The Hindu : Miscellaneous / Religion : Sincerity essential

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Friday, Jul 08, 2005

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Sincerity essential

CHENNAI: Bhakti is something that cannot be imbibed easily. It requires great effort and determination on the part of the individual. From the lives of great saints and devotees, one realises that the path is arduous and not smooth. Only the resolute will be able to face the trials and tribulations and finally reap the reward of divine grace that alone can confer the ultimate goal of God realisation.

It is not merely knowledge of scriptures, or even the privilege of being formally initiated in the spiritual way of life by great preceptors that can make a person devout, pointed out Srimathi Jaya Srinivasan in a lecture.

Though visiting temples, involving in worship and prayer, reciting the names of the Lord, listening to His greatness, and seeking the company of the pious are some of the methods recommended for cultivating devotion, what is basic to them all is a true love for the Lord and yearning to reach Him. It has to grow within one's inner self and should be the driving force behind one's thought, word and deed.

In this pursuit one is likely to face both external and internal hurdles. For instance, in the case of the saint poet Thyagaraja, he had to face opposition to his Ram Bhakti from his own brother who failed to appreciate his deep devotion. This phenomenal love for Lord Rama that made him burst forth into rapturous songs in praise of the Lord is a manifestation of Bhakti that inheres in an individual through sheer divine grace.

It was an intense love that was totally entrenched within his self. Lord Rama is believed to have responded to this in many subtle ways.

In the case of Narayana Bhattadri, who was afflicted with disease, his devotion sprang from his love for the Lord on whom he composed the divine song Narayaneeyam that retells the story of the Bhagavatha Purana. Though superficially speaking, his entreaty was to cure him of his illness the real underlying plea was for God realisation.

In the matter of cultivating devotion to the Lord that is the sure path towards spiritual progress, it is more difficult to deal with the internal obstruction that is related to the human mind. Extra effort is needed to condition the mind and fix one's thoughts constantly on God.

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