Devotion

Swami teaches that devotion is one of the five Ds, along with duty, discipline, discrimination, and determination. But why? Why is devotion so important in our search for God and in our efforts to become one with God? Swami has said “Man must develop two qualities: Fear of sin, and devotion to God.” Devotion is complete love and attachment to God. It is very different from the emotions of lust, affection, friendship, and respect, in that it is natural and everlasting—unlike these earthly feelings that come and go frequently. A true devotee is willing to accept everything that comes to him as a gift from God, whether it is good or bad. Thus, true devotion to God is crucial because without such devotion, you are caught up in the transient events of your life on earth and thus cannot attain eternal spiritual enlightenment.

“Devotion,” Swami says, “is usually taken to mean repetition of the name, the recitation of psalms and hymns, and the practice of rituals to propitiate God and win His mercy. However, Vyasa [an ancient Indian sage] declared that service to man is the highest form of worship. Do not offend or harm anyone; that is true adoration of God. For, in truth, the other is you yourself. Awareness of this truth is liberation. Share your joy, your wealth, and your knowledge with others less fortunate; that is the surest means of earning divine grace.” This statement shows that devotion is practiced in many ways, including reciting God’s name, singing songs in praise of Him, meditating on Him, befriending Him, and serving other people.

However, the most important way of practicing devotion is by serving others, because doing so shows that you are truly devoted to God, who is in every single one of us. Singing, meditating, and so forth are all good, but service takes a higher priority because it brings you closer to God, while at the same time helps other people in a plethora of ways. Thus, there are many ways of showing your devotion, but the purest form of devotion is selfless service—although all kinds of devotion are important.

On many occasions, Swami has shown how much He appreciates people’s devotion to God. In Thapovanam: Sri Sathya Sai Sathcharithra, Jandhyala Sastry tells about one of these instances, which occurred in 1955. A small eleven-year-old boy was performing a good deed by helping construct residential quarters in Prasanthi Nilayam, even though physically he was not well built. After unloading bricks from a truck, he was wiping the dust off  of himself, without realizing that the truck was backing up and was on a collision course toward him. Before anyone could stop the truck, it backed up right into the boy, crushing his legs. This boy had virtually no time to move, but in this time he cried out “Swami.”

While the boy was in the hospital, the boy’s brother went to Swami, telling him about the incident. Swami, staying calm and collected, simply told the brother, “Do not worry. Nothing has happened to his leg.” Having said this, Swami lifted up his shirt sleeve, revealing on his palm the tread marks from the truck’s tires. Swami had inserted his own palm between the boy’s legs and the tires of the truck so as to save the boy from imminent death. Rest assured, when the doctors x-rayed the boy’s legs, there was not a single bone broken, all thanks to Swami. As shown by this example, Swami regards highly people who engage in service. The boy, because of his good deed, helping with the construction, was saved by Swami, showing that devotion is very important in Swami’s eyes and that people are rewarded for performing good service.

The story of Andal and her devotion to Krishna exemplifies the idea that you must surrender everything to be a true devotee. Andal virtually dedicated her entire life to Krishna and prayed to him incessantly. Every day she would make a garland of flowers for Krishna and would put it on his idol to show her utmost devotion and reverence toward him. One day, her love for Krishna enveloped her so much that she decided to put a garland not only around Krishna’s neck but also around her own neck, pretending to be married to him. When she did this, Krishna appeared before her and accepted her as his wife, just as she had wanted. This story clearly shows that devotion is very important and that devotees truly are important to Swami and do benefit from their reverence and devoutness.

In talking about service, Swami says, “It is the very essence of devotion to God, the very breath of a devotee, his very nature. It springs from the actual experience of the devotee—an experience that convinces him that all beings are God’s children, that all bodies are altars where God is installed, that all places are His residences.” Service is a form of devotion, and the highest form at that. By helping others, you are also helping yourself and bringing yourself closer to God. Service is crucial to devotion and is the best way to attain salvation.

~Vikas Mouli
Group III, Bethesda Sai Center, Maryland, USA