Hindu Article-God's abounding grace

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God's abounding grace

 

 

CHENNAI NOV.7 . Saints and mystics do not lose any

opportunity to underscore the need to orient one's

life to the spiritual goal. Even though liberation is

the very purpose of human birth it is very easy to

forgot it amidst the preoccupations of worldly life.

The spiritual pursuit is not the exclusive prerogative

of a few people or to be postponed to the end of one's

life. Unless a person develops detachment from worldly

attractions, he will remain entangled in them. For

this it is helpful to remember that nothing related to

the world like wealth, family or power is permanent.

Even though these are evident to an individual who

reflects seriously on life situations it is very easy

to be deluded into thinking that they will not affect

him.

 

In a verse of the Tiruvaimozhi, Nammazhwar says it is

possible to develop detachment by contemplating on the

lotus feet of the Lord. The Azhwar had pointed out the

evanescence of power and pelf by saying that even they

who ruled over other kings, who touched their feet,

and lived the life of royalty amidst pomp and

splendour had been pulverised to dust, said Srirangam

Srimad Andavan Swamigal in his discourse. If this is

the plight of emperors what can one say of lesser

mortals? There is a rich commentarial tradition on the

Nalayira Divya Prabandham of the Azhwars, especially

on the Tiruvaimozhi, by the preceptors, which offers

insight into the subtleties of spiritual life.

 

The commentary on this verse points out the difference

in the attitude of God and kings towards their

subjects. It is a common sight to see people paying

tribute to those in power by prostrating at their feet

to enjoy their patronage without realising that they

seldom pay heed to their expression of respect while

it is not so in the case of the Almighty. The Lord, on

the other hand, reciprocates the love and devotion of

His devotees. In fact, there is a common adage in the

spiritual tradition that if man moves just one step

towards God, He embraces His devotee by taking a

hundred steps. This is to highlight the Lord's

overwhelming grace and concern for His devotees.

 

When Bharata prostrated at Rama's feet and beseeched

him to return to Ayodhya, the Lord did not grant his

plea. This has to be seen in the light of the

circumstances, which made Him do so. Rama had vowed to

live in the forest and He could not go back on His

word. But, later He felt bad about it, while worldly

people will not have such compunctions.

copy right: The Hindu-daily

 

 

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