From a New Year’s Message of Paramacharya of SWAHA, Pt. Hardeo Persad
On this New Year’s Day, as we step into another cycle of time, many devotees naturally turn toward the question of what the year ahead may hold. While certain indications present themselves, the scriptures remind us that self-effort remains of utmost importance. Destiny may offer direction, but it is our actions, rooted in right conduct, that shape our journey. When we do what is right, right results inevitably follow.
Today is Trayodasi, an especially auspicious day for the worship of Shivaji. Lord Shiva embodies the spirit of dispassion (vairaagya), a state that frees us from attachment and clears the internal obstacles that hamper our progress. Through His worship, the poisons that afflict human life are removed, the most harmful of which is materialism. When detachment is cultivated, we become like the lotus in water: drawing nourishment from our surroundings while remaining pure. We can live fully in the world without being tainted by it, for our true nature is divinity.
The worship of Shivaji removes negativity from our lives and nurtures the spiritual quality of detachment, one of the four essential qualifications for liberation. This year, devotees are encouraged to place renewed focus on the worship of Bhagavan Shankar. It is said that in this age of Kalyug, Lord Shiva is best worshipped in the form of the Shiv Lingam.
Today is also Thursday, the sacred day of the Guru, symbolising right principles, wisdom and teachings. Adding to the auspiciousness is the presence of Rohini Nakshatra, the beneficial constellation under which Bhagavan Shree Krishna was born to relieve the burdens of His devotees. All these external signs point to a year full of positive potential. Yet, it must be remembered that there must be right and principled effort, or even the most favourable indications will bear no result.
The Jagad Guru is Leela Purushottam, Bhagavan Shree Krishna, whose teachings in the Bhagavad Gita prepare us to face challenges with clarity and courage. Success, Shree Krishna teaches, arises through self-effort, and each of us possesses the internal strength to stand firmly on our own two feet.
No one can take away another’s karma. As the Bhagavad Gita has taught, man lifts himself by himself, and man sinks himself by himself. Each individual is responsible for their evolution and liberation.
Shree Krishna further cautions us to guard against the three gateways to suffering: desire, anger and greed, which lead to pain, grief and turmoil. By nature, each of us is divine. Suffering arises only when we live out of alignment with that divinity. Our karma determines whether we rise or fall, and the path that leads us out of bondage is unconditional surrender.
Let this New Year be one of clarity, right effort, spiritual advancement and worship of the Divine.
