Bhagwad Gita is an excellent guide to learn what kind of relationship one should have with God, writes AJIT KUMAR BISHNOI
God is our friend. Lord Krishna states this fact in the verse #5.24 of the Bhagwad Gita. However, we shouldn’t make the same mistake as Arjuna did, for which he had to apologise profusely to the Lord. (11.42) How do we deal with our friends? Who do we choose as a friend? My understanding in this matter is to divide people in three categories. Those, who are superior to us should be treated with respect. Those equal to us should be treated as friends. And those inferior to us should be treated with compassion.
Based on this yardstick, God cannot be chosen as a friend, because, He is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient, whereas we are His parts. (15.7) Similarly, our dealings with our friends will leave much to be desired if we adopt the same attitude towards God. Arjuna had to seek forgiveness for joking with the Lord, the moment he realised who God actually was.
In fact, Gita is an excellent guide to learn what kind of relationship one should have with God. The very first requirement is to follow God’s instructions. Personally, I find my nature to be a deterrent. Because I wish to become exceedingly dear to God. (12.20) I am trying to get linked with God in many ways. (14.26) I try to chant “Ram” throughout the day. When I am not chanting, I try to remember Him, which is quite frequent, because my life is centered around God.
I don’t know if I have become a regular practitioner of yoga as described in the verse #9.22, but I am trying to get there. My wife and I have been worshiping God in His Laddu Gopal form for more than three decades. (9.29) We have a regular pooja ghar in our residence. We don’t worship God as is done in a regular temple, which is quite elaborate, but we honour God and feel His presence. Regarding taking shelter with God as instructed by Lord Krishna in the verse #18.62, I am trying to follow God’s instructions in the verse #18.65, in which He states that we should develop God consciousness, become His devotee, make sacrifices for Him and offer obeisance to Him.
I try to be as devoted to God (8.22) as my nature permits. Fighting my nature is a big battle for me, because changing my nature has not been easy. I believe that this is a common problem. There is a popular saying which goes like this: “Nature and signature don’t change.” They do if we are determined.
Lord Krishna has spoken about four kinds of virtuous people, who worship God (7.16) These are: a distressed person, an inquisitive man, a seeker of truth and a wise person. I find myself in all the four categories. In this “dukhalaya” (place of miseries) (8.15), there are plenty of occasions when I feel distressed. Sure enough I turn to God for guidance and help. Who else can do that better. Fortunately, I am never disappointed; My Lord does respond; He helps. I have plenty of material needs and who else other than God to turn to.
Being a writer, I need to learn more spiritual truths for which I surely have to turn to God; He gives me realisations. And after more than two decades of writing, I can consider myself somewhat of a wise man, whom God uses as an instrument, empowering me to write.
To sum it up, I can state with conviction that God is indeed a friend but not in the conventional sense; He is more like a well-wisher. This became clear to Arjuna, when Lord Krishna preached to him from the verse #18.64 to 18.72. Similarly, I am under no illusion that I can treat God as a friend. Being a part of God, I am more than happy to remain that only.
Bishnoi is a spiritual writer and can be reached at spiritual@ajitbishnoi.com
