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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/04/06/stories/2002040600450800.htm)

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

Chaitanya's words of wisdom

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

APRIL 6.

 

"Oceans may dry, mountains may become flat, the Pole-Star may be displaced, the

chords which bind planets may rent asunder, the universe may witness deluge and

living in such a world, are we not like frogs in a dried well? Enjoying sensual

pleasure is common to human beings and animals, but the former can claim to be

superior only if they engage themselves in the service of God. Only human beings

can cultivate devotion. This body is like a boat intended to ferry a person

across the ocean of birth and death, leading him to the shore of immortality.

Man has been provided with sense organs to praise God and remember Him. The ears

should listen to the glorious and merciful deeds of the Lord; otherwise they are

but useless holes. The tongue should sing God's praise; otherwise it can be

compared to a croaker inviting its enemy, the serpent. Man should smell the

scent of Tulasi leaves offered at God's feet; the eyes should enjoy admiring the

bewitching forms of God while the legs !

should circumambulate the holy shrines of Vishnu and the hands should serve Him;

otherwise they will be akin to the dull ladle which distributes frumenty.

Service to saintly souls is the open gate to liberation. Hence a prudent man

should eschew evil company, associate himself with pious and Godly men, chant

all the time the name of Lord Krishna." These were the words of wisdom of a

saint, considered as a manifestation of God. He was Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (15th

century). The day of Chaitanya's advent (Jayanthi) was celebrated recently.

 

In a lecture, Swami B. S. Damodar Maharaj said, by propagating the religion of

love, Sri Chaitanya brought people into one fold. He proclaimed equality of

human race in the field of God-love. Touring the country to stem the then

attempts of conversion, he flooded it with devotional fervour. "Unalloyed

service to Lord Krishna and kindness to all should be the ideal before everyone

when alone life will become purposeful," he said. His ecstatic dance and the

sweet chanting of Lord Krishna's name touched the hearts of devotees. Millions

were influenced by his teachings and the then King of Orissa, Pratapa Rudra,

dedicated himself to Chaitanya. Scholars acknowledged his divinity. "What

benefits accrued by meditation in the first of the four stages, by conducting

rites in the next and by worshipping Vishnu in the other, can all be obtained by

Krishna Nama Sankeertana in the Kali Yuga."

 

 

 

 

 

 

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