The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Kind and equitable

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 22, 2005

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Kind and equitable

CHENNAI: God's ways may be recondite but always just. While scriptures extol God's kindness towards his devotees and the good-hearted, they also describe the sternness He displays while dealing with those who are wicked, vile and perverted. The Bhagavatha Purana is replete with instances where Lord Krishna takes to task the erring beings.

One such episode is the slaying of Sisupala. Though evil and wicked, he was destined to be eliminated by Lord Krishna Himself. The Lord gave him the long rope and bore with patience the string of abuses that Sisupala unceasingly hurled at Him. But on the occasion of the completion of the Rajasuya yaga performed by Yudhistira, when Sisupala's humiliating jibes exceeded the limit, the Lord struck him with His discus. Under a curse that caused him to be born as Ravana and Hiranyakashipu in earlier births, Sisupala was destined to finally reach God by harbouring constant enmity. He is an example of those who became one with the Lord through habitual abuse of the Lord, said Sri B. Sundar Kumar in a discourse.

In all three instances the single-minded goal of confronting the Lord had led to a communion with Him, a difficult goal even to yogis who practise severe penance and austerities to attain union with God. This is different from the ecstatic Bhakti of some saints in search of the Lord, who have addressed the Lord in reproachful terms of devotion that is described as Ninda (abuse) Stuti (praise).

Among all His auspicious attributes, what stands foremost is His lack of prejudice in the cause of establishing righteousness. There is no way for evildoers, for they cannot hope to placate Him in any manner. The Lord cannot be won over by any kind of bargain. Even when we sing His praises He is aware of the sincerity or the absence of it. He is willing to forgive the sins and lapses, only if there is true contrition. Such is His all-knowing scrutiny that He is witness to all that happens. There is no room for hypocrisy and outward show. He will not tolerate any unrighteousness. In the case of Sisupala, it was the end of his curse that led to his liberation. His impartiality in annihilating evil forces is unchallengeable.

Only true devotion can be a cause for redemption. All else is immaterial.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Miscellaneous

News Update

Stories in this Section

Cartoonscape

The Hindu Crossword 8326

Solution to Puzzle 8325

Kind and equitable

dated June 22, 1955: Congress circular on Goa

dated June 22, 1955: Nehru back in Moscow

dated June 22, 1955: Payment in kind

Weather