Miscellaneous - Religion   

Devotional experience

CHENNAI: The Bhagavata Purana describes the true devotee as one who realises that God resides in the innermost self and also in all beings, and that all beings dwell in Him. The descriptions of the various incarnations of the Lord and the devotional fervour of Bhaktas like Prahlada and Ambarisha illustrate the wide range and varying stages of devotional experience.

There is a valuable instruction to mankind in the providential circumstances under which this purana was related to King Parikshit at a time when he had brought upon himself a curse that he would die of snakebite within seven days. During one of his hunting trips he had requested a sage in deep penance for water who had not heeded it. Annoyed by this passive reaction, he had inadvertently hurled a dead snake on the sage's neck. The sage's son was angered at the insult to his father and pronounced this curse on the king. King Parikshit made the most of the brief lease of life by listening to the glory of the Lord.

The resourceful manner in which the king turned the curse into an advantage brings to focus the value of human birth and the urgency to make the most of it for the soul's salvation, said Sri Mathivannan in a discourse.

To realise that there is no truth except the Supreme Being is the essence of spirituality. The more one realises this, the stronger is the faith and devotion towards the Supreme Being. Prahlada was convinced in this truth to such an extent that not all the threats and taunts of his father could undermine his conviction.

For aspirants not learned in the Vedas and other scriptures, practising the Bhagavata Dharma is the only viable option for God realisation and it primarily consists in dedicating to Him totally.

The Purana also offers the nine types of spiritual discipline to be followed by devotees — Sravanam (hearing the narratives of the glorious deeds and excellences of the Lord), Kirtanam (chanting His name), Smaranam (remembering Him continuously), Padasevanam (serving His feet), Archanam (worshipping Him), Vandanam (paying obeisance to Him), Dasyam (adopting the servant role towards Him), Sakhyam (looking upon Him as friend) and Atmanivedanam (offering total surrender at His feet).

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