Miscellaneous - Religion   

Seek holy company

CHENNAI : Saints and preceptors have shown by example their total dependence on only the Almighty and they never compromised their allegiance by seeking favours from the powerful or the rich for alleviating their worldly condition. In his hymn Padukasahasram in praise of the sandals of the Lord, Vedanta Desika asks in disdain, "What is the use of catching hold of the feet of wretched people who cannot even look after themselves?" This highlights the truth that power and pelf are ephemeral and even the mighty have faced vicissitudes.

In his discourse, Sri M.V. Ananthapadmanabhachariar said Desika had underscored that the sandals of the Lord (Paduka revered as a Goddess) became fortunate to occupy the throne only because She adorned the feet of the Lord. This is to also highlight the fact that association with God or with His devotees exalts one. This is the rationale of the emphasis laid on cultivating the company of the devout (Satsangh) in spiritual life as it ensures definite progress. The Bhagavata Purana also points out the merit of Satsangh over other spiritual practices because even without any other effort like undertaking scriptural study or performing austerities on the part of the spiritual seeker Satsangh enables him to evolve. In another work, Desika has gone on record saying that even a dullard can become a man of wisdom well versed in the four Vedas by the grace and company of great saints.

Desika metaphorically says that one who bows down to the Paduka is elevated to a high status in the world automatically which can be seen from the case of Rama's sandals. They adorned His feet and served Him faithfully, and Rama recompensed Her devotion by handing them to Bharata who worshipped the Paduka by placing them on the throne at Nandigrama till Rama returned. That Sage Vasishta was fortunate to become the preceptor of Rama was due to the grace of the Lord's sandals for he knew their sanctity. It was on his advice that Bharata sought the sandals of Rama when He refused to return to Ayodhya before the period of exile was over.

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