8

"LEARN OUR TRADITION THE EASY WAY"-
SAMPRADAYA LESSONS FOR KIDS FOR GRADE 2
LESSON 8: THREE LIVING GODS -
(written in Tamil by Desika Bhakta Ratnam, U. Ve. Seva Srinivasa Raghava chariar Swami under his "Jayamangala Paada Thittam" and translated in English by Sri M.K.Srinivasan Swami of Vedanta Desika Research Center)
(NOTE: Lesson 7 was featured in Vol. 2 / Issue 15 dated13th August 2001)
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We worship Gods and Goddesses, in fact, several of them, each time with a different prayer. Scriptures also say that Gods can bestow on us what we want. Indeed, Gods are more powerful than we humans.
Penance, Homas, Yagnas, Saantis, Abhishekams, Archanas, donations are several methods used to please Gods. Lord Krishna also explains the inter-dependence between Gods and humans in Bhagavad Gita (3/11-12). The Gods are propitiated through sacrifices and being pleased they grant enjoyments to human beings. This is borne out by experience also.

However, we do not see these Gods, nor can we attempt to do so. They remain unseen, invisible. But, are there visible Gods? Yes. There are. There are three ?visible? Goda. They are Mother, father and Preceptor. The Vedas (Taittriya Upanishad- Sikshavalli) declares in unambiguous terms to worship these three as Gods. ?Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Achaarya Devo Bhava?. This means ?Treat your Mother as God, Treat your father as God and Treat your Preceptor as God?. This is the advice given by an Acharya to a Sishya when the latter leaves the Gurukula after completion of his studies.

The mother has given birth to us, has given our lives. So she is God. The father has supported us, has done the essential rituals for us. So, he is God. The preceptor educated us and shown us the light. So, he is God. Thus, these three are veritable visible Gods who matter the most in our lives. Let us just think about them.

Without our mothers, we would not have been born in this world, given a body and nourished us from a totally helpless state to what we are now. No love compares with a mother?s love for her child. She has sacrificed everything of hers to see that her child lives on. We should not even mentally wish any harm to her, but respect her and honor her always. What to speak of despicable people who utter harsh words to their mothers, do not care for them in their old age and even physically abuse them. ?They are worse than animals and rank lowliest among the low and are venomous creatures on the earth? - declare the scriptures.

Next comes the father. He is responsible for our birth, instills good manners and values in us, sees that we do not go astray, does the obligatory rites and rituals (Samskaras) and is the guiding spirit to our thoughts. Any worship to Gods and any rituals will be incomplete and fruitless, if the father is ignored. We have to keep in view Sri Rama?s implicit obedience of King Dasaratha?s words. He is standing example of filial affection and regard.

We call the Supreme Lord as our father. Sri Arjuna tells Lord Krishna ? You are the father of the World?s animate and inanimate beings? - ?Pitaasi Lokasya charaacharasya ? (11.43). We seek the forgiveness of the Lord as we would from our own father. There are several instances in the Puranic lore exemplifying the regard of son to father. We may see it in recent times by the attitude of Kumaara Varadaachaariar towards his father, Swami Desika in one of his Mangala Slokas.
?May Sri Venkatesa who is my father, my Guru who did Brahmopadesam to me and who is my God, my goal and also the means to that end, remain ever auspicious? ?
? PitrE BrahmopadeshtrE mE guravE Deivatya Cha/
Praapyaaya Praapakaaya asthu Venkatesaya Mangalam//?

Now, we come to the third ?living God?, the Preceptor. We cannot underestimate the glory and greatness of the Preceptor who shows us the path to high Heaven and also the rightful way to live in this world. The Vedas say that the Preceptor is essential to realize God. One who worships the Preceptor as God is really a great soul. It is, therefore, necessary to sing the praise of one?s Preceptor as one would praise God. Swami Desika himself points out the way in the last Tamizh Paasuram of Chapter 31 Sishya kritya Adhikaram of Sri Rahasya Traya Saaram:
?Etri manathu ezhil Jnaana vilakkai, Irulanaithum
maatrinavarkku, oru kaimmaaru maayanum kaanagillaan
Potri ugappadum punthiyil koLvathum pongu pugazh
Saatri vaLarppathum satrallavO munnam petratharkE?
Meaning ?Even the Mayan (God) cannot adequately compensate the Acharya who dispelled all ignorance by lighting the bright lamp of learning. Hence, for what was received from the Acharya, what the Sishya does is very little indeed, such as recounting his praise with delight, being in constant meditation of him and extending his growing fervor?

Swami Desika has succinctly listed 8 reasons why the Preceptor must be worshipped like God, in his Nyaasa Vimsati verse 2.
1. He removes the darkness called ignorance.
2. He removes sins, grief and sorrow from us.
3. He makes us like him.
4. He terminates our future births.
5. He grants us divine insight.
6. He showers us with overwhelming compassion.
7. He gives us the infinitely superior taste of doing service.
8. He is forever our Lord and Master.
We have no means to acquire such a great soul, our Preceptor. Hence, he is another ?living God?.
In Srimad Ramayana, Sri Rama says (Ayodya Khanda Chapter 30)
? Our highest duty is to obey our parents and carry out their orders?
?When our parents and Guru are before us and are amenable to our prayers, why worship God who is omnipotent and independent but is not amenable to the influence of those who worship Him?.
?The three worlds are available to him who devotes his life to the service of his mother, father and Preceptor. There is no purer act than such service?
?There is not the least doubt that loyal service to these three will ensure knowledge, wealth, children and all joys of life as well as a happy permanent stay in Heaven?
When the Lord Himself utters these words, do we need more proof for treating our mother, father and preceptor as ?living Gods??


QUESTIONS
1. Who are deemed to be ?Living Gods??
2. What is the greatness of One?s mother?
3. What is the greatness of One?s father?
4. What is the greatness of One?s Acharya?
5. What are the gains that we secure from our Guru?
6. Can we compensate the Guru for what he has given us?