The blemishes of the heart have to be washed by the moral life
and the doing of one's duty. A time may come when man becomes
tired and weak, but he should then pray thus: Lord, things have
gone beyond my capacity. I feel further effort is too great a
strain. Give me strength, O, Lord!
At first, God stands at a distance watching man's efforts, like
the teacher who stands apart when the students write out answers
to his questions. Then when man sheds his attachment to Bhoga and
takes to good deeds, and Seva, God comes encouragingly near. For,
He is like Surya Narayana, who stands waiting outside the closed
door, like the servant who knows the rights of the master and his
own limitations. He does not announce his presence or bang the
door. He simply waits. And when the Master does but just open the
door a little, the sun rushes in and promptly drives out darkness
from within. When His help is asked for, He is present by the side
of man, with hands extended to render assistance. So, what is
wanted from man is only the viveka to pray to the Lord, the Jnana
to remember Him.