Man is an embodiment of ego or ahamkara! He thinks that he is the achiever and gloats over his successes! He is ecstatic over his wonderful victories but at the same time depressed and disappointed at his failures and reverses. He does not realize that there is a power above that supervises and looks after every single act of man. We know the adage, “ Man proposes but God disposes.” We may plan meticulously our plans according to our dreams, exult over our possible success but If God does not will, all our plans shatter into pieces. Instances galore are in history where great rulers with their mighty armies tried to conquer the world but failed miserably with their dreams going dkown to dust. What happened to Alexander the great? Trying to conquer India, he had to face rebellion from his own forces and retreat! What happened to the megalomaniac Napoleon who wanted to overrun the entire Europe? His ambition to conquer Russia proved disastrous and finally he had to accept defeat at the hands of the British. Hitler’s dreams too evaporated into thin air! It is human nature to think high of himself and believe that whatever he desires should end in success! Even the Devas are not exempt from this Ahankara or ego! The Kenopanishad describes how they were elated by their victory over the asuras and celebrated the event. Shakti or Uma wanted to teach them a lesson. She placed a blade of grass before them and bade Vayu, the wind God to blow it off! Vayu tried his best but couldn’t move it even by a fraction of an inch! Then Agni, God of Fire tried to burn it but again he failed miserably! They were all shell shocked at their discomfiture! Then Uma revealed Herself and declared that it is her Grace that had enabled them to score victories over the asuras! The Devas were all humbled and realized their real position.
It is very clear, therefore, that there is a third something that has control over our actions! Without the will of God all our attempts shall end in failure. Grace or the will of God is absolutely required for the success of all our attempts. “ Grace will set everything right. Its main consequence is ' self realization', but there are other incidental benefits, too, like a happy contented life here and a cool courageous temper, established in unruffled equanimity…This is the nature of Grace. It fulfills a variety of wants.” (SSS Vol 6). Divine Grace has the quality of overriding all human and even supernatural impediments. It is compared to the shower of rain or sunlight which is open to all. The only condition is that one should be ready for and deserve it through Sadhana which is the door for the sunlight! The most desirable wealth is the Grace of God. It shall guard you as the eyelids guard the eye! Man can, without doubt, rely on the Grace of God. He should earn it through his single minded devotion and treasure it for he can weather any severe storm in life and come out unscathed. Real wealth is not money, gold or other material objects but Divine Grace which grants all material and Spiritual longings of man.
Is it possible to earn the Grace of God easily? No. It requires unshakable faith and imperturbable devotion. One has to reform his habits, reduce his wants and desires and refine his higher nature. Having done this step by step, it is possible to progress on the spiritual journey with confidence and enjoy Divine Grace. It is not as if you can win God's Grace late in life. Dedication and faith do not develop suddenly whenever we want! Serious attempt has to be made to control the senses even during the early years for attaining Divine Grace. “The Grace of God cannot be won through the gymnastics of reason, the contortions of Yoga or the denials of asceticism. Love alone can win it, love that needs no requittal, love that knows no bargaining, love that is offered gladly as tribute to the All-loving, love that is unwavering.” (SSS: Vol 7, & X)
Markandeya was destined to die young in his sixteenth year. Knowing about it very late and to wipe out the sorrow of his parents, he sat in penance propitiating Lord Siva. When Yama, Lord of Death came to take him, Markandeya embraced the Siva Linga and prayed. The pasa or the rope thrown on the devotee lad fell on the Linga! Infuriated at this act of Yama, Lord Siva appeared and warned him not to take the life of Markandeya! The Lord blessed him for his devotion and granted him eternal life! It was Divine Grace that warded off the inevitable death that he faced. Prahlada was saved from the torments and torture of his Father Hiranyakasipu by Divine Grace. He was thrown down from the mountain, trampled upon by the elemphant, and bitten by snakes. But he survived. Desperately, Hiranyakasipu forced him to drink poison, all because of the child’s intense Bhakthi for Lord Vishnu, his sworn enemy! Even that attempt failed and the child came out unscathed! What is all this if not Divine Grace?
