Sincerity Of Devotion Alone Matters

[Guest guest]

namaskaar,

 

The following article is from The Hindu of April 19th. I wanted to share

it with all the bhakta-s on this list.

 

dhanyavaad

 

Shree

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Sincerity Of Devotion Alone Matters

 

19-04-1997

 

Cl: Religion

 

CHENNAI, April 19.

 

There can be none in this world who will get tired of seeing again

and again the ocean and its rising and ebbing tides. So too is the joy

that can be experienced by witnessing the consecrated idols enshrined in

temples. No devotee will remain contented even after worshipping them

for hours, because for them, God resides in them and reveals Himself.

Every time one goes to worship the idols, one can witness His form from

a new angle and dimension. It is not necessary, as some think, that they

should be present all the time when the idols are bathed, decorated and

adored through the chanting of Mantras and the performance of rituals.

 

Even a few minutes of worship conducted by a devotee at home will

provide joy and peace. An aspirant need not feel that he has wasted his

time and thereby get disheartened. Saints and spiritual leaders conduct

worship elaborately. That they consider it as their duty, but a devotee

who has to discharge his official duties and domestic chores can devote

the time available to the worship. It is like tasting just a drop of

elixir from a spoonful. The benefits accrued is the same when one gets a

lot of its quantity or only a tiny portion. What is necessary and

expected is the sincerity of devotion. Everyone should perform worship

to the best of his ability.

 

In this connection, the Jeeyar Swami of Ahobila Math in a discourse

described how Sage Narada who was closely associated with God thought

that no one equalled him in devotion. The Lord however pointed out to

a farmer (in the world) who amidst several challenges like providing for

his huge family without much of income and troubles like the monsoon

playing truant when his crops were raised, commenced his daily

agricultural operations after seeking just for a minute, God's grace for

success in his activities.

 

The Lord then asked Narada to keep a tiny vessel brimming with oil

on his head and go around without spilling even a drop. The sage did so

but his entire attention was on the oil and not on God whereas in the

case of the farmer, his dedication was towards Him only. Likewise, a

student with all facilities, getting a rank is not surprising as

compared to his classmate who hails from poor circumstances, lacking

comforts and other amenities.

 

By his devotion, the Bhagavata Purana says, Parikshat, who was

cursed to die within a week, reached God's feet and so too another

(Khatvanga) who had just 48 minutes left for shedding his mortal coil

reaching God's kingdom through his sincere prayer. No one need regret

for having failed to do the mandatory religious duties as prescribed in

a detailed manner but display his depth of devotion before God and carry

them out as best as one can.