By Swami Bhaktivenkateshwara
Among the 12 Hindu poet-saints of South India known as Alvars, there was only one female named Andal. She lived around the seventh century in Srivilliputhur, 80km from Madurai. Along with her father, Vishnuchithan, she was an ardent devotee of Ranganath, the sleeping form of Vishnu. Andal wanted to marry Ranganath.
Every day, Vishnuchithan would offer a tulsi garland to his beloved deity. When her father was away, she would wear the garland intended for the Lord and look at her reflection to see if she was a fit consort for her Isht Dev. One day, Andal was found out by her father, who remonstrated her for such a sacrilege. But that night, Vishnu appeared to Vishnuchithan in adream and told him he was most pleased with Andal’s devotion and that from now on, he would only accept garlands first worn by her. Vishnuchithan did accordingly.
When it was time to get Andal married, the Lord told her father to bring her to Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, where the marriage would take place. When she was led into the sanctum sanctorum, to the surprise of all present, she merged with the murti of Ranganath and gained liberation. Pious tradition holds Andal to be the incarnation of Bhumi Devi.
During her life, Andal refused to give in to earthly marriage because she only wanted the Lord. She was self-realised and ready to gain mukti. Once we have understood that only the Supreme gives meaning to life and we are nothing without It, we may come to realise that the Lord should be our ultimate goal to reach. The Divine is always there for us, but are we ready to receive It?
This is the first question that spiritual practitioners should explore before starting any sadhana.
We must be willing to renounce everything mundane – good or bad.
This will show us how much we have become attached to family and friends and, indeed, to all the pleasures and comforts that life may offer us. But are they worth hanging onto when they hold us back from developing spiritually towards the Divine? Is not God-realisation the ultimate fulfilment of all life?
We must trust the Lord, even when doubts and questions arise. By combining our faith with devotion, we will feel guidance from within sooner or later. At first, it might seem like listening to an Inner Knowledge that we cannot explain, but it will always make sense in hindsight.
Andal knew it was best for her to follow only the divine call within. Nothing else mattered, and no attachments to family prevented her from reaching the Ultimate. We should take her example as inspiration and follow the Divine to achieve our goal. That way, we will realise in moments outside the mind – away from our usual mental patterns – that life makes sense with the Divine shining within. God can shower Its grace and blessings at any moment – all we have to do is be open and follow our inherent dharm.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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