Cogitation of GOD

SYNOPSIS: When we contemplate GOD the onus of securing our welfare is undertaken by GOD. Therefore, in times of distress also, we must always contemplate GOD. READ THE FULL ARTICLE BELOW -

The contemplation of GOD is our job and securing our welfare is the job of GOD. In our distress also, we should contemplate GOD and let GOD handle our distress. But we get involved in our distress due to which we even leave the contemplation of GOD.

GOD says that first try to secure your own welfare by yourself. We cannot secure our welfare by ourselves, it can only be secured by the contemplation of GOD. There are two lively examples of it. First is that of Shri Gajendraji and second is that of Bhagwati Draupadiji.

When Shri Gajendraji was caught by Grah (crocodile) he thought much about his distress. He did not think of GOD. He firstly applied his force, then he applied his brain, then his family’s strength and wisdom were applied but he got more and more trapped. Then visualizing his death he remembered GOD. Just when he thought of GOD and pronounced the auspicious name of GOD, GOD came and killed the crocodile and ended his distress before the pronunciation of GOD’s name was even completed.

The contemplation of GOD is only possible when our mind is freed from our own anxiety because our anxiety and contemplation of GOD cannot happen together. If we have to remember GOD we have to leave remembering our anxiety. Once we think of GOD, the responsibility of thinking about our welfare comes to rest on GOD. Then our anxiety is not ours but it becomes the subject of GOD and GOD becomes responsible for its remedy.

The second example is that of Bhagwati Draupadiji. Bhagwati Draupadiji also thought about herself in distress in the assembly where she was brought to be humiliated publicly. She thought that her five husbands, father-in-law and the teacher would care for her and will save her from the distress. Therefore, she did not think of GOD but when she was about to encounter shame she thought about GOD. The moment she thought of GOD, GOD came immediately and ended her distress.

Both examples endorse two principles. The first principle is that if we think about our distress, our distress will increase and it will not find a remedy. The second principle is that if we think of GOD, then our distress will ease off and at last it will be nullified.

The principle is clear that the moment contemplation of GOD starts, our anxiety starts easing up. As contemplation of GOD gets the strength of devotion, the strength and vigor of anxiety ease up.

Our anxiety and contemplation of GOD have opposite relations. The more the remembrances of GOD is there, the less will be our anxiety. The less the remembrance of GOD will be there, the more will be the power of anxiety.

Therefore the important principle is that we must save ourselves from involvement in our anxiety because it is not fruitful. We must contemplate GOD so that the responsibility of our anxiety comes to rest on GOD. GOD fulfills His responsibility every time.

Shri Gajendraji and Bhagwati Draupadiji both remembered GOD as their last resort. Shri Gajendraji remembered GOD when he was almost drowned. Bhagwati Draupadiji remembered GOD when she was unable to hold on to her saree. Remembering and contemplating GOD even at the eleventh hour ended their distress immediately.

In the battle of Mahabharat there comes an event. Shri Arjunji took a vow that before the next sunset he will kill Jaidrath or else he will succumb himself to fire. Remembering GOD he peacefully slept at night but GOD was anxious for His devotee’s welfare and called His charioteer in the night. GOD told His charioteer that in the next day’s battle, he should keep GOD’s chariot in the invisible form with Shri Arjunji’s chariot. If by sunset Shri Arjunji was not able to kill Jaidrath, GOD Himself will forgo His vow of not fighting in the battle and will sit in His chariot and kill Jaidrath and thus would save Shri Arjunji from succumbing to fire. After explaining the plan to His charioteer and after bidding him goodbye GOD woke up the sleeping Shri Arjunji and asked him how he could sleep in such a distressful situation. The reply of Shri Arjunji was very touching. Shri Arjunji gave a smile and said that he was remembering GOD and therefore he was able to sleep peacefully because the onus of his welfare now rests with GOD.

Taking inspiration from these three examples, whoever starts remembering GOD since the beginning, their distress would be nullified at the beginning itself. Their miseries will never give them discomfort.

When we see the lives of saints and devotees, we will see one principle very clearly. They have remembered GOD in their entire life and in the entire life GOD had looked after their welfare.

English Translation vetted by Sheelnidhi Gupta