Only at a few occasions do we look for God’s grace. And those are mainly to obtain what we desire. But when, even after seeking the divine blessings, we do not achieve our desired objectives we get frustrated and ask, “Where is God? Why he is not answering my prayers?”
We do not call God or seek the ultimate and absolute truth, until and unless we face some disaster or some of our desires remain unfulfilled.
The great saint Thirumular who lived more than 3000 years ago in his Thirumanthiram, thantra one had said,
அன்பும் சிவமும் இரண்டென்பர் அறிவிலார்
அன்பே சிவமாவ தாரும் அறிகிலார்
அன்பே சிவமாவ தாரும் அறிந்தபின்
அன்பே சிவமாய் அமர்ந்திருந்தாரே
“The ignorant prate that Love and Siva are two. But non do know that Love alone is Siva. When men but know that Love and Siva are the same. Love as Siva, they e’er remain.”
In simple terms Love and Siva are not two. Only the ignorant say so. Love alone is Siva. When that realisation dawns, they remain in love of Siva. “Love is God and God is love”.
Swami Vivekananda asked all the saints he met whether any one of them had seen God. Nobody was able to answer positively,
except Ramakrishna Paramahamsa who told him that he had seen God. But wherehad he seen God? Within himself!!!
This reminds me of a story told by Matha Amritnanadamayi, popularlyknown as Amma. Once upon a time a rich diamond merchant was travellingin a train with valuable diamonds in his pocket. Knowing this, a notorious thief
followed him and travelled with him in the same compartment on the adjacent berth. The merchant slept peacefully without any worry or anxiety. But the thief could not sleep and was all the time watching the merchant’s movements as he had decided that some how or other he should steal the diamonds when the opportunity arose. When the merchant was fast asleep the thief searched all his bags, but could not find the diamonds.He eagerly waited for the merchant to go out of the
compartment. Very early in the morning the merchantgot up and went to the toilet. The thief made use of this
golden opportunity and searched for the diamond under the merchant’s pillow and mattress. Again he was disappointed. The merchant returned and went back to sleep. But the thief could not even have a wink of sleep. When the train arrived at the destination the merchant got up and asked his co-passenger whether he had slept well. He sadly replied that he could not sleep at all. The thief was curious to know where the merchant had kept the diamonds. He politely told him that he was a well-known thief and an expert in his field. The purpose of his journey was to steal the diamonds, which he knew that the businessman was carrying. The merchant laughed and said, “You could have easily taken them”. The thief said, “Through out the night I was looking for them. I searched even under your pillow, but could not find them. Where had you kept those diamonds when you were sleeping”. The merchant told him “I kept them in a place where you could easily find them, that is, under your pillow. I was certain that you would never look for them under your own pillow”. So saying, he took the diamonds and went on his way.
Many Mahathmas have said that God is
within us.But we never even try to
understand that truth and look inward
into our own selves. Why?
God is omnipresent and he is in everybody. If you want to serve God please help another being and you can be certain that you have served God. Thirumular told this truth in Thanthram seven, verse 1821 in his great “Thirumanthram”.
Love is god and god is love.
Love is God and God is Love
By Dr. P. Arumugaraasah