The Hindu : Lord's grace is unconditional

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 09, 2003

Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous - Religion

Lord's grace is unconditional

CHENNAI JAN. 9. Based on the theory of Action and Reaction, several types of creations of God appear in this world, having direct relationship with the rights and wrongs committed by men in their past lives. The mind must have entertained vicious thoughts and the consequence is birth as insentient beings or different types of flora. For the sins by word, the punishment is to be born as animals and birds. The bad deeds done will result in being caused to be thrown down as members of lower order of humanity. A reference in a poem as to the manner in which God keeps his eyes half-closed, reveals God's regret for men going through ordeals and sufferings since they experience the fruits of the past. But God is never unkind or unsympathetic and the other portion of His vision shows His eagerness and readiness to help them get over these problems. God is hence keen to grant His refuge to anyone, at any time. One has only to approach Him with their plea and hold to His Feet expressing sincere feelings to reach and stay in His kingdom.

For the sake of demonstrating His mercy and infusing confidence in those who thus come to Him, God presents Himself as the dazzling idols in different postures, sitting, standing, walking and reclining. His effulgence gives us the hope and confidence. All that one has to do is to adopt the simple way of declaring his absolute surrender. The most important aspect of this Divine procedure is total faith in His capacity, ability and powers. Also so long as he is here, he should abide by the scriptural injunctions. Sri Ramanuja's example of following the Divine command even at the age of 120 should inspire us in this connection.

Commenting on Andal's Thiruppavai, Sri Velukkudi Krishnan said seeking Sri Narayana's kingdom should be the sole goal of a person who takes refuge in Him. The path of pure devotion is also available before the seekers of Divine grace, but it has several constraints. In the performance of this special duty (Saranagati) the very thought that he is the doer of all his activity should be given up giving place to the fact that it is God, who controls everything; the attitude of "Mine" and that he is entirely dependent on Him should form an integral part. In the Ramayana, Vibhishana rushed to Rama leaving everything. His confidence that the Lord will welcome him to His fold yielded positive results. His grace is unconditional and He will never ignore the prayers of a sincere devotee.

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