VERSE 27

Pining to see God and 'meditating on His form,' are all the endeavours to focus one's mind and heart on God. The sip of true devotion is ceaseless thought of God.

Sri Sankara says: When your mind is drawn to something evil, seek then the company of the good. You will escape from the evil, whether you are in physical company with them or you think of them in your mind.

If you have wealth, says he, spend it in a really fruitful way. What manner of spending will fill your heart with true joy? Make it fruitful by bestowing it on the needy. The greatest joy that wealth can bring is that which arises when you part with it for the poor and wipe their tears. The satisfaction of squandering it by buying goods in a bazaar is as nothing, compared to the joy one gets by helping the poor with it.

This verse proves clearly that the Bhaja Govindam Song sung by Sri Sankara is intended pre-eminently for the householder. Deyam deenajanaaya vittam, 'Help the needy by giving them your riches,' was not addressed to the sanyaasins. It could not be addressed to them. This verse succinctly shows the way to a purposeful life.

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