The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Characteristics of saints

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Wednesday, May 18, 2005

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Characteristics of saints

CHENNAI: : A person who is serious about his spiritual progress can benefit greatly by cultivating the company of God-realised saints. While their very presence is spiritually elevating they can also profit by observing their qualities and behaviour, and try to emulate them. One such saint who lived in recent times who was very accessible to one and all was Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. His devotee, Mahendranath Gupta has documented his life and teachings.

In his discourse, Swami Vimurtananda said the saint's conduct had been recorded faithfully in this work. He says that Sri Ramakrishna would be in a state of deep contemplation on some days while on other occasions he would sing and dance in joy during congregational worship. Sometimes he would behave like the laypeople. How can a devotee benefit from reading such descriptions? The dominant feeling when a devotee approaches a great saint is one of reverence and so he seeks his grace. But, if the saint happens to be very accessible and simple, the devotee would then muster courage to emulate him as he can then identify himself with him without allowing the yawning difference between them to deter him.

What are the characteristics of saints? First and foremost is their inclination to only converse about God and not be drawn into worldly matters. Even if a devotee started digressing, Sri Ramakrishna would redirect his attention to God by chanting the divine name. He would impress upon his devotee that his life was meant to please God and the Guru. The mind of saints will be introverted and hence they will be totally detached from the world. Another feature of saints is their simplicity. Sri Ramakrishna used to be totally identified with the Divine Mother that he would be child-like in his approach towards both God and others.

The most important feature of a saint is the state of bliss he experiences in his communion with God constantly. Normally human beings are familiar with joy and sorrow, which they experience in worldly life. But the sensory pleasures and the happiness they derive from them is never enduring. The bliss of spiritual experience, on the other hand, is permanent; and that this is not just a postulate of Vedanta but the truth has been validated in the lives of saints.

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