Seek the Bliss

Koorathazhwan, a disciple of Sri Ramanuja. He was a wealthy man in Kooram near Kanchipuram, he was also a devout person. He would not close the door of his house until he heard the gates of the Varadaraja Temple close. His concept was Varadaraja may visit his home anytime and his doors should be open to receive the Lord. Such an ardent devotee. He renounced everything to become Ramanuja’s disciple. His wife who accompanied him on this quest, hid something in her sari and kept looking hither and thither in fear. He asked her what she was afraid of, and hesitatingly, she showed him the gold plate she had taken for him to eat food, as he was used to such luxuries, and she was scared they would be waylaid in the forest they were crossing. He told her ‘Throw it away. We have renounced everything; how does it matter if we eat in a gold plate or an earthen bowl’.

When will one reach this equanimity of mind? A fish does not bother whether it is put in a gold bowl or plastic bowl or a glass bowl. Its happiness is not dependent on the type of bowl. All it needs is water. Similarly the soul is not concerned about inhabiting a rich man’s body or a poor man’s, a healthy person’s body or a sick person’s. It seeks Bliss.

What is Bliss? The highest state of being unruffled by joy or sorrow. Only that state will give you everlasting Bliss. People are assuming that by becoming rich, they can be happy. They are mistaken. It is not so.

I don’t have any karmas. So I am happy and free. You can also enjoy this. This is Mukthi (Liberation).