Is Naam Jap Going Correctly or Not? How to Tell?

The sadhak who does naam jap, who makes himself devoted to God, who walks as a traveler on the path of God—the first fruit of his sadhana awakens in the form of a wonderful ability. This ability is—rising above the dualities. Equal sight toward enemy and friend, equal feeling in honor and dishonor, balance in gain and loss, equanimity in pleasure and pain, equal acceptance of criticism and praise—this is the state free from dualities. This is the first sign of maturity in sadhana.

If the sadhak is moving in the right direction, if the inner bhajan is growing stronger, then gradually his mind moves toward titiksha—that is, patience and forbearance. The waves of pleasure and pain, loss and gain, criticism and praise do not disturb him as much. Though our condition is not yet such, when we hear this, at least we should make the effort—to maintain equal-mindedness, to keep the inner self calm, and to regard every circumstance as an opportunity sent by God.

Responding to Enmity with Bows

Pujya Shri Udiya Baba Ji Maharaj says—if someone bears enmity toward you, and you truly want God, then when he comes before you, bow at his feet. Whether he speaks to you or not, but the God seated within him will certainly meet with you.

If there is a defect in your vision, then take to meditation, do bhajan, remove that defect. Until this inner filth is erased, God-realization is not possible.

Someone has spoken harsh words, someone has insulted you—let it reach the hearing sense, but let no burning arise in the mind. Simply understand this—my God is giving me this opportunity to raise myself higher. To attain the height of love, the height of knowledge—these harsh words too will have to be endured. Keep moving forward saying "Radha Radha."

Bhakti Teaches Forbearance, Not Fighting

Where the world teaches fighting, bhakti teaches forbearance. How long will we forbear?—until God is found. Do not fear that if we forbear, the other will grow and commit atrocities. Never. An offense committed against a bhakt is like putting a hand in fire—the one who burns is the one who committed the offense.

Parvati Ji asks Shiva Ji—how long to forgive? The answer comes—until the heart becomes pure. The wrongdoer will suffer the fruit of their own action.

As Soon as You Raise a Stick, the Sudarshan Chakra Will Stop

A sadhu was walking by the Ganga. Without knowing it, he stepped on the washerman's washed clothes. The washerman raised a stick in anger. Dwarkadheesh raised the Sudarshan Chakra, but immediately stopped it. Why? Because the sadhu had also raised a stick—both became equal. If the sadhu had bowed his head, the Sudarshan would have appeared at once.

This is a profound mystery—whoever fights for himself must settle his own accounts; whoever bows his head, God settles his accounts.

God is all-pervasive—there is never a moment when He is not watching. Therefore, forbearance is the sadhak's true weapon. The more you forbear, the greater you become.

The Peak of Forbearance: The Marble Example

A great saint said—look, just as marble stone is carved to make an image of God. If it breaks, the work is not completed. But if it endures, its aarti is performed.

Similarly, the sadhak too must endure. It is this forbearance that brings him close to God. Whether householder or renunciate—true sadhana is that in which the sadhak begins to rise above the dualities.

Ego and Honor: The Sadhak's Final Enemy

Pride and attachment are the greatest obstacles to sadhana. The sadhak on God's path destroys both.

Honor—that is, respect—is the most dangerous trap. People bow, they salute, they say "Jai"—but the sadhak should understand—this is not his greatness, but the glory of God seated in their hearts. To accept honor is to strengthen identification with the body.

For the true sadhak this is the final pit—the pit of fame. A pit greater than desire and wealth—the pit of renown. If you fall into it, sadhana ends.

Honor is washed away only at—the guru's ghat. The guru's grace can neutralize this poison. Where the guru washes, neither cleverness works, nor qualities help. Honor is destroyed and God embraces you. But when the guru destroys your honor, there will be great pain, so renounce it yourself.

Remembrance of God is the Highest Knowledge

True knowledge is not how many scriptures you remember. True knowledge is this—let the remembrance of the Lord not slip away even for a moment.

The chanting of the names Radha, Krishna, Ram, Hari—this alone is true knowledge. If love for the name arises, then attachment to the body begins to diminish. This five-element body becomes merely an instrument—for attaining God.

Whoever has love for the name is the true knower. The world's attachment decreases and decreases until it vanishes.

Dispassion Toward Objects: Just as Metal Becomes Poison When Exposed to Acid

Just as certain metals become poisonous when exposed to acid, so for the worshiper, objects—pleasures—become like poison.

God's bliss is such that even the pleasures of Brahma and the other gods seem like poison compared to it. Objects seem like filth; when renounced, even ego does not remain.

Therefore, the simple way to free yourself from objects is—offer them to God, make an offering, and then accept them. From this, dispassion is naturally generated within.

The Final Essence: The Secret of Sadhana is Only One—Forbearance

The path of God is not easy, but it is supremely beautiful.
Whoever endured, crossed over.
Whoever bowed, God lifted him up.
Whoever escaped from honor becomes worthy of the guru's grace.
Whoever finds joy in naam jap, to him objects become like poison.

The true secret of sadhana is this—forbearance, humility, renunciation of honor, and constant remembrance of the name.

Original article: bhajanmarg.com