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

 

Chanting of Divine names erases all types of sins

 

CHENNAI, JUNE 8. The life-histories of numerous kings have been

incorporated in our sacred literature only to remind us how we

should conduct ourselves and lead a purposeful existence based on

virtue. Some of these monarchs, though holding unlimited powers,

remained detached, controlling the influence exercised by evil

forces within. Like them anyone can discharge social obligations

but yet be unconcerned about the worldly pulls. One of the

important lessons to be learnt from the anecdotes connected with

the rule of such emperors is that no one can escape death as the

life-span of every individual is predetermined and none can alter

it. The end may come in some form but one should not be afraid of

this natural phenomenon. However, there may be fear lurking in

some and to avoid this, a simple prescription is contained in the

Bhagavatam, i.e. to chant the Divine names which describe God's

attributes capable of erasing all types of sins and of

difficulties and dangers like being injured through accidents or

fall from vehicles, lassitude, distress, fever and other

ailments.

 

This holy text presents the life of a king desirous of progeny

conducting a successful special rite with utmost faith. The

priests who organised the sacrifice offered special prayers to

God recalling His merciful acts and referring to His response to

sincere devotional exercises, which included the utterance of

God's glorious names. A son so born out of this ``Yagna''

administered his country in an admirable manner and was also

ideal householder. He had taught the world about the duties and

responsibilities of that order (family) and his eldest son and

also the noblest among others, was Bharata whose remarkable

conduct resulted in the earlier ``Ajanabhavarsha'' (India) being

called as ``Bharatavarsha''. The emperor (Rishaba) was

unattached, peaceful, helpful and beneficient and preached to the

world that household life was a field not for mere enjoyments but

for the acquisition of ``Dharma'', wealth, good name, progeny and

spiritual attainment.

 

Explaining the teachings of Rishaba in detail Sri B. Sundarkumar,

in a discourse on the Bhagavatham, said the means to get rid of

worldly bondage included devotion to and service to the spiritual

guide, detachment, equanimity, abandonment of works for personal

gains, listening to divine recitals, non-entertainment of

animosity to any one, study of scriptures, strong faith and

insight to see God's presence in everything. Though he was the

king of kings, he veiled his divine nature from vulgar eyes and

was indifferent to everything. He installed Bharata as the ruler.

 

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