Corona Virus Pandemic - Lessons Learnt

Look at the situation today, nature has brought us down on our knees. We always thought that we are the controller and all other living entities are under our command. But today there is a reversal of roles. Everyone is in a state of panic. Everyone is in fear of being harmed by a minuscule organism just a few nanometers in size, which cannot be seen even with an ordinary microscope. Did we ever imagine that we could face such a calamity? The virus initially appeared in one country, and then spread nation by nation to more than 80 countries. We are seeing the world’s greatest pandemic.

Today the world has come to a complete halt. With the cessation of travel and transport, all types of business, trade, and markets are in turmoil and panic.

On the other hand, air pollution is at an all-time low, dolphin fishes have been spotted in the oceans, numerous birds can now be seen and heard. What do all these mean?

Why has this happened?

Man has only thought about himself and exploited all the rest for his advantage. We have looked at our own needs and comfort, and depleted mother earth of her resources. Our selfish desires and greed have resulted in so many serious problems. Today most of the major concerns including air pollution, sound pollution, water pollution, food adulteration, global warming and many more issues, are all because we directly or indirectly seek wealth and power. It is because of these problems, that malignancies and many morbid diseases are on the rise.

Due to lust we want to be enjoyers in all situations and are always striving for sense gratification at any cost.

This creation is God’s will, where He desires that all species of animals and plants live in harmony. But we are not willing to live in harmony with the will of God. Out of greed and selfishness, we kill animals, capture and trade beautiful birds and animals/animal parts, all to satisfy our selfish desires/lust. Today, rivers and oceans are polluted with toxic chemicals and waste, killing fishes and various types of aquatic life. Uncontrolled fishing has depleted the reserves resulting in an imbalance in aquatic life. Similarly, marine life has been endangered due to plastics, oil spills, etc., again due to our selfish desires. Forests and green cover is much reduced than what it was decades ago. The decline in trees and vegetation has adversely affected birds and animals.

Though science and technology have advanced by leaps and bounds, where are we today? We are all with masks behind bars, until when - no one knows. Man has traveled to the moon, sent satellites into space, developed nuclear warfare and we thought we are in control and command. But do we have any solutions for the crisis today? We are struggling – we have no answers despite many scientific and medical advancements. As has been quoted by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj – "Money, power and knowledge are great assets when used with compassion." But today, with such reckless animal slaughter where is the compassion and where have human values gone? We have misused our power and will.

This is nature’s way of teaching mankind a lesson, it is nature’s curse.

What do our scriptures say?

The present pandemic which has caused much panic, distress and terror is a repercussion to the way we have treated mother earth. We have disobeyed God’s will, harmed His creation and creatures. This is a reaction to our sinful actions.

We are ignorant of the fact that we are not the enjoyers or proprietors; rather we are the Lord’s parts and parcels and His eternal servants. We are ignorant of the fact that we are only caretakers of our surroundings and property. The true proprietor is the Lord. He is the true controller and enjoyer.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says that sense gratification ultimately leads to misery.

A person in full consciousness of me, knowing me to be the ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from the pangs of material miseries.

- Bhagavad Gita 5.29

The senses, the mind and the intelligence are the sitting places of this lust. Through them lust covers the real knowledge of the living entity and bewilders him.

- Bhagavad Gita 3.40

The senses, mind and intelligence are the seats of lust, and we should try to control/check our senses and mind. Sense gratification gives only transient pleasures and ultimately we face miseries.

What must we do now?

We are witnessing the reaction to our sins. This is nature’s revenge on mankind.

It’s time we introspect and rethink. It’s time we mend our ways.

We must learn to use money, power, knowledge with compassion.

Consuming sattvic food is one way we could save mother earth.

It is when we face troubles that we turn to God. We should try to change, take care of His creation and His creatures. We must take care of planet earth so that all species live in harmony.

In essence, we must live and let live.

One thought on “Corona Virus Pandemic – Lessons Learnt | COVID-19”

Jaideep Mukherjee says:

March 28, 2020 at 10:35 am

Hare Krishna
Dandavat Pranam

Ever since the virus has come to knowledge of people, it has been the center of discussion through out. People has been discussion about it both in fear and curiosity. Scientists and medical team are struggling to find a vaccine or quick fix remedy. But hardly anyone is pondering hard to understand why are we suffering, what is the real cause of this deadly virus attack. Is it really a lab or is it our karma hitting us back.

Thankyou for a deeper insight to the situation through your article.

YS

Why has this happened?

What do our scriptures say?

What must we do now?

One thought on “Corona Virus Pandemic – Lessons Learnt | COVID-19”

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