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

 

Religious rites needed to invoke Rain God

 

CHENNAI, AUG. 23. God has provided two main paths for men to

choose from. They are told how the vista of religion before them

will lead them safely to the divine domain. The other course open

to them is to remain entangled in worldly affairs, enjoying

material pleasures, thus not realising the suffering which may

result from them. The spiritual way of life, making a person

mellow, humble and devoted, will also enable him to pursue

righteous rules and stick to Truth. The man who resorts to

spiritual exercises will also be aware that God will extend His

grace to all those who sincerely serve Him and the society and

who put in their efforts unlike those who sit idle hoping that

the Almighty will come to their rescue. Religion will also help

in developing contentment.

 

Even those who roll in comforts and are wealthy can turn to the

other path when they donate liberally to noble causes as charity

will surely change the attitude of anyone. The recipe for a safe

journey in a man's brief stay here has been prescribed by saints

and one among such distinguished spiritual guides, Pattinathar,

had shown the two paths mentioned above. A wealthy businessman as

he was, sudden transformation came to him through God's grace and

in a trice he distributed his earnings and spent the rest of his

life singing God's glory. ``You do not bring anything when you

come to this world, nor can you take even a small coin with you

when you leave. Not even a needle with its eyes broken will

accompany you'' was the message he had left.

 

In a lecture on Pattinathar's life, Sri M. K. Ramanan said, the

saint acquired spiritual knowledge from a young boy (God in human

form) when he himself was of middle-age, thereby demonstrating

that lessons can be learnt at any stage in one's career and from

anyone enlightened. As a child, Lord Subramania ``taught'' a

mantra to His father and Prahlada delivered a sermon to his

father. Pattinathar has forcefully pleaded with men that the

devotion they display should be steadfast. Tests are bound to

stare at them but they should continue to put faith in God and

remain unwavering at all times, unlike some who may curse God

when they are placed amidst misery.

 

Another important aspect about which he has reiterated is about

the need to conduct religious rites to invoke the Rain God as in

olden days the belief existed that the smoke which emanated from

the fire helped in the formation of rain-bearing clouds. Though a

saint, he was deeply attached to his mother and by virtue of his

powers, he caused the pyre, on which his mother's body was

placed, go up in flames though it was wrapped in fresh plantain

barks instead of firewood.

 

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