The Hindu : God, the ultimate refuge

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 07, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

God, the ultimate refuge

CHENNAI JAN.7 . The pursuit of worldly pleasures and gains leaves one with a desire for more worldly things and does not satiate one let alone give happiness. Man should progress to a more ethical and meaningful level from this state. Elevation to the state of true happiness is possible only through faith. The Supreme Being has assured mankind, "Reach Me, I will grant that happiness which you lack." Such a way is possible since God has established practical guidelines for one's conduct on the Earth.

In his lecture on Thiruvachagam, Sri V. Rathinasabapathy said God actualised the higher knowledge that lay buried deep within a person. This is done through a practical approach. There once lived a man who longed for the riches a king traditionally handed over to those who sang his praise. With this goal taking firm hold of him, he haphazardly composed a song, which cast aspersions on the royal lineage. The court poet out of pity for this novice turned abuse into flattery by a masterly touch of the grammatical technique. All experienced true happiness.

Like a mother waiting for her son's arrival with a tastefully prepared meal, Lord Siva also looks forward to the devotee's homecoming. He is the catalyst who brings to the fore the primordial sound "Om" latent in a person by creating the right environment for a soul. God is like a huge reservoir where all aspirants converge for a cleansing. The accumulated dirt of previous births or the sinful deeds in the current life can be washed away but only He can purify the ego that covers the soul.

He offers His sanctuary and protection to all. Like doting parents who laugh when their infant kicks their bosom, He envelops His flock and absolves them of all faults. However, when a person harms other human beings, God does not condone it, and His justice will prevail. Many great men exhibit magnanimity by pardoning their enemies. But, Lord Siva's tolerance is so astounding that He absolves the devotee of all aberrations targeted at Him.

Often, the motive behind any act will be self-serving. Even celestials are not exempt from this, which is why they and the demons churned the Milky Ocean for the elixir of immortality. God, who is above all this stayed aloof and came to rescue them by consuming the poison Himself. He is the easiest to attain when a devotee embarks on the right path.

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