Miscellaneous - Religion   

Path of Bhakti

CHENNAI : Seers, sages and preceptors who have grasped the essence of Bhakti ordained in the scriptures have also followed it to instruct and inspire people in this path. Their path does not transgress the Sastras. It is hence advised that their guidance is accepted and those who do not heed it stand to lose. Doctor administers medicine as a cure for ailments, but if one fails to take the medicine, the doctor is not the loser.

In a lecture on Adi Sankara's Sivanandalahari, Sengalipuram Sri B. Damodara Dikshitar pointed out that the hymn of 100 verses is not only a sublime expression of the divine magnificence experienced by the preceptor, but also provides guidance to those in search of salvation by showing the path of Bhakti.

Every verse in this hymn is indicative of the endless flow of the waves of Bhakti generated by the implicit faith in the Almighty. Since ignorance is the cause of false presumptions that mislead and misguide, the Supreme Being's compassion and concern for His devotees is extolled.

If Bhakti has to be unshakable, God has to give the knowledge of His all-powering grandeur and of His impartial concern for all created beings. True Bhakti is the greatest asset that anyone can possess and wherever Bhakti prevails, there is no distress.

Scriptures reiterate that to be overwhelmed with unshakable faith and devotion to the Lord is very difficult and many inspiring examples of true devotion are quoted to endorse this truth. To be able to remain steadfast in sincere and unalloyed Bhakti to the Lord is His blessing. This can happen when one goes beyond words and meanings and experiences the magnitude of His greatness.

Out of His infinite mercy the Lord has given the Vedas and the first section of it deals with the performance of Yagas that can yield the desired results. But one should realise that all desires related to worldly affairs are mundane and temporary and one should only long for permanent bliss.

The knowledgeable understand that He is the source, means and goal of eternal bliss.

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