CHAPTER-V: SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE
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| Sri Sarada Devi |
21.
"God-realization can be had at any time by the grace of God, but there is
a difference between it and what comes in the fullness of time."
22.
"Can the mango which ripens out of season be as sweet as the one which
ripens in the month of Jyeshta, that is, the proper season? Men are trying to
get fruits out of season. … But these are not as sweet as those found in the
proper season. This is also true of the efforts that lead to God-realization.
Perhaps you practise some Japa and austerities in this life; in the next life
you may intensify the spiritual mood and in the following life you advance
further." 23. Disciple:
"Mother, I have practised austerities and Japa so much, but I have not
achieved anything."
Mother: "God
is not like fish or vegetables that you can buy Him for a price."
24.
"There is no such rule that the grace of God will fall on one simply
because one is practising austerities. In olden days the rishis practised
austerities for thousands of years with their feet up and head down and a
lighted fire burning under them. Even then, only some received the grace of
God."
25.
"Do you know, my child, what it is like? It is just like a candy in the
hand of a child. Some people beg the child to part with it. But he does not
care to give it to them. Still he easily hands it over to another whom he
likes. A manperforms severe austerity and spiritual practices throughout his
life to realize God, but he does not succeed, whereas another man gets his
realization practically without any effort. It depends upon the grace of God.
He bestows His grace upon anyone He likes. Grace is the important thing."
26.
Mother: "God is like a child, you know. He
denies some who seek and of Himself gives to some who do not. Perhaps such
people had highly evolved souls from their previous lives. That is why they
receive His grace."
Disciple:
"Then distinctions are made even in the matter of grace?"
Mother: "Certainly,
it is all according to one's Karma. Once the bonds of Karma are sundered, one
realizes God." …
Disciple: "Mother, I
admit that spiritual exercise, exhaustion of past Karma, and proper time — all
these are factors in the attainment of spiritual knowledge. But if God is our
own, why should He not show Himself out of His grace?"
Mother: "That is
right. But who has this faith that He is his own? All take up religion as a
matter of form. How many really want God?"
27.
"Be sincere in your practice, words and deeds. You will feel blessed! His
blessings are always showered on all creatures on the earth. It is needless to
ask for it. Practise meditation sincerely and you will understand His infinite
grace. God wants sincerity, truthfulness and love. Outward verbal effusions do
not touch Him."
28.
"How many are there who truly want to realize God? Where is that
earnestness? They, no doubt, profess great devotion and longing, but they feel satisfied
when they get even a tiny bit of enjoyment. They say, 'Ah, how kind is God!'
"
29.
"If you don't call upon God — indeed many people never even remember Him —
what does it matter to Him? It is your own misfortune. Such is the Maya of God,
He keeps them ignorant of Him saying, 'They are happy enough, let them be
so!'"
30.
"Whatever you yearn for, that you will get."
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