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

 

God is compassionate to all human beings

 

CHENNAI, MAY 9. It is beyond doubt that God possesses countless

auspicious qualities but a few among them can be termed as

outstanding and incomparable. ``Compassion'' is the foremost of

those special traits. He shows this mercy at all times on all

those who have faith in Him. There has been no instance of God

having favoured the rich only or only those who approached Him.

This compassionate quality is often likened to the wind, which

blows everywhere, bringing cheer to everyone, not depending on

any consideration.

 

In the Mahabharatam, according to the previous 44th Jeeyar Swami

of the Ahobila Math, the Lord, in His human form as Krishna,

protected the Pandavas on as many as 700 occasions, notable among

them being the manner in which He saved Arjuna from death by

pressing the wheels of the chariot just by a few inches when the

dart aimed by Karna missed the latter's head and dislodged only

his crown.

 

On another occasion, admiring the deep faith placed in Him by an

ordinary man but who was honest and who spoke the Truth, the Lord

gave testimony that a statement made by him was correct. The poor

man had repaid the loan he had taken but after some time the

creditor denied having received it. The matter went to the court

when the erstwhile borrower said Lord Venkatesa alone was his

witness for having returned the dues. On the day of hearing, the

court heard an incorporeal voice (that of Lord Balaji) about the

correct position that His devotee had discharged his obligation

and on this evidence, the complainant was admonished.

 

One of the toughest tasks of adoring exclusively this one

particular aspect of divine attribute, viz., ``sympathy'', had

fallen on a spiritual torchbearer who however, with all humility

claimed that God had given the wisdom to carry out His commands.

His ``Daya Sathakam'' extols the compassion that the Lord in

Thirumalai (Thirupathi) with His Consorts showers on devotees.

That was Vedanta Desika who describes the Divine Couple as

symbols of mercy ready to extend their grace here and hereafter,

said Sri V. Srivatsankacharya in a discourse. As he was planning

to tour the North, Desika heard a lively discussion amongst his

disciples whether the Lord showers His compassion only when

sought or of His own accord even without being asked. Desika

answered this through this poem explaining that His grace is

available for all. The savant spells out how the Divine Mother

acts as a recommending authority pleading with Her Lord to ignore

the failings of devotees and urging Him to demonstrate His

kindness.

 

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