When God promises “Follow my line; I shall protect all,” the equation between Him and the individual is made clear. The onus is on God to lead the jivatma through karma, jnana and bhakti to salvation, while the individual has to merely follow way of the sastras, pointed out Sri K. Srinivasan in a lecture. Whether it is engaging in action or performance of Swadharma, or in devotion to God, or in meditation, God’s intercession is a must.
In the case of a devotee who is united to God in constant thought, God takes up all the burdens and the cares — his ‘Yoga’, the disciplined way of life, and ‘Kshema’, peace, happiness, welfare, well being, etc. All his present and future attainments are made secure by His grace. The law of karma is believed to act in the course of each one’s life and an individual faces the effects of his deeds, good and bad.
With regard to good effects of karma, whatever is one’s due will be given to him with the assurance that whatever is thus obtained is also enjoyed by him. Likewise, the effect of bad deeds which have to be faced will be mitigated and made tolerable.
God’s role is subtle and it is only through His grace that karma morphs into jnana and bhakti in a person. The case of Jadabharata related in the Bhagavata Purana shows how his devotion met with obstacles. He faced a challenge when he succumbed to attachment to a fawn. This led to his being born as a deer and afterwards again as a man with full enlightenment.
The emphasis is on self exertion and self improvement while one surrenders to the Almighty’s supremacy and compassion. Such faith confers the comfort that a child derives from the presence of its mother.
