Poisoned Arrows Or Scented Blossoms…Sorrow or Celebration?

Poisoned Arrows Or Scented Blossoms…Sorrow or Celebration?

All that, to which, our conscience whispers a firm “No” are most undesirable and to all which our conscience hums  a firm ‘Yes’ are the most desirable actions for man to follow. When man listens to his conscience, that is the Inner God, he moves in the right direction and thus pleases Him Who is The Indweller…and when he moves opposite, he is inflicting pain in Him, Whose directives he chooses to ignore. Every negaive thing, be it our lackadaisical attitude, actions that reeked of kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and matsarya are arrows, darts, shafts, missiles that hit the Divinity Within us writes Sri Jullie Chaudhuri  quoting references from Prasnottara Vahini reminding the children of Sathya Sai to awake, exult and herald in the Golden Age following Him studiously…Read on…

She lit the evening lamp,
Watching the rays of the Sun bid adieu and disappear,
Dusk pirouetted to the fore from the rear,
Deep was her contemplation on the events of the past year,
A colossal ‘why’ and many, many , many ‘why nots’,
In the mind did churn and appear…
With open eyes she saw that Effulgent Form,
The mist lifted even as the heart did mourn,
With delight she looked upon Him,
Moist eyes in which teardrops did brim,
Upon a closer look she couldn’t stifle a loud gasp,
She ran over and the Beloved One’s hand she did clasp,
Agony stabbed her aching heart,
Her voice was a hoarse and painful rasp –
‘My Lord, Beloved Mother, Oh! Baba, Baba…’
Was all she could muster,
Mind reeling, senses not at par,
As grief did her nerves scar,
And the flow of words completely debar…
Up close,
She saw that His frame was entirely covered with arrows…
Slowly the meaning did unfold.

Every thought, word and deed which was not in sync, that was negative, harmful in intent, thoughtless, uncaring, acutely insensitive, horrifyingly arrogant, cruel and abusive to any living being or the minutest part of creation, was indeed an arrow; each thought and word wrongly intended brought on a torrent of chain reaction in rapid succession.

Every lackadaisical attitude, each action that reeked of kama, krodha, lobha, moha, mada and matsarya was an arrow, a dart, a shaft, a missile, embedded in the lotus like frame of Beloved Bhagawan.

Each arrow had a name on it. Countless arrows  pierced His gentle frame through the flaming orange robe. Arrows that came from all over the globe.

Each and everyone was responsible for having pierced with toxic arrows and shafts, the Benevolent, Magnificent and Supreme Frame of God.

Let us read excerpts from ‘Prasnottara Vahini’ by Beloved Bhagawan to get a clearer picture about these venomous and destructive weapons which lie either subtly, overtly or downright blatantly in every human persona.

Q – Swami! What are the traits of character that we have to avoid, that is to say, which are the obstacles in the path of one who seeks liberation from the cycle of Birth and Death?

Ans – The six, the Ari-shadvarga: Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya; these are to be avoided.

Q – What exactly is Kama?

Ans – Desire for riches, property, honour, status, fame, children; why list the lot? Attachment to all things of this sensory world – this false, temporary, impure world.

Q – Krodha?

Ans – Yearning to harm others and cause ruin to them.

Q – And Lobha?

Ans – Determination that no one else should partake of even a small fraction of what one has earned or what one has; also, that even in times of distress, one’s possessions should not be diminished by use.

Q – What is the meaning of Moha?

Ans – The delusion that some people are nearer to one than others and the desire to please them more than others, leading to exertions for earning and accumulating for their sake.

Q – Mada?

Ans – Mada means the swagger that develops when one feels that he has either scholarship or strength or riches or fame, more than others. Even when one has not got these, Mada makes men move about without reverence for elders and consideration for others’ feelings and craving only for one’s own comfort and security. Mada is extreme egoism.

Q – The last that You mentioned is Matsarya. What does that mean, Swami?

Ans – When others are as happy as yourself, Matsarya makes one miserable; one cannot tolerate it.

Such lucid explanations about the excess baggage that we carry, weapons of self as well as social destruction in the psyche of each individual. Yet, we point fingers at disgruntled neighbours, street fights, terrorists and warring nations.

Each arrow that falls off due to virtuous, ethical behavior continuously gets replaced when the worst in us gets the better of us.
But these attempts at self transformation needs a Cosmic Boost, intense endeavour and an absolute one-pointed focus. The arrows on that Cherished Form have to be removed. They have to fall off, disintegrate, vanish, crumble.

Since those arrows belong to us all, the remedy too lies with us. We need to replace those arrows cautiously, skillfully, carefully, being ever dexterous and vigilant so that they do not surface ever. These poisonous arrows need to be wiped out, their repeated recurrence barred.  And for this we need ‘zoomed in’ determination, a soul centered obsession with the Ultimate Goal, a burning passion for purification, a supreme will and complete absorption in the gigantic task at hand – unfurling and manifesting our inherent, latent divinity.

If these words have touched your hearts, dear brothers and sisters, if they have created ripples of impression upon a mind ever ready to please the Beloved One, if they have evoked feelings of harmony and linked our thoughts…then we must not remain sanguine, nor must we procrastinate. Nothing else matters, no other call is more urgent, no trivial distraction need attract our attention.

‘That’ ever overflowing Ocean of Love, Compassion, Mercy and Truth deserves only petals of fragrant blossoms, perfumed and coloured with the myriad hues of goodness, purity, unity, divinity and the oneness of adoration.

