Friday, Apr 19 2024  

Who is our true friend - 19 May 2014

First and foremost, let us understand what a role of a friend in our lives is. Friends bind people in a bond of love, mutual trust, understanding and loyalty. A friend is someone who stands by our side even during difficult times. It requires honesty and mutual understanding and has to be nurtured with devotion and patience. Just as it takes patience to grow a garden, in friendship, too, first a seed is planted and then it has to be taken care of, nourished and watered, daily. One has to tend it with love and care.

Now, many of us may be thinking that many of our friends fit this requirement. Hence, here is a question to understand that thinking. “Do these friends support us even in our difficult times?” Well, if not, then they are not our true friends. A true friend is someone who will be there for us whenever the need arises. According to Swami, “Only those deserve the name ‘friends’—who help in uplifting life, cleansing ideals, elevating emotions and strengthening resolves. Those who drag you into pomp, pedantry, paltry entertainment, and petty pranks are enemies, not friends.”

So, don't we think that God himself fits the requirement of a true friend? Swami, who is God in human form, very much fits the title of a true friend. He is always there for his devotees and never lets his devotees face any trouble in their lives as He has said that his dharma is Bhaktarakshana, or protect his devotees from any harm. He is our well-wisher at all times. We might not listen to what He says and eventually get into trouble. But He never deserts us; He is always there to bail us out of difficult situations.

As Swami says, "The feeling of friendship must activate every nerve, permeate every blood-cell, and purify every emotional wave; it has no place for the slightest trace of egotism. One cannot elevate the companionship, which seeks to exploit or flees for personal benefit into the noble quality of friendship. Perhaps the only friend who can pass this rigorous test is God.” Here it is, even Swami has given us the offer to be his friend! Even the bible says, "Greater love has no one other than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends", proving the legitimacy of His offer of friendship by laying His life down for us. Now don't we think that even God has set an example of having a relation of that of a friend? Sri Krishna-Sudama friendship is an immortal example of real, non-materialistic friendship. Furthermore, since Arjuna made Krishna his sole friend, Krishna not only gave Arjuna his divine Vishwarupa but also assured him, "You are mine, similarly I am yours. My friends are your friends. Whoever shows enmity to you he is my enemy too. Whoever stands by you also stands by me!" This is also an assurance from The Lord to his devotees that by making Him our friends, we will always be protected and guided.

In conclusion, I am reminded of one of Swami’s quotes, “Love God wholeheartedly. Make friends with Him. You can achieve anything if you have God as your friend.”

JAI SAI RAM

Bro Vikhel Sadwani
Group 4