Connection between difficulties and devotion

Ms. Bhanu Samykya asked: Pādanamaskāram Swami, what is the connection between difficulties and devotion? Why is it said that-- soul has to develop devotion during difficulties and if soul simply suffers difficulties without developing devotion to God, then that silent suffering is also a big waste? What is the understanding that leads soul in difficulties to achieve devotion? (Even Kuntii Devi asked Lord Krishna to give her only difficulties so that she can always be devoted). Please enlighten me. - At Your Divine Lotus Feet, Bhanu Samykya.]

Swami Replied:- In difficulties, the soul will naturally be devoted to God to come out of those difficulties. Difficulties create pressure through misery and hence, the devotion goes to climax in difficulties. In the time of happiness, there is no such external pressure. The nature of the human being is to react immediately under pressure. In the time of happiness ego and laziness cover the two eyes like cataracts and devotion to God either does not exist or exists in very weak condition. This concept is purely based on the general nature of any ordinary human being. But, there are exceptional cases of devotion, which maintain their climax devotion in both misery and happiness. Such exceptional devotees do not link their real love to God to the expected help from God.

The devotion shall be natural and shall not be based on the expectation of any fruit in return. It shall be always one way traffic. Such real devotion does not depend upon any external factor. Such devotion is born purely based on the attraction of divine personality of God. The example for such real love to God can be given as a fan of a cinema hero or a political leader. The fan spends from his pocket only for the sake of his beloved hero without getting any benefit from the hero. Finally, such fan commits suicide when his hero dies. The wife and issues of the hero fight for the property of the hero without dying after hero since they don’t have the real love to that hero.

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