Miscellaneous - Religion   

Intercession of grace

CHENNAI: The relationship between God and His devotee is a unique one and only those who have experienced it can fully appreciate its enriching value. The lives of saints, Azhwars and Nayanmars reflect this experience and serve to inspire many into love and devotion to God. That God’s grace is indispensable even to remain devoted to Him is the basic truth that is reinforced in each and every experience of the devout. Saints have felt the impact of God’s intercession in their lives and have realised how it became a turning point in their devotion.

In the case of Saint Sundaramurthy, God intervenes in a most dramatic manner to remind him of the purpose of his life, and this is ample proof that not only every devotee is chosen by God, but also how each devotee is made to reach that state of absolute humility which is the hallmark of true devotion, said Sengalipuram Sri B. Damodara Dikshitar in a discourse.

When the wedding of the young Sundaramurthy was getting afoot, Siva came in the disguise of an old man, and sought the attention of the wedding crowd. As was their wont, the entire assembly welcomed such a guest whose very presence (holy ash, thread and white hair) inspired veneration and respect. The old man challenged Sudaramurthy to settle a dispute between them and then proceed with the wedding.

Seeing the old man for the first time, Sundaramurthy was eager to know the details about any such transaction between them. The old man said that the bridegroom was His slave and that he had documentary proof for this. The entire assembly including the groom was baffled and thought the old man to be out of his wits. When an irked Sundaramurthy demanded the proof, the old man rushed out of the wedding venue saying he would produce the document in the local court. So Sundaramurthy followed Him, by following whom, all other bonds stop following us. Because of the Lord’s divine will Sundaramurthy was able to catch up with Him and was enlightened about his real identity.

Ignorance prevents the recognition of the invisible bond of love and devotion to the Lord who alone is the only master of the universe.

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