Mystic Mantra: Our fathers in heaven

Father’s Day (June 15) is a celebration of fatherhood. It’s a day to celebrate the paternal bonds and love that we receive from our fathers, father figures and grandfathers. It is also a day to remember the universal father, God. Though God is the creator of all things around us, we enjoy a special relationship with him that is unique. We are his special children, literally the sons and daughters of God because He has created us in his image.

Traditionally a father has always played the role of a protector to children. To understand this, there is a beautiful analogy regarding the planet Jupiter. People often wonder what would happen to Earth if it were hit by a giant asteroid. Scientists surmise that one such asteroid struck the Earth millions of years ago and wiped out dinosaurs. People fear that one day an asteroid might crash into Earth again.

Scientists report that there is a protection offered to Earth by the planet Jupiter. Astrophysicists have determined that Jupiter has 99.9 per cent efficiency in throwing dangerous asteroids, meteorites and space junk that come into our galaxy back out into space beyond our galaxy. The reason it can do this is because Jupiter is 318 times heavier than Earth. Due to its large mass, Jupiter puts out a large gravitational field that acts like a supersize vacuum cleaner. It pulls towards itself space junk, meteors that float into its gravitational field, drawing them away from the other planets. This may be why the ancient Romans called it Jupiter. Jupiter in Latin means “Sky-Father”.

Just as Jupiter is a protective father to Earth so is every father to his children. In Hindu mythology the planet Jupiter is referred to as Guru. God, our divine father, provides us protection by sending saints and masters (gurus) on Earth to protect and take us back. Like Jupiter, the grace of the master protects us from worldly vices of kaam (lust), krodhh (anger), lobh (greed), moh (attachment) and ahankaar (ego). A guru or a master bestows his safety shield on his disciples. He constantly guides us and exhorts the importance of being good and noble to all mankind, hence protecting us from committing bad karmas. It is the guru or master who not only guides us but also takes away the burden of difficulties that we may have to face in our lives. As a protector, he deflects the problems of our lives to keep us safe, just the way Jupiter protects Earth.

So on this Father’s Day, let us also honour and thank God, our masters and begin to lead our lives as true sons and daughters by loving God, all humanity and all living creatures. The best way to celebrate this day is by remembering and being thankful for all the gifts we have received from our physical fathers and the divine father.

Sant Rajinder Singhji, head of Sawan Kirpal Ruhani Mission, works towards promoting inner and outer peace. He can be
contacted at www.sos.org