81. Principled Life and Practical Living.

A living that is based on principles guarantees a smooth life without any chaos. The life without principles is like a vehicle without steering wheel and a cart wheel without a stopper wedge. The direction of the life is aimless and wayward. A principled living motivates us to lead a life of righteousness and do things that seem good and correct. By living with people with principles one can see the real benefits of life and get inspired to live a life like them. A principled living calls for many sacrifices which when undertaken will give the result in the form of satisfaction and peace of mind. In living a principled life there will be no fear of being a hypocrite. There is no worry that we may have told one person one thing and somebody else another and in reality done something completely different. The principled life teaches us to have harmony in thought, word and deed which is most important for us to live a respectful life. When principles occupy the heart of our life we are true to our selves hence we arrive quickly at the right decision when in opportunities or crises. The Epic hero of Ramayana, Lord Sri Rama was the personification of principled living. He may have seemed to have spent tough life in forest for no wrong doing by Him, but his way of life has branded Him as an ideal personality. Valmiki writes in Ramayana thus: “Ramo Vigrahavaan Dharmaha”. Rama is the very embodiment of Dharma. He proved it at every stage of his life, and, in every incident of his life. Rama was the first person in Indian Mythology to set a standard among human beings; He was the first king who followed the principle – one word, one arrow, one wife. Come what may Rama would not backtrack, after giving his word. He would not use a second arrow for the same purpose. He would abide by his one and only wife, Sita Devi, all his Life. A Practical living guarantees a harmonious family without any chaos. Practical living calls for little adjustments in life for the wellbeing of family relationship and social relationship as well. A little of compromise is what is required; the mantra of practical living is that “You compromise with life then Life compromises with you.” Nothing can be called perfect. Life is disorganized since relationships are complex and the outcome of it is uncertain. Life has taught us to compromise or adjust to survive in this highly competitive world. In the sole intention of survival we have learnt to adjust by moulding ourselves according to the requirements. Every now and then we are subjected to conditions which may not be favorable to our liking. Practical living is a tactful way of successfully manipulating the current unfavorable condition to our taste. This adjustment should be made through righteous means without hurting others. Sometimes our dreams and aspirations are fulfilled and sometimes not. The capability to digest the fact and to live on is practical living. Although it does not mean that practical living is limiting our living or becoming pessimistic in the journey of life, but to accept and adjust to the better conditions of living. Sri Krishna, the hero of the Mahabharata teaches us to live life of compromise when it comes to handling his wives Rukumini and Sathyabhama. Satyabhama is full of pride about the love Krishna has for her and her grasp over His heart and would never be at ease if He is with His other queens. Rukmini on the other hand is a devoted wife, humble in her service to her Lord and believes He is for all. Eventually Krishna treads on the tight rope with a bit of compromise in keeping His queens happy. Well, now the two epic heroes depict livings which are contrary to each other. What is the conclusion to be made???? Lord Rama on living a principled life elevates the self while Lord Krishna on living a practical life strengthened the social causes. One has to live a principled life to himself and at the same time think of living a practical life for others.