Sunday, April 10, 2016

ON PRAYER



                                                                         


 Prayer is the food for the soul! We are not sure of a person who has not prayed at some time or other in his life! Prayer is the hall mark of all religions though in different ways. All prayers reach the same God though we call him by different names. “ Akasath pathitham thoyam yatha gacchati sagaram sarva deva namaskaram Kesavam pratigacchati” say our sasthras! Like the water falling from the skies  flowing towards the sea, all worship and prayers reach Lord Kesava. “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of” says Tennyson the Victorian poet. The very aim of every religion is to inculcate the habit of praying to the Almighty! Temples, mosques, churches, synagogues, and Gurudwaras  are  constructed  for the purpose of prayer and worship. It is common for people to pray when they are in difficulties But we should cultivate the habit of prayer daily at least for a few minutes and concentrate on the power above.
      How should we pray to God? Is it necessary to pray loudly” Or is it to be silent prayer?  God is omnipresent. He listens to your prayer whether it is loud or silent.  He can hear even the footfall of an ant. It is not show and ostentation that the Providence expects. It is sincerity and faith that God expects of you. Swami says, “The efficacy of prayer depends on the unity of mind and speech. When it is there that prayer is answered immediately. Prayer is the very breath of religion. Twice a day regular prayer gives strength and courage.”  In other words, you should pray with a sincere and simple heart.
       Temples and churches and mosques have increased in numbers and thousands of people congregate and pray now a days.But it Is doubtful how many pray with sincere devotion. Bhagawan Sri Sri Sri Satya Sai Baba says, “Devotion is a complete surrender. It is not a part time affair or something taken on credit.” It is said that God will present himself before you if you weep for him sincerely for a few seconds.  One should feel desperate and restless for god like the person  who wants to free himself from drowning! Great sages and saints have gained salvation through their earnest prayers and total surrender unto His lotus feet. Sant Rarmadas is a classical example.  He was imprisoned for using the government money for the construction of a temple for his deity Sri Rama. He prayed sincerely , in the jail, and underwent torture in the hands of his tormenters. His prayer poured forth as beautiful songs expressing his agony and the neglect of God. The prayer was so effective that Lord Rama with Lakshmana came to the Tanisha and paid all the dues and got the release of Ramadas!
         Prayer and devotion go together. One cannot be there without the other. The more you are devoted, the more your prayers for the grace of God. Association with devotees, satsang, and serving the great devotees of God are essential for His Grace! It is necessary to be free from all worldly thoughts and anxieties that disturb the mind while you pray. All dangers and difficulties  will vanish if the mind is concentrated on the Almighty! When you throw all responsibilities on God he takes over your duties and tasks! ‘Yoga kshemam vahamyaham”  modern day prayers are for money, material fame, power, position and success in mundane affairs! We are fools to ask for such silly and transient things from the Lord who can give things much better. Drowned as we are in this samsara sagara we pray for such silly things.
            When Lord Brahma asked Ravana’s brother Kunbhakarna what boon he wanted, he prayed for good sleep!! Such is the nature of ordinary mortals! We should never pray for worldly possessions, wealth, fame etc, On one occasion Sage Narada prayed Sri Rama to grant him devotion or Bhakti—love, devotion and self surrender for his lotus feet. Granting that ,Rama asked Narada if he wanted something else.  Narada prayed that he should not be entangled in His MAYA that fascinates the universe. Again Rama tempted Narada and asked if he wanted something else. Narada said that he did not desire for anything more.

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