𝐉𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐚 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐁𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢 𝐓𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐣𝐢 on What constitutes True Worship

𝐉𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐮 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐚 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐁𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢 𝐓𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐣𝐢 on What constitutes True Worship:

Worshipping Ishwara with devotion is the greatest virtue. The word 'devotion' in the above statement is very significant. Our worship should not be for the sake of showing others that we are devoted. It must be remembered that we engage ourselves in divine worship in our interest alone. Generally, people are concerned with publicity whenever they perform any noble deed. This is not the right attitude. One must be satisfied that Ishwara knows what one has done and must not long for publicity. Some are very keen on the Sankalpa portion of any Puja. Prayers for the fulfilment of many of their desires find a place in the Sankalpa. Is that necessary? Does Ishwara not know what we require? Do we not believe that He is the all-knowing One? However, some are not content with this and they pester their Purohits (priests) to add more words to the Sankalpa to cover all their longings! All of this is unnecessary, as Ishwara knows what is best for us. If He is pleased with us, there is nothing else to be accomplished by us. Kuchela, when he approached Bhagawan Krishna, did not express any of his needs. He merely offered a handful of puffed rice to the Bhagawan, with the sole intention of pleasing Him. Bhagawan consumed it with love- Kuchela turned into Kubera in a trice. Does this incident not provide proof for our belief that nothing needs to be asked of Ishwara? Hence, all our good deeds must be aimed at pleasing Ishwara and not at getting publicity. That is why Sri Bheeshma said, "If you chant the names of the Bhagawan with devotion, that itself is a great deed." Even if we were to spend ten minutes chanting the names of Bhagawan with devotion, that would amount to a great virtuous deed. Some allow their minds to wander in all directions when they perform their Puja or Sandhyavandanam. "I have to receive such-and-such an amount from this person; I have to file a case against that person" Such are the kinds of thoughts entertained by some during worship. This is not correct. When you sit for Puja, however brief it may be, set aside all worldly thoughts and focus solely on Ishwara, even if it's just for those ten minutes. - From the book Inspiring Saint published by Sri Vidyatheertha Foundation Chennai

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