Sincere service pleases Lord

CHENNAI, NOV. 14. Given the choice of either reaching God's kingdom or proceeding to hell, every human being will only be eager to opt for the former. But going to heaven will mean the observance in one's life of spiritual discipline. On the other hand, almost everyone will be committing wrong for which he or she has to undergo punishment. How then can one aim to reach heaven? God Himself has prescribed the method.

``There are three fatal doors leading to hell, viz, lust, anger and avarice. So, those who are desirous of eternal well-being should shun them. Delivered from those dark hell-doors, a man should search for his own good, then he will attain eternal bliss, the highest of human existence.'' Scriptures have placed before man the steps which will ensure that he thinks, speaks and does only good and avoids taking to bad ways.

Obedience to divine ordinances, meditation, prayers, worship of idols in temples and pilgrimages are some of the injunctions. Offering obeisance to the Divine Couple will fetch all benefits, as the Divine Mother, in particular the embodiment of compassion, will confer prosperity.

The Mahabharatam mentions how a butcher acquired extraordinary spiritual powers not by studying, but only by sincerely attending on his aged parents, providing them with all comforts and pleasing them. A woman too displayed her greatness by serving her husband. Another instance of genuine service was that of a boy who was taking care of his parents. God wanted to test him and knocked at his door, but he made God wait, asking Him to stand on a brick slab till he completed his duty towards his parents. Even today, the Lord stands in this posture (in a idol form) in Pandarpur.

Sri Sankaracharya of Sakatapuram in a discourse referred to certain procedures to be observed when devotees go to temples. The sentries (Dwarapalakas) are to be worshipped and their formal permission obtained. In the sanctum sanctorum, only the priest is entitled to offer puja on behalf of devotees as he alone is duly qualified, according to the Agamas.A story is told of a person belonging to the backward class who wondered why he could not get in. The priest who was in a dilemma advised him to go through rigorous religious observances for six months, reducing his intake (food) gradually and always chanting a mantra. The enthusiast followed the instructions and God did come out and give him darshan, a privilege that was denied even to those who frequented the shrine.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Miscellaneous
Previous : Solution to puzzle 7209
Next     : dated November 14, 1951: Congress Candidates for
           Parliament