Day: March 30, 2024

Swami ji said…

‘If I do this, this will happen.’ ‘If I do that, that will happen.’ Man carries this great belief that his intentions and actions are what decide his fate. He is convinced that his effort, his sacrifice, his intent is what brings about the outcome of what he desires. He sees himself as the great and grand ‘करता-धरता’, the one who has single handedly written the story of his life.

Yes, one has to act towards any desired outcome in a planned and systematic manner. One has to also make sacrifices, remain focussed and disciplined. Without any effort from our side , it would not be possible for us to achieve anything.There is absolutely no replacement for hard work.

But, it would be one’s folly to think that it is solely our actions, our ‘मेहनत’ – which are the only factors that play an integral part in creating our destiny. Many a times, during the ‘good times’, while basking in the glory of success, we forget – that while it is man who proposes, it is ultimately God who disposes.What we achieve, what we enjoy, is only because – God found us worthy enough – to bless us with all of that. If God does not deem us worthy of something – then no matter the amount effort we put in , no matter the number of sacrifices we make – we will never be able to receive any of that. All that happens with us, to us – happens by His will or will not happen at all.

There are so many examples of this around us. We see many who work towards a goal , tirelessly, but, fail over and over again. It is not because of lack of effort from their end – but as most of us would say – ‘ What they seem to be running short of – is plain , simple luck.’ Luck is not on their side ‘ – we say with sympathy. But , there is no ‘luck’ involved – in any bit of what we do ; what is done by us – there is only God’s will.There are many instances – when we set out with one objective – begin working towards it, but, ultimately find and obtain something even better than expected. This too is God’s will. How do wonderful developments take place in our life in the most unexpected manner ? How could something so startlingly good happen with us – out of the blue – leaving us confounded ?
We must reflect on this. Only then will we see His hand behind all the pitfalls and windfalls that crop up in our lives.

Similarly, it often happens that despite putting our best foot forward, we fail to make anything happen. As a
consequence,
some of us, are so heart broken, so disappointed – that we convince ourselves that life is unfair. We remain sad and develop a bitter attitude towards life – lamenting all the time – ‘अपने बुरे भाग्य पर.’ Or else, we get engulfed by self-doubt and are low in confidence. We lose the belief that we can do anything at all. This too is a pitfall of thinking – that it is solely ‘we’ who get things done. But , for someone who leaves it all to God – ‘failures’ are not closed doors, but , signboards to move onwards. They move ahead with the firm belief that God has something better for them in mind – something that even they could not have visualised for themselves – in their wildest dreams.

Even the spiritual seeker falls victim to his ego. He feels that his spiritual practices, his daily rituals or prayers – will definitely guide him to enlightenment. He unknowingly begins to take ‘pride’ in his spiritual life. His humility is long forgotten – as he begins to treat meditation, rituals and other practices as a part of a ‘deal’ to get spiritual enlightenment in return. He too seems to believe that he will get it done – forgetting that it is only God who will allow him into the gates of heaven.

Would you choose a murderer to spread the word of God? Would our ideas of what is right and wrong, correct and incorrect not hold us back from doing such a thing? Yet, God chose Moses, who had escaped Egypt – guilty of murder – to return and spread the word of God among the Jews.

Did Lord Shiva not grant ‘moksha’ to the thief who accidentally worshipped Him through the night of Shivratri? Would society, today, respect such a thief? Would we consider him worthy of spiritual enlightenment?

Who are we to try and understand God’s ways ? What we can do , however, is offer all our effort at his feet , all our trials and sacrifices – as offerings and pray for Him to guide us through this world. When good things happen to us, let us feel humbled by the Grace of God. Let us thank Him and wonder why we were lucky enough to receive His Grace in the first place.