Surrender to God is our True Offering

Man does not bring any wealth with him when he arrives in this world nor does he take anything when he departs. Even a millionaire has to partake of food to satisfy his hunger as he cannot swallow gold. In fact the riches he had accumulated may ultimately fall into the hands of a thief or the ruler of the land. But there will be one garland around his neck - in the form of the consequences of his past acts, bad or good. Unfortunately no one realises this but craves for worldly pleasures and forgets the purpose of his birth.



To illustrate this Sri Sathya Sai Baba, in a lecture, recounted a story. Once a priest of the Viswanatha Swami Temple in Varanasi was surprised to find a gold plate suddenly falling from above, after he had offered the daily worship, with an inscription on it, "It should be given to the most ardent devotee of the Lord." The priest felt that he was the fittest person to possess it as he had been engaged in the service of the Lord for years. But the moment he touched it, it turned into mud. When the embarrassed man put it down, it got back its original shape as the golden one.



Thousands of people started trying their hand but none succeeded in the test.
Ultimately one devotee, with reluctance, but on repeated requests by the priest, handled it when it became a gold plate with greater shine. "I have not performed austerities. All I do is to serve the poor and needy, an act that is very dear to God," he said. This was an eye-opener to all. As he stepped out of the shrine, the plate too followed him. When the poor at the entrance started asking him for alms, he said: "God is the guardian of all. He is the noblest of all. Ask Him." He prayed to God for the welfare of entire humanity.



Only such a submission with utter humility will melt God's heart.



Our scriptures have prescribed nine paths of devotion. Surrender is the true offering a person should make. God has no dearth of wealth and hence does not desire anything from His devotees. What He expects is a "heart full of love". Since ancient times, mothers have been guiding their children to be compassionate to others, to treat everyone with affection, serve the needy, be courteous and do their duty honestly. These were also the teachings of God, when He appeared in the world, and of all the saints and Divine personalities.



Shared by Rajeev Nambiar.