God's grace encompasses all - from Today's The Hindu- Religion column

[Guest guest]

CHENNAI, NOV. 1. ``What am I going to get out of doing

a thing in a prescribed way'' is the characteristic

refrain which people use to justify their conduct

these days. Everything is brought down to a micro

level of `gain in hand' in practically every

interaction, and unfortunately spiritual pursuit also

is not exempt from such a self-centred approach.

Devaki was virtue personified, yet she was sorely

tested, and denied all the pleasures and joys of

motherhood, all of which Yasoda enjoyed. The thumb

rule for aspirants is not to make comparisons of a

base nature, but to glean the deeper truths of

spiritual life. Divine grace is not offered merely

because one has done karma yoga, gnana yoga etc.

Rather, God is like the rain, which does not fall

merely for purposes of harvesting, but occurs due to

its intrinsic nature. Similarly, God's grace

encompasses one and all. Ajamila's history is a prime

example of this aspect — the once pious man had veered

away from a virtuous life, yet when he called out to

his son who bore the Lord's name on his death-bed,

divine dispensation was his to receive.

 

It is unsullied devotion rather than ostentatious or

lavish display that is pleasing to the Lord. A royal

prince at Tirumala wondered at the presence of a

flower made of mud, which appeared every day amidst

his golden flowers submitted to the deity. Enquiries

revealed that a potter, with simple but utter faith

cast a mud flower every morning to the Lord before

proceeding with his chores. It was this humble

offering which the Lord was pleased to receive along

with the golden flowers in his sanctum. In his

discourse on Srinivasa Kalyanam Sri R. Aravamudhan

said although the Lord is known by many names

`Srinivasan' is dear to Him. His manifestation in

Tirumala is unique in many ways. There are many

versions as to why the Lord appeared in this hallowed

spot, but scholars point to the link that has its

origins in the Bhagavatham. Yasoda as the foster

mother of Lord Krishna enjoyed every facet of the

Lord's sport, but even the divinely blessed woman

yearned for one thing from her `son' — not having been

present at Lord Krishna's wedding she desired to

witness such an event. It was to please His mother

that He manifested as a 16-year-old youth, in order to

marry His Consort, born already as `Padmavathy' and

raised in a palace without any external influences,

particularly male. In His earlier manifestations, the

Lord had always appeared first, yet, in this minor

role, He opted to enter as a youth years after the

divine mother's presence.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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