Forbearance The foremost quality expected of a devotee is forbearance. What is Bhakti ? Several people are under the mistaken notion that worshipping some idols, observing certain vows and performing some rituals is Bhakti. It is not as simple as that. The foremost duty of a devotee, especially of the Bharatiyas, is observing the quality of forbearance in practice.
Adherence to truth is the real Thapas. Forbearance is a quality which inspires people to undertake noble deeds. - From Swami's 2004 Guru Poornima Divine Discourse. ========================================================================== The Lord always steals the hearts of His Devotees - Swami Once, Yashoda reprimanded child Krishna saying, "Oh! My dear Krishna! You don't eat the food I prepared for you. You go to the houses of the milkmaids and stealthily eat the butter stored in their houses. You are creating problems for me. Is it that the butter suffused with mother's love does not taste good for you?" So saying, she tied Krishna to a mortar with a rope. It is everybody's experience in the world that we do not like the food cooked in our own house. The items cooked in others' houses will appear to be tasty. This is quite natural. However, Krishna did not steal the butter from others' houses for its taste. There is an underlying message in this leela. Here, butter symbolises a pure heart. Wherever such a pure heart is available, Krishna takes it. Such a pure heart will be soft and sweet. The hearts of Gopis were ripened with devotion. They were pure, soft and sweet. Hence, Krishna had gone to their houses to steal their hearts. - From Swami's 2004 Krishnastami Divine Discourse. ========================================================================== If you cannot please your parents, how can you please the Lord ? - Bhagawan We should deem our parents as Iswara and Parvati and serve them wholeheartedly. If we cannot please them, how can we hope to please God? Consider the story of Lava and Kusa. Sita gave birth to them in the hermitage of Sage Valmiki. They were taught various branches of knowledge by him. Sita also was teaching them many lessons and imparting to them many skills. What happened when Sri Rama Himself came to fight with them? Lava and Kusa remembered their mother with great reverence and aimed an arrow at Him. Rama fell into a swoon when the arrow struck Him. Such is the power of one's mother's blessing. - From Swami's Divine Discourse in Poornachandra Hall on 14th October 1988. ========================================================================== I am always happy. I do not know what sorrow is - Swami Several women come to me with a heavy heart and tell me "Swami! My husband's death has caused me deep sorrow and anguish. How do I bear this calamity?" Then I would respond saying, "Oh! Your husband died? Very happy." They feel very unhappy with My attitude and question Me, "What is this Swami? Are You so happy on hearing the news of my husband's death?" What am I to say? I am always happy. I do not know what sorrow is. I always discharge My duty. God is the only person who protects everybody. Therefore, pray to God always. - From Swami's 2004 Krishnastami Divine Discourse. ========================================================================= The past has gone and there is nothing you can do about it Whoever comes seeking service from you is the one you must attend to at that time. It is your duty to satisfy the need of that person through your service, and that will be the best work that you can do that moment. The present, when you can do something, that is the most sacred time. You do not see the future, for your eyes cannot perceive it. The past has gone and there is nothing you can do about it. Thus, the present ======================================================================================================== God's grace is the greatest wealth. God's grace is the greatest wealth. To consider the amassing of money, gold or other material objects as the ultimate goal is not right. The goal of life instead, should be the acquisition of the divine wealth of God's grace. Try to win His grace by reforming your habits, reducing your desires and refining your nature. One step makes the next one easier; that is the unique quality ======================================================================================================= -- To unsubscribe, reply using "remove me" as the subject.
