The Hindu : God's abounding grace

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 11, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

God's abounding grace

CHENNAI DEC. 11 . The rich spiritual heritage is manifold and is transmitted by various means. The Vedas are the basis for the Hindu way of life. The characters, portrayed in the epics and other holy scriptures, exemplify their teachings. The wide spectrum of devotional literature is an enduring testimony to the piety of saints, preceptors and visionaries who realised God. As such, they are the third dimension to our spiritual wealth, providing form and substance to the teachings of the Vedas. Centuries after their lifetime, saint-composers continue to wield their influence over spiritual seekers by inspiring those who yearn for everlasting bliss. The Vaishnavite tradition is embellished with the lives of the 12 Azhwars. They hailed from different walks of life and have through unflagging devotion and faith attained salvation and bequeathed to posterity a rich tradition to follow in order to reach the Lord.

The Azhwars' contribution is incomparable and they offered anything precious or beautiful to Lord Narayana, as exemplified by Rama. The Ramayana portrays Rama as the embodiment of 16 virtues desirable in man. Whenever someone offered anything to Him, Rama immediately set it aside for His beloved brother, Bharata, said Sri K.B. Devarajan in his discourse. When disputed property was settled in favour of a litigant, His joy knew no bounds. Similarly, when a devotee realises God, He feels elated. A soldier takes tender care of his weapons. The Supreme Lord not only takes care of His flock but is also indulgent to the point of turning into an admirer of His devotee.

Many are the instances which exemplify His grace, and the life of Thirupannazhwar is one such. An ardent devotee of Lord Ranganatha, his work, Amalanadipiran, was commented upon by Vedanta Desika, who after reading the hymn experienced God's grace as Thirupannazhwar did, which he has expressed in his commentary. This composition at the outset hails the supremacy of the Lord immanent in all beings. A student was puzzled about how man's frailties did not taint the indwelling God. When a person eats a sweet dish the rich ghee sticks to the fingers but not to the tongue. Similarly God remains unaffected. Just as darkness cannot exist where there is light, so too human blemishes will not taint the Omniscient One. God alone is perfect and like water quickly vaporising on contact with a hot pan, man's imperfections do not impact on the Lord, once he reaches Him.

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