[Advaita-l] MALAYAPPA SWAMI's PROCESSION IN MADA STREET 's

[jaldhar at braincells.com]

On Fri, 2 Sep 2022, Bhaskar YR via Advaita-l wrote:

> Money, money, money for each and everything money, Lord Venkateshwara 
> moves and behaves as per the money deposited in his temple's trust 😊 
> crazy and amusing but fact.  His kalyANOtsava seva is booked for next 
> 3-5 years on daily basis for a handsome sum I heard.  It seems Lord is 
> still settling his debts that he has taken during his marriage.

And what of the worshippers?  Let's face it, most of them are also there 
for money, money, money or atleast some kind of personal advantage.

Bhagavan appears in the form suited to the devotee.

A tamasik bhakta prays because he is afraid he will some misfortune or 
punishment in hell etc. if he does not.

A Rajasik bhakta prays because he thinks he will gain something from it, 
riches, prestige and acclaim from society etc.

A Sattvik bhakta prays because he loves God.  But even he might be 
motivated by the good feelings this causes rather than pure selflessness.

This is why previously I pushed back against the idea that Bhakti is an 
easy path.  It also has treacherous pitfalls for the unprepared.  But for 
those rare ones who truly love Bhagavan without ego, and whose minds are 
fixed entirly on Bhagavan alone, Bhagavan will always put such VIPs 
(Vishnu Intoxicated Persons) at the head of the line for his darshan.

-- 
Jaldhar H. Vyas <jaldhar at braincells.com>