Playing The Game Of Life-Part III

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Play with a Sportsman's Spirit

Returning to the analogy of cricket as a metaphor of the game of life.

The game of cricket is played with three stumps on either end of the pitch. In the game of life, the three stumps are like the body, mind, and intellect, which is different from the faculty of discrimination. Often when we face a difficult situation or problem, we become physically weakened, emotionally upset and confused, and intellectually unable to find a solution. In such a case, if all the three stumps (body, mind and intellect) are down, we (as the batsman) are "out" in the game of cricket and start walking back to the pavilion. So, by analogy, in the game of life, we need to learn to stand in the field fearlessly, bat with the proper discrimination, and protect our physical, mental, and intellectual stumps from any shattering situation.

It doesn't matter if the game of life is short and we get out quickly.

Next inning (for lifetime), we can play well, so never be worried or anxious on the field of life. But that doesn't mean we can take anything for granted. We must be ever alert, similar to an army that has to be alert even during peace times!

When playing almost any game, there may be situations where both the teams have to surrender to someone for a decision - to the umpire, in the case of cricket. Both teams must have full faith in the umpire, otherwise, his decision will not be accepted. So too in life, where the supreme umpire is God, we must have full faith in Him and surrender to His decision. Nevertheless, there may be many immediate umpires - mothers, fathers, and teachers - who advise and guide us when we are in difficult situations. Lakshmana did not agree with Ramachandraji on many occasions, for example. But the final umpire was Ramachandraji; anything He said, Lakshmana would accept.

Arjuna wanted to run away from the battlefield, but he asked Lord Krishna what to do, which was the best thing he could have done.

Many times in the game of life, it so happens that events occur, and then we feel we have been cheated. Also, there is often a tendency to feel that we are 100 percent right and others are wrong. However, Swami Ramtheerthaji once said, "In life we get what we deserve, and not what we desire." If we desire and we deserve it, only then will we get it. Therefore, have full faith that we will get what we deserve, and that the Lord is not partial. He shows neither us nor others, favoritism.

He, who serves, deserves. What comes to us is quite proper and just.

This faith - that whatever happens is the right thing- teachers that, "Whatever happens, we gain from it". Although we may not immediately understand the gain; we have to learn from the various experiences and have faith in the results and in the goodness of God.

After a puja, we take without complaints whatever is distributed as prasad, big or small. Be it a flower, fruit, coconut, candan, or vibhuti, we accept it with gratitude. Also in life, whatever we get comes from the Lord, so we should accept it as prasad. Take it whether it seems good or bad. Have faith that the Lord governs the entire creation.

Strive to do your best, and then whatever comes, accept it with joy.

Thus, play the game of life. Your life is yours alone to live. You have no choice but to live it. There is no running away. Therefore, no matter what you may experience, play with a sportsman's spirit so that in the end your life is a success. The highest purpose of life is service to other people as service to God. The most intelligent method of performing such service provides maximum benefit both to others and to oneself. Live life in such a way that you enjoy the life given to you and other people derive inspiration from you for living their lives. Then there exists joy and joy alone. This is inspired living!

About the author

Swami Tejomayananda

Swami Tejomayananda, the Chairman and spiritual head of Chinmaya Mission worldwide, is one of the foremost disciples of Swami Chinmayananda. He is an outstanding teacher of Vedanta and an accomplished poet, author, and composer.