‘Vyãkyãna Chakravarthy’ says it is unique (‘sreshtam’) only if Bhagavãn takes us in His fold instead of our going and holding on to Him

Nama Article 25^th December 2014

ஆண்டாள் நாச்சியார் அருளிச்செய்த திருப்பாவை

நோற்றுச் சுவர்க்கம் புகுகின்ற அம்மனாய்!

     மாற்றமும் தாராரோ வாசல் திறவாதார்

நாற்றத் துழாய் முடி நாராயணன் நம்மால்

     போற்றப் பறை தரும் புண்ணியனால் பண்டு ஒரு நாள்

கூற்றத்தின் வாய் வீழ்ந்த கும்பகருணனும்

     தோற்று முனக்கே பெருந்துயில்தான் தந்தானோ?

ஆற்ற அனந்தலுடையாய் அருங்கலமே

     தேற்றமாய் வந்து திற ஏல் ஓர் எம்பாவாய்!

Excerpts from a discourse by our Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji on ThiruppAvai

Whether we should hold on to Bhagavãn or Bhagavãn should take us in His fold. 'Vyãkyãna Chakravarthy' says it is unique ('sreshtam') only if Bhagavãn takes us in His fold instead of our going and holding on to Him. It is no doubt a matter of high standing that Bhagavãn should take us in His fold on His own. Yet we should not remain quiet (indifferently) just awaiting Bhagavãn. However, if this does take place (Bhagavãn taking us in His fold even without our seeking Him) it is a rare and highest blessing, indeed! The Swamy cites the examples of Guha and Sugreeva whom Lord Rama goes in search of and brings them in His fold. He is willing to do anything sought by them. Whereas in the case of Bharata who comes in search of the Lord the same feelings are not evinced by the Lord.

The two are different, indeed - Our seeking Him and Bhagavãn embracing us on His own. The reason for this is that we should show deep love ('premai') for Bhagavãn. It is this that comes back to us from Him. What is bhakti? When someone asks the son, pointing to his father, "Who is this?" the son says, "This is my father": When the same question is put to the father, pointing to the son, he says, "This is my son". Similarly, the love that we have for Bhagavãn is known as Bhakti; and the same returns to us from Bhagavãn as 'kripai' (Grace). Well! Is the 'Return' of the same degree as shown by us? No! The 'Return' is multifold! The depth of devotion shown to Bhagavãn returns multifold. The Grace thus depends on the depth of devotion shown. Even if we show just a little, 'pint of ' love for Him, it returns from Him in multifold - in an incalculably large proportion. 'Bhakta' (devotee) and Bhagavãn compete with each other to see who is bigger (!) Seeing the devotion Bhagavãn feels, "Ah! How devoted he is!" and showers His Grace on the Bhakta. What does the bhakta do? He feels, "The depth of devotion shown does not justify the Grace/Love received" and so he deepens his bhakti! So there is a competition between the bhakta and Bhagavãn.

When all the others are living meaningless lives we are here uttering the name of the Lord, "Krishna! Rama!' - this is how we tend to think. And seeing/feeling the love of Bhagavãn we feel our sadhana is not enough and feel egged on to deepen it. So, we increase our japa, dhyana, etc. And what does Bhagavãn do? Seeing us strive hard Bhagavãn thinks, "Ah! This child is striving so hard. I must make things easy for him ('anukoola')! So, both the 'bhakta' (devotee) and Bhagavãn compete with each other in 'giving'!

Chant the Mahamantra Nama kirtan :

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare