In English
Do your duties with God’s Name on your lips
one day boasted before that no devotee could excel him; but this boast was against the very first qualification of a devotee: freedom from egoism. So spoke of a farmer who was tilling his little plot of land as a greater devotee and recommended that should visit him and learn “the art of devotion” from him. felt badly humiliated; but he proceeded to the village indicated, in great chagrin. He found the farmer engrossed in his round of duties on the field, in the cattle shed and at home. In spite of the most vigilant watch, he could not hear him speak the name of the Lord more than thrice a day; once when he woke up from bed, another time when he took his midday meal, and the last when he retired for the night. was naturally incensed that he was deemed inferior to this poor, pale specimen of a devotee. He, , was always singing melodiously of the divine sport of the Lord and spreading everywhere the message of devotional singing of the Lord’s name, and here was a horny-handed son of the soil who remembered the Lord only three times a day, whom judged superior to him. hurried to heaven, his face flushed with anger and ignominy, but only laughed at his plight. He gave him a pot full to the brim with water and asked him to carry it on his head and go round a certain course without spilling even a drop. did so, but when asked how often he had remembered the Name of the Lord, he admitted that in his anxiety to walk without shaking the pot and spilling the water, he had forgotten the Name completely! told him that the farmer who was carrying on his head more precious and more spillable burdens than a pot of water and who had to be careful not to take any false step must perforce be admired for remembering the Lord at least three times a day! Therefore, it will be a great gain if you remember the Lord with thankfulness at least thrice or even twice a day; that will give you great peace. Do not give up your worldly duties, but do them with the name of God on your lips, inviting the Grace of God on your heads. Do not involve yourselves in the affairs of your neighbours or others to the extent that you get so entangled you cannot extricate yourselves. Spend your time in the contemplation of the beauties of nature, which are spread out before you in earth and sky - green expanses of the crops you have raised, cool breezes that waft contentment and joy, the panorama of coloured clouds, the music of the birds. Sing the glories of God as you walk along the bunds of the fields and the banks of the canals. Do not talk hatefully in the midst of all this evidence of love, do not get angry in these placid surroundings; do not disturb the sky with your shouts and curses, do not pollute the air with vengeful boasts.