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Supreme Lord's attributes

CHENNAI SEPT. 18. Today almost every man stands at the crossroads unable to choose the correct path that can take him to his goal — escaping from the worldly bondage. He is baffled by the numerous day-to-day problems, wondering how to solve them. At this juncture, if some one offers him proper guidance to lead him safely through his journey, will he not be delighted at the proposal? This is what God does, perhaps indirectly, telling him through scriptures and their interpretations through the illustrious saints, "Come to Me with deep faith, knowing Me to be the refuge of all tormented souls, unburden your grief and I shall be ever with you". This divine call will be available to those who choose to entrust themselves wholly at His feet, by resorting to the process called "surrender".

That God's commitment to such ardent devotees who abide by His injunction and solely depend on Him can be illustrated by the example of a dwarf attempting his best to get a fruit in the top branch of a tree. When his endeavour proved in vain there appeared a tall person who could effortlessly pluck it and give it to him. That is God's grace. The Lord is also often compared to a charioteer who takes the vehicle with passengers inside safely. Scriptures point out the different paths available for aspirants, like devotion, action, duty and knowledge. Each of them, when practised, may seem to present certain obstacles. The best solution is to pray before a religious leader to guide him on the path of surrender.

In this connection, the Jeeyar Swami of the Ahobila Math, in a discourse, referred to the three factors governing the adoption of steps to reach their respective Gods. The first is to know who is the "Reality", viz. the Supreme with all powers, even to offer salvation (Moksha). Another is about the procedures to be taken. The third is the goal. Scriptures tell us that the body is entirely different from the soul that is seated within. The former perishes but the latter is immortal and continues from one body to another. Because of the knowledge gained in the previous life, a child, even at birth, is able to take its feed from its mother. The Srivaishnavites firmly believe in the Supreme's lordship and how He is full of auspicious attributes. The universe, consisting of sentient beings, souls and matter are all the body of the Lord and that He is their inner self or soul. Texts refer to the eagerness with which the Lord awaits the individual souls which had gone astray and how He feels happy at their return to His abode (Moksha).

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