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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/04/09/stories/2002040900550800.htm)

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

Devotion endears the Lord to His devotee

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

APRIL 9.

 

Among the five aspects of the Supreme Being the transcendent (Para),

cosmic (Vyuha), incarnation (Vibhava), indweller (Antaryamin) and the image

(Archa) His presence in the form of images for worship has afforded both

accessibility and delight to devotees. The transcendental and the cosmic aspects

are beyond human understanding and it is only in the remaining three forms that

human beings can hope to relate to the Almighty. His incarnations are far

removed in time in this present age and the Lord present as the indweller in all

beings can be realised only by Yogis and hence it is the image form of God in

temples that is within the reach of one and all. It is important to bear in mind

that the consecrated idols in temples are not mere images but living presence of

the Almighty.

 

In his discourse, Therazhundur Sri Ramabadrachariar said the images of Gods in

temples were of three types standing, sitting and reclining. The

reclining form among these has bewitched the minds of the Azhwars and made the

all-powerful Lord endearing to them. The reason for this is not difficult to

understand. When He is seen with the eye of wisdom God reveals Himself as the

omnipotent Lord, whereas, loving devotion endears Him as one's own. There are

innumerable instances in the hymns of the Azhwars to substantiate that the

Almighty deigns to do the bidding of His devotees. The incident of the Lord

following Tirumazhisai Azhwar because he accompanied his disciple Kanikannan who

was banished by the then ruler of Kanchipuram comes to mind. This shift in focus

is paramount to appreciate the hymns of mystics like the Azhwars.

 

These different perspectives can be seen in the Ramayana also. When Sage

Viswamitra asked Dasaratha to send Rama with him to protect his sacrifice from

being desecrated by ogres, the king's reaction was that of a typical parent. His

attachment to his son blinded him to Rama's divine nature. The sage however knew

about Rama's divine nature and that He would not come to any harm. But, the same

sage revealed another facet of his personality when he assumed the role of a

preceptor to Rama when he taught Him some mantras. It is not as if he forgot

that Rama was God-incarnate. Likewise, Kamban surpasses himself when he

describes Rama's bewitching beauty as enjoyed by Viswamitra when he followed Him

in the forest, evocative of an Azhwar's depiction of the Lord's beauty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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