We don’t have to be so helpless
I am determined not to be defeated, feel resigned or fall sick, physically or otherwise. When I learn about people known to me who are suffering helplessly in old age, and not even in old age, I feel saddened. But soon the gloom lifts as I seek guidance and help from my Lord. In this article, I will share my personal experiences as I fight negative feelings, which rear their ugly heads not so infrequently.
The first thing I do when I wake up — yes, at 5 am — is freshen up and pray to my Lord. I have been writing about the large photograph of Lord Krishna in my room; there are eight other photographs of different manifestations of God. Lord Krishna has spoken about this in the Bhagavad Gita, in verse 9.15: “I have faces in all directions, in one form or in many different ways.” These are of Lord Ramachandra, Lord Shiva, Lord Narayana, Ma Durga, Lord Narasimha, my Laddu Gopal, Bal Gopal and my beloved Hanumanji.
Just as there are many manifestations of God, there are many prayers too. Some of them are: please give me pure devotion, ‘atmabala’ (inner strength), freedom from depression, protection, peace and happiness, good sense and sustenance, of course. I am not ashamed to admit that I am very small, but I don’t have to be so helpless. I am like a toddler for whom his mother is everything; my Lord is everything to me (7.19). He takes care of me.
And He is available to me 24x7, in not one but nine different forms. There is no loneliness for me. I feel like I am living in a temple — a Sanatana Dharma Mandir in my bedroom. And there is a very responsive God who gives guidance and help in all matters. Isn’t God omniscient and omnipotent? Why succumb to negative feelings when you are armed with the ‘Narayan Kavach’ (the armour provided by God)?
There are solutions to every problem I face. But let me warn readers that these solutions include tough realisations. What has Lord Krishna said about getting nectar in verse 18.37? You have to undergo austerities, which are like poison. I must walk after every meal for five minutes, yes, in my room only. I don’t need muscles; I need good health. I need to eat foods that agree with me; they have begun to taste good. I must be useful at all times - that is, I must do what human beings are supposed to do, which is ‘seva’ (service).
The rewards are many. My Lord has become the ‘karta’ (doer) in my life; inevitably, 100 per cent success is assured. I just have to focus on my part, which is to remain in the shelter of my Lord and perform all the duties assigned to me as His ‘nimitta’ (instrument). And, in order not to forget all these things, I have sticky notes everywhere reminding me about what I must do or must not do. Life is blissful (theek chal rahi hai).
The writer is a spiritual teacher and columnist; Views presented are personal.
