SOCH VICHAR: Why is it that God loves everyone and has no likes...

SOCH VICHAR: Why is it that God loves everyone and has no likes...: "God has no bondage to time and space. For Him, all beings are the same. He is the master of the living and the non-living. At the conclusion..."

Why is it that God loves everyone and has no likes or dislikes?

God has no bondage to time and space. For Him, all beings are the same. He is the master of the living and the non-living. At the conclusion of every aeon, the process of involution is completed in the Pralaya(Great Deluge). Then, evolution starts again as Lord Brahma, the Creator creates beings again. He enlightens everyone with a spark of His own Glory and fosters every one of them on the path of fulfilment as Lord Vishnu. He, as Lord Siva, concludes the process by the destruction of all. Thus, you can see that there is no limit to His might; no end to His potency. There can be no boundaries for His achievements.

 

SOCH VICHAR: How should we deal with "difficult people"?

SOCH VICHAR: How should we deal with "difficult people"?: "While dealing with uncultured folks, you must exercise caution. So too, you must be careful with ungrateful people, who forget the good done..."

What are some of the common traps we must avoid at all times?

Praising oneself and condemning others are equally dangerous. Attempting to hide one’s meanness and wickedness, and putting on the mask of goodness, justifying one’s faults and exaggerating one’s attainments - these are also poisonous traits. Equally evil is the habit of ignoring the good in others and assiduously seeking only their faults. Never speak words that demean the other. When we are friendly with another and like them very much, whatever he/she does is certain to strike us as good. When the wind changes and the same person is disliked, even the good he/she does appears to us as bad. Both these reactions are misconceived. They are not commendable at all.

What is the right attitude when others are praised?

You must learn to be happy and filled with joy when others are acclaimed as good and are respected for their virtues and the ideals they hold dear. You must cultivate broad outlook and purity of motives, and also must be ever vigilant such that the demon of envy does not possess you. This demon of jealousy is certain to destroy all that is precious within you. It will even ruin your health and damage your digestive system. It will rob you your sleep and sap your physical and mental stamina, ultimately reducing you to the state of chronic illness. Hence, if someone is praised and you desire it, you must resolve to emulate those who do better than you and earn equal appreciation. You must strive to acquire knowledge, skills and experience as much as others. That is the proper ambition you must have.

Why should we not mirror others' behaviour when we get hurt?

The ideas and pronouncements of others may often be personal, or may induce feelings of hatred between people. Why should we accept them as ours and mould our feelings accordingly? We should not try to shape our feelings and patterns of behaviour to conform to those of others. We must not relinquish our faith, our experience and our innate holiness. Born as human beings, moving about as educated persons, yet foolishly following others as sheep do and polluting the minds with ideas borrowed from others are things to be avoided.

How much does the Lord bend, to serve His dearest devotee?

During the war, the palms of Lord Sri Krishna, soft and tender like lotus petals, developed boils all over, since the steeds strained their hardest, when they were restrained or controlled as He had to hold the reins tight. The Lord devoid of food and sleep, performed services both high and low, and kept ready both horses and chariot in perfect trim. He also went on various other sundry errands, which were fundamental to achieving victory. He bathed the horses in the river, attended to their wounds and applied balm to cure them. Basically, He acted as a servant in the household of Pandavas! He never assumed the role of the Universal Sovereign that is His real nature and status. That was the measure of His affection for those devoted to Him!