Where is the Lord's lodging? An ancient story

[Guest guest]

Light and Love The Lord lives in the hearts of the people who are

totally devoted to him and take refuge in Him.

Like many of us, wandering-sage Narada in Bhagvata Purana is intrigued by

the question "Where does God reside?" On meeting the Lord he asks Him, "Where

is your dwelling?"

 

The Lord replies: "Oh Narada, neither do I live in Vaikuntha (heaven), nor

do I reside in the hearts of the yogins, rather I make my dwelling the place

where my devotees gather and talk about me, discuss about my nature and deeds".

 

In the Ayodhyakand 125.3 of the Ramcharitmanas, soon after His exile from

Ayodhya, Rama asks sage Valmiki, "Please let me know the place where I should

reside".

Valmiki counter-questions Rama surreptitiously to tell him of a place where

He is not to be found, to enable him to tell Him of a place where to reside.

However, keeping in view the lila — play of the Lord — Valmiki then tells Rama

to reside in the hearts of his bhaktas or devouts.

 

Describing the signs of total devotion he says that the devout are

constantly engaged in listening to, discussing the stories associated with the

Lord and singing His praises. They are completely dependent on the Lord and His

grace. They have taken refuge — sharnagati — in the Lord and are completely

devoted to Him.

 

They do not desire anything — material or spiritual. They are neither

attached nor have greed for anything. They have no sign of pride in them; nor

are they conniving by nature. They do not care for the material and heavenly

pleasures and possessions. They are ready to give up everything including their

lives just for a glimpse of the Lord. Their only desire is to have his darshanas

— see him.

They are loved by everyone and they are well-wishers of everyone. They are

indifferent to pleasure and pain; heaven and hell. They are unconcerned with

the praise showered on them, or censure and criticism to which they are

subjected by others. They are happy to see others prosper and are sad to see

others suffer.

 

Ignoring the misdeeds of others, they adopt their good qualities. They

believe that everything good that happens to them is due to the Lord and their

misfortunes are the products of their own doing, their own sanchita or

prarabdha karmas. Everyone is their friend and no one is their enemy. They love

everyone and hate no one. For them there is no sense of 'mine and thine'.

 

This resolve of the Lord to live in the hearts of the people who are totally

devoted to him and take refuge in Him and be present in a place where there is

an assembly of the devotees is not unique to Hinduism. In the Bible, Mt 18:20,

Jesus promises "Where two or more are united in my name, there am I in the

midst of them". This union which brings about the presence of God among men and

women, is called by Paul VI, 'generating Christ'.

These 'two or more' can be husband and wife, colleagues at work, partners in

leisure, and friends. And this congregation can come about in families, in

factories, in educational institutions, in religious or political

congregations.

 

No special place or dwelling is to be invented for this. Those who are

united in His name experience the fruits of the spirit in the form of a new

joy, a new peace, love, patience, benevolence, goodness, faithfulness, meekness

and self-control.

 

The ideal of such bhaktas in the words of Bhagvata Purana is: "I do not wish

for a kingdom, heaven or rebirth; but I wish for the destruction of the anguish

of living beings subjected to suffering". It is not in temples, churches,

mosques and synagogues but in the hearts of such men and women and the place of

their congregation, wherever it may be, that the Lord lives.

Source: http://spirituality.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1050695.cms

' indiatimes. Spirituality' Section: Religion and God. 14 March 2005.

"The Lord Lives in the Hearts of Devotees" by Ashok Vohra

 

Namaste - Reet

[Guest guest]

Sairam Sis. Reet,

 

Thanks for the story. While reading it, the following

thoughts came to mind. Nothing new to most Sai

devotees, but probably worth thinking about.

 

The beauty of Santana Dharma is that the experience of

the Lord is suited to the approach of the Sadhak

(seeker). There are no strictures or boundaries to

limit the variety of interactions between seeker and

sought. Sai says that each of us has an individual and

unique experience in spirituality. However, to show a

light to seekers of different paths, the Lord does

provide some definitions, as in your note.

 

For a bhakta, the Lord is said to reside in the heart

of the true devotee. Swami also has said that wherever

His glory is sung, He is present there. Even here

there are nine types (steps?) as defined in Nava Vidha

Bhakti to attain the ultimate realm of Atma Nivedanam.

 

For a Gnani who is an advaitin, everything he sees is

the Lord. And that Lord is himself too. So, the vedic

statements like Ayam Atma Brahma, Tat Twam Asi, Isa

Vasyam idham sarvam etc. are aimed at such. Prof. Anil

Kumar has said in one of his talks that Swami is

weaning us away from his physical form by denying

padanamaskar, reduced darshans etc., so that we turn

inwards and seek the Lord within. Tat Twam Asi...

 

For the ordinary folks, who have not progressed much

in the spiritual awareness, the Lord is the master who

doles out rewards and punishments depending on their

sins, good deeds etc. Primary school level, as Prof

Anil Kumar says.

 

Beautiful concepts, each one of them, leading to the

same goal.

 

Regards,

 

Madhusudhan

 

 

 

--- Reet <reet.priiman wrote:

 

> Light and Love..........