The sacred or spiritual hierarchy and roles are an interconnected relationship between the Bhagavan (God), the Acharya (Guru), and the Bhagavatas (devotees). If compared, the Acharya is likened to gold and the Bhagavan to silver. Yet, both are inextricably linked — without Bhagavan, one cannot reach an Acharya, and without an Acharya, one cannot attain Bhagavan, said Sri Velukkudi Krishnan Swamy in a discourse.Bhagavan (uddharagan) provides for us; the Acharya (upakarakar) guides us, and the Bhagavatas (uddhesyargal) serve as revered guides. Devotees act as an essential bridge between God and the seeker; for instance, when Vibhishana sought refuge in Lord Rama, he approached Him through Sugriva (a devotee), knowing that Bhagavan accepts a seeker through His devotees. Consequently, Rama convinced Sugriva, asked him to bring Vibhishana, and granted him refuge.This spiritual path operates through a continuous chain of guidance, in which no true Guru demands surrender to himself. Instead, he directs the disciple upward to Bhagavan — Bhagavatas point to the Acharya, and the Acharya points to Bhagavan. The journey of devotion (Bhakti) begins when the Acharya sows the seed of devotion in the seeker’s heart, which the Bhagavatas (devotees) then water and nurture through spiritual conversations. Once this plant blossoms and bears the fruit of devotion, Bhagavan is the ultimate enjoyer (Bhokta) of the soul’s devotion. Nammazhwar’s verse from the 10th decad in Tiruvaimozhi narrates that he prays to Lord Narayana, saying, “You have nurtured a portion of devotion within me and enjoyed it. Do not leave me half-consumed here in this material world. Grow this devotion into full maturity; take me to paramapadam, the supreme abode, and consume me entirely as your ultimate offering.”Finally, the seeker must realise that the physical body is distinct from the true self (Atma), which is eternal and forever subservient to Bhagavan (Thondan). Published - August 29, 2026 05:14 am IST