The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : God's amicable nature

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Saturday, Jan 01, 2005

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Miscellaneous - Religion

God's amicable nature

CHENNAI, JAN.1 . Saints who have realised God and glorified His infinite auspicious qualities in their hymns have done so from their spiritual experience. As the Supreme Being is beyond the ken of human senses and intellect spiritual seekers have to rely on the scriptures and, works of saints and mystics. Among His incomparable traits that which make Him accessible are more important from the standpoint of the devotee than the ones that are intrinsic to His transcendental nature because man has to re-establish his eternal relationship with the Lord. Unless God makes Himself accessible man cannot experience Him. The Tiruppavai of Andal, who is the only woman among the 12 Azhwars of the Srivaishnava tradition, is a classic example of a work that portrays God's accessibility.

In his discourse, Kalyanapuram Sri R. Aravamudachariar said Andal had highlighted the Lord's affable nature in His manifestation as Rama. Though He was the Lord-incarnate and the eldest son of an emperor, Rama was very accessible to one and all. This quality came to the fore especially during His stay in the forest. When Guha offered his services to Him Rama was so overjoyed that He declared him as His brother. Guha was overwhelmed by this gesture and felt that he did not deserve that status but the Lord's magnanimity was such that the difference in their position did not matter to Him.

The Ramayana says that both Lakshmana and Guha stayed awake guarding Rama while He slept that night. The commentary offers the insight that it is understandable that Lakshmana suspected every stranger out of love for His elder but Guha's friendship was just a day old; yet his love of Rama was such that he did not trust even Lakshmana. Another devotee who was fortunate to be singled out for His friendship and grace was Sabari.

Like Guha she was also born in a tribal community and she had awaited Rama's visit to her humble abode with great expectation as her preceptor had predicted He would. Rama not only partook the fruits she offered with devotion and love but was also witness to her liberation. Tyagaraja waxes eloquent about Sabari's singular fortune in one of his compositions. The Lord's compassionate nature came to the fore when Vibhishana surrendered to Him. Even though others had reservations He had the generosity of spirit to say that even if Ravana surrendered to Him He would accept him as it would have avoided the deaths of so many in the war.

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