Miscellaneous - Religion   

Enduring legacy religion

CHENNAI: The lasting legacy that one can bequeath to one’s progeny is devotion to God the expression of which is constant remembrance of God. The uncertainties of worldly life are such that it is not possible for any individual to protect his family from vicissitudes; hence reposing faith in the Supreme Being, who controls human destiny, is the sure and effective way to remain impervious to the vagaries of life that result from one’s Karma.

In his discourse, Sengalipuram Sri B.Kesava Dikshitar said Suniti advised her five-year-old son Dhruva to take refuge in God when the child turned to her for comfort stung by the cruel taunts of his stepmother Suruchi while trying to climb onto the lap of his father. Without letting down her husband Suniti counselled her child that the only way to get over the effects of past actions was to take refuge in God. Dhruva wanted only his father’s love and attention but Suniti was helpless to intervene as her predicament was even worse. Any other child would have forgotten the humiliation soon. But not Dhruva who was blue-blooded. He was stung to the quick not only by Suruchi’s treatment but also by his father’s silence. He sallied forth from the palace to the forest to do penance trusting his mother’s word.

The celestial sage Narada came to know of this and out of concern accosted him on the way. How could a mere child who should be playing with toys at home embark on such a difficult path of realising God, who “even sages fail to discover even though they seek Him with abstract meditation coupled with rigorous self-discipline and detachment through numerous births?”

Blessing Dhruva by touching his head Narada did his best to dissuade him and advised him to reconcile himself to his lot as due to Providence but in vain. Finally the sage taught him how to meditate and also initiated him into the Dwadasa Mantra. With determination Dhruva realised God in five months. The Lord touched his cheek with His conch blessing him with divine speech with which he eulogised Him. The Almighty conferred all that a man could ask for on him and also everlasting fame by creating an abode for him.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Cartoonscape
The Hindu Crossword 9003
Solution to Puzzle 9002
Enduring legacy religion
dated August 28, 1957: Protests in Trivandrum
dated August 28, 1957: Pension for Railway staff
dated August 28, 1957: Retirement age
Weather

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu