Guest guest Posted April 4, 2002 Report Share Posted April 4, 2002 ============================================================= This article is emailed to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran ) ============================================================= Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/04/04/stories/2002040400240800.htm) Miscellaneous - Religion Significant role of preceptors CHENNAI APRIL 4 .. Besides throwing open innumerable guidelines for a reader to develop an integrated personality and providing directives to enable him to lead a life of purity and perfection, scriptural texts give tips about political administration, etiquette, conversation style and how and whom to honour, particularly when a holy man pays a visit, more so without prior intimation. The pious person who arrives will be wise to make discreet enquiry about the welfare and prosperity of the host. In one of the epics, for instance, a sage makes his presence in a royal assembly without notice and on learning about his arrival the king rushes to greet him, gives a fitting welcome, extending all hospitality. The sage's questions were extremely relevant: "Is everything well in your city, your exchequer, your realm, relations and allies? Are your feudatories submissive? Have you subdued your foes? Are you doing your duty by God and man?" One particular query was whether he was carefully protecting ! the rare and precious object endowed to him. (This has significance because it indirectly reveals about God's appearance as the emperor's son to preserve moral law). mperor, in his turn, was thrilled and said the sage's coming to his court was like the birth of a child to a woman hitherto believed to be barren. The ruler then prayed to the saint to tell him about the purpose of his sudden visit. This episode occurs in the Ramayana with the revered visitor being Viswamitra and the emperor was Dasaratha to whom God was born as Rama. Sri R. Madhavachariar, in a discourse, explained how men of austerities ever engaged in the service of God and propagating the divine message and acting as preceptors to guide humanity, were treated as equal to God. Their advice was obeyed and the Acharyas helped these ordinary souls to achieve what they desired. The sage asked the king whether he would do a work that may appear impossible. The latter confidently replied that what may appear insurmountable could be achieved with the guidance of preceptors. Such is the significance attached to the institution of preceptors. Sage Viswamitra's request to Dasaratha was to send Rama with him for guarding the area where he was conducting a special rite. Here is the famous verse in the Ramayana: " You know Rama only as your son. But Sage Vasishta and I can identify Him as the very incarnation of the Almighty." Copyright: 1995 - 2002 The Hindu Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the consent of The Hindu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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