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

 

Easiest way to approach God

 

CHENNAI, OCT. 6. There has been no instance of any devotee, who

having placed his entire burden at the feet of God, was let down

by Him. Being ever merciful, He is ready to protect all those who

depend on His help and guide them properly. Since God knows what

His devotees need and are entitled to receive what is due to

them, none should seek material benefits from Him. If requests

are made for specific favours, He will grant them only; but

unasked, He may lavish His grace on a bigger scale and give them

much more. Prayers and appeals for His succour will be duly

rewarded. At times, due to their problems, some may brand Him as

deaf towards their plea but this is far from truth.

 

How God can be approached has been explained in scriptures and by

holy men. The easiest method, which is universal and easy is to

sing His praise and chant His names. That is the only panacea for

people of this era and there will be relief for the tormented

souls. Incessant chanting will serve as a tonic to men who want

solace. In recent times, we have come across a saint, who by

repeating the name of Lord Rama 96 crores of times, of having

even conversed with Him and who had composed 24,000 musical

compositions bringing out God's glorious attributes and

incorporating philosophic statements through them. That was Saint

Thyagaraja, whose compositions reveal the intensity of devotion.

Since he was attached to Rama, his songs bring out in simple

language the highlights of the Ramayana, the Lord's qualities,

His concern for those who cling to His feet and His readiness to

extend His grace. But the Lord should always be worshipped in

association with the Divine Mother. When a demoness overlooked

Her presence and went after Rama, she suffered punishment. When

Ravana separated Her from Rama, he met with his end. In one of

his songs, the first portion (Pallavi) in Telugu and the second

(Anupallavi) in Sanskrit, the saint shows his generosity in

asking Rama to confer prosperity on all people, and excuse them

for their defects, said Sri M.V. Simhachala Sastrigaru in his

Harikatha. How the saint maintained tradition is demonstrated by

resorting to the system of collecting alms from householders,

just sufficient for the day. To the Sanyasi who stayed with him

for a night and later initiated him into the ``Tharaka'' (Rama)

Mantra, Thyagaraja has given a portrait of the effulgence of the

Lord. The saint was asked to chant the name at the rate of 1.25

lakhs daily. The letter ``Ra'' throws out the vicious thoughts

from within and ``Ma'' (with lips closed) acts as a no-entry path

preventing sins from getting in again.

 

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