Unlimited powers of the Supreme Being

CHENNAI, FEB. 26. If someone raises a doubt whether God, who is Supreme, has a foe since instances are replete in holy texts about the manner in which He, in His incarnations as an ordinary person, has dealt with some people, the answer will be a firm ``no''. Many characters have indeed extolled God's innumerable auspicious qualities and His personal charm. But He definitely gets annoyed when those who have chosen to repose total faith in Him are tortured by wicked elements and those who hold on to the rules of virtue. These vicious forces had not known about the unlimited powers God wields as against their own limited strength. Nor had they the wisdom to listen to the advice tendered by sane men. In their case, ``Truth'', though a strong dose of medicine to cure any imbalance in mind, was unpalatable and a bitter pill. Some genuine friends would have kept aloof when they saw the wicked tendencies of their near and dear while a few others might have tried to check them, though in vain.

In the Ramayana, when the mighty Ravana, incensed by the description given by his sister about Sita, requested Mareecha to help him in abducting Her, the latter not only condemned the very plan but also tried to dissuade him from antagonising Rama.

His words are of great value for all, at all times: ``It is easy enough to find sycophants who always utter what is pleasing; all too are the men who can speak unpleasant but wholesome truths or the man who heeds him. A slave of passion like you, evil in disposition and advised by evil counsellors, brings destruction on himself, his people and his realm. Rama has not violated any rule of propriety. He is a replica of virtue and is Dharma in human form. You should not throw yourself into the fire that is Rama by carrying by force His spouse. Analyse the pros and cons of your design and then decide what seems best.''

Ravana, who initially desisted from this idea, returned, smitten by passion, determined to implement his plan. Mareecha then told him of his personal experience with the Divine Prince but he had to yield under coercion.

In his discourse, Sri R. Aravamudan referred to the life of extreme austerity of sages whom Rama visited earlier and assured them of His support to see that those who caused them hindrance while pursuing their spiritual obligation were punished. The sages who were so pious that they would not even pluck fruits from the trees, because that act might amount to killing lives, were able to thrive on dried leaves and other products which naturally fell from the tree.

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