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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com)

 

The Almighty's quality of impartiality

 

CHENNAI, AUG. 7. The Supreme Being is described in the scriptures

as the abode of countless auspicious qualities; but, these traits

cannot be displayed to their advantage in His transcendental

abode as the eternal and realised souls in that realm also

possess the same virtues. It is similar to a lamp burning during

noon when its light does not serve any purpose. So it is during

His manifestations in the world that His qualities come to the

fore for the benefit of the suffering. It was in this world that

the king of elephants, Gajendra, called out for Him as the

Primordial Being and beseeched Him to come to its rescue. Hence

it became known to the world at large that the Lord comes to the

rescue of His devotee who is in distress and also the fact that

He is the cause of the entire manifestation.

 

In the case of Draupadi when all in the assembly including her

five valiant husbands stood helpless when Dussasana started

disrobing her, she could only turn to Lord Krishna for

protection. To the wonder of all the assembled when she called

out to Him as Govinda (meaning protector of His devotees) endless

yards of cloth appeared to protect her modesty till he grew tired

and abandoned his torment. Another instance which proved that the

Almighty never forsakes His devotee when he surrenders to Him

with faith is that of Vibhishana. Even though he surrendered to

Rama, as he came from the enemy camp, the Lord need not have

accepted him into His fold. He not only offered protection but

also acknowledged him as His brother thus exemplifying His

quality of compassion and love towards one and all without

discrimination, said Paranur Sri Balakrishna Sastrigal in his

discourse.

 

When he was listening to the exposition of the Bhagavata Purana,

King Pareekshit asked Sage Suka, ``How did the Lord, who is alike

to everyone and is the beloved friend of all created beings, kill

the demons for the sake of Indra like a partial being? He who is

the very embodiment of highest bliss could not have any selfish

end to be served ...'' It was in answer to this query that the

sage related the Lord's incarnation as Narasimha to highlight how

a sterling devotee like Prahlada was born in the lineage of

demons and yet to fulfil his word He manifested in the strange

form of a man-lion so that the conditions of the boon obtained by

Hiranyakasipu would not be violated, as well as His child devotee

saved from his father's tyranny. The sage further pointed out

that the Lord reciprocates the same sentiment shown to Him

irrespective of the background.

 

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