Divine Grace has the exceptional nature of totally obliterating the 'Prarabdha Karma' of the individual! As mortals we are bound by the effect of our own actions good or bad in our previous births. It is impossible to escape from the consequences of our actions and that is why we suffer or enjoy during our life time. But God's Grace can nullify the effects of our past karma and rejuvenate our life. Thus God's Grace tests the faith and Bhakthi of the devotee in the crucible of intense suffering! “ Those who suffer, have my Grace, says Swami, “ Only through suffering will they be persuaded to turn inward and make the inquiry, and without turning inward and making inquiry, they can never escape misery.” (SSS: Vol 4) Divine Grace is similar to the Morphine injection that suppresses the pain though you go through it. The pain is not felt at all. The malignity of karma that one has to undergo is eradicated once and for all!
It is very clear, therefore, that there is a third something that has control over our actions! Without the will of God all our attempts shall end in failure. Grace or the will of God is absolutely required for the success of all our attempts. “ Grace will set everything right. Its main consequence is ' self realization', but there are other incidental benefits, too, like a happy contented life here and a cool courageous temper, established in unruffled equanimity…This is the nature of Grace. It fulfills a variety of wants.” (SSS Vol 6). Divine Grace has the quality of overriding all human and even supernatural impediments. It is compared to the shower of rain or sunlight which is open to all. The only condition is that one should be ready for and deserve it through Sadhana which is the door for the sunlight! The most desirable wealth is the Grace of God. It shall guard you as the eyelids guard the eye! Man can, without doubt, rely on the Grace of God. He should earn it through his single minded devotion and treasure it for he can weather any severe storm in life and come out unscathed. Real wealth is not money, gold or other material objects but Divine Grace which grants all material and Spiritual longings of man.
Is it possible to earn the Grace of God easily? No. It requires unshakable faith and imperturbable devotion. One has to reform his habits, reduce his wants and desires and refine his higher nature. Having done this step by step, it is possible to progress on the spiritual journey with confidence and enjoy Divine Grace. It is not as if you can win God's Grace late in life. Dedication and faith do not develop suddenly whenever we want! Serious attempt has to be made to control the senses even during the early years for attaining Divine Grace. “The Grace of God cannot be won through the gymnastics of reason, the contortions of Yoga or the denials of asceticism. Love alone can win it, love that needs no requittal, love that knows no bargaining, love that is offered gladly as tribute to the All-loving, love that is unwavering.” (SSS: Vol 7, & X)
Markandeya was destined to die young in his sixteenth year. Knowing about it very late and to wipe out the sorrow of his parents, he sat in penance propitiating Lord Siva. When Yama, Lord of Death came to take him, Markandeya embraced the Siva Linga and prayed. The pasa or the rope thrown on the devotee lad fell on the Linga! Infuriated at this act of Yama, Lord Siva appeared and warned him not to take the life of Markandeya! The Lord blessed him for his devotion and granted him eternal life! It was Divine Grace that warded off the inevitable death that he faced. Prahlada was saved from the torments and torture of his Father Hiranyakasipu by Divine Grace. He was thrown down from the mountain, trampled upon by the elemphant, and bitten by snakes. But he survived. Desperately, Hiranyakasipu forced him to drink poison, all because of the child’s intense Bhakthi for Lord Vishnu, his sworn enemy! Even that attempt failed and the child came out unscathed! What is all this if not Divine Grace?
Divine Grace has the exceptional nature of totally obliterating the 'Prarabdha Karma' of the individual! As mortals we are bound by the effect of our own actions good or bad in our previous births. It is impossible to escape from the consequences of our actions and that is why we suffer or enjoy during our life time. But God's Grace can nullify the effects of our past karma and rejuvenate our life. Thus God's Grace tests the faith and Bhakthi of the devotee in the crucible of intense suffering! “ Those who suffer, have my Grace, says Swami, “ Only through suffering will they be persuaded to turn inward and make the inquiry, and without turning inward and making inquiry, they can never escape misery.” (SSS: Vol 4) Divine Grace is similar to the Morphine injection that suppresses the pain though you go through it. The pain is not felt at all. The malignity of karma that one has to undergo is eradicated once and for all!
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