Message from the Gospel – 2. Call by Any Name, But Call

Some people recite long verses and worship God, while some others sing devotional folk songs in not so sweet voices and dance. Those not capable of either of these may simply shout the holy name of God, who no doubt is equally pleased with all of them. It is the depth of the devotion that matters more than the procedure of worship. In my case, I, sometimes, recite verses and at other times sing devotional songs. When neither is possible, I scream the name of God inside my heart without letting the sound out. Nobody around me might know what I am doing.

The most important point is that we must call God in whatever way it is possible for us. That all-pervading and in-dwelling spirit knows very well who is being called, understands our suffering and earnestness, and will surely respond without fail.

Sri Ramakrishna explains this with a beautiful analogy: "It is enough to have yearning for God.  It is enough to love Him and feel attracted to Him: Don't you know that God is the Inner Guide? He sees the longing of our heart and the yearning of our soul.  Suppose a man has several sons.  The older boys address him distinctly as 'Baba' or 'Papa', but the babies can at best call him 'Ba' or 'Pa'.  Now, will the father be angry with those who address him in this indistinct way? The father knows that they too are calling him, only they cannot pronounce his name well.  All children are the same to the father.  Likewise, the devotees call on God alone, though by different names.  They call on one Person only.  God is one, but His names are many."¹

Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi had also emphasized the same point. Once, a devotee asked her, “Mother, how should we worship you?” To this she replied, “Just call me as ‘mother’. Always remember, you have a mother.”

When trials of life tear us apart, when we feel we have no refuge, when we lose all hope, let us not forget the one unfailing divine existence, and just scream inside our heart, “Maa, I can’t bear this” or “Paa, I can’t take this suffering anymore” as loudly as possible. The call will be surely answered.

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¹This has been already quoted in Part 35 of ‘From the Gospel.’