Miscellaneous - Religion   

Path of the devout

CHENNAI : Even scriptures that explore the Supreme Being acknowledge that God's limitless glory and mystery cannot be fully comprehended. But divine grace has enabled pious saints to grasp God's greatness and sing His glory when propelled by the inspiration He gives them.

The lives and devotional hymns of the devotees of Lord Muruga, considered a Tamil God in the pantheon of Hindu Gods, who imparted the meaning of the Pranava Mantra to Lord Siva, His father, bear testimony to this truth. The Lord Himself nurtures the path of devotion, for He chooses to draw His devotees to Him by revealing His glory. That is why the devout were able to behold His divine presence in the Archa form in many temples and they broke forth into soul-stirring hymns in praise of His infinite glory.

The extent to which personal experience of the divine is effectively transferred to millions of devotees who in turn derive solace and comfort for the present and salvation for the future is proof of the Lord's benevolent grace, said Sri Mathivannan in a lecture. The hymns enlighten with the blend of mythological symbolism and philosophical truths of the scriptures. The Lord is extolled as a repository of Jnana and valour. All the graces are attainable to those who seek His feet. Many have felt His grace when diseases that seem to have no cure have been cured. He is extolled as the God who willingly listens to the pleas of His devotees and is eager to give relief to their suffering.

The Lord's munificence is manifest after He vanquished the evil minded Soorapadman who was His sworn enemy. He taught an invaluable truth that it is enmity that is to be condemned and not the person who bears enmity. Hence He transformed one half of the demon into a peacock to serve as His vehicle, and the other half into the ensign of a cock to adorn His flag.

Worship of Lord Muruga confers peace of mind when the worldly-minded are gradually directed towards the path of spiritual bliss. Those who display love to one and all and are steadfast in devotion without hatred, jealousy, anger and avarice, obtain mental tranquillity.

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