Energy is the capacity to do work. The process by which work manifests through us denotes our capacity. Therefore, it can be said that the process by which we execute actions is energy. What is the real form of energy? Of course, when we say 'form', we may not mean forms such as that of an elephant or a plant. But don't we need a form to appreciate the existence of any object or phenomenon? Through which form can we appreciate energy?

Actually, we can appreciate that a person has a certain capacity or energy only when he performs an action. Let us consider the example of a professional singer. We will be able to appreciate his capacity to sing only when he is singing. There is no way to identify his singing capacity with certainty when he is quiet.

It therefore means that we can recognise the energy only when an action takes place. In other words, action is the manifesting form of energy.

From where do we get this energy? Where does it go to? How does it go? Who is it's originator? Logically, we should be the originators of our energies. But we observe that often we fail to do what we are actually capable of. Even a very good singer, on certain days, may not be able to perform at his best. On certain days, he may be only half as good as he really is. In spite of immense effort, he may not perform up to his mark on a particular day. Therefore, we can not say that we are the masters of our energy.

Let us see from a different stand-point. We have said that action is a form of energy. What causes actions in us?

If an action has taken place, there must be an effort behind it. If a piece of painting has been produced by a painter, there is certainly an effort - namely, movement of his brush in a specific pattern. For him to perform that action, there must be a desire and purpose in his mind. Many people may have such desires. But can all of them become painters? No. Only those who have the knowledge of colours and their combinations and those who know how to use a brush properly can become painters. Therefore, behind every action, there is an effort. Behind every effort, there is purpose and desire. Behind desire, there is knowledge.

Knowledge comes from past experiences. The act of seeing other painters mixing colours and using the brush to good effect forms the past experience in the example cited above. Many people may have such experience. But not all of them can imbibe the knowledge of colours. Only those who practise constantly can get a grip over that knowledge. The knowledge so acquired, will, with other inputs - namely desire and effort will bring about an action.

Because action is a manifest form of knowledge, it can be said that knowledge is the basis for energy. We learnt that knowledge comes from previous experience. It is impossible to say who gets what experience. We do not even know what experience we are going to get. Only after we have got an experience, we can say - we got such and such an experience. It therefore follows that we have no control of choosing the knowledge we might acquire. In other words, we have no ownership on our energy.

When we do not have ownership, how can we claim that it is our energy? Because the energy manifests through us (through our actions), we presume that it belongs to us. Lesser mortals boast that they are the masters of 'their' energy.

Different energies manifest at different times in the same person. It means that different forms of knowledge are being transformed into actions at those times. If we consider the different forms of knowledge that manifest themselves at different times through different beings, we can deduce that the entire creation runs as ordained by an infinite source of knowledge. It is not purposeless or chaotic as some may like to propose. This infinite source of knowledge is called as 'Jagatsrashta'(The Creator). This knowledge forms the basis and background of all actions.

Because we consider Jagatsrashta to be behind all actions, it follows that there can be nothing behind Jagatsrastha. Therefore, only Jagatsrashta has all the energies under his control. Not anybody else.

The energies of rest of us are always dependent on something else. Because knowledge manifests differently through us at different times, we tend to believe that we are its owners. Not only that, we boast that by using that energy, we can dominate others! Because of this faulty thinking, we take pride in belittling others. The following Sookti is meant to caution those who are stuck in that state.

Tasmin jagatsrishtari bhaasa maane

kahsshaktimad bheda vivaada eshah

Mrigaadhipe garjati rosha rookshe

shashainayor vaa katarodhiveerah

When the Almighty who created the entire universe is shining with limitless effulgence, is there any sense in arguing that one (creature) is superior in energy to the other (creature)? When the mighty lion roars with anger, a rabbit and an antelope become equally afraid and powerless. Is it possible to say which one was more brave?

The second part of the Sookti is actually cautioning us. What is the warning it is trying to give us? It is saying, 'the power you boast you possess is as meagre as that of the frightened rabbit. That energy may become invalid any time. If the rabbit is overconfident of its meagre energy and tries to fight the lion, the outcome is easy to guess. When the Almighty is the source and the master of all energies, if you become overconfident of your capacity and try to go against the master's plan, the Almighty will immediately disarm you.

May Lord Dattatreya bless you so that you will never fall prey to such egoistic thinking. May good sense prevail upon all so that everyone learns to remain indebted to the bestower of energy.

Sri Swamiji