Hindu article-Devotion, an end in itself

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Devotion, an end in itself

 

 

CHENNAI, MAY 8 . Devotion to God is described in the

scriptures as an end in itself because there is

nothing more to be attained. It is unalloyed love of

God for His sake in which the devotee does not seek

anything in return. The question then will arise, "Is

worship of God done with some motive not devotion

then?" It is obvious to even the layperson that it is

not possible for the majority to have such selfless,

unalloyed devotion but the scriptures posit this as

the ideal that every individual fortunate to be born

as a human being should strive to realise in his

lifetime.

 

The refrain in the Narayaneeyam of Bhattatiri is his

prayer to be rid of his physical ailment but one

should pause to consider how anyone who was suffering

so much could have composed such an exquisite poetical

work unless it was out of supreme devotion. He

provides the objective of his prayer also, "Being

tormented by afflictions of the body and the mind, I

do not feel any desire even for the intense bliss of

the worship of Thy feet. Have compassion on me and

shower Thy grace on me so that I (free from these

afflictions) becoming intent in worshipping Thy lotus

feet, shall be able to dwell in some unfrequented

place, always chanting Thy names." So he did not seek

good health as the end but as a means for expressing

his devotion to Him. It is obvious then that this

human birth, health and wealth one enjoys must be used

as a means for realising God.

 

In his discourse, Sengalipuram Sri B. Kesava Dikshitar

said Draupadi's surrender to Lord Krishna should not

be dismissed as with an ulterior motive— that she

remembered Him only when all had failed to go to her

rescue. One must test this for oneself and see whether

it is possible to repose total faith in God in trying

situations in life without approaching anyone for

help. Another sterling devotee who would not even ask

for any favour from the Lord was Kuchela (Sudama).

 

The Bhagavata Purana mentions that when Suka was

narrating the divine deeds of the Lord to Pareekshit,

the moment the sage mentioned Sudama's name his mind

attained the state of union (Samadhi). What a

privilege it must have been to be Lord Krishna's

companion when they studied under Sandipani! He could

not bring himself to ask anything from the Lord when

he met Him at his wife's insistence but the

compassionate Lord blessed Him with riches unsought

and even living amidst opulence his mind remained

devoted to Him.

 

copy right: the hindu-daily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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