Ma Anandmayee is one of the enlightened saints of India with a large number of devotees all across the country. She was born in what is now Bangladesh but spent some good time of her life in north India, particularly in Haridwar and Dehradun. She left her body in Dehradun and there is an ashram at that place. I have had the privilege of visiting this ashram several times with a senior colleague of mine who was faithful devotee of Maa. He told me many events related to Maa and this created in me a great reverence for her. I also read a few books on her. There is an ashram of Maa near Kolkata also, at a place called Golpara. I had the chance of visiting this place during my posting at Kolkata. I found the place very serene and beautiful. There we met a saint who was quite enlightened and gave us a very deep message during our conversation. He said that most of the visitors or devotees to temples or ashrams put a list of their wishes before the deity or the saint. It means that they know what is best for them and want these wishes to be fulfilled. They do not even give a chance to God to examine the list of their wishes, what to say of Him using His discretion. He further added that the best way of seeking favours from God is to leave everything to Him and let Him decide for us. Our own role should be confined to doing our best in whatever circumstances He puts us through.
This counsel was somewhat strange, even to me, at that point of time. But it made sense to me and I contemplated on it for a long time. Thereafter, I realised that it was the most effective way of seeking the kindness of God. After all, He is the Master of the whole Universe and is capable of granting us those things which we cannot even imagine. If so, why should we restrict our demands on account of our limited minds. After all, Mother Nature knows best what is most appropriate for us and, therefore, it should be left on Her only. Viewed from the opposite direction, it also means that we have to do our best while performing our duties. Nature has equipped us with so many faculties and if we do not make the best use of them, how can we expect Her to reciprocate in the best manner? Once this secret of Nature is understood, it is in our best interest to leave it to God to decide for us. In that case, we don’t have to carry any load of desires with us. Our total energy is then deployed in doing our assigned duties.
