The Hindu : Unalloyed devotion to God

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 23, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Unalloyed devotion to God

CHENNAI DEC.23 . The paradoxes in human nature are often the cause of flagging of man's resolve to focus on the spiritual pursuits that will lead to realisation of the Ultimate. Human beings are susceptible to joys and sorrows, resulting from sensory pleasures. These sensory pursuits culminate in sinful deeds setting off a chain reaction, which makes rebirths and suffering inevitable. So, how does one escape from this vicious cycle brought about by human fallibilities? In the shifting sands of emotional and sensory compulsions, how does one find the hard rock to anchor one's efforts towards loftier ideals? What can be the nurturing influence to the nascent spirituality in man? The answer lies in sincere devotion and unswerving faith in God.

In the Bhagavad Gita, the Lord has espoused devotion as the remedy to all human misery and sorrows. He says, "Great souls who posses a divine nature, knowing Me as the prime cause of creation, worship Me constantly with undivided mind." Scriptural literature reinforces a multi-pronged approach that a devotee may pursue in order to find everlasting bliss. Holy texts reiterate the desirability of contemplation on the Lord as an exercise to attain Him. There are five means for a devotee to adopt as his daily ritual: praying to God for hindrance-free service to Him, offering flowers, daily prayer, reading of inspiring scriptural works and meditating on the glory of the Lord. Any one of these when undertaken with devotion and faith will help in spiritual progress.

In his discourse, Sri N.P. Sukendra Ramanuja Dasar highlighted the benefits to be reaped when one adhered closely to the scriptural recommendations. Among them unalloyed devotion remains unparalleled by virtue of its practical applicability and divine approval as the Lord has declared, "Whoever offers to me with love, a leaf, a flower, a fruit or even water, I appear in person before that devotee." Sabari is a case in point. Gajendra, born as a result of a sage's curse retained his devotion of his earlier life. A small transgression of the Vedic principles caused his birth as an elephant; simultaneously, another celestial was caused to be reborn as a crocodile in order to establish the supremacy of devotion as a way of life.

Kulasekara Azhwar, Nammazhwar, Poigai Azhwar and Periazhwar have all sung paeans to the Lord who heeded the distress call of His devotee Gajendra when it called out to Him.

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