Miscellaneous - Religion   

Catalyst for growth

CHENNAI : It is more an exception than the rule for human beings to remember God during times of happiness because it is human nature to accept the good things of life as a right. While the majority of people find it difficult to come to terms with sorrows in life as due to Karma as much as the joys they enjoy, there are few who turn to God in adversity and use that as a catalyst for spiritual growth.

In his discourse, Sri B. Sundar Kumar said the life of Dhruva illustrated how the five-year-old child turned an emotionally distressful situation into an opportunity with fortitude. The incident itself was not something uncommon. Slighted by his stepmother for trying to climb on to his father's lap, the child went running to its mother Suniti more in indignation that his father remained silent to the treatment he received. The mother who had patiently borne her husband's negligence all along was distressed that her son also had to suffer her predicament but she consoled her son with equanimity.

Suniti told Dhruva, "Entertain no evil thought about others, dear child. For a man reaps (in this life) the very suffering he has inflicted on others (in a previous existence)... I find none other than the Lord with lotus-like eyes, who can wipe out your sorrow." For sure these were words said to comfort her sobbing child but Dhruva took it to heart so seriously that he immediately sallied forth to the forest to meditate on God.

Sage Narada who heard of Dhruva's action sought him and tried his best to dissuade him by pointing out the difficulties, and how even sages had failed to realise God through abstract meditation and austerities in the course of several lives. But Dhruva remained undeterred.

Seeing his conviction the sage graced him by touching his head and taught him to meditate on God in His form as described by Suniti for attaining all the four ends (Purusharathas) of human life. He also initiated him into the Dwadasa Mantra. The child realised God and by the grace of His touch with His conch on his cheek Dhruva extolled Him. He was blessed not only with worldly riches but also with eternal glory.

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