God is not a reluctant or indifferent companion; he is a diligent and transcendent companion.
Whenever we travel with someone, we seek to know what kind of person they are. If we come to know that they are traveling with us not by choice but by circumstance, we become even more curious about them, especially their disposition towards us during the journey.
Some people may be reluctant companions, disliking us or the journey itself but compelled by duty or other circumstances to travel with us. They may attempt to hide their discomfort, yet if they make us feel as though we are a burden, we, in turn, may feel that they are a burden. We may want to end such a companionship as soon as possible.
If they are not reluctant but indifferent, they may show little interest in us, focusing only on their own interests and paying us only minimal attention. While having such a companion might not be uncomfortable, it is certainly not comforting either. We might not rush to end such companionship but may not wish to prolong it any longer than necessary.
The Bhagavad-gita 18.61 explains that God is our indwelling companion, always with us because he cares for us and wants the best for us. He is neither indifferent nor reluctant; he is diligent in observing what we do, the situations we encounter, and how we respond to them. His diligence is not about judging or punishing us for our mistakes but about helping us learn and grow.
God is concerned about the things that concern us, not necessarily because all our concerns are valid or valuable—in fact, they often are not, as we get carried away by our minds, treating trivial matters as if they were monumental. He cares about our concerns because he wants us to invest our energies and emotions wisely, guiding us from where we currently place our focus to things that truly matter, things that bring lasting satisfaction.
While being diligent, God is also transcendent. He remains unaffected by the dualities of the world that not only affect but often afflict us. Because he is transcendent, he is free from material nature’s clutches, which enables him to free us from those clutches as well. This sets him apart from anyone else in our life, whether our parents, mentors, or friends, who may be diligent and well-wishing but lack God’s capacity to free us from misconceptions and misdirected desires.
We often travel from one place of suffering to another, hoping that each new destination will bring happiness, yet facing disappointment again and again. When we understand the benevolence and competence of our constant companion, we feel inspired to take his guidance and mold our life accordingly. Only this can ultimately lead us to a place of peace that lasts forever, as declared in the next verse of the Bhagavad-gita, 18.62.
Summary:
- God is our constant companion, neither reluctant nor indifferent, but diligent and transcendent, always monitoring and mentoring us with care.
- His transcendence enables him to free us from material dualities, unlike any other companion in our lives.
- The more we understand God’s benevolence and omnipotence, the more we can allow him to guide us to a place of perennial peace.
Think it over:
- How does God’s role as our constant companion differ from that of other companions in our lives?
- In what ways does God’s transcendence make his companionship unique and freeing?
- Consider how you can more fully accept God’s guidance, knowing his diligence and care for you.
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18.61 The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone’s heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.
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