Hindu Article-Four-fold path of devotion

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Four-fold path of devotion

 

 

CHENNAI, OCT. 26. Visits to holy places across the country are

advocated by spiritualists as a means of enhancing the latent

devotion in a person. Every temple has a tale to tell, which

reinforces the efficacy of leading a life of virtue as enjoined in

the scriptures. Sri Adi Sankara undertook a padayatra to many of

these shrines to showcase divine power and grace. The holy seats

dedicated to Sakti highlight the fact that while Siva grants mukti to

devotees, His Consort offers all that a devotee seeks in this world

and the next, said Sri. Ma. Ki. Ramanan in a lecture. The seat of the

Divine Mother at Thirukkadaiyur in Tamil Nadu is a testimonial to

this. Hailed as a special resort for the human soul the temple is a

celebration of pristine devotion.

 

Centuries ago there lived a saintly man ever given to thoughts of the

Goddess. He was entranced by divine thoughts to the extent of being

cut off from the practical considerations of daily life. As a test to

his devotion, he had to prove an existing fact wrong since it was at

variance with his own statement or face imprisonment. Seeking refuge

at the feet of the Goddess the saint sought divine benediction, since

he ``knew neither good nor bad (things in life) but only total

submission to Her.'' This appeal by the true devotee gained him

immediate solace since the presiding deity, Abhirami, extended Her

grace to Abhirami Battar, the devotee. His verses called the Abhirami

Andhadi describe the Goddess as bestower of all that aspirants yearn

for. The way to attain the same is a four-fold path. First is mind

control. One's thoughts wander, ruminating on the non-essentials of

life. However, as the story of Abhirami Battar's `test' shows, once

total mental focus is achieved, divine grace results spontaneously.

Next in order is service. Reciting of japas and unsullied wisdom

enrich the mind, but non-motivated service rendered to others for the

sheer bliss of serving fellow human beings is an essential pre-

requisite. `He who does not enter into such a service is not your

devotee' sings the Battar. A natural human reaction attributes

acquisition of wealth to one's own efforts but when steeped in

poverty, it is common to label it as a test by God. In both cases the

tendency is to find excuses. Where do I go for riches, one may

wonder. One has to appeal to the Goddess and ask for all the earthly

needs. Finally a devotee should aspire for liberation. In order to

attain the same one should plan one's spiritual life.

 

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