Page 58 - Desire to Disaster

Is there a limit to the power of delusion?

How long will delusion exercise a hold over mankind?
Delusion grows stronger with time. Unless an event occurs
in the person’s life, that inspires him to follow dharma. If
such an eye opener takes place, and the sādhaka {seeker}
continues to carry out what he needs to do in order to weaken
delusion, delusion can be conquered.

Rupsen’s life was about to change. He would move away
from the blind aggressive love that he had carried in his heart
for so long. A catalyst would come in his life and alter it!

Death because of lack of self-control and delusion. Despite
that, the inability to recognise delusion for what it is

The swan was completely trapped in the web of delusion
which he had himself strengthened with his obsessiveness.
So fascinated was he by Sunanda’s beauty that he continued
to gaze at her, without even realising that there was a stone
being hurled in his direction. He was hit hard by the stone and
fell down. He was bleeding, the flesh was oozing out of his
wound. He was in great pain. He was very near death. And
yet, his attention was riveted on Sunanda’s face. There was
no realisation that his lack of self-control, delusion, obsessive
behaviour had led to such immense pain and sorrow. He
was unable to realise that delusion was dragging him further
downwards. And that he needed to get rid of it in order to
escape the trap of grief and misery. There was no regret or
repentance in his heart. He died of his injury, still gazing
at the beautiful face of Sunanda. Even the intense agony of
death could not reduce the edge of his desire and the extent
of his delusion.

One should learn from this sad episode that passion, delusion,
lack of self-control and avarice cause nothing but sorrow. We
have seen the suffering of people who have the above flaws.

58 Desire to Disaster