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Hallmark of devotion

CHENNAI: There are many methods by which man's union with God is made possible. In the Bhagavad Gita the Lord Himself explains in detail these methods and paths, by following which man can attain liberation.

Arjuna, who was overwhelmed after he had beheld the spellbinding Viswa Rupa form of the Lord, wanted to know the merits of seeking oneness with the Absolute, in both the impersonal and personal forms. Lord Krishna's reply stresses the importance of meditation in both options, when the Bhaktha is constantly immersed in thoughts of the Lord with unshakable faith, pointed out Swamini Satyavratananda in a discourse. In whatever form or whatever mode one chooses to worship the Lord, the truth is that there are as many challenges of varying degrees and kinds as there are Bhaktas, depending on the individual's effort.

A true devotee bears no malice towards any being, and is able to rejoice in the welfare of all creatures. He is friendly as well as compassionate. More importantly, he is able to evaluate the worldly associations that are derived through his embodied state as merely temporary and realise the urgency to seek the all-pervading, eternal and limitless God. He is thus able to rise above the feeling of "I" and "mine" that is the greatest barrier in the path of God realisation. He is forgiving by nature, and is ever content and mentally in constant communion with the Lord. Such a devotee would have automatically subdued his body, mind and senses, and surrendered his mind and intellect to the Lord. He is even minded and has neither attachment nor aversion. The Lord holds in high esteem the sincerity and devotion of such devotees and offers His helping hand for their salvation.

In order to realise the transcendent bliss of the Supreme Being, the greatest requisite is an inner peace and tranquillity that is attained through discipline and practice of self-control. It calls for an inner renunciation of worldly objects that need not be declared by means of outward show. A total honesty and truthfulness to oneself is the hallmark of true devotion, when the inner self is always absorbed in the Supreme Being. Once this is attained, there is peace and tranquillity, and no trace of restlessness. There is no longing for any worldly objects either. Such a person is in constant union with the Lord.

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