The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Fix your mind on the Lord

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Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Fix your mind on the Lord

CHENNAI, SEPT 14. How are the Puranas, which extol virtuous living relevant in today's context, citing instances where the vicious and the evil-minded seemingly appear to have chalked out a success story for themselves? It is to highlight the enduring victory of good over evil ultimately that scriptural lore has relevance in the life of spiritual aspirants. The Pandavas faced up to severe trials, enduring hardships that their privileged life had not prepared them for without ever swerving from the avowed path of dharma. Such principled living earned them Lord Krishna's patronage .

God does not want us to suffer, but is ever ready to come to our rescue when beseeched for help, said Sri. P.M. Vijayaraghava Sastrigal in his discourse. The Bhagavatham recounts the fall of Jarasandha who, despite losing skirmishes no less than eighteen times, neither acknowledged Krishna's invincibility nor realised His divinity. But the Lord, aware of the suffering each battle wrought created the isle of Dwaraka in order to protect the Yadavas.

While the Supreme Being is aware of all that occurs it is important for devotees to pray for His help, in a fitting manner. The distress call to "Govinda" will be heeded immediately, since the name is dear to the Lord. For alleviation of one's sufferings, for fulfilment of a person's desire, for achievement of one's goal, it is necessary that a person pray to the Lord, seeking not merely guidance, but also His help.

Prior to embarking on his Ashwmedha yagna, Yudhishthra beseeched: "Govinda. Help me. Only those who meditate on thee or sing thy glory are able to overcome the evil that obstructs the spiritual vision and attain eternal joy... as men serve Thee and take shelter in thee so are the blessings they derive." Despite his many faults, Jarasandha possessed the noble trait of honouring mendicants. Accordingly, donning the garb of servitors, Arjuna, Krishna and Bhima requested that their favour be granted. The king while aware that these men were not what they appeared nevertheless abided by his single virtue of granting in charity. When Krishna proposed a one to one combat with any one of them, he readily chose Bhima as the only befitting warrior capable of matching his strength of a thousand elephants. On his defeat the benign Lord granted the imprisoned kings His grace by freeing them, proving yet again that whosoever fixes the mind on the Lord, will in the end attain Him without difficulty.

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