Like a parent raising a child with an eye on a prosperous future, God too has an abiding interest in the spiritual well being of a person, right from birth. Leading a virtuous life, it is possible to reach Him: all one has to do is to surrender to him entirely to attain moksha. To that end, God has been guiding man from time immemorial in many ways: by manifestations, by way of scriptural texts and also as resident deity in temples. Additionally, he has sent acharyas, preceptors and gurus, to guide humans, said Karunakaran Swami in a discourse.
One may ask where does God dwell? He is present in Vaikuntam, but none of us can claim to have been there or recall such a darshan. God is within oneself, but we are so overwhelmed by vasanas (sensory gratifications) that we fail to engage with Him.
Various gurus have shown how to connect with God in a structured, doable manner. They have advocated embracing daily rituals such as chanting His name, offering simple things such as flowers and fruits to Him every day, with total faith.
Sastras say it is imperative that one does three things. ‘Jeevato vakya karana’ it says, meaning one should keep one’s parents /elders happy till their last breath. It also mandates ‘Gayanam pinda dhanam’ (visit Gaya at least once and offer pinda at least once to one’s dear departed.) Pundits recommend that the surviving family conduct the sraddham every year on the relevant tithi and not stop the practice once one has visited Gaya after the passing of one’s loved ones.
Mata, pita, guru, deivam is the four-step ladder to reaching God.
Published - February 06, 2025 05:02 am IST
