The Hindu : Enormous spiritual powers of preceptors

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 19, 2002

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Enormous spiritual powers of preceptors

CHENNAI APRIL 19. While highlighting several vital moral instructions necessary for a human being's character building, the greatest importance has been given in our scriptures for an aspiring devotee to seek the guidance of a spiritual master and obtain his blessings in any venture proposed to be undertaken by him. Where a person has ignored showing reverence to such a valuable preceptor, he may not succeed in his endeavours. By virtue of their disciplined lives and observance of austerities, the Acharyas have gained enormous spiritual powers though they may not exhibit them openly. Hence their advice should be sought at every stage. A practical illustration of the deep reverence shown to such a mentor is provided in the Ramayana. The devotion shown to such an authority culminated in the grand wedding of the Lord, in His human form, with the Divine Mother manifesting as Sita.

On the other hand the failure to get the approval of the family's religious guide at the first instance ended in a calamity. While placing his desire (not a decision) before an august assembly to crown the prince (Rama), the emperor did not seek the views of the royal preceptor and the earlier expression of concurrence, which took about 14 minutes with others, saw the exile of the vice-regent-to-be for 14 years. An auspicious time was fixed for the coronation in consultation with priests and Vasishta was requested to make the necessary arrangements. The extreme eagerness on the part of the assembly to see Rama as their king made Dasaratha doubt whether they were not happy with his own rule all along. It was then that the citizens described elaborately Rama's qualities

Rama was an ocean of virtues, wise, endearing and delightful; like the moon, He was so charming, bringing gladness to people and like the elephant, His very gait was graceful. He was wholly devoted to Truth and Righteousness. He was sweet spoken, grateful and self-controlled. Explaining further the reaction of the people, Sri K. Balasubramania Raman, in a discourse, said (according to them) Rama was a young man with indomitable spirit and superb intellect, well versed in the rules of Dharma and polity. All these sincere encomiums made Dasaratha feel proud and the stage was set for Rama's coronation, which unfortunately by a quirk of fate, was postponed due to the machinations of a servant-maid who made her mistress demand His banishment.

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Enormous spiritual powers of preceptors

dated April 19, 1952: Conditions of Indians in Ceylon

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