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March 13, 2001

Online edition of India's National Newspaper on indiaserver.comTuesday, March 13, 2001

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Safe path to salvation

CHENNAI, MARCH 13. While a graphic description of God's forms, His qualities, His concern for devotees and His readiness to give refuge to them have been given in all scriptural texts, other references and commentaries, why not He appear before human beings and reveal His glorious personality? This question can be raised by anyone but it has been duly answered. Instead of presenting Himself before men in flesh and blood, He has provided the opportunity to ``experience His presence'', through His messengers who are qualified to explain how He can be visualised. These religious representatives, through their writings, outpourings and lectures have presented a portrait of God and His abode. They have been entrusted with the task of leading all those who have faith in Him and His powers on the safe path to salvation by surrendering themselves at His feet. These illustrious celebrities have extolled the paths of devotion, duty and knowledge. They moved from place to place, always engaging themselves in the service of God and the people, making them adopt steps which would enable them to adhere to the code of conduct and remain virtuous. One such divine soul was born in Karnataka about 600 years ago (in Melkote), moved to Tamil Nadu (Kanchi) to study and acquire knowledge and was then directed to go to Andhra Pradesh (Ahobilam) to receive initiation. At this place Lord Narayana revealed Himself in person and made him an ascetic, handed over the idol of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha and asked him to tour extensively to propagate Ramanuja's philosophy. Strictly adhering to this Divine command, the Acharya travelled wide and at Azhwarthirunagari, he paid salutations to the idols of the Lord and His Consorts and to Nammazhwar, the doyen among the Azhwars, and acquired the name of Adivann Satagopa Jeeyar. The luminary established the Ahobila Math, an institution which through 45 successors has preached Visishtadvaita philosophy. These Acharyas were famed for their erudition, austerities, service to mankind and their deep anxiety to relieve the distress of devotees. The present 45th head of the Math, Sri Narayana Yatheendra Mahadesikan, in a discourse, explained the growth of this august body, and how it was striving to re-establish moral law, laying emphasis on the need to adopt the easiest method of gaining freedom from rebirths - by resorting to the path of ``surrender'' for which everyone is eligible. The simple but effective appeal of the Acharyas to mankind is to resort to ``Saranagathi'' when the ``Lord will give Himself to those who totally present themselves to Him''.

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