[Lecture broadcast on radio in the then British Guiana (now Guyana) by DN Persaud
Friends,
In the two talks previously broadcast
from this station on the 26th September and 10th October, I spoke of
the twin aspects of Karma Yoga and Bhakti yoga., the ways of
achieving God through action and through devotion.
These two ways really overlap and in
the end merge into one that is, the Karma Yogi eventually becomes the
Bhakta, the devotee.
Today I intend to tell you what are the
qualities of a true Bhakta or devotee of God. I shall tell you in the
Lord's own words, as outlined in the 12th Chapter of the Bhagavad
Gita
Says the Lord :-
My devotee or Bhakta hates no one, he
bears no grudge against anyone. All creatures are his friends, he is
merciful to all.
To be able to to this, he puts away all
personal attachments, and selfishness and regards himself as nothing
For him, grief and happiness are one.
He forgets those who does him wrong or
hurts him and as he prays for the forgiveness of the world for his
faults.
He is always contented with whatever
comes to him, and is firm in his desire to do good at all times.
He never causes trouble or fear in
others and he himself knows no trouble of rear through others.
My devotee is free from joy or sorrow,
pleasure or pain. He has no desires, but is pure , skilful and wise.
Whatever good he undertakes to do, he
carries it out to the end regardless of what may happen to hinder or
stop him and he gives up the fruit whether good or bad, always
remaining unconcerned. He knows no enemies and does care whether he
receives honour or disgrace.
In peace and silence, contented with
whatever may come his way, he lives inwardly as if alone and always
remains calm, no matter what may be going on around him.
One who lives in this manner, full of
faith, he is my Beloved Devotee..
This is the pattern which the Lord has
set us, this what we should ever try to be like. Let us resolve that
we would become the Beloved Devotee of the Lord.
The first step in this direction is to
become fearless. The other qualities will follow very quickly if we
were to banish fear, for the path of Truth is the path of the brave
and not the cowards. The brave are those who are armed with
fearlessness. Only cowards resort to the sword and the rifle.
We must have any fear of disease or
bodily injury or even death. We must not be afraid of losing our
wealth or our property .
We must not be afraid of losing those
who are nearest and dearest to us. We must not fear of offending
anyone in the cause of truth, nor should we fear of losing our
reputation if it is necessary to lose it in a good cause.
Some of us do not fear death, but yet
run from the minor ills of life. Some are ready to die themselves,
but cannot bear to lose their loved ones. Some will put up wall this,
will part even with their lives, but not with their property.
Others will do any number of bad things
to keep up what they call a good name some will swerve from the
straight and narrow path which lies clear before them, simply because
they are afraid of what people would say.
The Lord's devotee must conquer all
these fears.
He should be ready to sacrifice
everything for the truth and what is right.
It is true that perfect fearlessness
can come only with the realisation of God. But we can always progress
towards this goal by constantly trying with determination to reach
it, and by increasing confidence in ourselves.
If were to analyse it , we would find
that all our fears are due to the fact that we think we are the body
and because of our attachment to the body, we would find that if were
to get rid of this attachment to the body and subdue the enemies
with in, the form of passion, anger, greed and so , all our fears
will disappear like magic.
Fear will have no place in our hearts
when we shake off the attachment for wealth, for family and for the
body.
Wealth, the family and the body will be
there just the same, we have only to change our attitude to them. All
these are not ours, but belong to God.
Nothing whatsoever in the world is
ours. Even we ourselves are His. Why then should we have any fear.
The Upanishads directs us to
give up attachment for things while we
enjoy them.
That is to say, we must be interested
in them not as proprietors, but as trustees. The Lord on whose behalf
we hold them will give us the strength and all that is necessary to
defend them.
When we cease to be masters and reduce
ourselves to the rank of servants, humbler than the dust under our
feet, all fear will go away. We shall then quickly and easily acquire
all the other qualities of the Lords Beloved Devotee.
We shall then know what is really
peace of mind, what is true happiness and shall see the Lord face to
face.
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