Baba's Storytime - True Devotion

Devotion does not mean performing puja or undertaking rituals. Devotion stands for steady love for God. It also means implicit obedience and subservience to the Will of God. 

Lakshmana followed Rama to the forest as he considered Him to be his very life-breath. On reaching Chitrakoota mountain, Rama instructed Lakshmana to make a hut. When Lakshmana asked Him to show the location, Rama replied, “Erect it at a place of your choice.” 

Hearing this Lakshmana was overcome with grief. He said, “What sin have I committed to hear such harsh words from You? Have I not surrendered to Your Will? Do I have likes and dislikes of my own?” Seeing Lakshmana’s plight, Sita remarked, “Lakshmana, why are you so agitated? Rama neither beat you nor did he admonish you.” Lakshmana replied, “Mother, I would have been happy if beaten or scolded by Him, but I cannot bear to hear that my likes and dislikes are separate from His. There is no greater sorrow than hearing such words from Lord Rama.” 

This incident reveals the intensity of devotion and total surrender of Lakshmana. Surrender implies that the individual will should become one with the Divine Will. Obey the Divine command implicitly without questioning. That is the sign of true devotion.

(From the Divine Discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba)