Hindu article-Devotees are dear to Lord

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Devotees are dear to Lord

 

 

CHENNAI, JUNE 26. The Omniscient Lord's all pervading

concern is for humanity at large, both sentient and

non-sentient, but more specifically with the nature of

the Self. Since the aim of the soul is to attain

salvation, God is unsparing in offering people

numerous ways in which the same may be achieved.

Regardless of the path a person opts for in pursuit of

his ultimate goal, there is no waning of His kindness

to souls. He is ever receptive to those who seek Him

as per ordained guidelines. One of the instruments of

imparting such guidance is through His divine sports.

 

In his discourse, Sri. P.M. Vijayaraghava Sastrigal

said the Lord's "lilas" help an aspirant realise his

inherent spiritual potential. Just as it is important

to channel water to irrigate arable land, and not

waste the precious commodity in irrigating wastelands,

so too does God act as a positive damming force. Since

it is not possible for God to sport with each

individual jivatma as a means of conveying the

message, he has "tested" others. One such instance is

when the Lord used His Consort to edify mankind.

 

Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of kindness and guide

par excellence of finite souls towards salvation,

manifested as Rukmani, who by dispatching a

seven-verse message to Lord Krishna, beseeched Him to

marry her. Manifesting devotion of a high order to her

Lord, her test came when Lord Krishna asked her the

reason for choosing His poor, humble personage over

other richer, more eligible men. "I am one without any

possessions, and I am fond of people who have no

possessions. Therefore, wealthy persons do not seek my

favour." Speaking thus with a benign smile, He offered

an opportunity to her to change her mind.

 

Rukmani, cut to the quick by the Lord's quizzical

challenge, however responded: "It is only the

sense-bound worldlings... that fail to seek Thee. The

truly propertyless are those like Brahma who know all

they possess is thine. Such devotees are fond of thee,

the propertyless, and thou art fond of them, the

propertyless... Let my mind repose in you always,

grant me the devotion which will help me overcome

rajas and other traits."

 

Clearly, all that the Lord expects is devotion from

seekers. Scholars interpret the episode as a lesson in

avowal. If ever devotees were to imagine that the Lord

will desert us, Krishna's test of Rukmani's devotion

serves as an assurance that devotees are indeed dear

to Him.

 

copy right: the hindu-daily

 

 

 

 

 

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