The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Saints bring us solace

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 14, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Saints bring us solace

CHENNAI, JUNE 14. Saints illumine our soul just as the sun dispels darkness. A layman lured by worldly pleasures cannot discern God's compassionate nature. The darkness and ignorance clouding his vision could be corrected only by such messengers who could impart the requisite knowledge and spiritual power to resist temptations. The lives of such men have become a source of inspiration for many.

In his address on the 75th Guru Puja of Sri Pamban Swamigal, Sri C. V. Sadanandan said that in order to guide the humanity and inculcate moral values that time and again, spiritual leaders were born. These men have helped society at large to face the challenge. How are they able to offer solace, one may ask? Do problems really vanish?

The larger message is that these messengers of God, have stressed that heaven is not a remote place and that it can be brought closer to one's grasp by treading the path of justice, and upholding all that is honourable in conduct.

One such savant who wielded wide influence on the masses was Sri Pamban Swamigal (1850-1929), who lived in Tamil Nadu. Guided by God, he had brought solace and provided succour to many disheartened devotees through his soul-stirring hymns.

An early recipient of mystical experiences , he once observed a severe penance for more than a month. Subsequently, Lord Subrahmanya, along with sage Agasthya appeared before him and offered His benediction, an experience chronicled in his work `Thagaralaya Rahasyam". Among his other works, `Shanmuga kavacham and Panchamritha varnam' are recommended for daily recitals by devotees seeking mental peace and spiritual benefits.

Once when the Swamigal suffered from a compound fracture on his leg, it was felt that he could not be cured. He rejected amputation as an option and reposed faith in Lord Subrahmanya: the injury healed in two weeks. He felt the presence of the young Lord beside his bed, before the miracle took place.

An ascetic well-versed in the Upanishads and Agamas, he gave up salt and spices. For those devotees who could visualise God only in some form, he advocated concentration on one form only and recognise the same in other forms. Even while earning one's livelihood, a person should attempt to realise God,

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Miscellaneous

News Update

Stories in this Section

The Hindu Crossword No. 8009

Solution to puzzle No. 8008

Saints bring us solace

dated June 14, 1954: French Govt. falls

dated June 14, 1954: Yanam freed

dated June 14, 1954: Foreign aid for Plan

dated June 14, 1954: JP on Sampattidan

Weather