True Devotion in Lord’s Love
When a person walks on the path of devotion, it is essential that he continues walking on this path with steadfastness, even if it is filled with difficulties. He must accept with a true heart that whatever my God does is for my good. Making one’s God a companion and walking along this path is the only successful means; it is the sole source. Otherwise, a person walking on his own could never reach his destination. Continuing to move forward with a devoted spirit and firm faith towards one’s Guru, Peer, or Saint is the true mark of a devotee.
The understanding of this fact comes to a person only through the spiritual congregation (Satsang) of the True Guru. By attending the Satsang, the eyes of knowledge open, and with steadfastness and equanimity, one continuously walks on the path of human welfare. No difficulty or calamity can obstruct them. No matter how tough the times are, devotees filled with complete devotion never waver.
Regarding this, the Revered Guru Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan explains in His spiritual discourse that a true devotee walks on the path of truth with complete faith. He never turns away from his Guru, whom he has accepted as his God.
Elaborating on an episode from the Ramayana, the Revered Guru Ji explains that a devotee’s character should be of a high caliber like Hanuman Ji’s. Hanuman Ji was an unmatched devotee of his revered Lord Shri Ram Ji. His faith and devotion towards Shri Ram Ji were incomparable. His dedication to Shri Ram Ji is relevant even today.
Once in the war, Lord Shri Ram Ji and Lakshman Ji fell unconscious due to the Nagpasha (a divine serpent snare). That scene was terrifying; it seemed as if the tide of the war had turned. Despair spread throughout Shri Ram Ji’s army, whereas in the demon army, victory trumpets began to sound. The two main characters of this war lay unconscious.
Seeing this, Jambavan, Sugriva, Vibhishana, Nal-Neel, Angad, and all others sank into deep grief. Everyone felt that disaster had struck and that there was no solution now. Everyone was out of breath and defeat seemed inevitable. In such a scenario, how could Hanuman Ji find any peace? The anxiety reached a point where living without his Lord became difficult for him. Hanuman Ji was yearning for his Lord’s safety.
The Revered Guru Ji states that if someone is insincere or superficial, he would have fled, thinking: “Now that Lord Rama Himself is no more, what will happen to me?” But Hanuman Ji did not waver at all. His faith grew even stronger that: “My Lord is supreme. This is some divine play (Leela) of His. He will surely rise.” With this faith, Hanuman Ji became anxious to free Him from the Nagpasha. Without wasting any time, he went to Garuda Ji and brought him back with humble entreaties. Before his very eyes, Garuda Ji cut through the web of the Nagpasha, and Shri Ram Ji and Lakshman Ji emerged from their unconscious state.
As soon as Shri Ram Ji opened His eyes, Hanuman Ji’s joy knew no bounds. He said, “May the Lord always remain safe! O Abode of Mercy! Your safety is paramount.” On the other hand, Garuda Ji also said with a humble tone, “O Lord! You are blessed! You gave me an opportunity to serve. My life’s purpose is fulfilled.”
The noteworthy point here is that Hanuman Ji himself brought Garuda Ji to break the Nagpasha, yet he stood before his Lord with folded hands. This is true love and true devotion. For such a grand deed, there wasn’t even a trace of ‘ego’ (Aham) in him. Everything was “You, only You…” And finding such devotion nowadays is rare.
The Revered Guru Ji stated that a time came when the spiritual followers (Sadh-Sangat) also witnessed that even big figures lost their composure. Those who called themselves grand or prominent faded away. The spiritual followers also witnessed who truly stood by them during that time.
This phase of time revealed who was truly one’s own and who was not. Giving an example of a folk song, the Revered Guru Ji said in very clear terms: “Jehde kehnde si marange naal tere, chad gaye raat di gaddi” (“Those who used to say they would die with you, boarded the night train and fled.”). But true devotees never flinch or stray from their path. Instead, like gold passing through fire, they shine even brighter.
