[Chaturamnaya] Jagadguru Speaks: Never Forget the Lord, Our Sole Succour

[S Jayanarayanan]

(Around the beginning of the month, a nugget of Wisdom from the Jagadguru may be posted
on the Chaturamnaya list : http://lists.advaita-vedanta.org/cgi-bin/listinfo/chaturamnaya )
 
 
No matter how deeply engaged man is with his day-to-day 
duties, he must never forget the Lord. He must strive to remember 
the Lord at least once during the day. He must ever be of the firm 
belief: “God is the Creator of everything. He is all-powerful and 
blesses all in accordance with their karmas.” 
 
Whenever our desires are fulfilled, either as expected or 
unanticipated, we must mentally offer salutations to, and thank, 
the Lord. This is the hallmark of a satpurusha (noble personage). 
 
Similarly, any offering unto the Lord must be made with sattvika- 
bhava (purest of intentions) and without any trace of arrogance. 
'Samarpanam' means entreating the Lord to accept that which we 
offer unto Him with gratitude and in a spirit of service. However, 
it must be done with devotion for the Lord to accept. 
 
The Lord Himself has affirmed: “Irrespective of its value, the 
offering of a person, devoid of devotion, will not gladden Me. On 
the other hand, he who offers unto Me even a leaf, flower, fruit or 
water, with devotion and purity of heart, such offering I will 
accept.”
 
भूर्यप्यभक्तोपहृतं न मे तोषाय कल्पते ।
पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति ।
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मनः ।
 
Understanding this, may the Lord never be forgotten under any 
circumstance. Our blessings for all to ever remain devoted to the 
Lord and attain higher good.