A king once met a rishi, or sage, while hunting in the forest. Impressed by the rishi’s wisdom, the king invited him to visit the capital and accept gifts. The rishi reluctantly agreed but explained he needed nothing beyond what nature provided.
The Visit to the Capital
The rishi accompanied the king to the capital, where he was welcomed with great ceremony and given comfortable accommodations. While the king prayed in his palace temple, asking for more wealth, children, and land, the rishi quietly left, feeling unsettled.
The king chased after him and reminded the rishi to accept the promised gifts. The rishi replied that he sustained himself by begging but did not beg from beggars. He observed that the king himself was asking God for more—essentially begging before the divine.
The Meaning of True Devotion
Many people believe they love God deeply, yet they continually request favors or blessings. Some show respect out of fear, viewing God as a dispenser of rewards and punishments. But fear cannot produce genuine love. True love does not involve bargaining or expecting something in return.
If prayers are simply requests exchanged for blessings, then that is not true devotion. Love is the giver, never the taker. Asking God only for benefits overlooks the essence of unconditional love.
God’s Love in the Universe
The entire universe reflects God’s love, visible from the smallest atoms to the largest planets. Electrons orbit nuclei just as moons orbit planets. A person who truly loves God wants to offer everything without expecting anything back, loving unconditionally and selflessly.
