Celestial Beings desire Human Form
Humans cannot even imagine the luxuries of the celestial abodes (Swarg). Celestial beings, who inhabit those abodes, don’t have to toil for anything as they can attain any material thing by merely resolving to obtain it. Their bodies are fragrant, lustrous and strong, they don’t excrete, don’t age, and don’t suffer from any physical diseases. The celestial beings have thousands of times more knowledge than humans and they are endowed with miraculous celestial powers. For instance, their weapons like Agni Ban (fire-arrow), Vayu-Ban (arrow of air) etc. are so precise that they destroy nothing but the target. Indra, Varun, Kuber, Soorya, Chandra etc. are celestial Gods.
Whereas, humans have to toil for attaining everything including basic necessities like food, clothing and shelter. Our bodies have nine major excretory apertures. In addition, human body excretes smelly sweat from every pore. Our most sophisticated weapons are so primitive that if a nuclear bomb detonates it causes mass destruction and does not care about the creator of the bomb, his allies or enemies.
Despite the significant differences between the celestial beings and human beings, our scriptures state that these celestial beings desperately desire for the human form. Our scriptures say:
Whereas, humans have to toil for attaining everything including basic necessities like food, clothing and shelter. Our bodies have nine major excretory apertures. In addition, human body excretes smelly sweat from every pore. Our most sophisticated weapons are so primitive that if a nuclear bomb detonates it causes mass destruction and does not care about the creator of the bomb, his allies or enemies.
Despite the significant differences between the celestial beings and human beings, our scriptures state that these celestial beings desperately desire for the human form. Our scriptures say:
बड़े भाग मानुष तनु पावा । सुर दुर्लभ सद्ग्रंथन गावा ॥ रामचरित मानस
bade bhaag maanush tanu paava. sur durlabh sadgranthan gaava. raamacharit maanas
bade bhaag maanush tanu paava. sur durlabh sadgranthan gaava. raamacharit maanas
"It is a great fortune to attain a human form. It is so rare that that scriptures say even celestial beings desire for it".
दुर्लभं मानुषं देहं प्रार्थ्यते त्रिदशैरपि । नारद पुराण
durlabhan maanushan dehan praarthyate tridashairapi . naarad puraan
durlabhan maanushan dehan praarthyate tridashairapi . naarad puraan
"Getting a human form is so rare that devatas also request for it"
मनुजदेहमिमं भुवि दुर्लभं समधिगम्य सुरैरपि वांछितम्।
विष्य लम्पटतमपहाय वै भजत रे मनुजाः कमलापतिम्॥ शंकराचार्य
manujadehamiman bhuvi durlabhan samadhigamy surairapi vaanchhitam.
vishy lampatatamapahaay vai bhajat re manujaah kamalaapatim. shankaraachaary
विष्य लम्पटतमपहाय वै भजत रे मनुजाः कमलापतिम्॥ शंकराचार्य
manujadehamiman bhuvi durlabhan samadhigamy surairapi vaanchhitam.
vishy lampatatamapahaay vai bhajat re manujaah kamalaapatim. shankaraachaary
“All celestial beings desire for a human form”.
As opposed to desiring beauty, knowledge and multiple miraculous powers, why would such celestial beings want to become human? It indicates there is something very enticing in the human form of life, which is so exclusive that even celestial beings are willing to forego all the luxuries of the celestial abodes and they are desirous of getting a transient, filthy, and weak and ignoramus body. Really! Why?
As opposed to desiring beauty, knowledge and multiple miraculous powers, why would such celestial beings want to become human? It indicates there is something very enticing in the human form of life, which is so exclusive that even celestial beings are willing to forego all the luxuries of the celestial abodes and they are desirous of getting a transient, filthy, and weak and ignoramus body. Really! Why?
Human beauty is compared to that of animals.
A keen observation proves that the human form is far lesser in physical beauty than even animals. For example, the shape of human eyes is compared with those of deer or bird wagtail, gait is compared with that of an elephant, and the sweetness of voice is compared with the voice of nightingale bird and so on.
Let alone beauty, human form in endowed with much less physical capabilities than animals and birds e.g. vulture can see a lot farther than humans, dogs have much more acute sense of smell and hearing. The animals would not eat poisonous grass, shrubs and leaves. They instinctively have ability to distinguish between edible and inedible food, while humans do not.
