Slokam 8

Our devotional attitude begins due to fear of the unknown and the uncontrollable.   If we were born without fear and in complete control of everyone and everything, we would all be like Hiranyakashipu.  We will demand obeisance as a matter of right and routine requirement.

We see this occurrence in our everyday lives. How many thousands and thousands of people fall at the feet of those in power. Can anyone imagine the incredible ahankara that must be reinforced in the minds of these celebrities every time others fall at their feet or pay compliments and tributes that are not deserved?

The messengers of Hari point out that all the sins committed by Ajamila over the course of many lifetimes are all wiped out by a single utterance of the Paramathma’s name.  It is pointed out that the effectiveness of the Supreme Name did not diminish eventhough Ajamila said it out of fear of separation from his son. 

The canto and the Slokam point to the acceptance of our weaknesses and our limited offerings of devotion,  which is tinged by the ulterior motive of obtaining rewards in order to lead a material life of comfort.

More appropriately,  devotion should be motivated by putiing on offer to the Paramathma and to whomever He may direct us,  whatever we may have,  to serve His supreme cause.

It is to test our intent and purpose that the Paramathma puts us through repeated lives of births and deaths.

The final moments of our lives may become quite fearful, because we transition from the realm of the mind to the realmof universal consciousness,  where there is no time or space.  If at this moment we can think of the Paramathma,  then it is a clear indicator that the Jiva Atma has completely detached from the mind and its worldly attachments. It is certainly evident that we dwell in the consciousness of the Paramathma,  even in this most fearful moment. When this happens  the Paramathma takes us away to a state from which there is no return.

The attainment of this state requires a high degree of selflessness.  One that will only come through constant practice during our lifetime.

May we dedicate our every breath to the consciousness of the Paramathma when we are alive and be in His consciousness at the point of demise.