Kalpavrksa of Human Life on Earth
Indian scriptures have given figurative and metaphorical descriptions of subtler realms of reality, which were experienced by the sages and seers in their deep meditative state of sadhana. These descriptions have often been misconceived, when taken in their literal sense, without attempting to uncover their hidden meanings. One such victim of the ignorance of the masses is the description of Kalpavrksa.
Kalpavrksa, according to Indian scriptures, is a tree in the land of gods. Any one who sits under it can fulfil his desires. For example, if a person desires wealth then he will become rich. The story has it that when people on Earth came to know about its existence, they desperately went in search of it, for the simple reason that such a tree would be an invaluable asset to its possessor. Common ignorant people blindly and frantically chase happiness in the world outside - in pelf, possessions, power, name and fame - a futile search of Kalpavksa in the backyard. Mankind has been searching for kalpavksa for thousands of years, and tragically, no one has found it certainly not the one that fits the literal meaning, as imagined by people.
Spiritual scientists have discovered kalpavrksa and proved its authenticity. It definitely functions in the way explained so vividly in the scriptures. But there is a snag: we humans cannot see kalpavrksa. Although invisible, it is full of qualities ascribed to it by the scriptures. It works equally well on Earth as it does in the land of gods. We can benefit from it. But what is it? It is Satwic tapa, which means sincere effort and hard work to realise a specific noble aim. Several people in the ancient times were blessed with siddhis by the grace of deities by initiating, nurturing and developing the process of tapa. Selfless single pointed tapa was the only righteous means, the scriptures assert, to please the gods. Since deities grant valuable siddhis, with which one can accomplish any desired noble aim, it is but natural they assess the qualifications of the devotee before blessing him with siddhis. In the modern world too, one does not get a university degree unless one passes the requisite examinations. In deities book of wisdom, success is the jewel that decorates the personality of an industrious person. An idle, indolent person is incapable of handling unearned success or blessings.
A 14-year old, if given a gun, can injure himself and others too, and so adults take great care in such matters and keep a sharp eye on the activities of their children. The Almighty God too operates similarly. The possessor of valuable siddhis will be the one who deserves them. The test for such worthiness is: has one put in his best efforts to realise his desired aim (which must be noble and altruistic)?
It is possible that one may live in a prosperous, rich country but he may not be financially well off. On the contrary, one may be a successful businessman in a third world country. Without tapa, without efforts, without hard work, one cannot succeed. In this respect, the scriptures mention the episode of "samudra manthan".
The bottom line is, nothing is achievable without diligent efforts. Cases of persons inheriting a vast sum of money or a business empire are so rare that they cannot be considered to deduce a general rule. Furthermore, such cases can be explained by the sudden manifestation of the results of previous sanchit (accumulated) karmas. Such persons, thus, cannot be construed as undeserved recipients of fortune. Karma means action, and if a particular karma gives good results, it means karma was performed with dedication. The same criterion applies to beneficial sanchit karmas.
The entire universe works under a perfect law. There is no scope for random chance. In this respect saint Kabir has said:
These verses convey the meaning that Lord Rama* keeps tab on everyones activities and grants results commensurate with the efforts. Therefore, the principle of "As you sow so shall you reap" is widely observed in the world. Those who work hard succeed; those who remain idle are seen blaming fate for their piteous condition. Through sincere effort and hard work, the capacities hidden in a human being are manifested on the basis of which a person can achieve anything he aspires for just as if he would be sitting under the kalpavksa.
The key to success is meticulous, focused, unrelenting efforts; these can bring knowledge, wealth, fame, heavenly conditions, happiness and peace. Tapa means to sacrifice mundane pleasures and perform noble deeds in the hope of a golden tomorrow. God helps those who help themselves this is an irrevocable principle.
