Wednesday, May 1, 2013

VII: 16

Chapter 7, Verse 16

"Good people worship me
For different reasons, Arjuna:
Those who are suffering,
Those who seek wealth,
Those who seek knowledge,
And the wise."

Sri Eknath Easwaran:

We may wonder how he who is the embodiment of love can let us suffer so, until we realize that his sole purpose is to bring us closer to him.  The purpose of suffering is to take us beyond all suffering.

Swami Satchidananda:

All four types worship God, but for different reasons.  The first reason is suffering.  When things fail, they call, "Oh, God!"  This is one form of devotion.  It's good.  At least when everything fails, they turn to God.  The second type consists of those who worship to gain worldly wealth and success.  The third comprises those who seek knowledge:  "I want to know this and that.  God, please show me.  Tell me the secret."  The fourth type of devotee is already wise.  They worship just for the joy of worshiping.  They don't need to, but they feel, "There's nothing else to be done.  Let me just worship.  Let me occupy myself this way."

Paramahansa Yogananda:

All performers of good actions, whether their motives are selfish or unselfish, are traveling slowly or swiftly towards the path of freedom.  They are of a different order than those, who by unskillful actions, walk the torturous path of bondage.  The wise are those whose goal is not the acquisition of knowledge, nor do they worship the Lord with any ulterior motive.  They have already attained divine communion and steady wisdom.  Such souls, liberated from the temptations and attachments of delusion, perpetually united with God in their hearts, love him unconditionally.  They live for him, act for him and commune with him, just to respond to his love and to revere him willingly as a child loves a parent.

No comments:

Related Posts with Thumbnails