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Most organised religions have an element of suffering and self sacrifice built
into the framework of religious rituals.
Why ?
Why do we voluntarily "suffer" in the name of religion ?
Do we desire it ?
Does God demand it ?
Is it a spiritual blackmail to make God grant our wishes ?
Is it a macho masochist desire to prove we can take whatever God / providence
throws at us ?
Is it a social badge of "Done It" status ?
So do fasts, flagellations, pilgrimages and vigils make us better people ? or
more religious people ? or more spiritual people ?
So is Taap similar or different to this ?
Ancient sages did TAAP to achieve their life's goals.
Popular misconception is that taap is a penance of sorts and you are burning
away your sins or past karmas by doing taap. Taap is often associated with pain
- especially physical pain. More extreme the taap, the more awed we are by it.
But is this right ? What was taap for ? What should it be for ?
Taap of the ancient sages was not to burn away karmas, but to PLAN for an
awesome future. Kashyap did taap to have amazing number of children that would
fill the universe. Kardam and Devhuti did taap to have God incarnated as their
son. Attri did taap to unite the various branches of Vedic philosophies. Ravan
did taap to defeat the Devas. Dhruv did taap to sit in the lap of the divine
father.
If their taap seems painful to us, its because we forget that these people were
single focused and lost all touch with reality in their relentless pursuit of
perfection. These great sages were so consumed by the idea of achieving their
goal that they forgot to eat or drink in normal measure. They forgot to sleep
or take care for their body. We only see the outer signs and forget the inner goal.
Scientists have consumed dangerous chemicals and worked with radioactive
material, damaging their own bodies to advance our collective knowledge.
This too is a form of taap of Sarasvati. How often have people at the 'top
of their game' worked 80 hour weeks, forgotten to eat, drink or even be with
their families for sake of career success ! This is their form of taap to
get wealth and power. How many politicians have toured the country,
addressing rallies, walking amongst crushing crowds to win elections ?
This is their taap for power. How many musicians and actors have worked
punishing schedules to complete their concerts, films or plays without complaint
? This is their taap for fame (kirti).
Taap is, was, and should always be our way to plan for something great. Taap is
our intense desire to achieve something. Taap of the research scientists is to
find the next cure for an incurable disease. Some scientists want to find the
next "habitable planet" and they spend entire lifetime pouring over data most of
us would dismiss as dots on dark paper. Some engineers want to design buildings
that can withstand earthquakes. Others want to find ways to tap into unlimited
source of energy. Their taap is no different to the taap of the sages.
Taap can be inspired by satvic, rajasi or tamasi emotions - motivated by feeling
of universal brotherhood, personal desire, greed or hate and vengeance.
Emotions we have during a task colours the results we get. This is true
for taap too. What makes a difference between us and great sages is that
they have used taap to plan for something that will transform the world. We
have burned our innards out for a handful of dollar, pouds and ruppes. Their achievements
are eulogised even now. Our bellyache is forgotten before the end of the day.
Make your taap, your inner burning desire, something worthy of you. If you are
going to burn on the inside, make sure it's for something that makes a powerful
impact on the outside. Make sure your agony results in ecstasy for all those
who view your results. Agatsy muni left his native North India to spread Vedic
philosophies south of the Vindhya mountain range. Vishvamitra's taap resulted in
creation of a new heaven for king Trishanku.
Adi Shankracharya's taap revived Hinduism in India. Columbus's taap
opened the way to discovery of new continents. Gandhiji's taap freed
India from British tyranny.
Don't let your taap be wasted like that of Kashi princess Amba who sought
vengeance despite having had the darshan of Parshurama and Shiva ! Don't let
your taap be reviled like that of Hiranyaksha who used his abilities to drown
the Earth. Don't let your taap be wasted like that of Kumbhakaran who slept for
most of his life. Don't let your efforts and energies be cursed for all times
like that of the Nazis who used their considerable organisational power and
technical knowhow to pointlessly destroy countless lives across Europe and
Russia.
Let your taap be for the upliftment of mankind.
Let your taap be for the greater good of all.
Let your taap be something YOU can be proud of.
© Bhagwat [email protected]