Fix Your Attention on Him

There have been many thinkers who wrote reminiscences of those persons who resurrected after death. Their experiences after death have been recorded. Most of them said that after death they heard the sounds of tiny bells. They saw a hallo of light. You cannot imagine that light on the basis of worldly light. They said this also; initially it was a light. Later on they saw it in different forms of appearances. To some it was in the form of Lord Krishna, to others as Lord Shiva, and to still others as Jesus Christ. Everyone sees that glow of light initially. Later it transforms itself into different appearances. These different forms conform to how and which God you have been worshipping in your life. It manifests in the appearance which you worshipped when you were alive. Your life and death become meaningful and relevant in this manner.

Maintain deep inside your heart that feeling, that disposition and that form in which you worship your God. Finally, that Parmeshwar, in the form of light, will make Himself realize and felt by you in that very form in which you worship Him. Therefore, go on thinking, contemplating and meditating upon that form only. There are many gods and goddesses but, as people say, you should have one god of your own, your Ishtadev. Worship all gods and goddesses you see in the temple but keep only one Ishtadev, whom you like and of whom you think day and night. Ask all that you want from Him, cry before Him only. If you have to complain, complain to Him only, and thank him only; to the rest, you may just salute though, respectfully.

You may worship Mother Durga, or Hanuman, or Lord Shiva, or Lord Ram, or Radha-Krishna, or you may worship abstract, formless form of God i.e., Nirakar. Then contemplate light, a bright halo of light. Fix your thoughts and mind at one place and then continuously think of that only. ‘Dhyeyam Shreepatim’ contemplate and concentrate daily, continuously in an unbroken manner, upon the visage or appearance of Shreepati, Lakshmipati, Hari Narayan. Keep that image in mind daily and let it abide there. Then sing the songs of Govind.

Not for complaint you go to your God, neither for asking gifts in the form of a house in return for a little meditation, and worship or singing of hymns. We have folded hands before You; in return You ensure us victory in a law-suit and we should be strong and difficult for our adversary. We have offered: You ten paise also and in return You should oblige us. Give us all. Here is our list. The next list will follow in due course. Maa, this time I have come with a coconut and your chunni [head cover for women], next time I will bring four coconuts. Only that my wishes should be fulfilled.’ Devi Maa is not hungry for your coconuts. She needs only your faith, your genuine feeling.

Before we fold our hands to God, we should decide what we are going to ask. In places of holy pilgrimage, the situation is worse; people line up in long queues; they are pushed from behind, so how can they fold their hands in supplication. Hands are folded, but he forgot to bow down, offer Pranam – ‘I want a good relationship for my son, and a good boy for my daughter. That is why I am here.’ Now it is God’s duty to remember the devotee’s request. The devotee said his demand and moved forward. If he could get some time, he would say that he had a good ‘Darshan’ [view] of God; meaning thereby that he got a good opportunity to beg.

Even the laborer asks for wages after completing a day’s work. How do we qualify for being a laborer? We have hardly placed our baggage, we have hardly talked, but we have already started asking. Whenever you go to God, be present for thanking Him, for expressing your gratitude, for being happy and ecstatic and for singing songs of thankfulness. Say, “We are highly obliged to You. You give us only that we need, that which is most urgent. You listen to only that prayer of mine which is most urgent. I do not know for how many times I pray, for how many things I address my demands to You. It is good on your part that you only fulfill some of our requests. You listen to only that which is most urgent for us.”

In fact, we need not beg or ask. He knows more than we do. Rabia Basri also said the same thing. There was a great lady-saint in Basra. She was a Sufi. Rabia sang songs as her prayer to God. A man came and saw that she had a worn-out mat, a candle and a very old looking cup or bowl. A man suggested, “Well, if you like I can bring money for your needs from the rich people of the town.” Rabia Basri said, “That was not required because her Master knew what she needed. He knows which things are not required. He knows that a person should have only a heart-full of love and devotion for Him. Therefore, He has given me what I asked of Him. He has given me a heart full of love and He speaks in my heart daily. I need this heart only. I do not need things. If I pay attention to things, I will not pay attention to the Master. Then I will demonstrate my right over things. So, it is good that I need what He has given me. I do not need anything beyond it.”

This much gives satisfaction, and absolutely no complaint. This is devotion. This alone is Bhakti. Remember to fix your attention on that what is of utmost importance in life and that is your connection with God. Focus on seeking His Grace and then nothing will be left unattained because God gives us all that we require, without our asking.