Miscellaneous - Religion   

Determined effort

CHENNAI: Vairagya (dispassion), a prime requisite for renunciation, is not easily attained, since worldly attractions remain a powerful source of distraction. Sometimes extreme grief or disappointment can generate this feeling with a finality that leads to God realisation. In the case of Druva, when the child's natural desire to partake of the father's love was thwarted, it paved the way for his progress towards the highest pursuit — beholding the Supreme Being through severe penance.

In a discourse, Sri Rangaji drew attention to the fact that more than the anguish of the mother who was deeply hurt at the unfair treatment meted out to her innocent son, it was the implicit truth that came from her heart that prompted Druva to seek the Lord.

The philosophic attitude of Suniti cautioned Druva against blaming others for one's misfortune, and made it clear that each individual is caught in the force of one's fate, and the only succour for all is seeking the feet of the Lord. Her unshakable faith in God's protecting power was reflected in Druva's determination. He decided to follow her advice and left for the forest in search of the Lord.

Sage Narada was too well aware of the enormity of the mission and the difficulty of attaining the goal that the child might not have grasped, and wanted to test his tenacity and determination. He intercepted the child in the forest and tried to dissuade him from this formidable task.

Was the child aware of the parameters of propriety? The rule of life is that one suffers the consequences of past deeds during one's lifetime and it would be wise to accept this as one's fate.

When practice of penance is a tall order even for the realised souls and sages, how would it be possible for a young boy to get involved in it?

Druva cared little for worldly life and was resolute in his longing to reach the Supreme Being. The sage was convinced about the worth, eligibility and qualification of this extraordinary disciple and initiated the young lad into the path of devotion.

He directed him regarding the method of penance and imparted the sacred Dwadasakshara mantra "Om Namo Bagavate Vasudevaya" the chanting of which would bestow on him the power to behold the Supreme Being and enjoy His blessings.

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