Date: 10-06-1995 :: Cl: Religion
God has been described as an ocean of mercy, ready to
rescue His devotees from their problems. One of the doubts raised
by some is, ``If He is really so compassionate, why not He
protect them of His own volition? Does He not know their
difficulties? Where then is the need for their prayers or
appeals?'' A fitting reply can be given for this doubt.
God is ever anxious to help those who seek His help. A
river flows near a village carrying copious water. Anyone who
requires water can go to it and fetch any quantity. But a person
cannot expect the river to flow to him and fill the pitchers in
his house of its own accord. So too, God is to be approached
through prayers and worship as He is readily accessible to
everyone. He has no partiality and welcomes all and is ready to
shower His grace on the seekers without discrimination.
God shows no distinction among His devotees in regard to
their scholarship, colour or status. A well read person and a
less qualified one offered their prayers before God. The former
used a hymn in a flamboyant style while the latter's was not so
flowery. The former got annoyed with God that He has accepted the
grammatically incorrect verse but the Almighty said that He only
appreciated a devotee's sincerity and intensity of feeling. So
too was the case of Narayana Bhattathri (who composed
Narayaneeyam) virtually accusing God of having approved the verse
of a not so scholarly poet, which contained flaws. ``I am not
worried about grammatical construction but am pleased with
devotion the Lord replied.
Sri Bharati Theertha Swami of Sringeri Math in a
discourse said, that God is pleased with any offering made with
total devotion. He does not approve of hypocrisy and knows who is
sincere. He will not be carried away by extravagant display of
devotion. The attitude behind an offering is important. A poor
devotee who has no wherewithal, can before an idol, imagine the
Lord being seated on a throne made of gold imbedded with gems and
himself offering lavish items. This is termed ``Maanasa puja.''
There will also be no difficulty in chanting God's names.
``Namasivaya'' is a simple mantra of God and it is regrettable
that many do not resort even to the simple procedure of chanting
it to approach God. At the conclusion of one's daily worship, a
verse is recited in submission to God to condone the defects in
the offerings or for the violation of the prescribed rules of
worship. God forgives them. Such is the power and efficacy of
prayers and divine names.
Copyright: The Hindu, Chennai, INDIA