Suppose we were to find a tree on Earth which functions like kalpavksa. Would it prove useful to people? No. Rather, it would turn out to be harmful. Imagine the resulting rush, the scramble, the conflict and chaos, if people were allowed to fulfil any desire for free, without any efforts. It would create a state of complete anarchy. Also, since this would amount to the fulfilment of desires without putting in hard work, it would corrupt the minds of people.
Cautioning people to the dangers of unearned wealth and siddhis (misusing hard-earned wealth and siddhis), scriptures mention a tale of a person who sat under the kalpavksa. He was thirsty and wished to drink water. A glass of water appeared before him out of thin air. Delighted by the magical response, he wished for delicious food, new clothes, the possession of a kingdom, etc. As he began leading a suitably comfortable life, he feared a lion might come and kill him. His wish came true. He was devoured by the lion!
The moral of the above story is clear. Unworthy persons cannot handle precious siddhis. And therefore the Almighty has so organised Nature that this never happens. Even if it does happen, that particular siddhi makes a guest appearance in the persons life and then disappears.
Enthusiasm, alertness, diligence, courage, patience, determination to face and overcome difficulties are signs of tapa.
A person is called a siddha if he endeavours to develop these qualities for the pursuit of his aims. All the siddhis attributed to the kalpavksa are then acquired by him, and he becomes competent to achieve anything worthwhile. Anyone who fancies leadership, skills, wealth, fame, knowledge, etc. should become a tapasvi first. He has to give up laziness and instead develop qualities associated with tapa.
One must remember that tapa is the kalpavrksa. Any successful person in the world has been a tapasvi. Infuse your life with enthusiasm and tapa if you wish to succeed in your noble ideals.
Note: Here saint Kabir refers to the Almighty God when he talks about Lord Rama.
Kalpavrksa, according to Indian scriptures, is a tree in the land of gods. Any one who sits under it can fulfil his desires. For example, if a person desires wealth then he will become rich. The story has it that when people on Earth came to know about its existence, they desperately went in search of it, for the simple reason that such a tree would be an invaluable asset to its possessor. Common ignorant people blindly and frantically chase happiness in the world outside - in pelf, possessions, power, name and fame - a futile search of Kalpavksa in the backyard. Mankind has been searching for kalpavksa for thousands of years, and tragically, no one has found it certainly not the one that fits the literal meaning, as imagined by people.
Spiritual scientists have discovered kalpavrksa and proved its authenticity. It definitely functions in the way explained so vividly in the scriptures. But there is a snag: we humans cannot see kalpavrksa. Although invisible, it is full of qualities ascribed to it by the scriptures. It works equally well on Earth as it does in the land of gods. We can benefit from it. But what is it? It is Satwic tapa, which means sincere effort and hard work to realise a specific noble aim. Several people in the ancient times were blessed with siddhis by the grace of deities by initiating, nurturing and developing the process of tapa. Selfless single pointed tapa was the only righteous means, the scriptures assert, to please the gods. Since deities grant valuable siddhis, with which one can accomplish any desired noble aim, it is but natural they assess the qualifications of the devotee before blessing him with siddhis. In the modern world too, one does not get a university degree unless one passes the requisite examinations. In deities book of wisdom, success is the jewel that decorates the personality of an industrious person. An idle, indolent person is incapable of handling unearned success or blessings.
A 14-year old, if given a gun, can injure himself and others too, and so adults take great care in such matters and keep a sharp eye on the activities of their children. The Almighty God too operates similarly. The possessor of valuable siddhis will be the one who deserves them. The test for such worthiness is: has one put in his best efforts to realise his desired aim (which must be noble and altruistic)?
It is possible that one may live in a prosperous, rich country but he may not be financially well off. On the contrary, one may be a successful businessman in a third world country. Without tapa, without efforts, without hard work, one cannot succeed. In this respect, the scriptures mention the episode of "samudra manthan".
