Hindu Article-The power of prayer and penance

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The power of prayer and penance

 

 

CHENNAI, FEB. 14. Every person embarks on a plan to achieve certain

targets in life. Some may do so voluntarily, others may have caring

relatives delineating the same while a few others may flounder and

seek help where available. In doing so, the immediate concerns of

most people deal revolve around career, acquisition of wealth and

providing for the family. Rarely does a young person think about

matters spiritual in the belief that one can always devote time when

one's responsibilities are over. However, it is essential that a

person take steps to realise God from an early age, running

concurrently with preoccupations with matters material. The first

step is to study scriptures, gain awareness by gleaning the morals

and commit oneself to a disciplined way of life.

 

In his discourse, Sri Suki Sivam underscored the moral behind Lord

Siva' s penance. Disturbed by the god of love, Parameshwara burnt him

to ashes. Subsequently, He married Sakti and gave the world

Subrahmanya. In essence, the episode underscores the importance of

inherent spiritual discipline wrought by prayer and penance. What

does the birth of Subrahmanya signify? In order to reach God every

person should tread the recommended path. In such an endeavour,

emotional attachments get in the way. The only way out is to burn the

same with the fire of detachment. The result will be true power of a

noble order out of which will issue wisdom.

 

Every aspirant's aim should be to cross the ocean of family moorings

which keeps one's faculties focussed on narrow gains, and aspire to a

higher state of awareness of true merit. Subrahmanya personifies such

a state where the potency of the enemy is vanquished thereby

rendering him ineffective. He did not defeat the all-powerful

Soorapadma as much as he negated the latter's prowess. Such an

exercise is not beyond the ken of ordinary people. With dedicated

practice one can achieve anything one sets out to. Take the case of

an ardent follower of a film-star. The die-hard fan apes the

mannerisms, modes of dressing and the trademark style of dialogue

delivery, and over a period of time the personality of the follower

undergoes a significant change. Similarly, when a person develops

certain daily habits — such as walking or visiting a temple — the

benefits are felt very keenly. After a concerted effort at prayers,

over a period of time one feels as though one has journeyed far from

one's earlier mental state of agonies and worries.

 

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