Power of Hanuman's Work

As you start work - here's a question for you - are you disciplined about how you work and what you do every day?

From dawn to dusk, we work - all of us are engaged in some task or another. Many tend to work almost on autopilot. Happens, doesn't it? Sometimes, we engage in activities that may not be of use to us and results in waste of time. Distractions trouble us - it could be a colleague talking loudly in the phone, and we may do the same too, without realising we are distracting others at work.

                                       (Source: Radio Sai.org)

Often, we are not conscious of how this impacts the quality of our work and time, not to mention our energy and attitude to work. The way we work reflects in the minds of our children. They watch us and we barely realise what they imbibe.

Now life wasn't easy for our elders - in fact, they had none of the comforts that we do today. It wasn't as though they didn't have difficulties to handle. They managed bigger families and challenges than we can imagine. But they rarely complained and most of the elders were highly aware of maintaining discipline at work and in their homes, ensuring the emotional well-being of their children. 

Today's parents also complain their children are not making optimal use of time - but the truth is parents themselves are often guilty of the same thing. Children learn more by observing their parents and elders, which is why when most of us were growing up, we rarely heard elders use the words such as "loneliness", "boredom" or "depression". 

 Today, our homes are blessed with so many facilities and comforts. Yet there is a prevailing sense of discontent in general. As if nothing is ever enough, right? 

The time is ripe for us to revisit our Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas, which work as a meticulous roadmap that pinpoints the right way of living with discipline.

My guru Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba says, "The seed may be small, but it has the potentiality of growing into a gigantic tree. The seed has the capacity to grow into a tree, to yield fruits and thorns as well. Hence, caution should be exercised to sow only a seed that yields fruits and not thorns. Similarly, a flaw should be eliminated in the initial stage itself, since it is difficult to exterminate it when it assumes gigantic proportions. That is why the Upanishads laid down: Tasmai namah karmane—salutations to the work. Why should we salute Karma? We should make our actions pure, sacred and pleasing to the Lord. The Vedas also laid down that all work must be performed only for the pleasure of the Lord. Actions performed for the pleasure of the Lord will protect us one day or the other." (Summer Course in Indian Culture and Spirituality, May 1996)

[READ: Why Chant Ramayana in the month of Karkidakam]

As I reflect on Swami's words, my mind is instantly struck by the divine image of Hanuman as a precious lesson from the Ramayana. 

Hanuman's sole mission was to please Sri Rama, his beloved Master and Lord. He does not think of himself - the dangers that await him, he takes no short cuts, he does everything it takes to bring Ma Sita back.

When we examine every action of Hanuman, there is so much to understand! 

Every offering is laid with absolute humility before Sri Rama.

There is no sense of 'Doership' - the problem all of us struggle with when we work!

At no point did he begin to feel proud of his strength or think that without him, Sri Rama's mission would not succeed. 

Hanuman is ever humble and always seated at the feet of Sri Rama. 

Reflect on the essence of how we must work in this world as Hanuman did.

Make it a most beautiful offering that pleases the Lord. 

See how our attitude to work and the impact this has on the quality and discipline we show in how we work. [READ: Bhima's Devotion to Lord Krishna]

Feel the difference. Every single day.