Most seekers treat their Ishta Devata as their prized possession, who is always there in times of need, a dependable friend, a free ATM, a free counsellor, a ready shoulder to cry on and of course an always ready instant problem solver. Yes, instant, no matter what kind of problem there be! Such seekers never are able to free their minds of the various desires that whip them day and night. Drying their tears, or efforts to heal their own wounded psyches is their sole occupation. Swami Chinmayananda said, “If your only aim in life is as vulgar and low, as how to make more money or the other man’s wife, where will you rise?”
This kind of seeking is not a longing to realise our divinity, but the old, familiar, cheap barter system that we practise in all relationships! “Oh Lord, make my business profitable, and I’ll make you a share-holder by building a temple for you.” Or “Dear Lord, get me good grades in my exam and I’ll offer 10 kg of laddoos to you.” How ridiculous, how utterly shameful! The arrogance of a beggar! We see God as an individual like ourselves but with much more power than ourselves because we think that he controls us as well as the universe. It is said that the Lord created us in His image and we’ve been trying to return the favour ever since, as we continue to make images of him in human form. The Creator is not the created. There is no creation. The Waker himself is the dreamer and the dream. It is He alone.
Prarthna Saran is President, Chinmaya Mission, Delhi.