What should we ask of God?

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What should we ask of God?

 

Human existence is said to be the highest existence. Humans should ensure that

do not waste life in flippant pursuits, so that we do not have to regret any

thought or action of ours later.

 

What is the correct way to lead this life? A life devoted to realisation of God

is the only way that can be said to have been used correctly, and with no

question of regrets later. It is really easy. And the simplest possible method

is Meditation.

 

We all seek God, and those who seek Him, do so for divergent reasons. We are

all praying to achieve so many aims. Which is the right one? What should a

devotee really ask of God?

 

This story from Mahabharata answers this question beautifully and categorically.

 

The Great War between the Pandavas and Kauravas was to begin. Arjuna, having

pondered, decided to go to Lord Krishna and ask him for help.

 

He went to the Lord's abode and found him asleep.

 

He stood respectfully at his lotus feet, with folded hands and head bowed in

reverence. Duryodana, of the Kauravas, had the same idea of asking Sri Krishna's

help. He too came and, finding the Lord asleep, sat arrogantly in a chair

placed at the head of Lord's bed.

 

In due course, the Lord woke up. Arjuna, being at his feet, was the first

person he, naturally saw. As he turned to get up, the Lord's eyes fell upon

Duryodana.

 

The purpose of their visit was known to Him. However, he asked them what he

could do for them.

 

Both answered that they had come to request his assistance in the ensuing war.

 

The lord said that they had placed him in a difficult predicament by asking for

the same thing.

 

He said he could not deny either of them. He said he would offer himself,

alone, without armies to one of them and to the other he would offer all his

armed forces completely.

 

He said that since his eyes had fallen on Arjuna first, he should have the first

choice in the matter.

 

Arjuna promptly prayed to Sri Krishna that he alone should side the Pandavas.

Duryodana heaved a sigh of relief and requested Sri Krishna for all his forces.

The Lord agreed to their requests.

 

We know who emerged victorious. The moral is " We should ask for HIM, not ask

for things He can give us "

 

If the lord gives us everything in the Universe but withholds Himself from us,

we gain nothing. But if we seek HIM for Himself alone, we get not merely Him

but all that is His, too!

 

abhyaasa yOga yuktEna cEtasaa naanyagaaminaa,

paramam pursham divyam yaati paarthaanucintayan.

 

Meaning:

Arjuna, he who with his mind disciplined through Yoga in the form of practice of

meditation and thinking of nothing else, is constantly engaged in contemplation

of

God attains the supremely effulgent Divine Purusha (God)

(sloka 8 in chapter 8 of Gita)