The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Embodiment of grace

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Friday, Nov 19, 2004

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Embodiment of grace

CHENNAI, NOV.19 . Worldly life and the goal of liberation are said to be antithetical in the spiritual tradition and hence those who are serious about realising God consciously distance themselves from family life to overcome attachment. But to the lay people this fact may even deter them from pursing the spiritual goal seriously as it is difficult to accept that one's kith and kin stand in the way of one's emancipation. This should not be taken literally and the significance understood because the intention of the scriptures is not to persuade everyone to renounce the world.

In his discourse, Sri R. Selvaganapati said the manifestation of Lord Muruga was to enable mankind to overcome ignorance, which was the cause of bondage. The soul in bondage is hampered by three taints— ego, Karma and Maya. These three have to be removed to experience the original state of bliss and consciousness of the Self and only divine grace can destroy these blemishes. Of the three, ego is responsible for giving a person his individuality, because of which, instead of identifying with the Self (Atman) he relates to his body and mind. This mistaken identity gives rise to attachment and sorrows.

The Kanda Puranam in Tamil by Kachiappa Sivachariar explains the philosophical import of the birth of Muruga and His valorous deeds. The three taints responsible for man's ignorance are personified as the three evil forces, Surapadma (ego), Simhamukha (Karma) and Tarakasura (Maya) in this Purana. Muruga destroying these Asuras symbolises the role of divine grace in man's redemption. It was in answer to the prayer of the celestials when the Asuras harassed them that Lord Siva manifested the spiritual power of His third eye as six sparks.

Transported by Agni and Vayu to lotus flowers on the River Ganga they transformed into six babies and the Karthika maidens cared for them. When the Divine Mother, Parvati gathered them in Her arms lovingly they fused together into one baby with six faces (hence the name Skanda). Esoterically, the six faces represent the various roles of Muruga, the important being His teaching of spiritual knowledge to His father, destroying man's Karma and ignorance thereby liberating him from bondage. From the standpoint of the soul in bondage, the ego, Karma and Maya, which are responsible for bondage are depicted figuratively as worldly distractions and they have to be overcome with God's grace.

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