Saint Bartihari Ji answers -
Let alone beauty, human form in endowed with much less physical capabilities than animals and birds e.g. vulture can see a lot farther than humans, dogs have much more acute sense of smell and hearing. The animals would not eat poisonous grass, shrubs and leaves. They instinctively have ability to distinguish between edible and inedible food, while humans do not.
Saint Bartihari Ji answers -
ज्ञानं हि तेषामधिको विशेषो
Jñānaṁ hi tēṣāmadhikō viśēṣō
Jñānaṁ hi tēṣāmadhikō viśēṣō
“The human beings are endowed with the special gift of knowledge”.
The newborns of animals can stand right after their birth, human-children cannot. Animals swim without training, while human beings get training. So the human beings have to acquire knowledge, which takes years. Even after all the training human knowledge is like a drop in the ocean as compared to that of celestial beings. Even then they want to attain human form of life! Why?
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj explained the importance of this body eloquently and in a simple language with the enormous evidences of our holy scriptures. He likes the answer of Tulsidas Ji Maharaj, which covers all the reasons of importance of human form. Tulsidas Ji says-
The newborns of animals can stand right after their birth, human-children cannot. Animals swim without training, while human beings get training. So the human beings have to acquire knowledge, which takes years. Even after all the training human knowledge is like a drop in the ocean as compared to that of celestial beings. Even then they want to attain human form of life! Why?
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj explained the importance of this body eloquently and in a simple language with the enormous evidences of our holy scriptures. He likes the answer of Tulsidas Ji Maharaj, which covers all the reasons of importance of human form. Tulsidas Ji says-
नर तनु सम नहिं कवनिउ देही । जीव चराचर याचत जेही ।
nar tanu sam nahin kavaniu dehee . jeev charaachar yaachat jehee .
nar tanu sam nahin kavaniu dehee . jeev charaachar yaachat jehee .
“There is no form like the human form, which is desired by all the mobile and immobile creatures”.
When Tulsidas was asked to prove his statement, he answered-
नरक स्वर्ग अपवर्ग निसेनी ज्ञान विराग भक्ति सुख देनी ।
narak svarg apavarg nisenee gyaan viraag bhakti sukh denee .
narak svarg apavarg nisenee gyaan viraag bhakti sukh denee .
“Human body it is the stairway to Narak, swarg, mukti, gyan, renunciation and bhakti”
Human body is so admirable that it may lead to narak! Yes. Even though while in human form one can attain the greatest reward - bhakti (devotion), which enslaves even Almighty God, Tulsidas Ji first calls out narak since most of us perform actions which condemn us to go to narak. Those who are a little wiser prefer to perform actions that lead to celestial abodes (swarg). Yet even wiser ones respectively aim for mukti from clutches of Maya, and devotion.
It implies
Human body is so admirable that it may lead to narak! Yes. Even though while in human form one can attain the greatest reward - bhakti (devotion), which enslaves even Almighty God, Tulsidas Ji first calls out narak since most of us perform actions which condemn us to go to narak. Those who are a little wiser prefer to perform actions that lead to celestial abodes (swarg). Yet even wiser ones respectively aim for mukti from clutches of Maya, and devotion.
It implies
कर्म प्रधान विश्व रुचि राखा । जो जस करइ सो तस फल चाखा ॥
karm pradhaan vishv ruchi raakha . jo jas kari so tas phal chaakha
karm pradhaan vishv ruchi raakha . jo jas kari so tas phal chaakha
"This creation is based on the actions of human beings. Hence, everyone has to experience the fruits of their own actions”.
There are 8.4 million life forms which includes all of the life forms in all lokas. Jagadguru Shri Kriplalu Ji Maharaj asserts only humans have the right to perform result-yielding actions. This extraordinary trait sets humans apart from all other forms. That is why human form is called karm-Yoni and all other forms are called bhog yoni. Karm-yoni means a form in which is every action yields results and bears the fruits of past actions. Bhog yoni means a form in which one merely bears the fruits of actions performed in past human lives.
