In plain words
God's Grace Comes Only Through Effort and Endeavour
Twenty years ago a student came to Me. ‘Swami! I must get a 1st class in my studies,’ he prayed. ‘Very well, My boy! You must study the way you ought to study. Your effort must be there. Effort and endeavour are man's dharma. Victory and defeat are in God's hands. God's grace will be there in keeping with your effort and endeavour. Be sure to make the effort,’ and with that I gave him courage. Afterwards he passed. He was very happy, and in the second year: ‘Swami! For six months now I have been holding the degree I passed in my hand, struggling without a job. Somehow You must bless me and see that I get a job,’ he prayed. Again, by his good fortune, he found a job within a single month. Again, after just three months, he came to Me. ‘What, did you find a job?’ I asked. ‘Most happily, Swami, I have found a good job indeed. Right in our office there is a typist. I want to marry her,’ he said. ‘My boy! Are your parents willing? It is not good to go against them,’ I taught him in many ways. But the boy did not come round at all. Even against them, he was ready to go and marry that girl. He was sunk in the stubbornness of ‘If I do not marry her, I will give up my very life.’ Then I rebuked him: ‘All right, My boy! Think it over a little and set about persuading your parents. When they are willing, I will surely be willing. My blessings are always with you,’ and I sent him off. ‘All right! Somehow I will persuade my parents,’ and with that he went. Then, because he gave his parents all kinds of trouble, they wished for their child's happiness and, afraid he might take his own life, agreed under compulsion, poor things. So the marriage took place. Again, after a year had passed, the two of them came together. ‘Well, My boy, are you married?’ I asked.