In order to acquire gnana, our hearts must first be purified. Service to preceptors is what is required in this context. Just as purifying agents remove impurities in water and make it clear and usable, so does service to preceptors purify our hearts and make us worthy of receiving the Lord's grace, said Valayapet Ramachariar.
The Pancharatra Sastra is referred to as a satvika sastra. The Lord's mercy, personified as His Consort Daya Devi, is the one who is instrumental in the Lord giving us such a Sastra to save us. It is also Daya Devi who makes sure that the enemies of the Lord's devotees are confused.
While it is imperative that the Lord's devotees be saved, isn't it equally imperative that those inimical towards the Lord's devotees, must be kept at bay? Daya Devi prompts the Lord to confuse the enemies of His devotees. The Lord will even forgive insults to Him. But He will not tolerate anyone who tries to harm His devotees, for they are the recipients of His mercy (daya). A man may even tolerate someone who insults him. But will he tolerate someone who insults his spouse? Likewise, the Lord may forgive those who treat Him with disrespect, but He will not forgive those who insult His devotees.
It is said that if a person lives in Tirumala and dies there, he will be liberated. But the fact of the matter is that even if a man happens to be a casual visitor to Tirumala, with no bhakti towards the Lord, and if such a man dies there with the words, “Save me,” on his lips, he too shall be liberated.
His prayer for help may not even be made to the Lord. It may just be a general last cry for help, aimed at no one in particular. But still the Lord's mercy is such that a mere uttering of the word, “Save,” in Tirumala will prompt Him to grant liberation to the one making the plea, as if the man were crying to the Lord Himself.
The Lord acknowledges the man's cry for help, by uttering the pranava mantra. This guarantees that the Lord will save the man.
This is His promise to the dying man, who cries for help. Such is the greatness of the Lord at Tirumala.
