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Inscrutable Maya

CHENNAI: The truth of the Supreme Being remains most baffling and mysterious because the Lord is both accessible and inaccessible. To the devout He has shown Himself to be within reach while to those who lack devotion He remains remote and out of reach.

Andal celebrates the Lord with the epithet "Mayan" in her Tiruppavai, indicating that one has to contend with the Lord's Maya when exploring the divine, said Kalyanapuram Sri R. Aravamudhachariar in a lecture. For this term holds the key to the essence of the Supreme Being — His omnipresence, omniscience and omnipotence. It is aptly used in conjunction with the early days of Lord Krishna in Mathura that have been a continual source of inspiration and devotion to the Azhwars, seers, saints and the devout. When seen through the lens of the Bhakti Rasa of the Azhwars in their imaginative reliving of His most event filled infancy, every feat that appeared too mighty for a mere child or every act of mischief such as stealing butter, sudden appearances and disappearances, etc., became a statement of philosophical truth highlighting the Lord's accessibility (Saulabhya) and His infinite compassion. Such is the infectious quality of their Bhakti Bhava that it never fails to instil and inspire devotion in the hearts of many.

For instance, it is said that the childhood friend of the Lord, Dadhipandan, who once protected Him by hiding Him in a pot from an angry Yasoda, desired liberation and was instantly granted this, establishing beyond doubt that He is none other than the Supreme Lord who alone is capable of granting liberation.

No less astonishing is the incident when Yasoda attempts to tie up her child with a rope. It is said that all the ropes in the world seemed to be inadequate and ultimately she realised that out of His compassion He had allowed Himself to be bound. Such a sense of humility with no trace of ego is the only qualification for obtaining His grace.

Out of His infinite mercy He assumes many forms and incarnations to make Jivatmas aware of their own identity and their relationship with Him.

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