The bottom line is, nothing is achievable without diligent efforts. Cases of persons inheriting a vast sum of money or a business empire are so rare that they cannot be considered to deduce a general rule. Furthermore, such cases can be explained by the sudden manifestation of the results of previous sanchit (accumulated) karmas. Such persons, thus, cannot be construed as undeserved recipients of fortune. Karma means action, and if a particular karma gives good results, it means karma was performed with dedication. The same criterion applies to beneficial sanchit karmas.
The entire universe works under a perfect law. There is no scope for random chance. In this respect saint Kabir has said:
Rama jarokhe baithakara sabako mujara leya |
Jaisi jaki chakari taiso tako deya ||
These verses convey the meaning that Lord Rama* keeps tab on everyones activities and grants results commensurate with the efforts. Therefore, the principle of "As you sow so shall you reap" is widely observed in the world. Those who work hard succeed; those who remain idle are seen blaming fate for their piteous condition. Through sincere effort and hard work, the capacities hidden in a human being are manifested on the basis of which a person can achieve anything he aspires for just as if he would be sitting under the kalpavksa.
The key to success is meticulous, focused, unrelenting efforts; these can bring knowledge, wealth, fame, heavenly conditions, happiness and peace. Tapa means to sacrifice mundane pleasures and perform noble deeds in the hope of a golden tomorrow. God helps those who help themselves this is an irrevocable principle.
Suppose we were to find a tree on Earth which functions like kalpavksa. Would it prove useful to people? No. Rather, it would turn out to be harmful. Imagine the resulting rush, the scramble, the conflict and chaos, if people were allowed to fulfil any desire for free, without any efforts. It would create a state of complete anarchy. Also, since this would amount to the fulfilment of desires without putting in hard work, it would corrupt the minds of people.
Cautioning people to the dangers of unearned wealth and siddhis (misusing hard-earned wealth and siddhis), scriptures mention a tale of a person who sat under the kalpavksa. He was thirsty and wished to drink water. A glass of water appeared before him out of thin air. Delighted by the magical response, he wished for delicious food, new clothes, the possession of a kingdom, etc. As he began leading a suitably comfortable life, he feared a lion might come and kill him. His wish came true. He was devoured by the lion!
The moral of the above story is clear. Unworthy persons cannot handle precious siddhis. And therefore the Almighty has so organised Nature that this never happens. Even if it does happen, that particular siddhi makes a guest appearance in the persons life and then disappears.
Enthusiasm, alertness, diligence, courage, patience, determination to face and overcome difficulties are signs of tapa.
A person is called a siddha if he endeavours to develop these qualities for the pursuit of his aims. All the siddhis attributed to the kalpavksa are then acquired by him, and he becomes competent to achieve anything worthwhile. Anyone who fancies leadership, skills, wealth, fame, knowledge, etc. should become a tapasvi first. He has to give up laziness and instead develop qualities associated with tapa.
One must remember that tapa is the kalpavrksa. Any successful person in the world has been a tapasvi. Infuse your life with enthusiasm and tapa if you wish to succeed in your noble ideals.
Note: Here saint Kabir refers to the Almighty God when he talks about Lord Rama.
Page Titles
- Shakti Sadhana
- From Chief Editor’s Desk:Special Significance of Navaratri Sadhana this Year
- Healing by Music Therapy - Ragas
- The Occult Science of Upasana
- BRAHMAVARCHAS SHODH SANSTHAN - A Research Institute committed to the Scientific Exposition of Spirituality -
- Vastu Shastra: An Established Science V: Some Guidelines on Arrangements in the Kitchen
- Dhyan and its Benefits
- Peace Pilgrims Guidelines to Individual and Collective Peace
- Kalpavrksa of Human Life on Earth
- Guru: The True Protector
- Health Tips - Your Health: Guidelines from Ayurveda - VIII
- Navaratri Sadhana : The Bestower of Celestial Boons
- Second Round of Pilgrimage and Projection of the Field of Work
- The Foundational Emblems of Indian Culture: Shikha and Sutra - Part 1 - Amritvani
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