Importance of human body.

While explaining the importance of human body to a motley bunch of spiritual seekers, I said, "Though human body is the dirtiest and most useless thing in this world, it is also the body that is most sought after. 

Folks, my words may appear paradoxical to you." 

"Exactly sir. Kindly elaborate." someone from the group quipped. 

"You see, there are nine ways to enter human body, or for that matter most of the living beings' bodies. 

These nine doors or openings of the body, also known as "Navdwara" are - two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, the mouth, the anus, and the genitalia. 

Just observe. From all these nine openings only foul fluids and wastes flow out, nothing else! 

In essence this body is nothing but a bag full of faeces and urine." I said. 

"But sir, how can you say that human body is the most useless thing." said a middle aged bearded guy. 

"Sir, human body is the most useless thing because even after death, the bodies of other animals can be monetized. 

These can be used in various ways like making leather garments, shoes, musical instruments. 

But human body is the only one that is utterly useless after death and on top of that, money has to be spent for it's cremation or burial." I smiled. 

"But in spite of all this, it is explicitly written in our "Upanishads" that all beings - including demigods like yaksha, kinnar - crave for human body."

"But why?" asked a graceful lady curiously. 

"Maa'm it's because only humans have "vivek" - the power to discriminate between right and wrong. Only humans have the potential to attain wisdom. 

But sadly, "vivek" is being used very minimally nowadays. 

Most of us not only do misdeeds unabashedly but also imitate others enormously. 

Just see, in the rallies or "dharnas", almost 95% of the participants are plainly unaware of the issues. But they just ape others and play into the hands of a small group of people having vested interests."

"Maa'm, the primary objective of all living beings is to attain happiness. All their activities are centered around this idea only. 

However in their pursuit for happiness, almost all of them are going in wrong directions." 

"How?" asked the same lady. 

"To seek happiness, people consume drugs, alcohol. By consuming them they may get fleeting elation but have to bear severe side effects afterwards like nausea, weakness, physical & mental impairment. 

Only through "vivek" can a human being understand : 

(a) that there is no permanent joy in this world. 

(b) that all the worldly joys  ultimately convert into sorrows. 

As worldly happiness is temporary, one must strive for happiness that is not only  inexhaustible but also not dependent on other things like money, intoxicants." I explained. 

"Sir, what happens if one doesn't use one's "vivek"?" asked a young lad. 

"Then one will miss the bus. Then there would no longer be any distinction between him and a lower living being like a monkey." I remarked laughingly and rounded off my talk. 

~ Sanjay Gargish ~