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Really speaking, even for the advent of the Lord the prayers of the great act as the invitation. In the external world, when the subjects need any convenience or help, they approach the rulers and inform them of their request. So also, in the internal state, when there is no possibility of achieving and acquiring Bhakthi, Charity, Peace and Truth, the great and good men, who desire to achieve them, pray to the Lord within themselves. Then, listening to their prayers, He himself comes into the world and showers His grace on them. The fact is well known to all. Did not Rama and Krishna incarnate because the Lord heeded the prayers of the sages? Many have read this in the Ramayana and the Bhagavatha. Why, even Ramakrishna, though he was Divinely-born prayed to Kali (for he could not bring it about) to send some one who could preach to the whole world the Dharma that will uproot injustice and selfishness. This is known to all who have read his life history. Thus, prayers should be offered again and again for the realisation of the task. No one should become desperate and give up prayers, if they do not result in the advent of the Lord. In the external state, how often has a person to write and how much he has to wander about for his work to be done and, perhaps at the end, it may not fructify at all! Now, how is one to know the consequence of the soul's yearning? Since this cannot be known, one has to pray until the world is established in happiness. The happiness of the world is the sign of His arrival; if this is understood, then it is easy to recognise the Avathar immediately. It is then that the religion of Sathya, the religion of Daya, the religion of Jnana and the religion of Prema will grow and prosper. So, until these are firmly rooted, people must continue their prayers. That is the responsibility of the people. The roadway laid out by holy men has to be repaired now and then, by either those who travel through it or those claiming authority over it. That is what is called 'Teaching' or Bodha. It is for the sake of such repairs that the Lord sends occasionally some authorised
individuals, sages and divine personages. Through the Sadbodha or good
teachings of these, the path opened by the God men of the past is again
made clear and smooth. Thus, when the Lord's Will and the needs of Sadhus,
and the teachings of great persons produce their combined effect, the
happiness of the world will be assured, and it will be undiminished. If
all humanity pray at one time that unrest, injustice, disorder and falsehood
might be transformed into peace, truth, love and mutual service, things
will certainly become better. Now, there is no other way out. Worrying
is fruitless. This is no occasion for despair. It is against the essential
nature of man to plead weakness and want of strength. Therefore, giving
up the search for other means, men must try prayer, service to others
and mutual love and respect. They should delay no longer, they will soon
acquire contentment and joy. |