Our scriptures extol gratitude as an essential feature in personality development. The Brihaddharma Purana, which codifies the various aspects of dharma, talks about gratitude as an important aid to self-control and enlightenment.
The study published in the journal Psychological Science reveals that participants who practised gratitude were more patient than their less grateful counterparts.
In the Ramayan, there is a moving instance of Ram showing gratitude to the boatman, Guha, who treats them with great affection and ferries the trio across the River Ganga at the start of their exile in the forest. After successfully vanquishing Ravan, when he starts his journey back to Ayodhya after a gap of 14 years, Ram first thinks of Guha. He asks Hanuman as his emissary to proceed in advance and convey to Guha the happy tiding of his return, saying, ‘Guha would be immensely delighted to hear about my welfare as he is atmasamah sakha, one closest to my heart.’
Gratitude is the dividend we get when we forgo false images of position and rank, and begin to assess our lives with a sense of fullness and abundance.
Practising gratitude is a way of enhancing, healing, strengthening and deepening relationships. It brings goodness in life, and is the road to happiness. It enlightens, empowers and enriches us.
