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Spirit of true devotion

CHENNAI: Easy access to God’s grace is possible through devotion and Bhakti Yoga is shown to be an assured path to liberation. Devotion to God is possible when God’s compassion, greatness and absoluteness are recognised and the individual soul realises its total indebtedness to the Supreme Being. Adi Sankara’s Sivanandalahari, a hymn in 100 verses extolling the glory of Lord Siva, combines in it excellent features of philosophy and Bhakti to instil devotion in the minds of ordinary human beings, said Dr. Sudha Seshaiyan in a lecture.

The strain of devotional experience is characteristic of the unique vision of the Supreme Being that Azhwars, Nayanmars and saints had given expression to. The spirit of Vairagya (renunciation) towards material objects is emphasised in many verses, for it is not easy to renounce the attachment to material objects, name or fame.

The devotee’s unconditional offer of the Self to the Lord is the only thing he can give Him, for the Lord does not lack in anything since the entire universe belongs to Him. The surrender of one’s ego at His altar is the best test of devotion. The compassionate Lord is always willing to grant all the desires of His devotees who worship Him in earnest. Yet if in return for worship the Lord were to grant him the position of Vishnu or Indra, it would distract one from devotional pursuits. This attitude exemplifies the spirit of true devotion that demands only the good fortune to be always in His presence. The only prayer to God is to remove any obstacle to the desire to behold Him in one’s mental eye and to the longing to be of service at His feet at all times.

The poet longs for the time when he could see the Lord and His consort Uma in His abode in Kailasa. Brahma would be singing His glory and Nandi and Siva’s attendants would be engaged in His worship. When thus steeped in His service, there is no awareness of any other kind of anxiety, nor is there any sense of the passing of time.

This atmosphere of worship generates a spirit of solidarity. Devotion is augmented when the company of the devout is sought after and other Siva devotees (Sivanadiyars) are honoured.

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