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What We Should Ask From God?

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What We Should Ask From God?

Suppose you meet God somewhere and He asks you to ask for anything, what would you ask? Money? Car? A 5-storey house? Or to be the President of United States of America? Human existence is said to be the highest existence. Humans should ensure that do not waste life in flippant pursuits, so that we do not have to regret any thought or action of ours later. What is the correct way to lead this life? A life devoted to realization of God is the only way that can be said to have been used correctly, and with no question of regrets later.

We all seek God, and those who seek Him, do so for divergent reasons. We are all praying to achieve so many aims. Which is the right one? What should a devotee really ask of God?

This story from Mahaabhaarat answers this question beautifully and categorically.
The Great War between the Paandav and Kaurav was to begin. Arjun, having pondered, decided to go to Lord Krishn and asked him for help. He went to the Lord's abode and found him asleep. He stood respectfully at his lotus feet, with folded hands and head bowed in reverence. Duryodhan of the Kaurav, with the same idea of asking Shree Krishn's help, also came there and, finding the Lord asleep, sat arrogantly in a chair placed at the head of Lord's bed.

In due course, the Lord woke up. Arjun, being at his feet, was the first person He, naturally saw. As He turned to get up, the Lord's eyes fell upon Duryodhan. The purpose of their visit was known to Him. However, He asked them what He could do for them. Both answered that they had come to request His assistance in the ensuing war. The Lord said that they had placed Him in a difficult predicament by asking for the same thing, but He could not deny either of them. So He offered them two options - one, He Himself would be on one side, alone, without armies; and on the other He would offer all His armed forces. Since He saw Arjun first that is why he should be the first to choose, secondly Arjun was younger to Duryodhan, that also places him on the first place to choose for.

Arjun promptly prayed to Krishn and asked Himself on the side of the Paandav. Duryodhan heaved a sigh of relief and requested Shree Krishn for all his forces. The Lord agreed to their requests.

We know who emerged victorious. The moral is "We should ask for HIM, not ask for things He can give us". If the Lord gives us everything in the Universe but withholds Himself from us, we gain nothing. But if we seek HIM for Himself alone, we get not merely Him but all that is His, too!

 

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on January 15, 2002
Contact:  sushmajee@yahoo.com
Modified on 03/31/12