Like a Lotus Leaf in Water - पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा

March 5, 2011

Champak256 has kindly contributed an updated version of his speech at the Gita Jayanti oratorical competitions held in February 2011 in Singapore. Thank you champak....

Be Like a Lotus Leaf in Water

Respected Judges and Friends

During a Q&A with Gurudev Swami Chinmayananda, there was a man who was constantly talking, who just would not stop. Later, someone asked Gurudev, “Did that man annoy you?” Smiling, Gurudev answered, “As the man was talking, the oscillations reached my ear, in my ear, they vibrated my timpanum, which sent signals to my brain, my brain, in turn, sent messages to my head to nod up and down. Why should I get annoyed? I stand apart.” This is what it means to be like a lotus leaf in water.

Gurudev was in Uttarkashi with his guru, Swami Tapovan Maharaj. The year was 1951. India was newly independent. Gurudev saw India, suffering because it had been led away from its Hindu roots in the Gita and Upanishads. He decided that the Bhagavad Gita’s message should be taught to everyone. Not just the priests and Brahmins, but everyone; regardless of age, gender, or caste. He started giving talks about the Bhagavad Gita, for everyone, in English; the language of the educated of India. The orthodox priests and Brahmins were outraged. How could he teach the sacred knowledge of the Gita to women, children, and people who weren’t Brahmins? They cursed him that his tongue would grow thorns and fall out because of the sacrilege he was committing. Gurudev continued, unaffected by the curses and criticism directed towards him.

In the same way, a lotus leaf, even though it grows and lives its entire life in muddy lakes, when you take it out of the water, all the water rolls right off.

In Chapter 5 of the Gita, Shri Krishna says, “ब्रह्मण्याधाय कर्माणि सङ्गं त्यक्त्वा करोति यः । लिप्यते न स पापेन पद्मपत्रमिवाम्भसा ।।” which can be translated as, “The realized man who gives up all attachments, and dedicates all his actions to Bhagwan is untainted by sin, like a lotus leaf in water.” This basically means that if you give up all attachments, and dedicate all your actions to Bhagwan, you will not be tempted to sin, even if you are surrounded by people who want you to. But it is nearly impossible for the human mind to give up all attachments; it would be blown away at the first sign of turbulence. That is why we must attach ourselves, dedicate ourselves, to something higher, Bhagwan.

Gurudev often told stories to explain difficult ideas. These stories helped me understand this topic, so I am sharing them with you.

I heard a story of a great freedom fighter called Rajaji. He was traveling on a train with his family and friends. His friend put his hand out the window to feel the breeze. Suddenly his diamond ring slipped off his finger. “My ring” everyone was confused. “Where did it fall? How could you be so careless? We should stop the train, pull the chain, oh no,” and there was great tumult. For some reason, Rajaji sat where he was, staring out the window, seemingly impervious to the situation. His wife shook him, telling him, “Don't just sit there, do something!” but he continued to ignore them. When the train came to a stop at the next station, they told the station master. The station master said, “There are 50 kilometers between this station and the previous; to find the ring would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.” Unexpectedly, Rajaji surprised everyone by saying, “There are 36 telegraph poles from the place where the ring dropped to this station.” So that was what he was doing when he seemed to be staring out the window. Rajaji’s counting was correct, and they soon found the ring.

Rajaji kept his cool in the midst of confusion and excitement; ergo, he was able to take the most effective action.

The lotus leaf, attached to the lotus itself, is unaffected by the muddy water. It is able to protect the lotus, allowing it to bloom, spread its fragrance, and dispel bad aromas. The message of the lotus leaf is clear. When we are attached only to our true self, we will be unaffected by the ups and downs of life, and our agitations and confusions will roll off, allowing our true self will shine forth. Our vasanas will leave us, blessing us with bliss.

Thank You 

Hari Om and Namaskar until the next post