The Lord has given the assurance: "Yogakshemam vahaamyaham," "I shall bear the burden of your welfare, here and hereafter." He has undertaken this task voluntarily. But for mortals and aspirants to benefit from this, they have to live as ordained; they have to adhere to the lines laid down. When they feel that they are not so helped, they have only to examine their own lives and discover how far they have kept up the commands of God regarding the regulation of life. They fail to examine this. They do not consider the past and future; they complain only about the grief of the moment, not knowing that it is caused by neglect in the past and ignorance of the future. This is the root of their suffering.

While considering this assurance, the condition precedent contained in the same sloka, "Ananyaaschinthayantho maam, ye janaah paryupaasathe" has to be remembered. "Yogakshemam vahaamyahhm" is the crown of this condition, the final fruit. The assurance is the head; but no head can function independently of limbs. Holding fast to the head only, apart from neck and shoulders and the rest of the body, is like putting faith in the key in one's hand after the iron safe has been stolen! Of what use is the key, after the treasure is burgled?

The conditions for the fulfilment of that assurance are: Ananyachintha and Upaasana, Meditation on the Lord unhampered by any other thought and steady worship. If unbroken meditation is absent, when worship is not offered with unconditional surrender, what justification is there to complain that He is not bearing the burden?

You surrender to others: you praise and extol others; you are immersed in other thoughts. How then can He assume the burden? You serve others; and press the Lord for reward! How can this be Ananya chintha, undivided loyalty? If a man is the servant of the king he must serve him wholeheartedly; if he serves the king and loves his family, it cannot be termed unswerving loyalty. Serve whom you love, love whom you serve. That is the secret of Saranagathi, surrender. Vyasa made a lovely garland, this sloka is the crest. It is this central jewel of that garland of gems.

The words "Yoga" and "Kshema" used by the Lord here mean: "Yoga" acquisition of something desirable; and "Kshema," the preservation of what is thus acquired. The discipline by which you can preserve it is: Ananya chintha, exclusive meditation on the Lord. That will cleanse the mind; it will make you a Bhaktha. The Bhaktha is recognised by these things; he talks of the Lord; he sings of the Lord; he sees only the Lord; he works and spends his leisure with the Lord.