Children, quite a few people wonder, “Why is it that I am suffering even after turning to God?” What they are really asking is why God isn’t fulfilling all their desires. Ninety nine per cent of those who go to temples and pray to God do so in order to have some desire fulfilled. In truth, their hearts are not really in tune with God. They just turn to Him to have some desires fulfilled. This cannot be considered true devotion.
“O Lord, I have desires. But you know what is best for me. Therefore, may your will be done.” This is how a true devotee prays. The desires of such devotees will certainly be fulfilled.
Our desires arise from selfishness. Often, we don’t even think of others. What would happen if all the desires of each and every person are fulfilled? Only if we reflect upon this, will we realise the horrific consequences that will ensue. A farmer prays for rain whereas a potter prays, “May there be plenty of sunshine today.” The coffin-maker prays that he will be able to sell more coffins that day, but everyone else prays, “God, bless me with long life and good health.” Thus, we express mutually-conflicting desires through our prayers. If such prayers are fulfilled, the very balance of nature will be lost.
Man cannot live without desires. However, they should be rooted in dharma (righteousness). Righteous living is vital if the balance in society and nature is to be maintained. Such living is possible only when we assimilate spiritual principles. Roads are for vehicles. However, there is a code of conduct involved: it is essential that drivers obey traffic rules.
Drivers should regulate their speed. If they forget rules and compete with each other, they are courting danger. Their driving will affect others, too.
That is why a fine is imposed on those who flout traffic rules. Only in this way can traffic rules be maintained. Only then will there be safety for us and others.
There are also people who, instead of praying for their own happiness, pray that their neighbour becomes miserable. Two businessmen were living next to each other. One of them incurred heavy losses in his business. He became defeated and depressed. He stopped eating and talking to others. He was shown to a doctor, who prescribed medicines, but there was no improvement at all.
He brooded constantly and spent all his time in bed. One day, his eldest son came running in and said, “Daddy, did you hear the news about our neighbour? The ship from Malaysia carrying the consignment of wood he had ordered capsized!” Hearing this, the man who had for days been mute and prone jumped out of bed and loudly called out to his wife. “Hey, bring in the rice and curry!”
The man’s apathy and illness disappeared when he heard news of his competitor’s loss. He jumped about in joy. This is how some of us find happiness today—in the misfortunes of others.
Real prayer is having a compassionate attitude. If we quarrel with someone, we shouldn’t rush to perform a puja for the annihilation of our enemy. There is no one in the world who hasn’t done wrong. We have many shortcomings of our own, too. Therefore, instead of thinking “may he perish”, we should pray, “God, please forgive his arrogance and ignorance. Bless him with a good heart.”
When the Seven Sages lovingly received the murderer Ratnakaran and counselled him, Ratnakaran realised his mistake, and through severe penance was transformed into Valmiki Maharshi, who became a blessing to the world. Although we cannot impart wisdom similarly to others, we can at least pray: “Bestow peace on him. May he gain a loving heart.”
God’s grace will bless one whose heart melts on seeing the pain of others, one who has a compassionate heart. God will hear the prayers of such a person and fulfill his or her desires.
The writer is a world-renowned spiritual leader