The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Forms of Supreme Being

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Monday, Jan 10, 2005

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Forms of Supreme Being

CHENNAI, JAN. 10. How should a man be? It is said that God creates a human being with both celestial and demonic aspects and watches the person evolve according to his inner drive and his environment. There are many avenues of help available to all, which will help a person master his baser self and emerge a better man. One such path is chartered by preceptors who lead aspirants towards God, while holy literature is another. As a celebration of the Supreme's visitation on earth such texts also answer many questions that may puzzle a devotee.

In his discourse on `Srinivasa Kalyanam', Sri. Velukkudi Krishnan said that although sastra states that Brahman is the Ultimate Reality, such knowledge is beyond the ken of ordinary people. Saints such as the Azhwars have hailed the presence of the Supreme in the earth, water, fire and air but not everyone can experience the wisdom of these visionaries and meditate or focus their faculties on Him. It is for this reason that God takes on images replete with features and weapons readily recognisable by man. Would not have one idol been sufficient? Why should there be so many images, a doubter may wonder. It is a characteristic human trait that different tastes appeal to various people, nor is such choice constant, but undergoes many ebbs and flows. However, in His infinite kindness the Supreme Being appears in various forms. To the dedicated priest, He is present in the holy fire; He resides forever in the heart of prime devotees; while men of wisdom find Him in everything. The question then may be raised as to how a person can worship the Lord? Our ancient scriptures state that Brahman is the creator, protector and vanquisher, and He is none other than Srinivasan who came down to Thirumala hills to marry Padmavathi. Some seekers may find this perplexing since if the Ultimate Reality is unquantifiable, how can the same be the readily quantifiable Srinivasan? How can both be one and the same? The answers to resolve the doubt are admirably spelt out in `Vishnu sukhtam'. God is ever ready to extend His protection to seekers as is evident by His manifestation as Nrisimha and again as Thiruvikrama, when He came down to establish dharma and vanquish the errant. Whoever surrenders to God is taken unto Him. When a supplicant surrenders at Srinivasan's feet the right `paduka' which measured this earth as Vamana will fetch an aspirant liberation, while the left is a stance of assurance of His protection, of eliminating opponents.

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