Can one realise one's own divine nature?

Today is Guruvayur Ekadasi. There has been an unprecedented crowd at the temple despite the scare of the spread of Omicron! The temple has been open since yesterday morning and it will be closed only tomorrow by 9 AM.

Bhagavan has given the message to the humanity that man is essentially divine in nature. But the propensity of the animal nature, for acquisition and enjoyment of pleasurable things clouds that divinity within; partly by one's own lower prakriti characterised by ego and partly by the divinity itself hiding behind its own higher nature called Maya.

Bhagavan's message was that man can realise his own divine nature by subjecting his natural tendencies to Dharma. But even that Dharma gets distorted over a period of time and so Bhagavan takes up a suitable form to re-establish Dharma from time to time.

For the soul to get purified it takes many births since the soul's presence in the body or its departure cannot be subjected to free will.

Bhishma Pitamah was one soul whose departure from the body was at free will. Such a soul can eradicate all karma before leaving the body and there is no more need for another birth. So, the Pitamah inflicts punishment on self to work out his karma in this body itself and attain his divine nature.

So, if you live long enough, consider yourself lucky, that you have an opportunity to realise your own divine nature.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. 

Muthachhan's statue will be unveiled at 1100 hrs on 23 Dec.

Our Christmas celebrations have begun. Lekha helped me put our star on the top right corner of 'The Quarterdeck', all swathed in red as I've put a red bulb within the golden spangled star!