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

 

Chant His names to attain peace

 

CHENNAI, NOV. 16. Every person faces innumerable problems in

life's journey. He is seized by inexplicable fears, undergoes

sufferings, meets threats and loses his tranquility. There are

ways to experience peace but some of them are arduous and while

practising them he may face difficulties.

 

A sincere man will, therefore, want to escape from the worldly

impact and temptations immediately that too because of his

disappointments and disillusions. His concern is to avoid pulls

from different directions. The easiest method is to cultivate

devotion to God, which involves listening to stories about the

Lord's mercy shown to His devotees, seeking the company of pious

men and chanting His names constantly.

 

These steps will fetch him peace with instant relief. He will be

delivered from the whirlpool of birth and death if he utters

God's names.

 

To follow in the footsteps of religious guides and saints, whose

thoughts are ever fastened to God's feet, is the best source of

comfort. Doing this will help purify a devotee's mind, and surely

there will be no one who will refuse to hear the glory of the

Lord.

 

The guidance of a spiritual master is bound to make an aspiring

person resort to this easy path of devotional practice. To be

associated with such a saintly person will make an aspirant to

think good as his mind gets purified. The guru will lead those

who approach him to the path of salvation.

 

The Bhagavatham refers to the result of a devotee associating

with men of calibre whose minds are fixed on the Divine Feet.

This puranam brings out the devotional excellence of Prahlada and

others. This text refers to the characteristics of people in the

present age (Kaliyugam).

 

But, to overcome the evil tendencies, chanting God's names alone

is the penance, said Sri Krishna Premi in a discourse and

referred in particular to the protection extended to Draupadi.

Listening to the exposition of the Bhagavatham will reveal how

God had responded to the call of His devotees irrespective of any

section of society. Those who depend on Him totally may hail from

any castes.

 

The Bhagavatham brings out the gracious qualities of the Almighty

and His readiness to protect those who hold on to His feet. One

example of divine intervention relates to the life of a saint of

modern days, Chokamela, born in an untouchable family but who

developed deep attachment to Panduranga and whose desires were

fulfilled by the Lord.

 

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