Whom is he asking for alms? He says, ‘Bhiksham Dehi’. ‘Dehi’ refers to the In-dweller (God). This body, made of five elements is bound to perish one day or the other. The In-dweller has neither birth nor death. He has no attachment whatsoever. Truly speaking, the In-dweller is God Himself. So the beggar addresses the In-dweller, not the master or mistress of the house. He asks alms from God. All have to ask alms from God. God can give us everything like money, education, knowledge, intelligence etc. Whatever you have acquired from God has to be shared with one and all. Only when your wealth is shared with others will it remain with you forever. Sacrifice is very essential for man. It is the stepping stone to immortality. Mothers are prepared to give up their life for the sake of their children. Irrespective of the fact whether you love your motherland or not, love your mother. Lord Rama said that the mother and the motherland are greater than heaven itself. Such an ideal of Rama is forgotten today. Mere chanting of Rama’s name will not suffice; it is only when you follow His command can you be called a true devotee. The Ladies’ day serves as a reminder that one should revere and love one’s mother and never hurt her feelings.
Sankaracharya posted two sentinels in his ashram who went round repeating ‘Tasmat Jagratha Jagratha’ (Beware). It so happened that one day Sankaracharya was thinking of his worldly achievements and material gains. As he came to the doorstep, he heard the sentinels repeating, ‘Tasmat Jagratha Jagratha’, which made him realise his folly. Then he declared,
Janma dukham jara dukham
Jaya dukham punah punah,
Antya kale Maha dukham,
Tasmat jagratha, jagratha
Birth, old age and death are full of sorrow.
The final moments are most pathetic.
So beware, beware!
In this context the Vedas declared, ‘Arise and awake and stop not till the goal is reached.’ (SSS Vol.31, pp. 404- 405)
Worldly experiences are dreams. Nothing is permanent. Anityam Asukham lokam – the world is temporary and sorrowful.
Mata Nasti, Pita Nasti, Nasti Bandhu Sahodarah
Artham Nasti, Griham Nasti, Tasmat jagrataha jagrataha
Mother, father, brother, relatives,
Wealth, home-all unreal. Therefore beware, beware!
All relations are to do with the body. They are based on attachment, not on love. Attachment is bondage. Knowing this all too well, we still desire them and descend into bondage. (SSB 1995, p. 51)