ॐ Purnamad: Purnamidam Purnatpurnamudchyate. Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnmevavasishyate ॥ This mantra is from the fifth chapter of the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad and is part of the Shanti text of the Isavasyo Upanishad. That means, Satchidananda, Paramananda, Parambrahma, Purushottama Paramatma-the radiance of which we are all part is ever-perfect. Its fullness helps to lead us to wholeness, but we are not whole because we are parts. This world is full of the effulgence of the same Supreme Brahman because it has appeared from the Purna Purushottam. This world, created with the thought of Ekosyam Bahushyam, is a reflection of the perfection of the Supreme Brahman. Even if we remove the perfection from this perfection, it remains complete because, what is is complete, what goes away is also complete and what remains is also complete. Man is constantly striving for perfection. To get more than what is, to get better and to be better than what is has been the only human endeavor. We have never asked what this 'excellence' means, but excellence means being excellent in our limited understanding. The moment the realization dawns within us that we are never going to be perfect, the moment we realize that we are 'what', 'that' we must journey and strive towards excellence. If we try to understand this in simple language, man only considers himself inferior or inferior to others, because he constantly compares himself with someone who has more worldly things like wealth, power, comforts. We never compare ourselves with a person who has less things, but who is spiritually advanced, even if we do, our argument is, 'He is a saint, a mahatma, we cannot be like him.' How is this? We can become richer than ourselves, more powerful than ourselves, more arrogant, more jealous, we can be equal in insulting others but we never try to equal others in being forgiving, easy or easy. The simple definition of perfection is that we can become more and more like the radiance from which we have fallen. We will become that light only when we leave this worldly body and go to the root, to existence. It may be the definition of death or moksha, but now when we are in this body and living our daily life we have to fulfill the responsibilities of religion, meaning and work that we have created for ourselves, how best to stay within the same circle of responsibilities. Can we? That should be our life question. Generally most people expect perfection from others. The opposite person should be full of all qualities full of skill and intelligence. If not, it is not worthy of our affection or respect, most people believe. Such people forget that just as we expect perfection from others, they can expect the same from us! When two imperfect people expect perfection from each other, what else can happen but conflict? How is peace born out of conflict? Om Shanti Shanti Shanti is chanted three times after this verse of Purna Madha. The reason is that perfection is peace. This wholeness means contentment, forgiveness, affection, goodwill, cooperation, understanding, acceptance and ease… The idea that what we have is 'whole' makes us whole. Being complete is perception, perception! The truth is, nothing is complete except the Supreme Brahman, so instead of running blindly behind the world of perception, creating perfection right where we stand is not the right way to find the meaning of existence? Why will we be fulfilled if we constantly feel incomplete? How does trying to find light by extinguishing the lamp succeed? If the lamp of perfection is lit, the first ray appears in the darkness of imperfection… Man only continually seeks imperfection. This may not be believed, but if you think about it, you will understand that we make a list of 'what not'. How much fun we have to talk about what is not or was not found, even though everything is found! Even in the best times of happiness we try to find imperfection by recalling suffering… All those who appear 'happy' or 'content' to us may attain sainthood because, by forgetting that imperfection, they see the perfection within and around them. Don't give up trying. This verse of Ishavasya Upanishad begins thus. Isha Vasyamidan Sarvam Yatkincha Jagatyan Jagat. Ten tyakten bhunjitha ma gridha: kasyasviddhanam ॥ Everything in this world is constantly changing. The world is dynamic, the water does not remain the same when we dive in the river and come out and dive again, science has proved that the earth we are standing on is also not stable. Being in constant motion, both externally and internally, is what it means to be human. Those who do not experience internal motion cannot cope with external change. This is the abode of God within and without. The outer panchatattvas combine with the inner panchatattvas to form the cosmic world. That world should be enjoyed, but not thinking that everything is ours. For other beings who can give up their share of happiness, wealth or comfort can finally take the first step towards perfection. Instead of conflicting about what another person does, does or doesn't do for us, creating harmony and balance can create a world of perfection within and flow towards the perfection of the Supreme Being in the outer world.
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