Miscellaneous - Religion   

Prized blessing

CHENNAI: Spiritual progress begins with the analysis of one's self — the what, the why and the how of life on earth. Scriptures throw light on the fundamental truth regarding the body soul complex of the individual, and stress that the immortal soul belongs to the Supreme Being. But the individual soul caught in the endless cycle of births fails to understand its true nature. This ignorance that makes the illusory effects of the world appear true has to be removed.

In her hymn Tiruppavai, Andal has endeavoured to remove this ignorance of the Jivatma by elucidating the crux of divine relationship between it and God. The Lord is the sole protector of all the worlds and all the beings in all the worlds.

That the Lord's infinite supremacy and auspicious attributes automatically enjoin the soul to pay allegiance to Him is the essence of the relationship between the soul and Him. Once the Atma gains this Jnana, it begins to consider itself most fortunate to be engaged in His service for the sake of service alone, said Velukkudi Sri Krishnan in a lecture. When the spirit of service to the Almighty and His devotees is initiated in the individual, the soul is on the path to liberation.

Andal extols His many incarnations wherein He has shown Himself to be the epitome of compassion and the upholder of dharma.

The impressive list of the instances of the Lord's unfailing help at the appropriate time and place to those who have reposed unflinching faith in Him affirms His pre-eminence. Have not the celestials been the recipients of His grace and protection when He dispelled their fear whenever they were under attack from the demons? There is no cause for concern when the Lord chooses to protect.

Andal prays to Lord Krishna to rise up and grant the Gopis the necessary items for the performance of the Marghazhi Nombu undertaken by them. But the philosophical import behind this apparently simple plea is the request for the most precious boon — to be engaged in the service of the Lord at all times in all births. His grace alone can confer this highest privilege of serving Him.

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