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

 

Enduring appeal of God's attributes

 

CHENNAI, AUG. 20. The scriptures reiterate that they have failed

to fathom the glory of the Supreme Being and devotees derive

perennial joy in reciting and listening to the Lord's glory as

depicted in these texts. They thirst to listen to them again and

again even though the anecdotes and divine deeds depicted in them

are the same. What is it that draws the mind of the devotee to

them? According to the God-realised it is the nature of the

Almighty and His auspicious qualities which bewitch the mind of

the devotee. Every experience gives a fresh insight into His

divine nature. When ordinary mortals take immense delight in the

virtues and achievements of their children, one can imagine

Dasaratha's frame of mind when he was blessed with the Lord as

his son after being childless for long.

 

It was no wonder that the king's joy knew no bounds when everyone

lavished praise on Rama extolling His character and conduct when

he expressed his wish to crown Him as the prince regent. The

Ramayana notes that Dasaratha rejoiced and never felt sated in

the company of Rama. When he sent for Rama to break the news of

His coronation, after briefing Him of his decision, he advised

Him on how a ruler should conduct himself, ``To You, a storehouse

of merits as You are, I shall tender friendly advice, my son, out

of sheer affection. Resorting to even greater humility than

before constantly keep Your senses under control and eschew

vices. The friends and allies of a monarch who protects the Earth

and whose subjects are not only loved by him but are devoted to

him in their turn exult as the immortals did on securing nectar.

Disciplining Your mind, therefore, my son, conduct Yourself well

as instructed by me.'' Rama sought His mother Kausalya first to

convey the good tidings.

 

In his discourse, Sri B. Sundar Kumar said after conferring with

his counsellors once again, Dasaratha decided that Rama must be

crowned the following day itself and sent for Rama once again.

The haste with which the king fixed the date and time for the

ceremony and the reason he adduced for his decision give an

inkling of the events that followed in quick succession.

Disturbed by ominous dreams and evil portents due to certain

planetary combinations Dasaratha was anxious that there should

not be any snag. His words to Rama in this context speaks volumes

of his anxiety , ``Although Your brother Bharata scrupulously

abides by the conduct of the righteous, is obedient to You, pious

of mind and full of compassion and has brought his senses under

control, the mind of men nonetheless is inconstant.''

 

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