In chapter 11 of the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says: “Through devotion a person comes to know Me as I am.” Some people worship the Lord as their master (dasya bhava). Others look up to Him as a father or mother. Some think of Him as a beloved, as did Mirabai, who sang Lord Krishna’s praises and the gopis who did raas leela with Him. Still, others see God as a child (vatsalya bhava) and their attitude is of giving and not desiring anything in return, like Mother Yashoda. Some people love Him as a friend (sakha bhava). Lord Krishna told Arjuna: “You are my devotee and my friend. That is why I am giving you this knowledge.”
The beauty of devotion is that we have the freedom to worship God in whatever way or form we wish: Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Allah, Jesus, or the formless infinite reality. The only requirement is that we must absorb our heart in the Lord.
The unique feature of the path of devotion (bhakti marga) is that no special qualifications are needed to enter it. Any one can develop love. While the path of knowledge (gyaan yoga) requires a great intellect and memory, the nature of love is that no special qualities are needed.
All ways of worship lead us closer to God, but the most important ingredient in all is love. Worship without love is just mechanical. It is sincere love that turns any activity into devotion. Where there is love, nothing else is required. There is no need to learn elaborate rituals and ceremonies. A devotee is simply asked by the Lord to go to Him with a loving and sincere heart.
Through total devotion to the Lord, the devotee arrives at the cessation of mundane thoughts, and the mind is saturated with thoughts of the Lord at all times. With such a single-pointed mind, actions are performed with an attitude of service to the Lord, so they are always unselfish.
This leads to purity of the mind. Also, the devotee feels the Lord’s presence in everyone, including himself, leading to the concept of unity with the Lord and with all beings.
The language of love is peculiar; words are not needed to express it. Love and service is all that is required.
God is compassionate. How much could we benefit if we remember God with love every day and at every moment! He says, “I am like your servant, waiting for you to call Me.”
Swami Tejomayananda, head of Chinmaya Mission Worldwide, is an orator, poet, singer, composer and storyteller.
To find out more about Chinmaya Mission and Swamiji, visit www.chinmayamission.com.
© Central Chinmaya Mission Trust
