|| Shree Hari
Benefits of an Unwavering Aimउद्देश्यकी दृढ़तासे लाभcontinued.....In this manner, there is nothing lacking in the things provided by God for one’s salvation. In every situation and circumstance, God’s mercy is over flowing ! There is God’s compassion and grace even in the fruits of virtues (in favorable situations), and there is God’s grace, even in the fruits of sinful acts, (unfavorable situations). [*] One receives aid in his spiritual practices in favorable situation, and in unfavorable situations, the sins are destroyed, and one gains the ability to bear difficulties. Whether favorable situations come, or unfavorable situations, our work is to turn to God and to be in remembrance of Him. † And that remembrance and devotion will take place when the aim is single-pointed and unwavering, the goal is one that I must only realize God. Just as Parvatiji says ‒जन्म कोटि लगि रगर हमारी ।बरउँ संभु न त रहठें कुआरी ॥तजउँ न नारद कर उपदेसू ।आप कहहि सत् बार महेसू ॥(मा नस १ । ८१ । ५) One devotee was sitting under a tamarind tree and in remembrance of the Lord. One day Naradji Maharaj arrived there. The devotee said to Naradji that if you can grace me by asking God as to when will He meet me ? Naradji went to God and asked that in certain place there is a devotee of yours that is sitting under the tamarind tree, and is in remembrance of you, when will you meet him? God said that as many leaves that are on that tamarind tree, I will meet him after that many births. On hearing so, Naradji was dejected. He went to that devotee, but did not say anything to him. The devotee asked, what did God say to you, please tell me. Naradji said, that if you hear it, you will be dejected. When the devotee insisted, then Naradji said, that as many leaves that are there on this tamarind tree, that after that many births, God will be realized. With much enthusiasm the devotee asked, did God Himself say these words? Naradji said - Yes ! God Himself said this. Hearing this, the devotee was ecstatic and began to dance, that I will meet God, I will surely behold God !!! Because God’s words can never be false. Shortly there after God manifested Himself over there. When Naradji saw, he was very surprised. He said to God - Maharaj ! if this was true, then why did you insult me ? If you wanted to meet earlier, then you should have done so. You told me that it will take as many life-times as the leaves on this tree, but instead you showed up just now ! God said to Naradji ! When you asked me on this subject, then the manner in which this devotee was in remembrance of Me, according to that, it would have taken that many births. But now the devotees walk has completely changed ! Simply on knowing that ‘God will surely meet me’ he is dancing in such joy ! Therefore, I had to come right away. immediately. The reason being that in the accomplishment of his aim, with all these - the unshakable faith, exclusivity, firm conviction, and enthusiasm, remembrance of God takes place speedily and with full force.[*] For man to become free from bondage of his actions, When God sends favorable situations as per man’s liking, so that he can become free from bondage of his actions, then this is God’s compassion. And to destroy his sins, God sends unfavorable situations, then this is God’s grace.
† Doing japa, contemplation and meditation on God, thinking about God etc. with the aim of God Realization, is called “bhajan”.(to be continued)
From book ‘Jin Khoja Tin Paayiyaa’ by Swami Ramsukhdasji