Radhanath Swami in his memoir, "The Journey Within - Exploring the Path of Bhakti", Mandala Publishing 2016, writes,
We create our own destiny by the choices we make. But while we are free to make choices, once we have acted on them, we are bound to live with their consequences. That is karma. How we respond to challenges determines our destiny in this life and in the next.
Gnana Jothiamma shared the following several years ago.
Agathiyan tells us that he cannot do anything to completely help another get rid of the karma as it is a process. He only helps so much as to sustain one to be able to overcome the magnitude and intensity of the problem...People should understand the wrong notion they are sailing in...like thinking just with one reading and the pariharams mentioned ..that Agathiyan is completely wiping off the Karma.Karma removal is a process..Agathiyan says...Only based on one Karmic merit..can that too be done.But Agathiyan says ...that one who comes to him for help and relief with faith and devotion he would surely help that person ...step by step ...to free himself...This is a very important thing to note... How one's karmic deeds follow one continuously for may births in spite of doing many pariharams in those births too...coz one needs to undergo the karmas ..before one gets full relief. Agathiyan concluded by saying that he will help anyone who looks towards him ..with faith and devotion.....by saying..."The moment you call out to me...I will come running towards you ..."
Rather than going into the complexities of life and the even more complex laws that govern us and runs behind the screen of life, trying to figure out and understand them, our ancestors gave us a simple tool - that of prayer and total surrender. Bharathi expresses this faith and surrender in the divine in the following song. Let's take heed of his advice to guide us through life.
நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன், கண்ணம்மா
நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன்
பொன்னை, உயர்வை, புகழை விரும்பிடும்
என்னை கவலைகள் தின்ன தகாதென..
In seeking Treasures, Status and Fame do not let Worries take hold of me Ma..
நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன், கண்ணம்மா
நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன்
மிடிமையும் அச்சமும் மேவி என் நெஞ்சில்
குடிமை புகுந்தன, கொன்று அவை போக்கின
As Poverty and Fear have entered my heart and gained an upper hand, please destroy and remove them Ma
Bharathi finally realizes the vanity in his initial seeking and switches the tone.
தன்செய லெண்ணித் தவிப்பது தீர்ந்திங்கு
நின்செயல் செய்து நிறைவு பெறும்வண்ணம்
நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன், கண்ணம்மா
நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன்
Rather than struggle to see my dreams come true,
I would do your asking and be satisfied Ma
He gains self-esteem in holding to the divine.
நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன், கண்ணம்மா
நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன்
துன்பம் இனி இல்லை, சோர்வில்லை
சோர்வில்லை, தோற்பில்லை
நல்லது தீயது நாமறியோம்
நாமறியோம் நாமறியோம்
அன்பு நெறியில் அறங்கள் வளர்த்திட
நல்லது நாட்டுக! தீமையை ஓட்டுக
There are no Worries; no Fatigue; neither Failure henceforth
We shall not know between the Good and the Bad
Walking the Path of Love & Righteousness
We shall uphold the Good and drive the Bad away.
நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன், கண்ணம்மா
நின்னை சரணடைந்தேன்
The cinema industry has given some jewels in the form of songs that reached out to the divine for answers. Here are some of my favorites.