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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Merit of listening to the Lord's glory

 

CHENNAI, JAN. 27. It is not possible to assess the depth of a

person's devotion and gauge whether he has attained the maturity

to experience God. Divine grace plays an important role in a

person's spiritual progress and hence a devotee must repose faith

in God and await His grace to be blessed with the experience.

Scriptures give a clue to the mystery of the working of divine

grace.

 

According to the Bhagavata Purana even great sages who had

realised Him by dint of knowledge (Jnana) revelled in listening

to the glory of God in His incarnations, especially the infantile

sports of Lord Krishna, which shows that devotion holds the key

to accentuating the unique relationship between the Lord and His

devotee. The cases of the Gopis, the simple cowherd maidens, and

His foster-mother Yashoda, who were singled out for His grace,

have become the nucleus of a vibrant spiritual tradition which

continues to inspire countless spiritual seekers by reliving the

experiences of the Gopis by listening to the exposition of His

divine sports.

 

In his discourse, Paranur Sri Krishna Premi said that the cowherd

community of Gokul did not have a moment's rest after the Lord

came to their midst. Just by beholding His bewitching form the

Gopis forgot and forgave Him for all the troubles they had to

face because of Him. Those who came to complain to Yashoda about

Him were compelled to silence when they confronted the picture of

innocence Krishna presented.

 

The Gopis had legitimate reasons to complain to Yashoda thus,

``Untethering the calves before the cows could be milked, your

darling swallows our tasteful curds and milk stolen through

thieving devices contrived by Him. He deals them out in order to

feed the monkeys; and if a monkey drinks no more, He smashes the

jar. Where the milk is kept hanging beyond the reach of His

hands, He contrives plans to get at it.''

 

``Possessed of insight into the contents of the pots and expert

in making holes, He strikes holes into the pots. He does all

these at a time when the cowherd women have their minds fully

engrossed in their duties. He commits nuisance in our tidy houses

and does other such mischievous acts. And having accomplished His

work through pilfering devices, He sits by your side as a very

innocent boy.''

 

By denying them a moment's respite Krishna made them forget all

their worldly preoccupations by making them engage their minds on

Him with undivided attention by His irresistible charm and

pranks. This is the ultimate goal of spiritual practices - to

develop one-pointedness of mind which can then experience God.

 

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