Miscellaneous - Religion   

A value addition

CHENNAI: The lives of saints stand testimony to the truth that faith in God draws sustenance from the intuitive power of cognisance that transcends the bounds of reason.

Among the galaxy of saints in the Saivaite tradition who have inspired, influenced and fostered the spiritual growth through their lives and fervent outpourings in Tamil hymns, the saint poet Karaikal Ammaiyar personifies the essence of Jnana and Bhakti, pointed out Sri Sukhi Sivam in a lecture. Born in a highly principled business family she grew up with innate spiritual leanings towards the devotees of Shiva. Her love for Lord Shiva blossomed into unflinching devotion and kindled in her a spirit of renunciation that sought nothing else but union with the Lord.

The life story of this saint devotee is exceptional in that when she prayed to Lord Shiva to rid her of her corporal body and wished to spend her life in devotion to Him, the Lord granted her wish. She continued to tread the earth with the emaciated form, composing devotional hymns of excellence.

Her claim that in whatever form or figure one worships the Lord, in that same form or figure He shows grace, reflects her staunch belief in the Lord's response to true devotion. It is a misconception to believe that the Lord is inaccessible and is in a remote place.

He has always been revealing Himself to the saints and seers who placed implicit faith and devotion in Him. In her songs she affirms that the Lord, who is the world's primordial cause, is ready to appear in the hearts of His devotees as Light or Jnana, since He is easily moved by genuine devotion.

A sincere, true, total and unselfish love to God is more essential than adherence to religious tenets or performance of ritualistic worship.

Pursuing the path of pure devotion can help individuals overcome the desire for worldly gains and gradually realise the ultimate purpose of life.

Because of its intrinsic quality to forge a link between people, love is a powerful value adding force in human existence, and but for it, individuals would live in isolation.

Devotion is an extreme form of love. Just as love makes life meaningful, it is devotion to the Supreme Being that makes one realise the purpose of life and strive to attain it.

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