The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Use senses to attain Lord's feet

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Wednesday, Mar 02, 2005

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Use senses to attain Lord's feet

CHENNAI, MARCH 2. The Vedas are the fundamental authority of Hindu religion and philosophy. Various schools of philosophic thought such as Adwaita, Vishishtadwaita and Dwaita are derived from this Vedantic system, which holds Brahman as the Ultimate Reality. Scriptures further recommend that we know and meditate on this Supreme from whom this universe originates, flourishes and reposes. Who is this Supreme Being? Why do we call Him so? How will I benefit from such an exercise, one may ask. The aim of all is to attain salvation and become free of the fetters of rebirths, and achieve the same one should attempt to understand the Supreme. Is God an object, replete with form and imbued with characteristic traits that one can pray, praise and focus upon? Some people allude to the seeming contradiction in the Upanishads where the Brahman is denoted as possessing form and traits, but elsewhere it is stated that He has neither form nor traits. How does one resolve the two?

In his discourse, Sri Adoor Asuri Madhavachariar said that there were no inconsistencies in the basic philosophy. The Azhwars and the Vaishnavite apostles `saw' the Supreme in everything, from tiny particles of food to the betel leaf. But not all human beings can experience such divine awareness in this world. The ability to experience Him without the aid of the senses is possible only on attaining His feet. It is to emphasise that our physical presence is not to feed and fatten the senses and body but to enrich the soul that His form is a point of reference. Whether one wants to attain His feet, or enjoy the worldly pleasures to the hilt, one's senses are the key. When the faculties are with Him, He takes care of the devotee, since His main purpose is to offer protection to those who seek Him.

By knowing His attributes aspirants get closer to God, as His approachability becomes obvious. When the holy texts state He is "without attributes" one should logically interpret it correctly as referring to a state where there are no negative qualities. Why is He referred to as Bhagavan? It is because He possesses the six qualities, knowledge, lordship, strength, valour, energy and splendour. As per the epics and the puranas, which celebrate the Lord's manifestations on earth, He has traits, but those are noble, unlike human beings who are governed by sattva, rajas and tamas. There are many ways to address the negative traits in one, and seeking the company of noble soldiers of God, of reading pious literature and feeding on appropriate food are all tools to a better spiritual life.

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