[Fwd: Article sent from The Hindu]: Service to God, end in itself

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Article sent from The Hindu

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This article has been sent to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran )

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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/10/04/stories/2002100401630900.htm)

 

Miscellaneous

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Religion

  

 

Service to God, end in itself

 

 

 

CHENNAI

OCT.4

 

.. Service to God has been described in the spiritual tradition as end in

itself and there are many examples of devotees who have attained liberation

from rebirth by such service alone. When devotion takes root the devotee

adopts different means of serving the Lord. The Ramayana portrays the example

of the bird Jatayu, which laid down its life for the sake of Rama. It was

Providence that Rama and Lakshmana chanced upon the vulture on the throes of

death when they were searching for Sita. Rama out of despondency and anger had

threatened to annihilate the three worlds after Sita was abducted and

Lakshmana had to console and inspire Him to continue their search in the

Janasthana.

 

When Rama mistook Jatayu of having devoured Sita seeing it profusely bleeding,

the bird submitted, "That godly lady whom You are searching as one would a

life-giving herb, as well as my life, both have been snatched away by Ravana.

Bereft of You as well as Lakshmana, the queen was seen by me being carried

away by Ravana of superior might. I flew to the succour of Sita and in the

course of the fight Ravana fell down to the earth with his chariot and canopy

shattered. Severing with his sword both my wings and taking Sita he flew

away." Rama immediately abandoned His bow overwhelmed by Jatayu's action of

having sacrificed its life trying to rescue Sita and embraced it with

affection.

 

In his discourse, Sri B.Sundar Kumar said even during its last moments Jatayu

was only eager to serve Rama by giving Him all the information it knew. With

faltering accents it described how Ravana had employed conjuring tricks while

departing towards the south and though totally exhausted it had noted that the

hour was the auspicious hour of "Vinda". Jatayu reassured Rama that the owner

of a treasure lost in that hour would recover it speedily. He instilled hope

in Rama's heart that He would kill Ravana and rescue Sita soon.

 

Touched by the selfless service the bird had rendered Rama declared to

Lakshmana that the agony now caused by the death of Jatayu was more than that

due to His separation from Sita. Treating it as a kin He accorded the same

respect He would have towards His father by asking Lakshmana to prepare the

fire and proceeded to do the last rites for it Himself. In this incarnation

Rama did not reveal His divine nature mostly but on this occasion He made an

exception by His declaration that the bird would attain the same destiny as

those who performed sacrifices or died in the battlefield without retreating.

 

 

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