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Chapter 7
PRAPATTI OR SURRENDER TO GOD
34. Bhakti For Gains Too Has Value
9. The Lord has mentioned three kinds of devotees (bhaktas):
bhakti, considering it inferior. Many people take to social service to earn name and fame. What is wrong in it? Give them honour unreservedly; there is no harm in it. That honour would eventually settle them in social service. They would begin to find joy in their work. Why, after all, does a man desire recognition and honour? It is because he is thereby convinced about the utility and excellence of his work. One who has no inner yardstick to judge the worth of his service depends on such external yardsticks. When a mother pats her child, the child gets enthused to do more work for her. This is also true for this type of bhakti. Such bhaktas should straightway go to the Lord and ask Him to give what he wants. To make demands on God for everything is no ordinary thing; it is something rare. Jnanadeva asked Namdeva, “Will you accompany me on a pilgrimage?” “But why go on a pilgrimage?”, asked Namdeva. Jnanadeva replied, “We can thereby meet a number of saints and ascetics.” Namdeva said, “Let me ask the Lord.” He went to the temple and stood before the Lord. With eyes rivetted on the Lord’s feet and tears flowing down his cheeks, he asked, “O Lord! Should I go on a pilgrimage?” Would you call Namdeva an idiot? Not a few people are anguished by separation from their wives, but a bhakta who weeps at the idea of going away from the Lord is out of the ordinary. Because of ignorance, he does not seek what he ideally should; but even then his bhakti is not to be dismissed out of hand. |
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