|| Shri Hari ||
Work, Service and Worship
(Karma, Seva aur Puja)
continued....
Questioner - Serving other creatures is serving the Lord, what is the difference between “seva†(serving) and “puja†(worship) ?
Answer - Yes ! To do someones work is seva “ serving.†Worship “puja†, is done with sandalwood, with essence, with lamp, with special worship and prayer, with offering of flowers. This is “Puja†worship. This is also called serving, but it is worship. The one being worshiped, does not benefit that much. If you offer flowers then what ? if you apply sandalwood paste, then what? If you light essence, then what did the worshiped one gain? He gains more pleasure from being served. By massaging his feet, by giving him a bath, by changing his clothes, if you serve like this, then there will be more pleasure. But if one does the same service with the sentiments of worship, that is even better than sentiments of serving. In this the worshiper himself becomes exhilarated, becomes blissful wherever he finds an opportunity to serve! When in serving the sentiments become one of worship, then he is immensely benefited. One is just massaging the feet, the other is touching of holy feet.
When the sentiments are one of touching feet through worship, then simply by touching feet, there is a strong current felt like lightning, similarly the blissful feeling is like the current of lightning. Like that, massaging is like serving and touching feet is like worship. This is the difference between “puja†and “sevaâ€. The more our pride is renounced, the more the feeling is one of - how can he be pleased? how can he get rest and relaxation? this is sentiments of serving. He is one to be worshiped, one to be revered, may he accept my food, my sandalwood paste, my obeisance, then I will be greatly benefited ! These are the sentiments of worship “pujaâ€.
When the sentiments are one of reverence and worship, then how can something appear to be burdensome? He continues to
renounce, at all times, when the thought comes to his mind that how can I get to serve someone. On getting an opportunity to serve, he thinks, this it is his great fortune ! he has been greatly benefited today ! And he feels that it is only due to God’s blessing that this is all happening. He feels that these feelings and sentiments that I have are also His grace. This work is also happening due to God’s grace. Such a one has become liberated, O’ Maharaj ! He has become so joyful ! Seeing his worship and service, other people also are benefited. If his sentiments are such, then it is worship, but if the work appears as a burden then it is laziness, pride, negligence and other faults.
renounce, at all times, when the thought comes to his mind that how can I get to serve someone. On getting an opportunity to serve, he thinks, this it is his great fortune ! he has been greatly benefited today ! And he feels that it is only due to God’s blessing that this is all happening. He feels that these feelings and sentiments that I have are also His grace. This work is also happening due to God’s grace. Such a one has become liberated, O’ Maharaj ! He has become so joyful ! Seeing his worship and service, other people also are benefited. If his sentiments are such, then it is worship, but if the work appears as a burden then it is laziness, pride, negligence and other faults.
Such is the case brother ! The more that you feel unhappy, there is lack of joy, then there are flaws within us. When there are no flaws within, then there is nothing but joy. The more your life is free of faults, the more joyful a person remains. One does not understand this point, therefore people steal, they are cunning, they cheat, by this they themselves will suffer, there cannot be peace, one cannot be joyful due to this. However, if there is more attraction to material things (objects), if you consider these things to be invaluable, you lie-cheat, deceive and feel happy and pleased in doing so, then this path will lead to great downfall.
You have lead yourself into incurring a great loss! The extent to which your life is free of flaws, is pure, there is no laziness, frenzy, lies, cheating, greed, anger, desires / passion, when all these are not present, that much the inner-senses are free of flaws, they are light, there is joy within., there is bliss at all times -
Kanchan khaan khuli ghat maahin ।
Ramdas ke toti naahin ॥
Great joy arises within. Just as when one feels cold from within on having a high temperature, similarly one feels blissful from within. There is no desire to seek pleasure from external objects.
(to be continued)
From book in Hindi "Bhagwat Praapti Sahaj Hai" by Swami Ramsukhdasji.
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