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Acme of devotion

CHENNAI: As the Supreme Reality is beyond the grasp of the senses and the mind, a spiritual seeker has to rely on the scriptures as the guide to realise the goal of liberation. This is the reason that in the traditions of Vedanta, the Vedas are the ultimate authority and its followers are called Astikas because they accept the supremacy of God.

The Vedas prescribe many rituals in the Karma kanda and there are some who follow them faithfully. But, that is not enough as after the enjoyment of the merit of the Karma (in the form of heavenly pleasures), the individual has to take birth again in this world. Hence to strive for salvation it is necessary to pursue the path of devotion to the Supreme Being. Such devotees are described as great souls and in the Bhagavad Gita Lord Krishna lists as many as 20 virtues that a devotee should consciously imbibe.

In his discourse, Sri K.B.Devarajan said among the reasons for God’s manifestations in the world protection of those who follow Dharma was the most important. This can be seen in the manner Lord Krishna singled out the cowherd maidens (Gopis) for His singular grace. They were exemplary devotees who knew that Krishna was the supreme, eternal Dharma who was born in this world for the redemption of the devout. So they forgot even their hearths and homes in His presence. Krishna did point out to them that their paramount duty was towards their husbands and relations but they were not to be outdone by such argument. They replied in unison that He should not speak to them like that and to kindly take them in His service for they had sought His feet renouncing all other objects.

This is the acme of devotion that has matured into the knowledge that their eternal relationship was with the Lord and service to Him was the end to be attained. And, these fortunate women were blessed with this wisdom in full measure. The Azhwars were also such God-intoxicated mystics who sought only the Lord and eternal service to Him. Andal, the only woman among them, expresses this as the objective of the month-long observance She describes in her hymn Tiruppavai, and She was only five years old when She did.

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