The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Inspiring devotion

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Thursday, May 26, 2005

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Inspiring devotion

CHENNAI: : Basically, true knowledge consists in realising that existence in this world is temporary, and that freeing one's soul from the cycle of births and deaths is the ultimate goal. To be born as a human being is a unique privilege and an opportunity. Wisdom lies in not frittering it away but making the best use of that advantage to attain liberation. Scriptures and other religious texts speak of different ways of reaching that goal and the accent on options varied from one yuga to another. In the Krita and Tretha yugas, the preference was for meditation (dhyana) and performance of religious rites (yagnas) respectively; in the Dwapara yuga, doing such rituals as puja and archana was advocated; and above all, for the Kali yuga, devotion (bhakti) has been decreed as the best means to attain salvation, said Sri C.L. Ramakrishnan in his lecture.

There are many opportunities available to the individual for cultivating devotion. One can listen to discourses on the Lord's greatness, sing in praise of Him, and in short, engage oneself in thoughts and deeds that make one feel His presence everywhere and in everyone. Devotion to the Lord takes root when one starts appreciating the Lord's greatness. Apart from the epics and the puranas that speak of the Lord's incarnations that prove His greatness beyond doubt, there are biographical accounts of saints, savants and evolved souls, who had dedicated themselves to the Lord, mentally and physically. Acquainting oneself with the lives and works of such pre-eminently pious people is a sure way of imbibing Bhakti.

Jayadeva, believed to be an incarnation of Sage Vyasa (who is none other than Lord Vishnu), had displayed exemplary devotion to the Lord during his lifetime. To understand Jayadeva's devotion, mystical experience and the rich philosophy of the Gita Govinda, one needs a mental attitude that rises over and above the gross and materialistic worldly considerations. The theme is the love of Radha and Krishna, symbolising the longing and striving of the individual for communion with God. It is also a song in praise of Lord Krishna as Govinda, a cowherd who leads not merely cows, but the Supreme Being, who can lead us to salvation. Jayadeva's intense religious fervour and devotional flavour have influenced the Bhakti cult in India to a large extent.

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