Preceptors such as Adi Sankara, Ramanuja, Madhva and Ramakrishna have shown that the sublime spiritual thought contained in the scriptures can reveal the subtlest insight into the eternal scheme of things. But they also stress that abstract philosophical theories can be harmonised in an individual when devotion takes root and the personal God becomes the guru to initiate this realisation, said Sri O. N. Ravi in a discourse.
For instance, Adi Sankara, who has commented on the three foundational texts of Vedanta philosophy, the Prastanatraya, strongly advocates the devotional mode of worship as a sure way to attain salvation. In the hymn Saundarya Lahari, Adi Sankara hails the supremacy of the Divine Mother. Devi is the power and the power holder is Siva, her consort. She is the very embodiment of a preceptor who not only shows the way to moksha but also confers the spiritual bliss of this state.
The verses suggest that by meditation on the divine mother one is sure to obtain whatever one desires, in the pursuit of Artha and Kama. But ultimately, when the individual realises the ephemeral quality of these and seeks to be relieved from the clutches of materialism, Devi alone is able to grant moksha or liberation. The Devi is so gracious to Her devotees who serve Her and surrender to Her in absolute devotion that she bestows on them much more than they have in mind to pray for. She understands the inner longings in those who meditate on her and confers on them the spiritual bliss that is hard to attain.
The eternal truth shines as enlightenment only when one has absolute devotion to the Supreme Being and equal devotion to the preceptor who imparts this knowledge.
