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Source: The Hindu (http://www.the-hindu.com)

 

Characteristics of a sincere devotee

 

CHENNAI, JUNE 22. Almost everyone of us is bound to experience at

some stage of our life, some kind of sorrow and suffering and it

cannot be disputed that we will breakdown under their impact.

What more, we may curse some external agency for trials we are

made to undergo. The explanation about the operation of the Law

of Action and Reaction will be of no avail to extend comfort to

the aggrieved in such circumstances. The only salient feature of

life is that some people can bear the tragedy while some will get

demoralised. Never should we blame others but we can pray to God

to guide us in such times, fully conscious that we are

instruments in His hands.

 

Who is a devotee of God who will entrust his responsibilities at

His feet and how will he go through this process? To this, the

Lord in His Bhagavad Gita has described the special

characteristics of a sincere devotee. The Lord, answering His

disciple's query on this topic said that they are the best

devotees, who fixing their minds upon Him, meditate on Him, with

deep faith. The Lord delivers from the ocean of unending cycles

of births and deaths, those, who by dedicating all their actions

to Him and meditating on Him, worship Him. Krishna advised Arjuna

to fix his mind on Him and that if he failed in his attempts he

should dedicate all his actions at His feet, performing

devotional exercises. A true devotee, says Krishna, is free from

malice, he does not envy even those who are jealous of him while

on the other hand, he will extend his friendly gestures. He will

always be kind to those who have gone astray from the path of

devotion. He will always be indifferent to his home and thereby

free from worldly attachment. Most outstanding among his enviable

qualities is the maintenance of his balance in pleasure and pain.

Despite any type of provocation, he will be forbearing and

forgiving, and will treat friend and foe alike, said Swamini

Niranjanananda in her discourse.

 

Such a devotee will ever be harmonised and self-controlled. With

his mind and intelligence placed on the Lord, he will be ever

eager to reach Him. He will also cease to show anger and will

never be afraid of anything. Inwardly and outwardly pure, he will

be impartial, displaying tranquil vision. He will not exult in

anything pleasant nor be depressed at something unpleasant. Such

devotees are dear to the Lord. The Gita impresses on us that if

the gradual steps to spiritual progress, are strictly followed we

will be led to the realm of peace. The essence of the teaching is

that a true devotee will see God in everyone and in every

creation.

 

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