Miscellaneous - Religion   

Grace and devotion

CHENNAI: The infinite literary and philosophical excellences in sacred texts are the result of God’s infinite grace. That is why they prove to be a perennial source of spiritual strength with the inherent power to inspire generations of mankind towards the spiritual path. The devotional hymns on the Lord sung as fervent prayer by saints and devotees express the experience of God realisation as being made possible in their individual cases through the Lord’s grace alone. This honest acceptance of God’s compassion is the basis of humility which the devout exemplify in their lives and express unanimously in their hymns.

The Thiruppugazh, a voluminous work of 16,000 songs in Tamil, contains the inspired outpourings of Saint Arunagirinathar on Lord Muruga. The sweetness of Tiruppugazh far exceeds the sweetness of honey, sugarcane or any other worldly object because the saint offers the most valuable advice to mankind by following which the everlasting bliss of God realisation can be attained, pointed out Sri Mathivannan in a lecture. The saint hails human birth as a valuable opportunity that should not be frittered away. The objects of the world, though appearing attractive cannot provide everlasting happiness. The greatest challenge for human beings is to transcend this desire for worldly life and seek the highest truth. It is not learning, worship or verbal excellence that can help one in this pursuit. A pure heart filled with true devotion to the Supreme Lord is the only path that promises the goal.

The saint sang in praise of the deities enshrined in the many holy temples of Lord Muruga. The Lord is celebrated as the chief of the celestials and one who is ever ready to grant the wishes of His devotees. His plea to the Lord is to alleviate the sufferings of mankind.

Chanting these hymns helps to cultivate devotion and humility. In addition to the genuine spiritual fervour, the songs display poetic excellences in choice of diction, poetic imagery, rhythm, rhyme patterns, etc. The emphasis is on righteousness, compassion towards fellow beings, worship of the Lord and remaining humble even as one performs one’s duties in an unselfish manner.

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