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A common man will find devotion to be the easiest of all the means to attain liberation. Performing Karmas, another means, involves the adherence to many procedures
and it is next to impossible for one to perform all the prescribed rites. Again, not all aspirants are qualified to tread the path of knowledge, the Jnana Marga.
Sadhana Chatushtayam or the fourfold qualification (comprising discrimination, dispassion, the hexad commencing with control of the mind, and intense
desire for liberation) is a sine qua non for the Jnana Marga. The easiest path which is open to all is the Bhakti Marga or the path of devotion. In response
to the query posed by Yudhishtira, "What is that Dharma which is the greatest among all Dharmas?", Bhishma said,
एष मे सर्वधर्माणां धर्मोधिकतमो मत: ।
यद्भक्तया पुण्डरीकाक्षं स्तवैरर्चेन्नरस्सदा ॥
"To worship the Supreme Lord with devotion is the greatest among all Dharmas." This was the reply of Bhishma. In Sri Sankara's commentary on the above verse
of Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam, we find the following points. Performance of Karmas involves adherence to many Vedic injunctions, whereas worshipping the Lord
does not involve such injunctions. There might occur many lapses while performing Karmas.
अविधिना कृतमकृतम्
The Sastras say that improper performance of Karmas is equal to their non-performance. However, this is not the case with the Bhakti Marga. Therefore,
Bhakti Marga is considered the simplest of the paths to liberation. All the limbs of our body are for the purpose of divine worship only.
सा रसना ते नयने तावेव करौ स एव कृतकृत्य: ।
या ये यो यौ भर्गं वदतीक्षेते सदार्चत: स्मरति ॥
Our tongue will attain purity only if it chants the divine names. It cannot become pure by talking about a thousand other issues. Our eyes get their purity
only by beholding the bewitching form of Ishwara in temples and not by other sights. Our hands are for the purpose of performing Puja to Ishwara. If they do
not perform worship, they are not to be called 'hands'. Likewise, our mind should ever contemplate on the lotus feet of Bhagavan. If all the above organs are
used by a person for the purpose of divine worship, he is indeed the most fortunate one.
Sri Sankara Bhagavatpadal wrote in one another hymn -
नारायण करुणामय शरणं करवाणि तावकौ चरणौ ।
इति षट्पपदी मदीये वदनसरोजे सदा वस्तु ॥
"O, Narayana, Compassionate One, Your feet are my refuge. Let my tongue always repeat these six words."
The six words are:
-
नारायण
-
करुणामय
-
शरणं
-
करवाणि
-
तावकौ
-
चरणौ
With verses like the one mentioned above, our ancients have shown us the essence of Bhakti.
Another interesting verse is:
वने चरामो वसु चाहरामो नदीस्तरामो न भयं स्मराम: ।
इतिरयन्तो विपिने किराता मुक्तिं गता रामपदानुषङ्गात् ॥
This verse is said to have been recited by some hunters in a forest. The meaning of the verse is -
-
वने चराम: - We wander in the forest
-
वसु चाहराम: - We bring money
-
नदीस्तराम: - We cross rivers
-
न भयं स्मराम: - We know no fear
We can see that each of the quarters in the original verse contains the word "Rama". It is said that the hunters attained liberation even as they
unknowingly uttered the name 'Rama' four times. I mentioned this merely to highlight the potency of chanting the divine names. Therefore, we must
follow the footsteps of our ancestors and attain divine grace.
I wish that all people in our sacred nation believe in Ishwara. Let there be no atheists at all. Let all our people lead a devoted life and be the recipients
of the blessings of Ishwara. May Sri Chandramouleeswara and Sri Sharadambal fulfil this wish of Mine and bring prosperity to our nation.
I conclude this speech by mentally offering My salutations to My Guru.
हर नम: पार्वतीपतये हर हर महादेव।
जानकीकान्तस्मरणं जय जय राम राम ॥
knr
--
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God
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