Religious symbols

Religious symbols: Does bhakti lie in merely sporting religious symbols? Would a person become a good devotee of Lord Siva simply by smearing his forehead with sacred ash? Would a person become a good devotee of Lord...

The Hindu, August 21, 2016

Faith
Religious symbols
Does bhakti lie in merely sporting religious symbols? Would a person become a good devotee of Lord Siva simply by smearing his forehead with sacred ash? Would a person become a good devotee of Lord Vishnu just by wearing the Vaishnavite symbol on his forehead?
External symbols are there to remind us that this life is impermanent and that we must turn our thoughts towards God. The symbols by themselves will not take us closer to God. Why then should we sport symbols?
The sacred ash is to remind us that we all ultimately end up as a fistful of ash, said D.Gnanasundaram in a discourse. Sporting symbols is a way of acquiring discipline and curbing worldly thoughts.
There is a very interesting take on the Ramayana in popular story telling. Ravana tries his best to woo Sita, but is unsuccessful. His ministers then suggest that he should dress up like Rama in order to fool Sita. But Ravana replies that if he dresses up like Rama, then he will begin to think like Rama and will no longer covet another man’s wife! So a mere disguise can turn a person’s thoughts the right way. How much more potent will religious symbols be then!
Vaishnavite preceptor Nanjeeyar defined who a true Vaishnavite was. A man who wept upon witnessing another person’s sorrow was the one who could be termed a Vaishnavite. He who delighted in another person’s difficulties could never be called a Vaishnavite. So it is the cultivation of good qualities that make a man God-realised. That is why Saint Thayumanavar spoke of the need for patience, humility and generosity. These are the qualities that will lead us to God, whom Thayumanavar described as the nectar that we never tire of.
***********

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NAVAGRAHA STOTRAM

NAVAGRAHA STOTRAM* According to astrology, the positions of the nine planets in the twelve constellations of the zodiac and their movements are considered to be quite significant. The nine planets ‘Navagraha’ affect every aspect of human life. They play an important role in the activities, physical and mental health and life of any individual. The unfavorable positioning of any of these planets can be the cause of problems, bad health, and stagnation for many people. However, there is a solution to avoid the ill effects of the position and movement of the ‘Navagraha’ in our lives. Navagraha mantras (or stotram) are simple mantras which work as powerful healing tools to reduce the negative effects of any of the nine planets. These mantras are Hindu holy hymn addressing the nine planets. Benefits Of Navagraha Stotram And The Way to Practice The Navagraha Stotram is written b y Rishi Vyasa and is considered to be the peace mantra for the nine planets. They are powerful m
Read more

THE SUNSET OF THE CENTURY

*SUNSET OF THE CENTURY: Rabindranath Tagore THE LAST SUN OF THE CENTURY SETS AMIDST THE BLOOD-RED COLOURS OF THE WEST AND THE WHIRLWIND OF HATRED. THE NAKED PASSION OF SELF-LOVE OF NATIONS IN ITS DRUNKEN DELIRIUM OF GREED IS DANCING TO THE CLASH OF STEEL AND THE HOWLING VERSES OF VENGEANCE. THE HUNGRY SELF OF THE NATION SHALL BURST IN A VIOLENCE OF FURY FROM ITS OWNSHAMELESS FEEDING FOR IT HAS MADE THE WORLDITS FOOD, AND LICKING IT, CRUNCHING IT AND SWALLOWING IT IN BIG MORSELS, IT SWELLS AND SWELLS TILL IN THE MIDST OF ITS UNHOLY FEAST DESCENDS THE SUDDEN HEAVEN PIERCING ITS HEART OF GROSSNESS…   *Note: “The Sunset of the Century”, translated by the poet, from Naivedya; The English Writings of   Rabindranathtagore, Volume II,Delhi 1996, page 466. Quoted in his article ‘Critiquing nationalism’ by K Satchidanandan (Frontline, November 14, 2014). The article takes you to a much broader spectrum. HAPPY READING(READ MORE STAN
Read more

The King of Ragas: Sankarabharanam

                       The King of Ragas                      --------------------------     Long ago  serpents were put to lot of hardships.They  were afraid of other animals. They had to seek refuge in the hermitage of sage Saraba.The sage was a true devotee of Lord Shiva.He used to pray Shiva with melodious songs. As he sang a particular raga the snakes were much inspired and they began to dance,. Slowly the serpents became friendly with the sage. They brought water in their mouths for the pooja.They secreted  a special fluid in which the flowers got stuck to their bodies.The sage was much astonished by the service of the snakes.As the sarpas became very close to the sage ,they requested him to help having Darsan of Lord Siva. As requested by the sage Shiva appeared in the form of  a  Kapalika and stayed in the ashram.The music and dance of the snakes continued. The snakes rendered service to the kapalika as they considered him  a Shiva bhakta.Shiva was much pleased with t
Read more