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

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

`Chanting of God's names will redeem us'

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI, JAN. 25. A person may master different subjects of academic and even

religious study, acquire all forms of knowledge, may vanquish his adversaries in

debate, may fight with valour and courage in the battlefields, rule over a vast

kingdom, even offer gold as an act of charity, count the innumerable stars in

the sky, name all the living creatures on the earth, but it is impossible to

control his mind, the senses and the bodily activities. Hence a man's best

attempt should be to turn the vision inward and achieve the supreme state of

maintaining equanimity.This indicates the necessity for anyone who desires to

achieve progress in life to investigate into his own real nature. Man has

travelled lakhs of miles into space and reached the moon but he is yet to

proceed even an inch ``inward''. Ravana was in no way inferior to Rama in terms

of knowledge but did not put it into practice and thus became a slave to his

senses. A Telugu poem says that all the ancient and eternal !

teachings are being misinterpreted. Sacred qualities are fast disappearing among

people. Righteousness and compassion are no longer zealously safeguarded. The

teachings of the Vedas are forgotten while wickedness is on the rise.

 

In a lecture, Sri Sathya Sai Baba referred to the rich cultural and spiritual

heritage of India which, however, is being forgotten. As the scriptures say

``immortality is not attained through action, progeny or wealth but only by

sacrifice''. Due to the absence of fear of the consequences of sin and

forgetting love for God, ``human-ness'' has declined among human beings, a sign

that is detrimental to universal peace. On the other hand, everyone should be

taught that forbearance is the great feature of this country. Of all the

rituals, adherence to Truth is the greatest penance. Character should be held

far higher than the very life itself. Again scriptures declare ``Speak the Truth

and in a pleasant manner and do not utter unpalatable words''. These three

correspond to moral, social and spiritual values respectively. Man is the

combination of all the three - Truth can never undergo change.

 

According to the Mahabharata, when the wicked Sisupala was killed and his blood

fell at His feet, the Lord said ``He hated Me but he was always thinking of Me

and repeating My name''. Chanting of the Lord's name is the only way to secure

liberation in this age. God's names will redeem us and any mighty task can be

achieved by this process. ``Wherever you are, whatever you may be doing, you can

adopt this simple method of chanting, at all times and under all circumstances

as no specific place or hour is required''.

 

 

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