The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Devotees are dear to Him

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Monday, May 17, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Devotees are dear to Him

CHENNAI, MAY 17. One time or the other everyone seeks the help of others. ``I am depending on you to see me through this... you are my only hope,'' is the line often. Very few people respond favourably, with the result that the seeker is made to run around. While such behaviour is typical of human nature, God's mercy is such that He immediately responds to those who surrender to Him.

In a lecture Sri V. Srivatsankachariar said that God helps whoever is humble and devoted. However, a judge can only uphold justice, so too God can help only those who have a virtuous conduct. One should work hard for attaining one's salvation, since this is one aspect of life that can neither be enforced by someone nor entrusted to a proxy.

The yearning for God should come from within. This is dependent on how well we are able to school our thought processes. The legendary man of wisdom, Tenali Rama, once found his king trying to change the boorish nature of a subject. To stress that demonic nature cannot be changed, Tenali Rama vainly tried to change the hide of a black dog into red.

On occasions, despite knowing what is the best course of action, we take the wrong path. Kumbakarna knew the right from the wrong; yet he chose to stand by Ravana. Vibhishana, possessed of clarity of vision with regard to Sita's abduction, suffered the royal humiliation for his belief; yet he walked away from it all, surrendering instead to Rama. One may argue that not everyone is possessed of higher knowledge or the vision of a seer. In such a situation, a person has to seek a good preceptor. According to the sastras, it is acceptable if a devotee emulated one's preceptor without independent thought. When Vibhishana approached Rama, he was accompanied by four of his bodyguards who conducted themselves in accordance with Vibhishana's thoughts. Thus, when the Lord granted Vibhishana asylum, the other four too were transported. What does God look at when offering His grace? Not at what is offered but only whether one's faculties are in tune with the Lord. The rewards of genuine supplication to God will definitely be felt by the recipient while the negative emotions will get transferred to those who harbour ill will. Like proud parents of a new-born who claim their child's prattle is superior to that of a lyre, God too holds true devotees very dear to Him regardless of their origins.

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