Politics- Game of scoundrels

Politics is the game of scoundrels where moral values are zero and character seems missing, it may be any form of government or system in place

Harish Kumar

‘Punctilious Death Vehicle'

A vehicle travelling towards a destination can be delayed for any number of reasons.  But there is one Vehicle of Death (Vahana), which always arrives on time.  That ever-punctual Vahana is the death vehicle which is the black buffalo that serves as Yama’s mount, or for that matter, pale/black horse of death in western lore.  If Yama or the vehicle of death arrives to take a person’s Soul (Atma), then the Atma is sure to go to Yamaloka or the Hades, as a realm in Greek mythology. 

In Indian mythology, there is one narrative of a sage by the name Arunagirinatha who prays to Lord Murugan to save him from this fate.  For, if Lord Murugan takes an Atma, He escorts it to Shiva loka (the kingdom of Lord Shiva).  So Arunagirinatha prays that before Yama comes at the appointed hour, Lord Murugan should come on His peacock (His Vahana), to take charge of Arunagirinatha’s soul.  Once Lord Murugan arrives, Yama will not dare approach His bhaktas (devotees). 

Another Indian mythological sacred narrative goes like Lord Indra had an enemy by the name Soorapadman.  When Sooran came in the form of a mango tree, Lord Murugan threw His spear at it and the tree was split into two.  One half turned into a rooster, which became Lord Murugan’s flag and the other half turned into a peacock, which became Lord Murugan’s mount.  There are reports that Lord Murugan saved a noble soul, Kripananda Variar, the great Murugan bhakta while he was travelling from Mumbai to Chennai by flight.  From the plane he saw the Tiruttani hill, one of Lord Murugan’s six places of pilgrimage.  He said, “Murugan is always with His devotees”.  And those were his last words.  When the time came for him to depart from this world, the Lord of Tiruttani gave darshan to him.  His lifeless body returned to Chennai, while his Atma was taken away by Lord Murugan.  His death is viewed as divine compassion.  It is said Lord Murugan released him from the cycle of rebirth.  Variyar is remembered as someone who lived only for Lord Murugan and left the world the same way with Lord Murugan’s name on his lips and His thoughts in his heart.

Yama’s vehicle of death or the pale horse in western lore is never late, meaning to say, death is inevitable and punctual, it arrives exactly when karmic time ripens.  It cannot be delayed by wealth, power, prayers or cleverness.  In traditional imagery, Yama rides the black buffalo slow, steady and unstoppable.  It does not rush, but it never misses its moment.  Philosophically, the saying points to this truth that what is born must end and when dharma’s clock strikes, nothing can pause it.  That is why saints often say – Death is the most punctual visitor and the most honest one.  It is not meant to frighten, but to wake up and the sacred formula or mantra to this is that always live consciously and act righteously so that the end of life becomes a spiritual liberation rather than a moment of fear.

Yours truly,

Subbiah Sridhar