the hinhu article-God, the sole refuge

[Guest guest]

friends,

God, the sole refuge

 

 

CHENNAI SEPT.25 . It is difficult for man's limited

intellect to conceptualise God. So there is a common

fear among devotees that if one worships one form of

God then another deity will be angry. This dread prods

one to worship all the deities without understanding

that it is God who assumes these diverse forms and

hence one can worship any form according to one's

preference. A difference of opinion, which is commonly

entertained, is the status accorded to these deities.

The hymn Harisaranashtakam opens on this note, "There

are some who believe that Lord Siva alone is the

ultimate refuge while some others say that it is

Goddess Sakti who is the ultimate One. Still others

worship Lord Ganesh as the ultimate, while some say

the Lord Sun is the ultimate One. Since You are alone

manifest in these various forms, I consider You as my

ultimate refuge."

 

Sankara clarifies very clearly in this verse that the

Supreme Being assumes these varied forms. It is by His

omnipotent will that all the names and forms in the

universe come into existence just as a seed grows into

a big tree with roots, stem, leaves and flowers. Then

the doubt that is bound to arise is where the Lord is

in His creation— within or outside.

 

The analogy of a potter and the pot he creates is also

not apt as God unlike the potter is both the efficient

and material cause of His creation. The spider weaving

a web is often cited to illustrate the manner God

brings the universe into existence. So, God being

omnipresent in His creation, He could be worshipped by

any name and form, said Swamini Shraddhanand Saraswati

in her discourse.

 

True surrender involves seeing God in all. It is then

apparent that He is present in both one's friend and

foe alike. The soft petal of the rose is as much His

creation as the thorn in the same plant. There are

many who place their trust in worldly supports like

lineage, family, wealth and so on and think that only

weaklings need the Lord. But, they do not realise that

when troubles beset them these worldly supports, which

are ephemeral in nature, may desert them in the moment

of dire need. There is no harm in enjoying worldly

relationships and comforts but one must constantly

remember that they cannot offer solace at all times

and hence there is every possibility of being betrayed

in a crisis. Thus it is imperative that one should

reach out for the eternal succour— the Almighty. When?

At a stage in life when it is not too late one should

develop devotion to God.

 

copy right: the hindu daily

 

______________________

Want to chat instantly with your online friends? Get the FREE

Messenger http://mail.messenger..co.uk