Article sent from The Hindu on indiaserver.com

[Guest guest]

=============================================================

This article is emailed to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran )

=============================================================

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

 

Safe path to salvation

 

CHENNAI, MARCH 13. While a graphic description of God's forms,

His qualities, His concern for devotees and His readiness to give

refuge to them have been given in all scriptural texts, other

references and commentaries, why not He appear before human

beings and reveal His glorious personality? This question can be

raised by anyone but it has been duly answered. Instead of

presenting Himself before men in flesh and blood, He has provided

the opportunity to ``experience His presence'', through His

messengers who are qualified to explain how He can be visualised.

These religious representatives, through their writings,

outpourings and lectures have presented a portrait of God and His

abode. They have been entrusted with the task of leading all

those who have faith in Him and His powers on the safe path to

salvation by surrendering themselves at His feet.

 

These illustrious celebrities have extolled the paths of

devotion, duty and knowledge. They moved from place to place,

always engaging themselves in the service of God and the people,

making them adopt steps which would enable them to adhere to the

code of conduct and remain virtuous. One such divine soul was

born in Karnataka about 600 years ago (in Melkote), moved to

Tamil Nadu (Kanchi) to study and acquire knowledge and was then

directed to go to Andhra Pradesh (Ahobilam) to receive

initiation. At this place Lord Narayana revealed Himself in

person and made him an ascetic, handed over the idol of Sri

Lakshmi Narasimha and asked him to tour extensively to propagate

Ramanuja's philosophy. Strictly adhering to this Divine command,

the Acharya travelled wide and at Azhwarthirunagari, he paid

salutations to the idols of the Lord and His Consorts and to

Nammazhwar, the doyen among the Azhwars, and acquired the name of

Adivann Satagopa Jeeyar. The luminary established the Ahobila

Math, an institution which through 45 successors has preached

Visishtadvaita philosophy. These Acharyas were famed for their

erudition, austerities, service to mankind and their deep anxiety

to relieve the distress of devotees.

 

The present 45th head of the Math, Sri Narayana Yatheendra

Mahadesikan, in a discourse, explained the growth of this august

body, and how it was striving to re-establish moral law, laying

emphasis on the need to adopt the easiest method of gaining

freedom from rebirths - by resorting to the path of ``surrender''

for which everyone is eligible. The simple but effective appeal

of the Acharyas to mankind is to resort to ``Saranagathi'' when

the ``Lord will give Himself to those who totally present

themselves to Him''.

 

Copyrights: 2000 The Hindu & Tribeca Internet Initiatives Inc.

 

Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly

prohibited without the consent of The Hindu & Tribeca Internet Initiatives Inc.