Be a Seasoned Devotee

You would have pledged a saree to Ambal (Goddess) entreating her to grant a good husband for your daughter. And by Her grace, your daughter’s marriage would be settled. You would visit the best textile shop in town, get a grand silk saree that costs several thousand rupees for your daughter, and get a Rs.100 worth ordinary saree for Ambal. Why you do you cheat yourself thus? Did Ambal ever tell you She would get your daughter married, only if you buy Her a saree? If you are a devout person, you will offer Ambal a saree that is at least one rupee more than the cost of what you purchased for your daughter.

This is how business-like persons are. The excuse they give is, ‘Anyway, the temple priest will make use of the saree for his daughter, so why must I donate anything grand?’ Let me ask you, what is wrong if the priest takes possession of the saree for his daughter? Why do you trace what happens after you have submitted something at the sanctum? Is not every girl an aspect of Ambal? The problem is with you, you do not want to give, and so you are fabricating excuses.

Your ‘devotion’ is very hollow. The purport of ‘prayers’ seems to be the benefits we gain from our association with God. It is an extremely pathetic state that society is in, at present.

A true devotee of God will face tests but never failures.