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Choose God As Our Main Player And Allow Him Make The Moves

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Story from the life of Pandava brothers inspires us to make God as our main player. By allowing god to choose god as our main player we are ensuring our victory because his moves will never end in disasters.

The great five Pandava brothers, when they were in exile, once complained to Sri Krishna about the endless sufferings they had to undergo, despite He, Sri Krishna, the Lord, being with them always.

Sri Krishna smiled and explained, when you were playing the game of dice with the Kauravas, which you had accepted as part of your royal disposition, and when it was offered that either side could choose anyone whom they held accomplished to represent them as their main player who will decide the moves, while Kauravas chose their uncle Shakuni, you chose your own elder brother whose skills in dealing with this challenge were no equal to it. If you had chosen Me as your main player, the whole story would have been different.

The moral is that we should choose God as our main player and allow Him take the move for those will be indeed the right moves. In other words, when we make God, or spiritual life, as the centre of our life, we become free from all worry and pain. This is how we can bring Vedanta into our daily lives.

Source – Excerpts from ‘Bringing Vedanta into Daily life’ by Swami Abhiramananda published in March 2015 edition of Vedanta Kesari (page 23)

Further Explanation:

In Hinduism, the idea of surrendering to God and allowing Him to guide our lives is deeply rooted in the philosophy of Vedanta. Vedanta, a spiritual philosophy based on the teachings of the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Brahma Sutras, emphasizes the realization of the ultimate truth, Brahman, and the unity of the individual soul (Atman) with this absolute reality.

Central Teachings from Hindu Scriptures

  1. Bhagavad Gita: The Doctrine of Surrender

    • Verse 18.66: "Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja, ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucah." (Abandon all varieties of dharma and simply surrender unto Me alone. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions; do not fear.)
    • This verse from the Bhagavad Gita encapsulates the essence of surrender to God. Krishna, as the supreme deity, assures that complete surrender to Him will free the devotee from all karmic bonds and lead to liberation (moksha). The idea is that when we make God the center of our lives, every action becomes an act of devotion, and thus, we are freed from worry and pain.

  2. The Concept of Ishwara in Vedanta

    • Ishwara, or God in Vedanta, is the personal aspect of Brahman, the supreme consciousness. By aligning our lives with the will of Ishwara, we harmonize with the cosmic order, or Dharma. This alignment is not just a moral obligation but a path to spiritual liberation. When we see Ishwara as the main player in our lives, we transcend the ego, realizing that all actions are His and all results are His will.

  3. Story of Arjuna’s Dilemma

    • The entire Bhagavad Gita is a discourse on how Arjuna, who was overwhelmed with doubt and sorrow, was guided by Krishna to surrender his ego and follow the path of righteousness (Dharma). Arjuna’s surrender to Krishna symbolizes the surrender of the individual soul to the supreme soul. When Arjuna chose to let Krishna guide him, he was able to perform his duties without attachment to the results, thereby achieving peace and clarity.

  4. The Story of Gajendra Moksha

    • Another story from the Puranas that illustrates this principle is that of Gajendra, the elephant king. Gajendra was caught by a crocodile and struggled to free himself. When all his efforts failed, he surrendered to Vishnu, who then descended and saved him. This story teaches that when we surrender to God, He takes care of us in ways that are beyond our understanding, often leading us to liberation from the bonds of material existence.

Practical Application in Daily Life

  1. Cultivating Surrender (Sharanagati)

    • Surrendering to God doesn’t mean passivity. Instead, it is about active faith and trust. By consciously offering every action, thought, and emotion to God, we align our personal will with the divine will. This can be done through daily practices like prayer, meditation, and chanting, which help keep the mind focused on the divine presence in our lives.

  2. Living a God-Centered Life

    • In Hinduism, living a God-centered life means seeing the divine in all aspects of life, from the mundane to the profound. It means recognizing that every experience is a manifestation of divine will and an opportunity for spiritual growth. This perspective helps us remain detached from outcomes, reducing anxiety and fear.

  3. Karma Yoga: The Path of Selfless Action

    • One of the key teachings of the Bhagavad Gita is Karma Yoga, or the yoga of selfless action. By performing our duties without attachment to the results and offering the fruits of our labor to God, we purify the heart and mind. This practice helps us to surrender our ego and live in harmony with God’s will.

  4. Jnana Yoga: Seeing God in All

    • Vedanta also teaches the path of Jnana Yoga, where one realizes that the self (Atman) and the supreme (Brahman) are one. By cultivating knowledge and wisdom, one sees God in all beings and all actions. This knowledge helps in surrendering to God, as we realize that everything is a manifestation of the divine.

Quotes from Hindu Scriptures

  • Mundaka Upanishad 3.2.9: "The wise, who know the self as bodiless within the bodies, as unchanging among changing things, as great and omnipresent, do not grieve."

    • This quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing the divine presence within us. When we identify with the eternal self, rather than the transient body, we are freed from grief and worry.

  • Taittiriya Upanishad 3.10: "He who knows Brahman attains the highest. Truth is Brahman. Knowledge is Brahman. Infinite is Brahman."

    • Understanding that Brahman, the ultimate reality, is truth, knowledge, and infinity, we are encouraged to surrender to this reality, which is beyond the dualities of pain and pleasure.

Lesser-Known Insights

  1. Viveka and Vairagya: Discrimination and Detachment

    • In Vedanta, the practice of viveka (discrimination between the real and the unreal) and vairagya (detachment from the unreal) is crucial. When we choose God as our main player, we automatically cultivate these qualities, leading to a life of wisdom and peace.

  2. The Role of Bhakti (Devotion)

    • Bhakti, or devotion, is a powerful tool in making God the center of our lives. The Narada Bhakti Sutra states that devotion is the easiest and most direct path to God. When we engage in devotional practices like singing hymns, reading scriptures, and performing rituals, we keep God at the forefront of our consciousness, thus allowing Him to guide our lives.

  3. The Importance of Guru (Spiritual Teacher)

    • In Hinduism, the Guru plays a vital role in guiding the devotee towards surrendering to God. The Guru, who embodies divine wisdom, helps the disciple navigate the spiritual path, leading them to a state where they can fully trust and surrender to God.

Incorporating Vedanta into our daily lives means making God the center of our existence. This requires us to surrender our ego, trust in divine will, and live a life of devotion and selfless action. When we allow God to be the main player, we move beyond the dualities of pain and pleasure, gaining true freedom and peace. By practicing surrender, cultivating wisdom, and engaging in devotional activities, we can bring Vedanta’s profound teachings into our everyday experiences, leading to a life of harmony, joy, and ultimate liberation.