The Moment of Dedication

Paramahamsa Niranjanananda

Paramahamsaji has always said, "The greatest and most sublime moment in my life was the precise moment when I surrendered myself before my Guru, Swami Sivananda"'.

Now, if we were in his place we would probably say, "The most happy moment of my life was when I became realised''. Would you not say that? However, Paramahamsaji does not say that. His dedication to his Guru has a greater place in his life than every kind of realisation which he may have attained in the course of his future life. This shows the clarity of his vision, and that he never became caught up in the ego play of his attachments.

This beautiful expression coming from within him has been phrased very simply, "The moment of dedication is the moment which I cherish more than anything in my life". Through this statement he is trying to make us aware, "Look here, do not be caught up in the ego trips which come after you attain something. Do not be caught up in the euphoria, in the happiness and joy that comes after attainment, but remember that you have a path to walk, and many miles to go before you rest''.

The most important thing is the drive, the motivation, the determination which you have, and which you had at the precise moment you started walking that path. Carry that spirit all the way through, till the very end, and go with that spirit for ever and ever!