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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Devotees, mere tool in God's hands

 

CHENNAI, JULY 29. Every human being, who is eager to take to the

royal route that leads to the Divine Kingdom, has been commanded

by God Himself to carry out certain religious duties enjoined

upon him, each one according to the station of life in which he

has been placed. While performing such duties, it is imperative

that he submits before the Lord that he is doing them only to

please Him and only at His behest. The devotee should admit that

he is a mere tool in His hands to complete a task entrusted to

him. More important than this plea is that the duties assigned

should be done strictly in accordance with the rules and

procedures laid down in scriptural texts. Also, such a

demonstration of his faith should not be for mere show or

extravagance.

 

The injunctions during the offer of such prayers include the

choice of time and of only the articles which are approved. A

devotee cannot say that he can perform the worship (Aradhana) in

a manner at his convenience or at a time he likes. He should

remember that all his profession, wealth and comforts have been

granted by the Lord only and are not his own and that he is

dedicating them at His feet. The prayers that a Srivaishnavite

utters at the time of his worship are: ``I am laying down all

these articles, with all sincerity and humility to please You and

not for obtaining anything in return''. God's mercy will be

extended to every devotee but He will derive greater pleasure if

the prayers are as approved by scriptures and without expecting

the fruits thereof. Will there not be a difference in the

attitude of a person with authority when a poor man goes to him

empty-handed as against his handing over at least a lime fruit?

 

In a discourse, the Jeeyar Swami of Ahobila Math explained how

God welcomes a devotee who approaches Him with earnestness,

adopting the guidelines for worship and compared it to that of a

girl who can choose her dress material before her marriage and

subsequently after marriage. Later, she does only according to

her husband's wish. Lord Krishna, in His Bhagavad Gita, has

categorically stated: ``I refuse to accept heaps of articles,

however precious they may be, if they are offered out of pompous

show. Whatever you do, eat, austerity or penance you perform,

offer them to Me. As a devotee, you should observe your duties,

leaving the results to Me. Do your work incumbent on you by the

socio-religious injunctions of the scriptures, but you have no

right over the fruits thereof.'' The Gita is a basic human

document which outlines man's God-ward journey and his charter of

duties. It asks us to dedicate all our acts in loving devotion to

the Lord.

 

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