|
Page33
Even those who have
attained the knowledge about the Self in their life are directed in the Gita to do service
to mankind for the sake of ensuring the welfare of the world, 'loka sangraha' as the Gita
puts it. It calls upon the jnanas who are Sanyasis to work for the uplift of mankind, to
transmit their knowledge to others and to help others to attain salvation. Hence, it is
that we find that in our history even great saints who have sacrificed the world, the
family and other material desires still keep themselves in touch with the world for the
purpose of working for the welfare of mankind and dedicate themselves to the service of
their fellow-men.
The famous Sankaracharya who
very early in life took the vow of Sanyasa without even entering the stage of a
householder, still worked intensely for the welfare of mankind. He went on foot from one
end of the country to another, from the Himalayas to Cape Comorin, from Benaras to Dwaraka
and even scaled the heights ofthe Himalayas to go to Kedarnath and Amarnath. We find also
the instance of the great Vidyaranya who even though he took upon himself the life of a
recluse, still worked for the welfare of the people of his country as the Minister of
Vijayanagar Kings, Harihara and Bhukka and organized religious institutions for transmit
ting spiritual knowledge to the people.
There is another glorious instance of the
Maharashtra saint, Samartha Ramdas who, though he lived in the forest and dedicated
himself to the devotion and the worship of
Lord Rama, still inspired King, Shivaji and co-operated with him in the matter of
ameliorating the condition of the people of
Maharashtra.
|
