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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/02/20/stories/2002022000070800.htm)

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

Stress on need to seek guidance of saints

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

Feb. 20.

 

The scriptural literature as well as the spiritual torchbearers, who had

expounded the contents therein, explain to those who aspire to secure liberation

from the worldly pulls the need to seek the guidance of enlightened persons and

be in their midst to get inspiration to offer eternal service to God. But who

are these "great" men with whom we have to associate and how can they be

identified? What are their characteristics? They cannot be mere teachers

providing us textbook knowledge. Their primary task as well as challenge will be

to remove our ignorance, which prevents us from running hither and thither

aimlessly and without any purpose. A description of such Godly men and their

merits and distinctions has been portrayed in the Bhagavatham by an emperor,

himself a model for others as he was a righteous ruler. A manifestation of the

Lord, his dissertation on the duties of men (through the advice to his sons),

refers to the faith that they have to repose in God at every st!

age.

 

A summary of his instructions is as follows: "The human body, a glorious gift of

God, deserves something better than the pleasures which result in misery and

which are available even to the creatures which feed on ordure. It should, on

the other hand, be diverted to do the highest austerities by which the mind will

be purified and enabled to bring endless Bliss. For this, service rendered to

the "great" is the open gateway to liberation. These noble souls are equable in

their attitude towards all and their conduct will be exemplary. They will be

exceptionally calm and composed, free from anger, kind-hearted and their thought

will ever be fastened to God only."

 

Explaining the message conveyed by Emperor Rishabadeva, Sri Raghubhooshana

Thirtha Swami, in his discourse, said through freedom from thirst for enjoyment

as well as by enduring the pairs of opposites, through a spirit of enquiry,

through motiveless actions done only for pleasing the Lord, through a desire to

give up identifying oneself with the body, house and family, through a careful

study of the scriptures, through faith in saints, through continence, and

equipped with firmness, diligence and discretion, a clever man should endeavour

to tear the veil, known as `ego'. Using the above-mentioned means strictly in

accordance with the teachings of the Guru, one should vigilantly strive to rid

oneself of the subtle body in which will be stored the residual impressions of

actions."

 

 

 

 

 

 

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