Painful Experiences, The Pointers To True Wisdom-Part II

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Once-a mahatma was giving discourses on Srimad Bhagawad Gita to a large gathering. When it came to the term 'Yogakshemam Vahaamyaham' The saint went on tirelessly and joyously to explain how much concerned is the Lord in ensuring the welfare and well-being of His devotees.

After the talk as the crowd dispersed, a lady carrying her baby came to the Mahatma and went on weeping uncontrollably as she narrated the tragic story of her husband's death, her poverty and the indifference shown by her in-laws towards her. She concluded that the Lord whom he had praised so much in his discourse was not even worth mentioning the name. She then became silent and looked at the saint for reply.

The mahatma, who was till then listening to her with all attention, broke his silence and put a condition to her that he would answer only if she drops her child down. Stunned, she bluntly refused to obey. But when the mahatma insisted upon dropping down the little baby, she became wild and furious unable to understand what he was up to.

As she prepared to leave in utter disobedience, the saint smiled and said, "Good. So you have proved how much you love your child. Now, Amma, why do you doubt the fact that God also loves His children unconditionally in the same way as you do?"Loving and trusting God and at the same time worrying cannot go together. It is said that one can tell the size of one's God by looking at one's worry list. The longer the list, the smaller one's God!

'Let us understand that peace is not the absence of affliction, but feeling the presence of God within. God's presence is like the stars the darker the night, the brighter they shine ! Darkness cannot put off the light. It can only make the light brighter. In the same way, it is only during the times of trial that we come to know how much He loves us and cares for us. Then these very same trials become a means to develop faith and devotion at the lotus feet of the Lord, which is the only purpose of human existence.

There are only two kinds of people - those who say to God "Thy will be done", and those to whom God says, "Alright then, have it your way".

Let us, even by mistake, not fall into the second category, for when we cannot piece together the puzzle of our lives, remember, the best view is from above! Let us allow Him to put us together as His guidance alone is ever perfect and unerring.

About the author

This article is written for the 'Vedanta Vani' magazine of Chinmaya Mission.