Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 03, 2003

About Us
Contact Us
Miscellaneous
News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts:
Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Miscellaneous - Religion Printer Friendly Page   Send this Article to a Friend

Revere preceptor as much as God

CHENNAI APRIL 3 . The main motive of the incarnations of the Supreme Being was deliverance of humanity from rebirths though each one was undertaken with a specific purpose. But the majority of people did not benefit from them by realising the goal of liberation.

So, the Almighty out of compassion deputes preceptors and saints to enable mankind to develop a taste for spiritual life and work for their salvation. It is recounted in spiritual tradition that only God and the preceptor are concerned in one's welfare. The Lord taught the highest truth in His incarnation as Krishna for the entire humanity using Arjuna as a pretext. The quintessence of the Bhagavad Gita is His promise that one who surrendered to Him would not be reborn in this world of bondage.

In his discourse, Adoor Aguri Sri Madhavachariar said Nammazhwar in the Tiruvaymozhi also taught the same truth as Lord Krishna had in the Gita with the intention of helping humanity to realise God. This Azhwar is revered as the very embodiment of love and devotion to Lord Krishna. Just as Lord Krishna's teachings start from the second chapter of the Gita Nammazhwar also dilates on philosophical concepts from the second decade of verses in the Tiruvaymozhi.

He says very clearly that man's original home is the Lord's transcendental abode and he belongs to Him. He has lost his way in the process of transmigration and after being born in the world become attached to it. It is ego and attachment to kith and kin that prevent him from knowing his true relationship with God.

The Tiruvaymozhi explains in depth the nature of God, man's true nature and man's relationship with God so that a person perusing this hymn can get over his ignorance and strive for liberation from worldly bondage. Supposing a debate arises as to who is greater from man's standpoint, the Supreme Being or the Azhwar, some may consider it a blasphemy to even attempt such a comparison. But, Nammazhwar's disciple Madhurakavi Azhwar says with certainty that he knew nothing else except his preceptor whom he revered more than God. His master's name gave him more joy than Lord Krishna's graciousness of allowing Yashoda to secure Him with a piece of rope, which enthrals every devotee of God.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Miscellaneous

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts:
Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |


The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription
Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | The Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | Home |

Copyright © 2003, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu