Enduring appeal of God's attributes

CHENNAI, AUG. 20. The scriptures reiterate that they have failed to fathom the glory of the Supreme Being and devotees derive perennial joy in reciting and listening to the Lord's glory as depicted in these texts. They thirst to listen to them again and again even though the anecdotes and divine deeds depicted in them are the same. What is it that draws the mind of the devotee to them? According to the God-realised it is the nature of the Almighty and His auspicious qualities which bewitch the mind of the devotee. Every experience gives a fresh insight into His divine nature. When ordinary mortals take immense delight in the virtues and achievements of their children, one can imagine Dasaratha's frame of mind when he was blessed with the Lord as his son after being childless for long.

It was no wonder that the king's joy knew no bounds when everyone lavished praise on Rama extolling His character and conduct when he expressed his wish to crown Him as the prince regent. The Ramayana notes that Dasaratha rejoiced and never felt sated in the company of Rama. When he sent for Rama to break the news of His coronation, after briefing Him of his decision, he advised Him on how a ruler should conduct himself, ``To You, a storehouse of merits as You are, I shall tender friendly advice, my son, out of sheer affection. Resorting to even greater humility than before constantly keep Your senses under control and eschew vices. The friends and allies of a monarch who protects the Earth and whose subjects are not only loved by him but are devoted to him in their turn exult as the immortals did on securing nectar. Disciplining Your mind, therefore, my son, conduct Yourself well as instructed by me.'' Rama sought His mother Kausalya first to convey the good tidings.

In his discourse, Sri B. Sundar Kumar said after conferring with his counsellors once again, Dasaratha decided that Rama must be crowned the following day itself and sent for Rama once again. The haste with which the king fixed the date and time for the ceremony and the reason he adduced for his decision give an inkling of the events that followed in quick succession. Disturbed by ominous dreams and evil portents due to certain planetary combinations Dasaratha was anxious that there should not be any snag. His words to Rama in this context speaks volumes of his anxiety , ``Although Your brother Bharata scrupulously abides by the conduct of the righteous, is obedient to You, pious of mind and full of compassion and has brought his senses under control, the mind of men nonetheless is inconstant.''

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