http://www.speakingtree.in/spiritual-blogs/seekers/god-and-i/what-is-it-that-which-we-really-need-from-the-absolute
The needs of every individual vary according to the season, region, reason and eon. There is no one in this world who does not want anything if asked to make a wish for. There is a wrong notion among some of the believers that prayer is an application to Him. Every time they enters a place of worship they have an application of their wantons. There is nothing wrong in seeking Absolute as they say “the cry of the child alerts the mother to breast feed it”. But then He is Omniscient (Knower of all) does He not know what we need is the question. Yet it is our duty to let Him know what we need and to give it or not is His game plan.
What is it one individual may need wealth? An expensive and luxurious car? A spacious mansion? Power? Status? And the list goes on and on. And there is not end to the list of wantons. And these flippant pursuits that we are after do satisfy the urge to be happy for that very moment. What is that thing which when got could deliver endless ecstasy? Which is that thing that when obtained and bestow contentment to us? How is that thing which can bestow us unlimited bliss obtained?
A seeker approaches Absolute to get his unfulfilled ambitions and untold desires be fulfilled. There are divergent reasons for the desire to crop up in us and our aim is to reach those goals. But what are the priorities and which is the first and foremost to be attained is the job of the intellect to decide. If the intellect is questioned it will give us the correct decision which does not make us regret later. Which is the right one? Which is the one that the intellect may guide us to?
There is an incident in Mahabharata which answers to these questions accurately and firmly.
Kurukshetra war was inevitable even with the intervention of Sri Krishna and the preparations for the D-day were on. Shakuni advised Duryodhana to go and get the help of the Yadava dynasty, so he goes to Dwaraka. When Duryodhana arrived at the palace he finds Sri Krishna sleeping. There were two chairs in the chamber one near the head of the Lord and the other near the foot. Duryodhana know for his pride and arrogance wished to sit on the chair near the head of the Lord as he felt disgraceful to sit on the other chair. On the other side Arjuna too decided to talk to Sri Krishna and get the support from Him. He also arrived at Dwaraka, went to the Lord's chamber and found him asleep. He took up the chair that was near the Lords feel and waited for Him to wake up.
In due course, the Sri Krishna woke up. Arjuna who sat near his feet was obliviously the first person He saw. As He turned to get up His eyes fell on Duryodhana. The purpose of their visit was made known to Him. However, He asked them what He could do for them. Both answered that they had come to request for His assistance in the ensuing war. Sri Krishna 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 and He would not touch any weapon; and on the other side He would offer His entire armed forces.
He told that Arjuna had the first right to choose between His two offers. Why? Sri Krishna gave two reasons, firstly He saw Arjuna first that is why he should be the first to choose; secondly Arjuna was younger to Duryodhana that also places him on the first place to choose for.
Arjuna promptly prayed to Krishna and asked Himself to be on the side of the Pandavas. Duryodhana heaved a sigh of relief and took Sri Krishna's entire forces. Sri Krishna granted their requests. Duryodhana was very happy that Arjuna did not ask for Krishna's armies, otherwise what he would do with Sri Krishna who would not touch any weapon in the war. With these choices we all know who won the war.
“We have to seek Him, not ask for the things He can give us.”
If the Lord gives us everything in the Universe but withholds Himself from us, we gain little. But if we seek Him, we get not merely Him but all that is His!
What say?
The needs of every individual vary according to the season, region, reason and eon. There is no one in this world who does not want anything if asked to make a wish for. There is a wrong notion among some of the believers that prayer is an application to Him. Every time they enters a place of worship they have an application of their wantons. There is nothing wrong in seeking Absolute as they say “the cry of the child alerts the mother to breast feed it”. But then He is Omniscient (Knower of all) does He not know what we need is the question. Yet it is our duty to let Him know what we need and to give it or not is His game plan.
What is it one individual may need wealth? An expensive and luxurious car? A spacious mansion? Power? Status? And the list goes on and on. And there is not end to the list of wantons. And these flippant pursuits that we are after do satisfy the urge to be happy for that very moment. What is that thing which when got could deliver endless ecstasy? Which is that thing that when obtained and bestow contentment to us? How is that thing which can bestow us unlimited bliss obtained?
A seeker approaches Absolute to get his unfulfilled ambitions and untold desires be fulfilled. There are divergent reasons for the desire to crop up in us and our aim is to reach those goals. But what are the priorities and which is the first and foremost to be attained is the job of the intellect to decide. If the intellect is questioned it will give us the correct decision which does not make us regret later. Which is the right one? Which is the one that the intellect may guide us to?
There is an incident in Mahabharata which answers to these questions accurately and firmly.
Kurukshetra war was inevitable even with the intervention of Sri Krishna and the preparations for the D-day were on. Shakuni advised Duryodhana to go and get the help of the Yadava dynasty, so he goes to Dwaraka. When Duryodhana arrived at the palace he finds Sri Krishna sleeping. There were two chairs in the chamber one near the head of the Lord and the other near the foot. Duryodhana know for his pride and arrogance wished to sit on the chair near the head of the Lord as he felt disgraceful to sit on the other chair. On the other side Arjuna too decided to talk to Sri Krishna and get the support from Him. He also arrived at Dwaraka, went to the Lord's chamber and found him asleep. He took up the chair that was near the Lords feel and waited for Him to wake up.
In due course, the Sri Krishna woke up. Arjuna who sat near his feet was obliviously the first person He saw. As He turned to get up His eyes fell on Duryodhana. The purpose of their visit was made known to Him. However, He asked them what He could do for them. Both answered that they had come to request for His assistance in the ensuing war. Sri Krishna 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 and He would not touch any weapon; and on the other side He would offer His entire armed forces.
He told that Arjuna had the first right to choose between His two offers. Why? Sri Krishna gave two reasons, firstly He saw Arjuna first that is why he should be the first to choose; secondly Arjuna was younger to Duryodhana that also places him on the first place to choose for.
Arjuna promptly prayed to Krishna and asked Himself to be on the side of the Pandavas. Duryodhana heaved a sigh of relief and took Sri Krishna's entire forces. Sri Krishna granted their requests. Duryodhana was very happy that Arjuna did not ask for Krishna's armies, otherwise what he would do with Sri Krishna who would not touch any weapon in the war. With these choices we all know who won the war.
“We have to seek Him, not ask for the things He can give us.”
If the Lord gives us everything in the Universe but withholds Himself from us, we gain little. But if we seek Him, we get not merely Him but all that is His!
What say?
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