Most of us imagine God as a distant and detached being-watching us from afar but rarely intervening. Yet, Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita offers a very different understanding. He describes God as one “who has eyes and ears everywhere” (13.13) — an omnipresent witness to all that we do, think, and desire.
However, His help is not automatic; it comes when we consciously seek it. Take the example of a student who neglects his studies all year but prays fervently before his exams for a good result. God does not grant such prayers because the boy has not fulfilled his duty. Still, his prayer is a beginning-a spark of awakening. Once he becomes diligent and dutiful, divine help naturally follows. God’s mercies are abundant, extending even to the material world. Every act we perform-through thought, word, or deed-produces results or karmaphala. These are governed by divine authority under God’s supervision (9.10). Yet, when we sincerely seek His shelter, God can bless us beyond what our karma alone dictates. As Sanjay declared at the end of the Mahabharata: “Where there is Yogeshwar Krishna and Arjuna, there will be opulence, victory, wealth, and righteousness” (18.78). The key is to be like Arjuna-devoted, disciplined, and surrendered. For us, this surrender means daily spiritual practice: prayer, chanting, meditation, or even a simple act of devotion, such as gazing at God’s image with faith. One casual visit to a temple, like the boy before exams, is not enough. Devotion is a relationship that must be nurtured through constancy. Material blessings-wealth, success, power, fame, good health — are all forms of divine favour. Money itself — a karmaphala — can bring comfort and security when used wisely.
God does not condemn material prosperity; He regulates it and blesses those who use it for good. Power, too, when guided by virtue, can serve society-as seen in King Janaka, cited by Lord Krishna (3.20), who ruled selflessly for the welfare of his people. Good health and moderation are also divine gifts. The Gita advises, “He who is temperate in eating, recreation, sleep, and activity attains yoga that destroys suffering” (6.17). Thus, even physical well-being is a reflection of spiritual balance. Underlying all divine favours is God’s guidance. He directs us-through intuition, through people around us, and sometimes even through dreams. Those who pray sincerely will recognise these subtle signals. God rarely speaks directly, but His communication is unmistakable to those who listen with faith.
We, as Indians, are especially blessed. God has chosen this land for His many incarnations. Lord Hanuman’s eternal presence, Lord Shiva’s ceaseless chanting of “Rama,” and the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad-Gita are living proofs of divine grace upon India. Despite our imperfections, our culture values tolerance, peace, and family bonds-qualities born from the divine light still shining in our collective spirit. From personal experience, I can testify to God’s kindness. In every difficulty, I turn to Him first-and invariably, I receive an intuitive answer, a gentle nudge in the right direction. Research even supports this: Harvard studies found that the intuitions of spiritual individuals are often accurate. In conclusion, God is not distant but deeply involved in our lives. He wants to help us, guide us, and uplift us. The Gita teaches: take one step towards Him, and He will take ninety-nine towards you. Faith, devotion, and effort together awaken His grace — and when that happens, life itself becomes a dialogue with the Divine.
The writer is a spiritual teacher; views are personal
