The Hindu : Easy ways to reach God

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 11, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Easy ways to reach God

CHENNAI APRIL 11 . How do I reach God, a spiritually inclined person may ask. There are many ways of realising Him. The quest is not arduous or difficult. A sincere devotee can attain his goal by a closer affinity with preceptors and a deep study of devotional literature. More significant is the company of the Lord's messengers and torchbearers who have no other aim in life than to proceed to His kingdom and be engaged in Divine service. Pious and upright, these visionaries have shown the path for others to follow.

The guidelines are simple and the approach easy. A devotee should abhor evil deeds of all types and seek only what is good and virtuous. Nothing will be more detestable than attachment to worldly goods and sensory pleasures. The other vital need is to repose absolute faith in His protection. The Almighty is not an entity, which can be bought. He can be sought through piety expressing one's inability to protect himself from the day-to-day turmoil.

The royal saint, Kulasekhara, who revelled in singing the paeans of the Lord, fervently yearns in his work, "Perumal Thirumozhi", to be born (if so destined) as a fish in the pond in Thirumalai, or as a shrub or pillar or as the stepping stone in the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord so that he could always see His coral lips. Thinking of the Lord's qualities and reciting His names it is possible to wash away one's sins and vicious thoughts. Dealing with Rama's life in a decad, the saint paints a glorious picture about His impeccable virtues. The spoils of war normally go to the conqueror, but Rama, after defeating Ravana, gifted the kingdom to the latter's brother who had sought refuge in Him.

That Rama was the ultimate in "administration" is seen by the manner in which He personally investigated the cause of a child's death (during the period of His governance), discovered how a citizen had undertaken a penance with a sinful objective, corrected the wrong and the child's life was restored. Dealing with the saint's work, Sri Venu Raja Narayan described the Ramayana as an elixir of life. It is an unparalleled epic since it was recited in Rama's presence by His two children. When His father died or when His wife was abducted, Rama never thought of ending His life whereas when Lakshmana left Him forever, He virtually collapsed.

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

Miscellaneous

Stories in this Section

Cartoon II

All in the game

Cartoon I

The Hindu Crossword 7644

Solution to puzzle 7643

Easy ways to reach God

dated April 11, 1953: Ghetto policy in South Africa

dated April 11, 1953: Corruption: non-official resolution rejected

National Weather

Another prize for Miller

Kidman as Hepburn

Aping the master

Security and stupidity