna.
.Listen, friend:. replied the All-merciful Rama, .the chariot which leads one to victory is quite
another. Valour and fortitude are the wheels of that chariot, while truthfulness and good
conduct are its enduring banner and standard. Even so strength, discretion, self-control
and benevolence are its four horses, that have been joined to the chariot with the cords
of forgiveness, compassion and evenness of mind. Adoration of God is the expert driver;
dispassion, the shield and contentment, the sword. Again, charity is the axe; reason, the
fierce lance and the highest wisdom, the relentless bow. A pure and steady mind is like
a quiver; while quietude and the various forms of abstinence (Yamas) and religious
observances (Niyamas) are a sheaf of arrows. Homage to the saints and to one.s
own preceptor is an impenetrable coat of mail; there is no other equipment for victory as
efficacious as this. My friend, he who owns such a chariot of piety shall have no enemy
to conquer anywhere..

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