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Anil Kumar Questions and
Answers
Question 30
Are grace
and blessings temporary or do they evaporate after a period of
time or after certain actions? (15.12.2002)
Here’s a simple
example: When I don’t follow Swami’s teachings, well, I may not be
the recipient of His blessings, but I have His grace. When a son
does not follow the order or the advice of his father, the father
will not bless him with pocket allowances, but he has the grace of
his love.
A student who
does not do the homework will not have my blessings. If he fails
in the examination, he will not have my blessings. But he has the
grace of the teacher; who continues to love him until he gets
through the examination. So, grace is purposeless, meaning it is
not goal or need-oriented; whereas, blessings can be withdrawn
depending upon our actions.
Here is another
example. Out of courtesy, I will not disclose the name of the
person I am referring to in this example. This happened about 15
years ago. He was a very big man -- both by virtue of his
profession and by virtue of his physique – who occupied a seat
meant for four people!
Well, he came
here. I knew him very well. He is no more of course, but back then
he had a very high post. I said, “Sir, very glad to see you. I
hear that you are in a very high position. What brought you here?”
He said, “I have
come here for Bhagavan’s blessings to get married once again.” (Laughter)
“Sir, how about madam?” I asked, referring to his wife, since he
was already married.
He said, “ This
will be an additional wife.”
“Why an
additional wife?”
“My current wife
is into spirituality too much. She is spending too much time here,
so I need somebody to be in charge there.” (When the principal is
on leave, the vice-principal will be in charge of the position!)
Then I just said,
“Sir, I thought you were a great man. I am sorry. I don’t find
fault with you. I find fault with myself for having thought that
you were a great man. You are no longer holding that place in my
mind. Swami has said many times, “Wife is knife.” Because of
family, you are going to have entanglements and many
responsibilities. Bhagavan wants you to rise above these chains of
family life. Yet you want to get married for a second time, and
you come for Baba’s blessings while the first wife is still
alive!”
I said, “Sir, you
better catch the next bus, or take a taxi and leave because He may
seek the help of Seva Dals to see you out!” (Laughter)
There will be no blessings for such silly requests, I tell you.
On
the other hand, if you say, ”I am tired of my life and I have
dedicated my life to service. I want to spend the rest of my life
serving You, my Lord. Help me to grow in detachment and
renunciation.” Then yes, you will have His blessings.
If
you say, “I want to get deeper and deeper into family life” --
there may not be any blessings. Nevertheless, His grace is still
there, waiting for you so that one day or the other, you will work
for your redemption. That is the answer.
© Anil Kumar Kamaraju 2004 - Here
reproduced for personal use of the devotees for the purpose of
seva.
Anil Kumar website:
http://www.internety.com/anilkhome/ -
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