God is like a mountain of sugar! A small ant is capable of
carrying a small lump while the bigger one can take more than what the small
ant has taken. Whatever has been taken away the mountain does not diminish in its size and remains as
large as ever. The Bhktha loses himself in the supreme sweetness of the name
and glory of God. His ecstasy knows no bounds in the contemplation of divine
attributes. The breeze that blows from the ocean of Brahman has affected and
intoxicated ancient sages likeSanaka, sanandana and Narada. Narada became god
intoxicated and wandered all over the world like a madman. Sukadeva and
Mahadeva are others who have been severely affected by this Divine bliss.
Bhagawan,
Bhagavata—His word or scripture, and Bhkta, according to Sri Ramakrishna , are
all one and the same. A true devotee looks upon God as’ the nearest and dearest
relative. Just as the shepherd women of Brindavan (Gopis) saw in Sri Krishna
their own beloved- not Jagannath, the lord of the universe! Some get tipsy with
a single peg of wine whereas a few drain two or three bottles to get
intoxicated. But the pleasure of intoxication is the same. In the same manner a
few devotees are ecstatic with a ray of divine glory while others lose
themselves ‘in the direct presence of the Lord. Like the fish that suddenly
rise for a bait, God reaches his true
Bhaktha whose heart is full of devotion and faith. The divine sages are ‘the
inner circle of God’s nearest relatives. They are like friends, companions and
kinsmen of god” All others are in the outer circle and ordinary creatures.
Though sunlight falls equally on all objects, it is only the bright surface
that reflects it. Similarly it is only the true Bhatha, the pure and pious
hearts that reflect god,s glory!
The simplicity
of the child is admirable and enviable! It prefers a doll or a plaything to
wealth and other fascinating things of the world. A Bhaktha, true and faithful,
rejects all mundane things. It is impossible for the worldywise man. The
Bhaktha reserves three fourths of his time for God and the rest for the world and his samsara. Are all
devotees of God happy? It is the habit
of God to test the devotion of his bhakthas very severely. Stories galore there are that establish the
ardent devotion of Bhkthas to the Lord. Dhruva, Prahlada.and Gajendra are
enough proof for devotees who radiated the love for God in spite of the agony
of their torture! It is only when the devotee passes the crucial tests that God
presents Himself before him and grants HIS GRACE and boon.
Are Bhaktas
immediately relieved from their sufferings?
It does not happen so easily and quickly. Devaki And Vasdeva had the vision of lord
Vishnu but were not released from the jail. Bhishma pitamaha, lying on the bed
of arrows was shedding tears as the pandavas and Krishna were standing by.
Arjuna wondered why such a great, pious and realized soul, one among the eight
Vasus, should shed tears influenced by maya, in his last hours on earth!
Knowing the thoughts of Arjuna, Bhishma said that his tears were for a
different reason. He felt sorry for the Pandavas who passed through untold
sufferings in spite of the Lord serving as the charioteer to Arjuna and coming
to their recue at every crucial moment! He felt that God’s ways are inscrutable.
What is it
that impels and attracts God to His Bhakthas?
Is it power, position, wealth or any other worldly thing? “God cannot be
won by tricks or through short cuts. He can be won only by the hard way of
struggle, detachment and tough discipline.”says Bhagawan Sri Sri Satya Sai
Baba. Where is God? In Vaikunta or Kailas?Lord Vishnu tells Sage Narada, “
naham vasami vaikunte na yogi hrudayairapi mad bhaktya yatra gayanti tatra
thishtami narada!” I do not reside in Vaikunta nor in the hearts of yogis; I
stay in places where my Bhakthas sing my glory. The relation between god and
His devotee is that of pure undiluted devotion or love, faith and total surrender to His will!
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