Beginning this very moment, the thought uppermost in our mind posthaste must be – ‘I have to remove those arrows’.

Unwanted, unnecessary, hurtful and harmful thoughts, words and deeds have to be banished forever to be replaced, displaced, interchanged with a shower of flowers having the intent and scent that never does fade. That is the offering of love and reverence that should shine bright on the Unique Form of the Most Loved and Loving  One.

Right now is the time to start…the time is right – now! Do you agree, that we, the children of Sai, must join hands, form a link and pledge ourselves to do what is loving, harmonious, right and true for Beloved Mother Sai? That, we must not allow another arrow even unconsciously ever to slip by, exercising great care and concern, for there is no gauging the radius of Beloved Mother Sai, Who is always present everywhere.

With every kind thought many arrows fall off, with every loving word and selfless action, rare florets make an appearance…making lethal darts evaporate into nothing.

Sweet scented rose buds, soft and silky bouquets, finest of lotus blossoms, or poisoned, malignant, toxic arrows, darts and spears?
Sorrow or Celebration?

The choice which has a Cosmic Impact rests totally within and with each one of us…the children of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai. So does the onus to not only honour and exalt but to exult and herald in the Golden One and the Golden Age. 

Come, let us pray for ‘that’ miracle to unfold.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Poisoned Arrows Or Scented Blossoms – Choosing the Power of Words

Poisoned Arrows Or Scented Blossoms is a meaningful reflection on the way our words can either wound or heal. Speech is one of the greatest gifts given to human beings, but it must be used with awareness. A single sentence can bring courage to a tired heart, and a single harsh remark can remain like a hidden wound for years.

Many people speak quickly without thinking about the effect of their words. Anger rises, ego takes control, and the tongue releases pain into another person’s heart. Such words are like poisoned arrows. Once released, they cannot be called back easily. Even if an apology comes later, the mark may remain. This is why self-control in speech is a very important spiritual discipline.

Poisoned Arrows Or Scented Blossoms teaches that every person carries a choice before speaking. We can choose words that insult, criticize, and discourage, or we can choose words that comfort, guide, and uplift. The mouth may speak for a few seconds, but the result of speech can last much longer. Wise people understand this and speak with care.

Words become poisoned when they are filled with jealousy, pride, hatred, or revenge. Sometimes people hurt others not because truth needs to be spoken, but because they want to feel superior. They use sharp language to prove a point, win an argument, or expose someone’s weakness. But victory gained by hurting another heart is not real victory. It only increases bitterness.

Poisoned Arrows Or Scented Blossoms also reminds us that silence can be better than careless speech. Not every thought needs to be expressed. Not every argument needs to be won. Not every mistake of another person needs to be publicly pointed out. Silence chosen with wisdom can prevent regret, protect relationships, and give the mind time to become calm.

At the same time, good words are like scented blossoms. They carry beauty, softness, and fragrance. A kind word can refresh someone who is struggling silently. A few words of encouragement can give strength to a student, a friend, a worker, or a family member. We may not know how much someone needed that gentle sentence at that exact moment.

Poisoned Arrows Or Scented Blossoms is especially important in family life. Many homes suffer not because love is completely absent, but because speech has become careless. Parents may speak harshly to children, children may answer elders rudely, and family members may hurt one another through sarcasm or impatience. If speech becomes gentle, the atmosphere of the home slowly changes.

Spiritual life begins with the purification of thoughts, but it is tested through words. A person may pray daily, read sacred books, or attend devotional gatherings, yet if his speech wounds others, his practice remains incomplete. True devotion should make the tongue softer. It should make us speak truth with kindness and correction with compassion.

Poisoned Arrows Or Scented Blossoms also teaches that truth should not be used as a weapon. Some people say, “I am only speaking the truth,” but they speak it with cruelty. Truth is important, but the way it is spoken matters. A doctor does not heal by cutting carelessly. In the same way, a truthful person should speak with timing, tenderness, and the desire to help.

Words can also become offerings. When we chant God’s name, sing bhajans, pray for others, speak blessings, or share wisdom humbly, speech becomes sacred. The same tongue that can hurt can also heal. The same mouth that can complain can also express gratitude. The choice belongs to us every day.

Poisoned Arrows Or Scented Blossoms reminds us to examine our speech before it leaves the mouth. Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Will it create peace or pain? These simple questions can protect us from many mistakes. They can turn ordinary conversation into a practice of awareness.

In today’s world, speech is not limited to spoken words. Messages, comments, posts, and online replies also carry emotional power. A careless written line can hurt deeply, while a thoughtful message can bring comfort. Therefore, digital speech also needs responsibility. Before sending words into the world, we should pause and check the feeling behind them.

The heart becomes lighter when speech becomes pure. Harsh words create regret, but gentle words create peace. When we stop throwing verbal arrows and begin offering blossoms of kindness, our relationships become healthier and our own mind becomes calmer. Good speech is not weakness; it is strength guided by love.

In the end, Poisoned Arrows Or Scented Blossoms is a call to use speech as a blessing. Life is already difficult for many people, and we should not add to their pain through careless words. Let the tongue become an instrument of truth, comfort, encouragement, and prayer. When our words carry fragrance instead of poison, we help make the world more peaceful, one conversation at a time.

Parthi Prays…