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Worthwhile pursuit

CHENNAI: The Bhagavata Purana highlights the effectiveness of Bhakti Marga as a sure path to God realisation. It reinforces the reciprocal love between God and His devotees. In all His incarnations the Lord has established a variety of distinctive relationships with them who in turn only long for His lotus feet. The power of devotion is such that it confers both Jnana (knowledge) and Vairagya (dispassion), said Sri Goda Venkateswara Sastrigal in a lecture, for it enables one to choose the option of seeking the solace derived from surrender to God to get relief from human bondage.

There is ample proof for this in the lives of the many saints and the pious who have tasted the joy of devotion and experienced God's grace and magnitude. But this path has its share of challenge as well, since devotion has to be instilled and nurtured. As in any branch of learning, sincere involvement, commitment and steadfastness alone can enable one to grasp the innate power of Bhakti. Listening to the Lord's auspicious qualities, and constant involvement in devotional service forms part of the initial exercise. As one gains knowledge of the astonishing scale of God's greatness that is not only the prime cause of creation and final destruction, but also permeates, activates, and sustains each and every aspect of the universe, one's devotion is strengthened. Then one begins to believe in the truth behind each of these concepts with unshakable conviction.

The sense that one is part of the grand design of the Almighty influences the devotional quotient in the consciousness. It is when one begins to be immersed in Bhakti rasa, when one enjoys the sense of total devotion to the Lord, that one realises that this devotion is a well placed one. In the process of trying to grasp and internalise God's amazing powers, one not only learns to forget oneself and enjoy the taste of God's auspicious qualities, but finds an unfailing support in His infinite compassion that alone can alleviate all kinds of sorrow that characterise worldly life. In addition, it is He alone who can offer the highest goal of liberation.

The Lord is easily won over by the genuine faith and sincerity of His devotees. In this quest, the more one delves, the more meaningful and fruitful is the haul.

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