Miscellaneous - Religion   

Unwavering faith

CHENNAI: There are two kinds of people in the world: those who do not swerve from the path of Dharma even in great adversity, and the rest who are only interested in immediate gain for satiating their desires without bothering about how they achieve their ends. When Dharma becomes the guiding principle of life there will be nothing to fear though one may not be able to achieve much materialistically. But, there will be a sense of fulfilment that comes with adhering to virtues and mental equanimity which is necessary to face the vicissitudes of life, and to progress spiritually. On the other hand, those who are only bent on sensory gratification may prosper in the world but their happiness will not be long lasting.

In his discourse, Sri Goda Venketeswara Sastri said the Bhagavata Purana illustrated the difference in human attitude to life through Dhruva who envisioned God even as a child. True to his name, it was his steadfast devotion and faith in the words of his mother that enabled him to realise God, and also everlasting fame. His father Uttanapada was a noble king but he was partial towards his younger wife Suruchi and hence Dhruva’s mother Suniti was neglected by him. One day it came to pass that Dhruva felt slighted about his father’s preferential treatment of allowing his step-brother Uttama to sit on his lap and Suruchi’s rebuke when he also tried to climb onto Uttanapada’s lap.

Dhruva went crying loudly to Suniti hurt more that his father had remained a mute spectator when Suruchi advised him to pray to God so that he would be born as her child to enjoy such privileges. Scorched by grief that her destiny had affected her child, Suniti, who accepted her lot without blaming others for it, counselled him not to entertain evil thoughts about those who had hurt him. She said that what Suruchi had said was true for only God could bless him with all the ends he desired. Any other five-year-old kid would have forgotten the matter in no time and gone to play but not Dhruva. He took his mother’s advice so literally that he immediately left for the forest in search of God. With Narada’s grace Dhruva attained his objective because of his determination.

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