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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/02/14/stories/2002021400140800.htm)

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

Man can realise God only by His grace

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

FEB.14.

 

The turning point in the life of an individual comes when he becomes aware of

the purpose of his birth which makes him desirous of realising the goal of

liberation from bondage. In the initial stages such a person starts eschewing

materialistic pursuits and sensory pleasures by engaging in charitable acts and

study of the scriptures. This transition itself is a sign of spiritual growth.

But saints have indicated that a spiritual aspirant has to progress further by

contemplation and devotion to God.

 

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa once happened to visit a scholar who was rich and

had a charitable disposition. When his devotee asked the saint about his opinion

about the rich man, he told him that his scholarship and compassion were not

enough and that he had to turn his gaze within. Inward contemplation will help

in understanding that man is only an instrument in the hands of God. The

realisation that success or failure was not in one's hands and everything

happens in human lives according to the divine will resulted because of God's

grace, said Swami Gautamananda in his discourse.

 

Human personality is made up of the three qualities (Guna) Sattva, Rajas and

Tamas. It is when Sattva predominates that a person engages in good acts and

develops inclination for spiritual life. But from the standpoint of liberation

all the three qualities are shackles and a spiritual aspirant has to go beyond

them. A parable helps to understand this. Three thieves waylaid a man when he

was going through a forest. The first man was about to kill him after robbing

him when the second thief stopped his friend saying that there was no point in

killing him and so they bound him and went away. The third thief came to him

after a while, set him free and escorted him to the edge of the forest so that

he could reach his home safely.

 

Out of gratitude the man invited the thief to his house but he declined saying

that if he accepted his hospitality the police would catch him and disappeared

into the forest. The forest is compared to worldly life. When the quality of

Tamas predominates in an individual it ruins him while Rajas binds man through

action; Sattva, on the other hand, releases man from the bondage of worldly life

by making him understand his spiritual nature, but ultimately Sattva also

pertains to the relative level of the world. Divine grace alone will bless one

with spiritual knowledge to realise God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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