Hari OM
Application - that is what 'Workings-days' are about!
We left the text on shloka 25 with thoughts of directed and dedicated devotion; the essential message of the entire document. Let us now move on to the next verse which could be summed up as "without genuine devotion, any act performed will be lacking in authenticity also."
Aaçaya_ysnaNyrPyéidt< vedìtaNyNvh<
medZDed)lain pUtRivxySsveR hut< _aSmin,
tIwaRnamvgahnain c gjõan< ivna yTpd-
ÖNÖaM_aaeéhs<Sm&itivRjyte devSy naray[>.26.
Aamnaayaabhyasanaany-aaranya-ruditam vedavrataany-anvaham
Medashccheda-phalaani puurta-vidhayas-sarve hutam bhasmani,
Tiirthaanaam-avagaahanani cha gaja-snaanam vinaa yatpada-
Dvandvaambhoruha-samsmRtir-vijayate devasya naaraayanaH ||26||
Lord Narayana is victorious; without remembering whose lotus feet, all practice of chanting Veda is like crying out aloud in a forest. Daily observance of vows and austerities result only in the reduction of fat; all social service is like offering oblations into ashes; taking a bath at holy places is like the elephant's bath.
The summery essence was given above. Think on it. Even in the mundane, non-devotional life, we know that our work is improved with focus upon the task for the task's sake. Whereas, if we perform tasks with little more than basic attention and let our minds be elsewhere, where is the satisfaction when the task is complete? The task becomes a chore.
No. Our work gives us the best when we give it our best.
In spiritual work, if we are in it just for social appearance or because we want to 'belong' to a particular group, but lack the true focus and heart of love for that work, we will gain nothing from it. The purpose of performing spiritual tasks such as morning prayers, pujas, pilgrimages, is to draw closer to that Higher Essence, by whatever name we give it. Okay, that may be simply to reach the very highest element of our own being - but is that not worth having focus and love for???
Anything else is mere 'tourism'. We want to say we have been to certain places, but we take not the time to know them, to delve into them, to adopt something from them that is worthy and lasting in our daily lives. Be not a tourist of your spiritual being! Seek the Highest within your self. With proper dedication and application, you may discover Your Self. Let the name you chose as the anchor of your spirit be not only on your lips but deep within your heart and mind.
