How to Continuously be in Remembrance of God?
(Niranter Bhagwat Smriti Kaise Ho?)
Lord says in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita -
Tasmaatsarveshu kaaleshu maamanusmara yudhya cha | (Gita 8/7)
Therefore, think of Me at all times and fight the war (do your duty). (Gita 8/7) Thinking of God can take place all the time, however fighting cannot take place all the time. It was only duty in front of Arjun, that came in the form of fighting. Various people are faced with their home duties. Even home duties cannot take place all the time. In this manner, while continuing to be in remembrance of God, one must do their work; or while doing work, be thinking of God or do only His work. In these three options, remembrance of God is foremost. It is very advanced "goun." In other options, the activity is foremost, and remembrance of God is going on, and in the third option, there is exclusive feelings towards God.
Mostly people forget God while doing work. In this the the main reason is, lack of alertness, but alongside is also a very grave mistake. It is a principle that, we remember automatically those things that we have a feeling of mine-ness (close affinity, ownership, intimacy) towards. People accept their work and business as their own, they develop a feeling of mine-ness towards it, therefore only the work-business is remembered, not God. Even if God is remembered, then after sometime, He is once again forgotten. Therefore one must have a firm resolve, a determinate intellect once and for all, that I do not want to do housework at all. I only want to do God's work.
"Anjan kahaa aankh jehin phoote" What kind of eyeliner is it, that causes the eye to be destroyed? What use is it? While doing housework, if we forget God, then what use is such work? Therefore an aspirant must believe that this house is not mine, the work is not mine and I am also not mine. The house is God's, the work is also God's and I am also God's. With the power bestowed by God, I am doing His work only, for His happiness and pleasure - in this manner, this fixed and solid feeling of mine-ness, will become natural and "smaran" remembrance of God will take place on its own. There is no need for effort in remembering God. But as long as I continue to regard the house etc., as mine, till then, there will be a lapse in the "smaran" (remembrance). Just as when we stay in a "holy guest house" (dharmashala), then it becomes clear that this dharmashala is not mine. Similarly, while staying at home, it must become crystal clear and firmly implanted that this house is not mine. I have come for a short time to stay over here. I must grab hold of this point with great tenacity and firmness, that this house is not mine, the wealth and possessions are not mine, the family is not mine, the body is not mine. These all have been received for a short time. As soon as the time is up, I will be separated from them. If these were mine, then they would remain with me forever; however, we cannot hold any rights over them, nor can be change them as we please, nor can we save them from dying or being destroyed. Then how have these objects etc. become mine? By no amount of tactics and manoeuvring can one accomplish the sense of mine-ness with these. Therefore these are not mine. They are absolutely not mine, not in the least bit.
(to be continued)
From book in Hindi "Jivan Upyogi Pravachan" by Swami Ramsukhdasji
Ram Ram
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If in doubt regarding the translation, please read the original Hindi message by Swamiji.
If in doubt regarding the translation, please read the original Hindi message by Swamiji.
FOR MESSAGE IN HINDI PLEASE VISIT Date : 2nd Jun, 2012 " Niranter Bhagwat Smriti Kaise Ho? "