So, if we live the instructions of our holy scriptures, we can attain divine, unlimited and ever-increasing bliss for eternity. Even though this form is very rare and precious, yet it is given for a short period of time and if it is wasted in material pursuits then next human life will be given after billions of lives. Vedas say
There are 8.4 million life forms which includes all of the life forms in all lokas. Jagadguru Shri Kriplalu Ji Maharaj asserts only humans have the right to perform result-yielding actions. This extraordinary trait sets humans apart from all other forms. That is why human form is called karm-Yoni and all other forms are called bhog yoni. Karm-yoni means a form in which is every action yields results and bears the fruits of past actions. Bhog yoni means a form in which one merely bears the fruits of actions performed in past human lives.
So, if we live the instructions of our holy scriptures, we can attain divine, unlimited and ever-increasing bliss for eternity. Even though this form is very rare and precious, yet it is given for a short period of time and if it is wasted in material pursuits then next human life will be given after billions of lives. Vedas say
इहचेदवेदिदथसत्यमस्ति न चेदिहावेदीन् महती विनष्टि: । के. उ. २.५
ihachedavedidathasatyamasti na chedihaavedeen mahatee vinashti: . ke. u. 2.5
ihachedavedidathasatyamasti na chedihaavedeen mahatee vinashti: . ke. u. 2.5
“Know the supreme truth now. Otherwise it will be a colossal loss”. How?
इहचेदशकद्बोद्धुं प्राक्शरीरस्य विस्रसं । ततः सर्गेषु लोकेषु शरीरत्वाय कल्पते । कठोप २.६.४
ihachedashakadboddhun praakshareerasy visrasan . tatah sargeshu lokeshu shareeratvaay kalpate . kathop 2.6.4
ihachedashakadboddhun praakshareerasy visrasan . tatah sargeshu lokeshu shareeratvaay kalpate . kathop 2.6.4
“If human form is lost in material pursuits then one will have to wander in lower species of life for billions of lives before human form may again be given to us”. But, in that human form the same negligence like today will result in the same consequence then. The Bhagavata -
लब्ध्वा सुदुर्लभमिदं बहु संभवां ते मानुष्यमर्थदमनित्यमपीह धीरः ॥ भाग ११.९.२९
labdhva sudurlabhamidan bahu sambhavaan te maanushyamarthadamanityamapeeh dheerah . bhaag 11.9.29
labdhva sudurlabhamidan bahu sambhavaan te maanushyamarthadamanityamapeeh dheerah . bhaag 11.9.29
"The human form is rarest of rare since it grants the greatest purpose of life, yet don’t forget it is transient and uncertain". Nobody knows which moment will be the last one. The Mahabharata says,
बहिस्सरति निःश्वासे विश्वासः कः प्रवर्तते ।
bahissarati nihshvaase vishvaasah kah pravartate .
bahissarati nihshvaase vishvaasah kah pravartate .
“How can we trust a breath which has gone out would come back?”
को हि जानाति कस्याद्य मृत्युकालो भविष्यति?
ko hi jaanaati kasyaady mrtyukaalo bhavishyati?
ko hi jaanaati kasyaady mrtyukaalo bhavishyati?
Set your goal and strive to attain it
“Who knows which moment will that last moment”?
So, the human form is the most precious form of life since this is the only one that can provide us unlimited eternal bliss. But it is transient and after-life is dependent on our own actions.
Human form could be a greatest boon if we understand the value of human life, pay attention to the scriptures, practice what they preach, take advantage of the experiences of the great men and sincerely follow instructions of the saints. It could result in us roaming around in 8.4 million life forms if we lead a whimsical life ignoring the most precious gift of God, and disrespect our scriptures and saints.
This proves every human being decides for oneself if the human form will prove to be a boon or a bane for them.
So, the human form is the most precious form of life since this is the only one that can provide us unlimited eternal bliss. But it is transient and after-life is dependent on our own actions.
Human form could be a greatest boon if we understand the value of human life, pay attention to the scriptures, practice what they preach, take advantage of the experiences of the great men and sincerely follow instructions of the saints. It could result in us roaming around in 8.4 million life forms if we lead a whimsical life ignoring the most precious gift of God, and disrespect our scriptures and saints.
This proves every human being decides for oneself if the human form will prove to be a boon or a bane for them.
मानव देह देव दुर्लभ होने के साथ साथ क्षण भंगुर भी है । इसका मूल्य समझो ॥
Is addition to being unattainable by celestial beings, Human body is fleeting. Understand its importance and put it to good use.
Is addition to being unattainable by celestial beings, Human body is fleeting. Understand its importance and put it to good use.
- Jagadguruttam Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj
