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The sole refuge

CHENNAI : If one has to approach someone for help he must ensure that he has the capacity to favour him. The scriptures state that the Supreme Being is omnipotent and the sole refuge of devotees and only He can grant both their worldly needs and salvation. The Puranas highlight that the Lord incarnated in the world when the celestials surrendered to Him and beseeched Him to alleviate their troubles.

In his discourse, Kalyanapuram Sri R.Aravamudachariar said Andal in her Tiruppavai addressed Lord Krishna as the Supreme One capable of providing succour to one and all. In this verse she says, "Wake up, O strong One, mighty One, pure One who strikes terror in the hearts of evil people!" The Ramayana states the moment the sages surrendered to Rama when He came to the forest during His exile they gained moral strength because they knew that He was the Almighty incarnate capable of protecting them.

Similarly when Arjuna and Duryodana approached Lord Krishna before the war and sought His help they were given the choice of His army or Him with the condition that He would not wield any weapon. Arjuna chose the Lord wisely as he considered Him his greatest strength. It is necessary to understand in this context that the Lord does not dislike anyone but one who contravenes Dharma will naturally have reason to be afraid of Him.

Jaimini's Mahabharata provides the insight that Vyasa's epic does not that the Lord would go to any extent to protect His devotee who has sought refuge in Him. Jaimini says that Duryodana accused Bhishma that though he was fighting on his side he really favoured Arjuna. Bhishma then swore that he would kill the Pandava by sunset the next day. Draupadi rushed to Krishna for succour in the dead of night when she learnt this and the Lord helped by making Bhishma bless her. Later when he came to know her identity Bhishma was in a dilemma for having blessed her he could not kill Arjuna. To help Bhishma keep his word Krishna made Sikhandi face him in the battle next day and Bhishma refused to fight because Sikhandi was a woman (Amba) in his previous birth.

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