The Hindu Article: Devotion to God, an end in itself

[Guest guest]

Namaste:

 

This article restates the spiritual truth that knowledge and devotion

are both essential to reach the ultimate goal of life!

 

regards,

 

Ram Chandran

 

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Date:30/04/2003 URL:

http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/30/stories/2003043000810900.htm

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Miscellaneous - Religion

 

CHENNAI APRIL 30 . All spiritual practices are techniques to help the

mind overcome its tendency of getting engrossed in worldly

engagements. Unless the mind is pure it cannot dwell on God. But

controlling the mind is easier said than done. Only when one makes

sincere efforts to develop devotion to God it will become apparent

how the human faculties fail to cooperate. As one becomes old the

afflictions of the body also distract the mind from engaging in

devotional activities. For this one can draw inspiration from great

personages like Bhishma. With tremendous willpower he concentrated

his mind on the Almighty at the moment of shedding his mortal coil in

spite of the pain he suffered lying on a bed of arrows. He discoursed

at length on Dharma to Yudhisthira pointing to Lord Krishna standing

near them as the supreme truth and chanted the Vishnu Sahasranama,

said Sri B. Sundar Kumar in his discourse.

 

According to the story line of the Mahabharata, Bhishma awaited the

auspicious time of "Uttarayana" coveted by mystics to shed the body

but for one who was so spiritually evolved such considerations must

have been only incidental. Then there must be a reason why he waited

for so long. He waited for Lord Krishna to come to his side so that

he could behold Him and glorify Him as he breathed his last. Fixing

his mind exclusively on the Lord who appeared to Him in His divine

form he extolled Him.

 

Bhishma Stuti is another important prayer like Kunti's. Both of them

highlight the importance of devotion to God and these two devotees

were doubly blessed in that they recognised Krishna as the Divine-

incarnate when He lived amidst them. And, what did this peerless

devotee seek from the Lord? Bhishma prayed, "May I cherish motiveless

love for Sri Krishna, the friend of Arjuna, who has assumed a

personality charming to the three worlds... May my mind, body and

soul rest in Sri Krishna, whose face is hemmed all round by flowing

hair soiled with the dust raised by the horses' hoofs on the

battlefield and is bedecked with drops of perspiration and whose skin

is pierced by my sharp arrows though protected with a shining

armour." Bhishma thus personifies the truth that knowledge and

devotion to God go hand in hand in spiritual life.

 

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