The divine knowledge of Obàtálá and the true glory of a human being: The necessity of [true] manhood [manliness]. Obàtálá the master of genuine manliness and perfection.

Aboru Aboye. Ogbo ato asure iworiwofun. Àse.

There are many benefits, gifts and endowments that we receive from Olódùmarè Agotun by the blessing [virtue] of just being born. Elevation of mind and noble character is not something though that we are born with. A mind of divine quality and a lofty character must be and can only be acquired through diligent [persevering] effort and the practice of patience. Why do we revere, honor, love and worship Orisaala? What is it about Orisanla that inspires confidence in us, that ennobles us, and fills us with great fondness and dignity? What it is that makes Obàtálá Obatasa Takun-takun so venerable, endearing and attractive?

Is it not the divine quality of his mind? Is it not because of his lofty and unequalled character, demeanor, conduct and behavior? Is it not be because of his attributes of fearlessness, holiness and selflessness? Who is like Obàtálá?! He is peerless in conduct and wisdom!

We too can transform and elevate our lives to a divine and lofty level, here-and-now, if we dedicate ourselves to acquiring divine character and holy thoughts.

When we consider Oba-Orisa Obàtálá there is one word that comes to mind: Dignity!

Dignity comes through the assimilation and practice of divine knowledge and unselfish lofty deeds carried out without arrogance, conceit and pretense.

Who is humble, courageous and guileless like Obàtálá? We too must cultivate and nurture humility, courage and guilelessness. Obàtálá is always appreciative and thankful for any sincere, loving and unselfish service or favor rendered to him, or performed in his name.  Obàtálá easily feels indebted to those who worship him by worshipping him with his own divine qualities. Obàtálá represents true manliness. Obàtálá demonstrates and reflects the highest and most pure dignity of a man like being a hard-worker [industrious], being friendly, displaying genuine brotherly love, doing everything with joy and enthusiasm, treating others with respect, fighting against injustice, being a follower [practitioner] of the code of morality [iwa-pele], being a keeper of ones word [vows, resolve and promises], being truthful [honest], and being a faithful [loyal] person.

How unmanly and shameful it for a man to always be whining, complaining and making excuses. How unmanly and shameful it is for a man to be lazy, to lack of motivation and to lack purpose. How unmanly and shameful it is for a man to behave like an immature child who always needs to be coddled and told what to do. How unmanly and shameful is it for a man to be passive and dependent upon others. How unmanly and shameful is it for a man to live an uninspiring, unremarkable  and unfruitful life [a life lacking in achievements and a life that has accomplished nothing worthwhile].

How much does our world and our Ifá-orisa community need real men, manly men, courageous men, valiant men, men possessed of character, virtue, patience, courage and endurance?! Our Ifá-orisa community and our world needs men who know how to shoulder responsibility and who know how to accomplish divinely assigned tasks. We need reliable, resilient and dependable men to help promote the advancement of world civilization and divine culture.

Such a divine man was and is Obàtálá, and such men must we not only desire and aspire to be, we must actually be such. Olódùmarè is not going to ‘magically’ make us such men. We have to want to be such, and we have to pursue, inculcate and master the divine discipline and science of Obàtálá. If we out of ignorance, immaturity and laziness refuse to accept the challenge of becoming divine human beings [true-men], then our minds will always be restless and our lives will never be truly fulfilled and accomplished. We will never know self-respect nor will others truly respect us.

We must learn to drive away selfishness, immaturity and pettiness from our lives and must learn how to practice genuine love, generosity and rectitude. We must put to the side the desire to be seen, acknowledged and applauded by others for our kindly acts of service and generosity. We must love to do what is right and just, simply out of love for justice and rectitude, and not for the purpose of being seen, acknowledged and applauded by others.

Obàtálá is the King, Leader and Head of all irunmole-orisa. He is truly deserving and worthy of being Oba-Orisa. Even though Obàtálá is such a great and extraordinary personality he is not ever swayed or filled with pride, conceit and pretense. He never feels like he is better or superior to others. He never gives the impression through his comportment that he is better or more deserving than others. Is this not the reason we love him so and are willing to do anything for him?! He treats all with dignity and respect. He relates to all with affection, sympathy and fondness. He inspires confidence and he reveals [displays] the content [essence] of true manliness. He is inflexible in the performance of his duties and he impartially upholds righteousness, law and order in his domain.

We too must adopt the outlook and manners of Obàtálá. He is Oba Iwa. We too must become masters and kings of good character, noble character and holy discipline. Obatala is no coward. He is the quintessential man. Valorous, courageous, brave and fearless. It is time to revive and restore the cult of divine manliness because without it all dignity, order, purpose, dignity, progress and uprightness will be lost. We must fight, defeat and overcome the inner and outer elenini and ajogun of avarice, arrogance, conceit, greed, anger, hate, deception and lust. We must resist all who promote injustice, disorder and malice with courage and determination. We must be gentle but firm. We must be kind, but not gullible and servile.

One who leads an honest life and is ever ready to assist and help those in need without showing off and singing his own praises, such a one leads a dignified life, a divine life, an Obàtálá life. The true knower and worshipper of Obàtálá is the one who delights and takes pride in one thing only: In cultivating, perfecting and exhibiting the godly qualities, and the auspicious symptoms of divine holiness, uprightness, integrity, courage, and devotion to what is right, proper and clean.

Is it by accident that Obàtálá sleeps in white, awakens in white and conducts all his affairs in white without ever becoming stained? No. It is no accident! Obàtálá is that way because that is the way that he chose to live and that he determined that he would live, irrespective of what others do or do not do. Obàtálá does not change his holy habits and endearing conduct, character and personality because others have changed their former good habits for bad habits. Obàtálá does not ever abandon his principles and ways, even if others abandon their previous good principles and ways. No wonder he is the great king, the true manly man, Olódùmarè’s much loved son, because he brings honor, delight, wholesome pride and good repute to his Oluwo and Baba, Olódùmarè.

To be a human and to be a man being means to be divine in thoughts, words and actions. To be human and to be a man means to be generous, kind, just, dependable, reliable, persevering, optimistic, industrious, honest, sincere, trust worthy and impartial. Anything less than this and we cease to be human even if physically we appear to be so. There are many cruel animals with human faces in the world! There are many human beings in name only. There are many men in name only but not in actuality. Let us be true and complete human beings and true men by following the science, example and ways of Obàtálá which reveal to us in a crystal clear fashion in what consists the true glory of a human being and the true glory of a man.

Eeepa Orisa! Orisa Eeepa!