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Practice of devotion

CHENNAI : Teachers and scriptures can stimulate spiritual awareness to drive home the purpose of life — God realisation — and also the means to attain the goal.

In the teachings of Adi Sankara, one finds practical wisdom enunciated with remarkable clarity that makes the high-sounding philosophical concepts of the Vedanta as not something remote and incomprehensible but as pervading all aspects of day-to-day living, said Sri B. Sundarkumar in a lecture.

This preceptor thought that abstract philosophising alone would not suffice, and stressed the importance of God realisation through practice of devotion. His keen and intuitive mind sought the method of reason rather than dogma. The spiritual aspirant must devote himself to meditation, worship and the adoration of the Supreme Being, and with this knowledge, discipline and devotion, must try and realise Him.

Spiritual ignorance has its root in the sense of ego that makes one believe that one's effort, intelligence, endowments etc., are something belonging to oneself. The sense of I and Mine that easily attaches itself to one's consciousness is the greatest obstacle to spiritual progress. A person who has experienced the power and glory of God can discriminate between the true and the untrue, and hence will discover the truth that ego or the idea of one's personality is false. The practical way of life is to focus on contentment and not be deterred by the vagaries of fortune. Only then does one assess the real nature of desires, anger, greed and infatuation and their harmful role in perpetuating ignorance. These mental creations of individuals can easily mislead and cause misjudgement. As long as one is steeped in the world of external senses, one cannot hope to attain the knowledge of the Atman.

When we see the One Self in all things, it changes one's perspective.

It confers on the individual equanimity, freedom from selfish desires, surrender of our whole nature to the indwelling spirit and love towards all. When these qualities are manifested, our devotion is perfect.

The exemplary display of devotion in the lives of Bhaktas such as Prahlada, Panchali or Gajendra affirms this truth. Humility and unflinching faith constitute true devotion.

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