OpEdNews - Page 4 of Article: Overcoming Obstacles in Spiritual Life

In the Bhagavad-Gita, Sri Krishna gives this categorical assurance: "Even the most sinful amongst people, if that person worships me, the Supreme Spirit, with unswerving devotion, must be regarded as virtuous, for that person has resolved rightly. Soon the person becomes righteous and attains eternal peace. Proclaim it boldly that my devotee is never destroyed."- "Giving up all other duties, take refuge in me alone. I will free you from all sins; grieve not."- The Lord himself removes all obstacles for the devotee who has completely surrendered to him.

The Transforming Power of Divine Grace

A glorious illustration of how a most sinful person can become righteous and attain the highest illumination and peace through the grace of the Supreme Spirit is seen in the life of Girish Chandra Ghosh, the famous actor-dramatist and a great disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. According to his own statement, there was no sin that Girish did not commit. At one time he considered religion a fraud. Later, however, a great change came over him and there grew a deep yearning for spiritual light and peace. It was then that he was drawn to Sri Ramakrishna. Gradually his mind became purified, though he had to go a long way. Once the following conversation took place:

Girish: "Sir, please bless me."-

Master: "Have faith in the Divine Mother, and you will attain everything."-

Girish: "But I am a sinner."-

Master: "The wretch who constantly harps on sin becomes a sinner."-

Girish: "Sir, the very ground where I sit becomes unholy."-

Master: "How can you say that? Suppose a light is brought into a room that had been dark a thousand years, does it illumine the room little by little, or in a flash?"-

Girish: "I have no sincerity; please grant it to me."-

Master: "All right, you have faith."-

Young Narendra, who later became Swami Vivekananda, was very friendly with Girish and was warned by the Master not to associate with him too much: "Girish is like a cup in which garlic is kept. You may wash it a thousand times but can never get rid of the smell altogether."- Girish heard this and felt offended. He asked the Master if the "garlic smell"- would go at all. The Master assured him, "All the smell disappears when a blazing fire is lighted; if you heat the cup in the fire you will get rid of the smell,"- and he declared that people would be astounded at the marvelous change that would come over Girish. The garlic smell did disappear in due course, and he became wonderfully transformed.

Directed by the Master, Girish followed the path of absolute self-surrender to the divine will""a path very few can follow. He would not promise to undergo even the simplest spiritual discipline, and was very happy when Sri Ramakrishna asked him to give "the power of attorney"- and promised to assume all responsibility for his spiritual life.

Girish at that time thought that the path of self-surrender was the easiest but later on realized what a most exacting thing it was. He had to practice self-surrender every moment! As a result of this, however, he felt continually the presence of the Lord, and became a man of God. The Lord had removed all his vices""his obstacles in the spiritual path""and filled his soul with his loving, divine presence.

The last time some of us saw Girish, he told us: "As I move my hand, I feel that it is not I but the Lord who is moving it."- His eyes and face were radiant with the glow of his inner illumination and unbounded love for the Lord. This is one of the most sublime illustrations of transformation brought about the divine grace, which flows into the spiritual seeker as he strives to his utmost.

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