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Source: thThe Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/07/04/stories/2002070400460800.htm)

 

Miscellaneous

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Religion

  

 

Worship of the Lord will wipe out our sins

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

JULY 4.

 

Even centuries ago, Hinduism faced turbulent times as there were challenges

from other religions whose adherents unleashed false propaganda and ridiculed

traditional practices which resulted in the abandonment of Divine Love displayed

by devout persons who believed in the glory of God and His powers of protection.

The Almighty then deputed His messengers to refute the claims of alien religions

and they proved how faith in God will fetch Bliss. Saints acted as missionaries

and revived the age-old customs. They went about explaining the tolerance being

displayed by their followers, worshipped in temples, sang God's praise and left

rich devotional literature. Jnanasambandar, one of the four pillars of the

edifice of Saiva school (among the 63 Nayanmars) had expressed the merits of

Indian culture in the local Tamil language. The chief thrust of the preaching of

these mystics is that worship of the Lord will wipe out our sins, make us

devoted and reach the goal. The verses of th!

ese saints extolled the supremacy of Siva and referred to the relationship

between Him and His devotees as servants obeying the former's directives.

 

Mentioning the details of the temple dedicated to Siva in the then

Thirukkaattuppalli, in one of Jnanasambandar's verses, Sri M. Vaidyalingam, in a

lecture, said the Trident held by Siva is not intended to punish or create fear

but only to point out that those who are firmly attached to Him, catching hold

of His Feet, will get their ego removed and their impurities flushed out.

Deluded by ignorance, the individual soul forgets his own nature and suffers

misery. Saivism enjoins the soul to realise his identity with the Lord through

devotion, worship and knowledge. He should get rid of the fetters, which bind

him. The three types of sins, incurred by him, will be removed by God as the

scriptures describe Him as the embodiment of compassion, noble and extremely

good. The doors of His abodes in the world are open to welcome His devotees. The

ancient place of Thirukkaattuppalli had copious supply of water, was situated

amidst sylvan surroundings, prosperity smiling on the land, m!

usic floating in the air and the fragrance of flowers being wafted in the

breeze, while the devotees' hymn filled the atmosphere. All that was required to

please the Lord was to submit oneself by displaying his helplessness through the

gesture of folded palms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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