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

 

Saints' stress on leading virtuous life

 

CHENNAI, APRIL 11. There are several avenues to lead a spiritual

aspirant to the goal, viz, the abode of God. Some have

incessantly practised austerities and thereby entertained God's

vision within their hearts. Some take to eternal service to God.

Some acquire knowledge through intense study and enjoy His

qualities and merits. What is essentially needed is to realise

that ``soul'', created by God, is eternal while the body which

houses it, is temporary, liable to vanish at any time. However

the ``body'' is an instrument with which alone a man of faith can

equip himself with wisdom to get over obstacles which prevent him

on his journey to the doors of heaven.

 

There had also been some divine messengers like Ramalinga

Swamigal and Arunagirinathar who did not possess academic

distinction since they had no formal education but in their

ecstasy, they composed verses which bring out God's mercy and His

readiness to enable men of faith to cross the ocean of grief.

 

But all saints insist on the aspiring individuals to resort to

the path of virtue as that alone will keep the mind free from

base thoughts, thereby giving scope to enshrine God's glorious

forms, forever, therein.

 

Saints, who had the rare distinction of walking and talking with

God, have laid extraordinary emphasis on ``virtue'' as the path

to the attainment of all good, including wealth and love, in this

life, the next one in the cycle and in the final release, said

Sri M. K. Ramanan in a lecture.

 

``When one follows unfailingly the prescribed code of moral and

spiritual conduct, Dharma will flourish and with its growth, sins

will wane'', adds a commentator on Thiruvalluvar's verses. A

famous poem in this connection points out: ``Do all the good, by

all means, in all ways, in all places, at all times, as long as

you can.''

 

Thirukkural gives the example of one who rides in a palanquin who

will ipso facto argue the case for virtue and its efficacy while

the one who bears it will similarly advertise for sin and its

undesirable and painful fruits. Sublime heights will be reached

by a person who travels on the path of virtue.

 

In thought, word and deed, it is appropriate to follow this path.

Impurity of mind is to be eschewed if one is to progress in the

path of virtue. There can be no righteousness where any of the

four evils of wrath, envy, lust and harsh speech are present.

Deeds of virtue should be performed then and there. Bliss can

thus be experienced through adherence to morality.

 

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