The Hindu Article - Adi Sankara's advice to penitents

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Date:08/05/2003 URL:

http://www.thehindu.com/2003/05/08/stories/2003050800550900.htm

 

Miscellaneous - Religion

 

Adi Sankara's advice to penitents

 

CHENNAI MAY 8 . Every man desires that he should be considered by

others as good and of flawless conduct. To achieve this objective he

should develop divinity.

 

The works of saints and preceptors are the milestones in such arduous

journey but each one of us should undertake and reach God's kingdom,

even as no one can duplicate for another in tasting the sweetness of

a piece of sugar candy.

 

Doubts may arise as to whether one sincerely aspires to undertake

this task, and whether he is eligible or qualified to embark on such

a quest. But if he is really keen to follow the right path made

available to him by seers, there will be no scope to entertain any

hesitation nor for any failure.

 

The basic need to cultivate such a noble life is to adopt the Law of

Virtue and carefully practise the rules and regulations enshrined in

the spiritual constitution. No doubt the Law bristles with several

intricacies but he should pursue his goal zealously.

 

A character in the Mahabharata points out that he is quite aware of

the subtleties of the Law's directives, but in his life he feels

difficult to exercise them. But once a devotee sets on his task and

closely adheres to them, he will certainly reap the fruits.

 

These directives, when carried out, will stand him in good stead,

more so when he faces dangers or is confronted with problems.

Spiritual exercises based on this Law will even warn him of the

pitfalls ahead. He will easily distinguish between just and improper

acts. That is the validity of the Law of Dharma.

 

In a discourse explaining the philosophic contents of one of the best

hymns of Adi Sankara, the "Shadpathi Stotra", where the manner in

which a bee collects honey from flowers is portrayed and which refers

to the steps to be taken by a devotee to reach God, Sri S.V.

Radhakrishna Sastrigal mentioned how the penitent should firmly catch

hold of the feet of Narayana, offering total surrender when the

latter will assume the responsibility to protect him as he has sought

refuge in Him.

 

Man's rebirths, being based on his past conduct, if only he chooses

to abide by the scriptural dictates now, will enable him to cross the

ocean of life easily. His prayers should be to make his heart bleed

even on seeing some one in distress.

 

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