The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : God gives timely protection

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Saturday, Jul 24, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

God gives timely protection

CHENNAI, JULY 24. There is no instance where God is known to have failed in extending timely protection to His devotees who totally surrendered at His feet. At times of difficulties, people may feel upset, feeling that they alone are repositories of untold suffering! God's intention is never to punish his devotees. He only helps them to surmount their problems.

In his discourse, Sri. M.R Nagasubramaniam said men who believe in His supremacy always feel that everything happens for a purpose, and nothing but good will be the outcome of such trying times. There was once a king whose minister was known for his sense of fortitude. Once on a hunting expedition, when the king lost one of his fingers while slicing a fruit, the minister promptly said, "it is all for the good." Enraged by this, the ruler had him thrown in jail. The minister smilingly accepted his fate, avowing "whatever happens, happens only for the best." The king was to recall those words subsequently. On his next foray into the forest, the ruler was kidnapped by some bandits who made preparations to sacrifice him as was their custom. However, when they saw that the king had lost a finger, they felt that he was far from perfect to be offered to their `lord' and he was released. The minister said that had he not been in prison but accompanied the king, he would have been seized by the bandits and sacrificed instead.

It is not always possible for one to face problems in life with poise, when he lacks equanimity and foresight. However, it should be possible for all to face up to adversity. Sugreeva is a prime example of this. Commanded by his brother Vali to stand guard at a cave while he pursued a demon inside, Sugreeva dutifully waited for a year, but when blood seeped out of the cave, and no other tidings arriving from Vali, assuming the worst, he sealed the cave entrance. He assumed power to ensure that law and order did not suffer. However when Vali returned, he was all for reinstating him. Yet, an enraged and unforgiving Vali, hounded his brother and wanted to eliminate him. Such an experience served him well in the art of escaping from enemies and shaking off pursuit; additionally, always having to seek a refuge, his sense of geography was sharpened to a fine point. This knowledge was to stand him in good stead in his future life after the death of Vali. When the search mission for Sita was ready to take off, Sugreeva was able to provide a detailed mind map for the Vanaras to follow with concise recommendations which took various aspects into consideration.

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