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Lessons for life

CHENNAI : Spiritual perfection is attainable and this life is the best opportunity to strive for it. The first step in this effort is an awareness of the Supreme Being. Scriptures and sacred texts enlighten in this regard while showing the way to overcome sorrow and delusion.

Both the Bhagavad Gita and the Tirukural fulfil these purposes, for they teach the way of life that is aligned to ethical and moral values while impressing on individuals the need to strive for liberation, pointed out Swami Omkarananda in a lecture. They have shaped generations of devotees into better moral and spiritual beings.

In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna states that the esoteric knowledge of the ultimate reality that he had imparted to Arjuna is to be grasped only by those who seek this with utmost devotion, faith and penance. The man of faith remains devoted to God, has mastered his senses and has gained enlightenment. He is at peace with himself and the world.

The Lord instructs people to get involved in work while renouncing the fruits of actions. Acknowledging God's supremacy and worshipping Him can lead to liberation. The truth of life's ephemeral quality and the soul's permanent nature is repeatedly stressed.

Likewise, the Tirukural, a great classic in Tamil, embodies values that are ever relevant and unchanging. The innate wisdom of its universal ethical content elucidates different aspects of human virtues or vices on the one hand, while, on the other, the pithy yet definitive description of God evokes awe, wonder and faith. The message is that an individual is responsible for his actions and shapes his present and future.

The primordial Supreme Being transcends Time and Space. Worship of God is advocated. There is no antidote for mankind's anxiety except worship of such a creator and none can swim the sea of births without faith in God. Not all knowledge can be effective if one does not worship Him. Humility is born with God awareness.

Pride is the greatest hurdle to God realisation. One should overcome this and also likes and dislikes.

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