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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/01/14/stories/2002011401180800.htm)

 

Miscellaneous

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Religion

 

 

Differences between God and human beings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI, JAN. 14. A description of God's kingdom (Moksha) has been portrayed in

one of the Upanishads. It refers to God as One possessing innumerable auspicious

qualities, as perfect and flawless, as wielding extraordinary and limitless

powers and as One who can take any form to enable His devotees to feast their

eyes on it. In one of His own statements, the Almighty has called Himself as His

devotees' intimate and trustworthy ``friend'', ever ready to lead them to His

Divine Empire. Should they not then avail this opportunity to reach that pure

place and be in His presence forever? Unfortunately, they have been distancing

themselves from Him, getting involved in worldly pleasures. The steps to be

taken to escape from being thrown continuously into the whirlpool of the

transitory activities are provided in our ancient scriptural literature. There

is no need for anyone to resort to asceticism nor is it possible to do so but it

is imperative to adopt the prescribed methods. Wh!

ile studying the holy books, one may come across certain utterances which seem

to contradict one another but saints, Acharyas like Ramanuja, and spiritual

guides have left us proper interpretations, clearing the misgivings if any

arising therefrom. The purpose of the austerities to be observed to approach God

has been told by Andal in one of the verses in her Thiruppavai, laying stress on

the quality of food to be taken by us. It should be pure, unadulterated and

nourishing.

 

Sri Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Jeeyar Swami, in a discourse, mentioned the

differences between God and a human being. The latter is bound by the Law of

Action and Reaction and has to make his sojourn here, according to his acts,

past and present. Why he has come to be subjected to these fetters has been

explained by the example of two birds perched on the same tree, one in bondage

and the other free; one with joy eats the golden fruit and the other is merely

sitting and gazing silently. Likewise sunk in the sea of ignorance man grieves,

being tied by the consequences of his pure deeds but when he sees the Lord of

glorious divine form, freed from all sorrow, self-annulled as he is, he shakes

off the evil tendencies within. To get himself released from worldly coils, a

human being, aspiring to reach God's domain, should remember the triple chief

qualities of the Lord. He is changeless unlike man, whose body perishes while

his soul is permanent. God is not affected by the!

Law of Action and Reaction, nor is He controlled by anyone. He has limitless

powers.

 

 

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