Miscellaneous - Religion   

An experience to cherish

CHENNAI: In Andal's perspective, the Supreme Being's various incarnations and His extraordinary efforts to protect dharma and destroy evil are worthy of eulogy at all times. While describing the uniqueness of Krishna Avatar, she stresses the Absolute nature of the Lord and of the epoch making night of His birth. Out of His Sankalpa, no sooner was He born with His divine form than He began to make the first moves for achieving the purpose of His incarnation, namely, annihilation of the evil forces such as Kamsa.

At the request of His parents Devaki and Vasudeva He assumed a child's form, and on His instructions was carried by Vasudeva to the residence of Nandagopalan and Yasoda on the other bank of the river Yamuna. Vasudeva was able to carry the newborn babe against all odds — tight security, heavy downpour and a rising Yamuna — because the Lord willed it so, said Sri Sthalasayanathuraivar in a discourse.

The larger significance of Andal's "Tiruppavai" goes beyond the emphasis on worship of the Lord during the month of Marghazhi as one of the means to attain liberation. Singing His praises and offering worship with flowers, etc., are no doubt very essential in the process of spiritual evolution. But gradually one's efforts should be directed towards gaining that knowledge by which we can understand the Lord. It is only when one realises the omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence of the Supreme Being and one's relationship to Him, that one becomes ready to offer total surrender of the self to Him with implicit faith and devotion. This alone can give liberation to a soul.

In this context, both Devaki and Yasoda have been blessed. If it was the unique privilege of Devaki to have given birth to the Lord, Yasoda was equally privileged to savour the unforgettable moments of Lord Krishna's childhood, that continue to be a source of enjoyment and endearment to devotees. The Lord chose Devaki and Vasudeva as parents responsible for the incarnation. But He chose to overwhelm Yasoda with the most enjoyable childhood exploits, the dream of any mother.

Yasoda's great fortune that enabled her to play the role of mother and bring up the Supreme Being is something anyone could aspire for. It is a rare and unique experience that even Vaikunta cannot offer.

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