Easy ways to reach the Lord

In short, Mahalakshmi’s benign blessings will fall on a devotee. With Vishnu being the Protector, seeking the divine grace of the celestial couple is made easier through simple prayers and practices. 

Last year, many people might have complained about many hardships and bemoaned the fact that we are living in Kali Yugam. However, Kali Yugam is also one in which a number of saints and alwars chose to forsake Vaikuntam, preferring to live on earth and bask in the prevailing bhakti. 

Unlike our ancestors who lived during the Krutha Yugam, Treta Yugam and Dwapara Yugam, and had to undergo severe tapas or conduct yagnas, in the current Kali Yugam, people have to merely follow the bhakti margam. Kali Yuga nithya karmas (daily rituals) are said to be among the easiest and also the surest way to reach God. This is because Lord Krishna Himself has given an assurance in the Bhagavad Gita, saying, “Whoever utters My name loudly and without inhibition, I will put him on the highest point of joy and happiness.” 

The path of bhakti during Kali Yugam has enamoured many. In one of her pasurams , Andal says, Vaiyathu vazhveergaal ,meaning, “You are lucky to be born during  these times.” Hanuman refused to accompany Rama to Vaikun tam , saying , “These are the best years on earth, since people would be chanting your name.” Thondaraipodi Alwar, a Vaishnavite saint composed a song overflowing with bhakti, saying, “ Even if I am promised the kingdom of Indra, I do not want it. I am happy to live in Srirangam where You reside.” Sri Vedanta Desikan, the Vasinavite preceptor also recorded how he never wanted to leave Kanchipuram, but stay on and watch the Brahmotsavam in perpetuity. 

Likewise, Saivite saint Manickavasagar in the pasuram, Vazh tha vayum, ninaikka madhanen jum, thaztha senniyum , says he  had been given all the tools—such as hands and legs and ears—to  pray, surrender or simply hear  the praise of Lord Siva—as a way of attaining God.

How does one express one’s bhakti, especially when one is busy with everyday responsibilities and pressures? 

Bhakti yogam is actually an easy-to-execute, nine-step process. These include sravanam, kirtanam, dhyanam, pada sevai, archanam (with flowers), vandanam , dasyam, sakya bhavam (faith in Him, similar to the one expressed by Arjuna towards Sri Krishna), and finally atma nivedhanam or saranagati. In essence, what is required of a person to reach God does not call for anything fancy or expensive. One can attain the ultimate goal in life by using one’s sensory organs and one’s mind. Bow your head to God everyday. Fold your hands in submission and think of Him. Fall at His feet seeking guidance and help. Hear others sing His praises. Chant His name daily a few times, if you do not have the time for an elaborate prayer ritual. Submit a few flowers or a sprig of tul si to Him daily. Repose faith in Him  and do not deviate from it even an inch. Finally, surrender  completely to Him. 

Your bhakti will fetch you all the wealth and prosperity that you desire this year.