Hindu Article-Devotion, catalyst to salvation

[Guest guest]

Devotion, catalyst to salvation

 

 

CHENNAI, NOV. 10. Many people often express a desire to attain

liberation. To this end, some seek guidance from spiritual leaders

and a few try to glean the necessary knowledge from spiritual

literature. Others look for answers by listening to discourses or

discussing with their peers.

 

Real yearning and true devotion, will act as a catalyst to salvation,

said Swami Gnanananda Sarasvati in her discourse. Some people may

feel that despite their best efforts they do not appear to get closer

to their goal. Any delay, hindrance, obstacle or problem is caused

not by external agencies, but is caused by one's own in-built lower

nature. The stronger the presence of the limiting traits the harder

it is for anyone to rise higher. Unless a person consciously strives

to control the baser instincts one's better self cannot assert

itself. Just as how meticulous planning is called for before

embarking on a trip, close attention to detail is mandatory for a

smooth spiritual journey. The going may seem difficult to start with,

but one should persevere. The very fact that one yearns for higher

things is praise worthy.

 

There are many tools to aid one along in the devotional quest — such

as meditation, chanting, or undertaking a comprehensive and detailed

study of scriptures; however, by far the most desirable aspect is

when an aspirant embraces humility. Lord Krishna's manifestation was

an absolute one (purnavatara), and is punctuated by two

characteristic attributes, that of His invincibility and the other

His humility. In our world, we come across so much of arrogance

triggered by possession of sheer tinsel, yet here was the Absolute on

exuding humility at every turn.

 

He did not hesitate to wipe the feet of all the great sages with his

personal attire. When offered, He consumed banana skin without a

murmur. Human beings on the other hand fight shy of humble conduct,

labouring under the mistaken notion that egoistic posturing is likely

to fetch untold power in this world and the next. It is only when a

person suffers, emotionally and materially that his mountainous ego

is subjugated, and true awakening blossoms.

 

Even then, self-acknowledgement does not come easily to most people.

Only with the self- acknowledgement of where one has erred is the

accumulated dirt of one's base nature cleansed and one can aspire to

a purer mind which alone can help to experience the latent higher

nature.

 

copy right: the Hindu-daily