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

 

Divine grace essential for success

 

CHENNAI, MAY 7. It is not possible to succeed in any enterprise

unless one is blessed with God's grace. A person who does not

remember that it is God who gives the result for man's actions,

by banking only on his prowess and ability, will sooner or later

be taught the truth in the hard way. Those who are wise and

devoted to God will surrender totally to God by invoking His

grace before undertaking any venture and accept the result as His

blessing (Prasada). In the case of those who believe only in

their strength and skill, they are bound to take the credit for

their success and lay the blame on Providence for their failures.

A devotee, on the contrary, retains mental equanimity by

accepting what he enjoys as God's grace.

 

The context in which the search for Sita was organised by

Sugriva's simian army has a lesson for humanity. When they all

assembled together after reaching the shore of the ocean which

had to be crossed to reach Lanka a discussion arose among them to

decide who would be equal to the task. The vulture, Sampati,

Jatayu's elder brother, who was disturbed by the noise they were

making came looking for them deciding to feast on them but

learning that they were on Lord Rama's mission and also about the

death of Jatayu fighting Ravana when he carried Sita away to

Lanka, assured them of all possible help, said Swami

Veetabhayananda in his discourse on the Ramacharitamanasa.

 

Sampati told them, ``On the summit of the Trikuta hill stands the

city of Lanka; Ravana, who is fearless by nature, lives there.

There, in the Ashoka garden, is lodged Sita, who sits there,

plunged in grief, even now. I see Her, though you cannot; for the

range of a vulture's sight is unlimited. I have grown old now, or

else I would have rendered some help to you... Even sinners who

invoke Sri Rama's Name are able to cross the vast and boundless

ocean of mundane existence. You, therefore, should never lose

nerve but be up and doing with the image of Sri Rama enshrined in

your heart.''

 

The monkeys then started arguing among themselves boasting about

their relative strengths while Hanuman remained silent. Jambavan

pointed out to Hanuman, ``How is it you are keeping mum... You

are a storehouse of intelligence, discretion and spiritual

wisdom. What undertaking in this world is too difficult for you

to accomplish, dear child? It is for the service of Sri Rama that

you have come down upon the earth.'' Hanuman succeeded in the

mission entrusted to him because he was fully equipped for the

task and was a sterling devotee of Rama.

 

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