This Universe is God. The size and complexity of the Universe is mind boggling. With all the modern means of communications at our disposal, we are still unable to comprehend the complexity and size of our planet, the solar system and our galaxy. We are also aware of the innumerable number of galaxies out there. When we compare our physical size with our earth we are extremely minute and when we compare earth with the universe out there, the earth is very minute. Things are not what they seem and knowing all this, we still strut around in our own self importance and ego.
There are over 84,00,000 unique species on earth. Each one has been provided with food, water and suitable environment for living its life on earth. There are sets of complex plans working simultaneously with great precision to keep the planet and the Universe running smoothly. We can only marvel at the Master Planner who plans and executes all this with such accuracy. And our knowledge covers only the life on earth. The Hindu Sacred Scriptures speak of spectacular worlds teeming with complex and varied forms of life.
We can never hope to understand in full the range and complexity of such detailed planning of life in the Universe. We can only trust that the Power behind all detailed planning takes care of our own needs. We see Divinity work in compassion and justice for all and understand that it is same for us. Things are rarely what they seem. We live in expectations and if any event shifts even a little bit from our efforts and plans, we do not understand why and blame God for everything. When any good event happens we are overjoyed and when something bad as per our thinking happens we are sad. We must understand that Divinity has its own plan for us and it is the best plan for us. So let us accept events as they take place and flow with river of life. The story below illustrates this truth:
There lived a poor farmer with his son. He had some land, a small hut and a horse which he had inherited from his father. One day the horse ran away and the farmer had no animal with which to work the land. His neighbours felt sorry for him and visited him to express their regret at the loss. The farmer thanked them for the visit and said: How do you know it is a misfortune? Everyone felt that the man did not wish to face the reality and hence was deluding himself with such words. But it was good that he felt this way as it would help him to face his loss.
A week later, the horse returned back to the farmer’s stable and it brought with it a beautiful mare for company. The neighbours were very happy for him and they understood the meaning of the reply the farmer had given to them before. They went and congratulated him on his good fortune. He replied: How do you know it is a blessing? The neighbours were taken aback and thought that the man had gone mad. They wondered why the farmer did not see the hand of God and His blessings behind the event.
A few weeks later, the farmer’s son decided to break the mare in. As he was riding her and trying to control her, the animal buckled wildly and threw the boy off. He fell down on the ground with force and broke his leg. The neighbours came in with condolences and presents to visit the boy. The chief of the village came in to present his condolences on the misfortune of the farmer. The farmer thanked everyone for the visit and asked: How do you know that is a misfortune? Everyone was definite that the farmer was mad with sorrow. He did not seem to know the difference between misfortune and fortune.
A few months later, the King of the land sent his generals to recruit more soldiers for the army. All the young men in the village were forcibly recruited into the army except the farmer’s son as he was unfit due to his leg which had not mended as yet. There was a big war with the neighbouring kingdom and all the young men of this village died. The farmer’s son recovered and could walk properly and use his leg well. The mare was sired by the horse and gave birth to two healthy foals which the farmer sold at a good price. The farmer went around and visited all his neighbours to console them as they were always considerate and helpful to him. When any of them complained, he said: How do you know it is a misfortune? When someone was overjoyed with something, he would ask: How do you know it is a blessing? The people of the village came to understand that things were not what they seemed. Life has many meanings which go beyond mere appearance. Things are not as they appear, but all that happens, happens only for good. We need to reflect back and see the truth and blessings of Divinity’s plans.
