A Passage to Oneness

It was Sunday yesterday - June 17, 07. And it was Tyagaraja Aradhana at the San Diego's Shiva Vishnu Temple.

I had slid into the crowded audience when Saint Tyagaraja's life (1767-1847) was described. The young perfomer amidst his divine singing, explained the devoted heart of Tyagaraja toward Lord Rama - Tyagaraja praised Rama as the king of kings. Tyagaraja wondered how he could meet Rama who was amidst so many people.

Tyagaraja goes toward Lord Rama realising as he belongs to Him, so does he belong to all those who are with Lord Rama.

"Devotion to people is devotion to the Supreme Self", says the Chinmaya Mission pledge.

I now know, holding Lord's feet, I want to be held back by Him. Thus I will belong to Him. Yet this time the crowdedness coming from the sense of separation from all those people who too are His dear ones, will not stop me. Because as much as I am held and belong, the belongingness toward all of His children will take me to Being One with Him.

Jaya. Jaya. Jaya.