Miscellaneous - Religion   

Preceptor's grace

CHENNAI : Tradition accords paramount importance to the preceptor (Acharya, Guru) for his role in the progress of the spiritual seeker towards liberation. The relationship between them is unique for the preceptor is the one who knows the level of evolution of his disciple and this enables him to give appropriate guidance at every stage. On the part of the spiritual aspirant he has to repose total faith in his preceptor, and follow his guidelines and serve him as his grace alone can lead to salvation.

In their discourse, Damal Sri S.Ramakrishnan and Srimathi S.Perundevi said Sabari was an archetype of selfless and loving service to preceptor resulting in liberation. She had the privilege of attaining beatitude in the presence of Lord Rama when He graced her during His visit to the environs of Pampa where Sage Matanga had lived with his disciples. Sabari was a simple woman who had no pretence to scholarship but she had served the sages dutifully when they performed their religious sacrifices. And when they departed from the world they had reassured her that Rama would visit her hermitage and that by extending her hospitality to the Lord she would be granted liberation.

Reposing total trust in their words, Sabari lived an austere life and gathered delicious fruits to be offered to the Lord. Her devotion bore fruit when Rama along with Lakshmana visited her humble abode. With great joy the aged lady who had attained perfection by her penance extended ceremonial welcome to both of them. When Rama enquired about her welfare, Sabari with conviction replied, "Today has the fruition of my austerities been attained by me through Your blessed sight. Today my birth (as a human being) has borne fruit and my elders have been duly adored. My asceticism too has become fruitful today and the highest heaven too will definitely fall to my lot, now that You, the foremost of the gods, have been worshipped by me." Her loving devotion and faith were recompensed in a greater measure as Vedanta Desika offers the insight in his hymn Raghuveera Gadya that the Lord was witness to Sabari's emancipation.

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