2026-03-22 20:42:41 by akprasad
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<page>
<ignore>6. SUPREMACY OF DEVOTION
95
</ignore>
<p text="C">through punishment and the humble devotees through
affectionate caresses.
affectionate caresses.</p>
<p text="C">The Lord does not allow pride to grow in His
devotees. Pride is the root of all sorrows. It is the
cause of worldly bondage. It brings sufferings of
various kinds.
</p>
<p text="C">Bhakti is absolute self-surrender. In true devo-
tion there is no room for the pride of one's own
tion there is no room for the pride of one's own
efforts or spiritual discipline. A devotee feels that he
is an instrument in the hands of God and God does
everything for him. There is not the slightest trace
of ego. Therefore, the path of devotion is superior to
all other paths.
all other paths.</p>
<p text="C">In the practice of Jnana Yoga the aspirant has to
depend upon himself alone. For a Bhakta the grace
of God descends. God is Bhakta Vatsala, Deenanatha,
Deenabandhu.
</p>
<p text="C">God dispenses according to the merit and demerit
of the individual soul. So He is not partial and cruel.
</p>
<p text="C">It is not the fault of the fire if it warns a man
who comes near it, but not one who is away from it.
</p>
<p merge-next="true">This is another reason. Humility is the greatest
of all virtues. All other virtues cling to the man who is
endowed with humility. Gouranga Mahaprabhu was
an embodiment of meekness. He sat in the place
where shoes were kept, when he wanted to have an
interview with a learned pundit. Pride is a thorn in
bhakti marga. It destroys devotion and all other
virtues. Pride is ignorance. One can win the hearts
of all by humility. A Bhakta should be humbler than
</p>
</page>
<ignore>6. SUPREMACY OF DEVOTION
95
<p text="C">through punishment and the humble devotees through
affectionate caresses.
affectionate caresses.</p>
<p text="C">The Lord does not allow pride to grow in His
devotees. Pride is the root of all sorrows. It is the
cause of worldly bondage. It brings sufferings of
various kinds.
<p text="C">Bhakti is absolute self-surrender. In true devo-
tion there is no room for the pride of one's own
tion there is no room for the pride of one's own
efforts or spiritual discipline. A devotee feels that he
is an instrument in the hands of God and God does
everything for him. There is not the slightest trace
of ego. Therefore, the path of devotion is superior to
all other paths.
all other paths.</p>
<p text="C">In the practice of Jnana Yoga the aspirant has to
depend upon himself alone. For a Bhakta the grace
of God descends. God is Bhakta Vatsala, Deenanatha,
Deenabandhu.
<p text="C">God dispenses according to the merit and demerit
of the individual soul. So He is not partial and cruel.
<p text="C">It is not the fault of the fire if it warns a man
who comes near it, but not one who is away from it.
<p merge-next="true">This is another reason. Humility is the greatest
of all virtues. All other virtues cling to the man who is
endowed with humility. Gouranga Mahaprabhu was
an embodiment of meekness. He sat in the place
where shoes were kept, when he wanted to have an
interview with a learned pundit. Pride is a thorn in
bhakti marga. It destroys devotion and all other
virtues. Pride is ignorance. One can win the hearts
of all by humility. A Bhakta should be humbler than
</page>