Lord
Dattatreya had twenty four gurus from whom he learnt valuable lessons. These
lessons are worth reflecting upon and following. We now go into detail about
the lessons he learnt from the Earth and Air When we read them we can also
understand why Earth and Air are worshiped in many cultures. In Hinduism,
Earth is called Bhu Mata or Bhu Devi meaning Mother Earth or Goddess Earth; and
Air is called Vayu Bhagwan or God of Air. When such worship is done, it ensures that the earth and air are used with
reverence and in suitable manner which means that the pollution and pillage of
earth and air are much lesser.
Earth
is mother to all the countless living beings who live, grow and died in her
lap. On the path of their evolution, 84,00,000 species of life forms take
birth, live and die on earth as per their karma. We plough, dig and tread on
earth. We pollute Her physically and in various other ways. We build houses and live on Her. The Earth
bears it all patiently. And She houses us, feeds us and takes care of us. Her
patience is matchless. Despite being treated badly and in this ungrateful
manner, the Earth does not go off Her course even by an inch. We must learn
these lessons from Mother Earth. We must not swerve from the path of discipline and practices taught by the Guru. We must hold on to patience, love, compassion
and understanding under all circumstances. We should dedicate our lives for
welfare of all beings like the Mother Earth. Only when we dedicate our lives to
higher purpose do we find peace in our lives.
Mother Earth personifies the qualities of
forgiveness and unselfishness. She has immense strength to bear burdens.
Dattatreya learnt these qualities from Her. Often a disciple’s progress is
slowed down due to his living in the past. A past pain, a trauma, or deep
insult has impact on our responses to similar situations in the present and
future. We are unable to leave the past and live afresh in the present. We view
life with the pain of past. We lose our capacity for innocence and enjoyment.
We project this quality in the outside world and also in our inner world. Such
approach to life shows that we lack self confidence and self trust. We reject
ourselves. In this state we will find it difficult to walk the spiritual path.
We
must learn from Mother Earth to let go and move on with trust and faith. She
has the most thankless task but does not hit back. She does not punish or
reject Herself. She is a reflection of Dharma. With great love and compassion
She supports all life. She had great capacity to hold Herself with faith and
also hold all others associated with Her. She gives of Herself in all ways that
we demand of Her, in the way the physical body gives of itself while holding the spark of
Supreme within.
Air:
Dattatreya observed that air was clean and pure. It had no smell. It was
odourless. Yet it carried fragrances of the flowers and trees and also the foul
smells polluting the earth without any discrimination or preferences. It took
on the smells for short time from the surroundings but after blowing for some
time became clean and pristine. The yogi
should live his life in the same way. He should not be affected by joys and
sorrows and by the pulls of sense objects. His heart and speech should be
unpolluted and pristine like the air.
Dattatreya
saw air as symbol of life – prana. Air pervades everywhere. It is like the Pure
Consciousness which is present in all creation. It is not affected by the
movements or changes in it. It is detached. Air taught him stillness in
movement.
