Hindu Article-Sincerity essential

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Sincerity essential

 

CHENNAI: Bhakti is something that cannot be imbibed easily. It

requires great effort and determination on the part of the

individual. From the lives of great saints and devotees, one realises

that the path is arduous and not smooth. Only the resolute will be

able to face the trials and tribulations and finally reap the reward

of divine grace that alone can confer the ultimate goal of God

realisation.

 

It is not merely knowledge of scriptures, or even the privilege of

being formally initiated in the spiritual way of life by great

preceptors that can make a person devout, pointed out Srimathi Jaya

Srinivasan in a lecture.

 

Though visiting temples, involving in worship and prayer, reciting

the names of the Lord, listening to His greatness, and seeking the

company of the pious are some of the methods recommended for

cultivating devotion, what is basic to them all is a true love for

the Lord and yearning to reach Him. It has to grow within one's inner

self and should be the driving force behind one's thought, word and

deed.

 

In this pursuit one is likely to face both external and internal

hurdles. For instance, in the case of the saint poet Thyagaraja, he

had to face opposition to his Ram Bhakti from his own brother who

failed to appreciate his deep devotion. This phenomenal love for Lord

Rama that made him burst forth into rapturous songs in praise of the

Lord is a manifestation of Bhakti that inheres in an individual

through sheer divine grace.

 

It was an intense love that was totally entrenched within his self.

Lord Rama is believed to have responded to this in many subtle ways.

 

In the case of Narayana Bhattadri, who was afflicted with disease,

his devotion sprang from his love for the Lord on whom he composed

the divine song Narayaneeyam that retells the story of the Bhagavatha

Purana. Though superficially speaking, his entreaty was to cure him

of his illness the real underlying plea was for God realisation.

 

In the matter of cultivating devotion to the Lord that is the sure

path towards spiritual progress, it is more difficult to deal with

the internal obstruction that is related to the human mind. Extra

effort is needed to condition the mind and fix one's thoughts

constantly on God.

 

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