God told Prophet David, 'The servant dearest to Me is one who doesn't seek Me out of fear or hope for reward, but to fulfill their duty to My divinity.'
emotion
Hope
Across world spiritual traditions, hope is a concept that encompasses a sense of optimism and faith in a better future. Many traditions converge on the idea that hope is a vital force for navigating life's challenges and finding meaning. However, they diverge on its nature and role, offering unique perspectives on its significance and application.
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'One who meditates on hope as Brahman finds all his desires fulfilled through hope, and his prayers do not go unanswered, and he can move about at will as far as hope reaches — such is the reward of one who meditates on hope as Brahman.' 'Sir, is there anything greater than hope?' 'There is indeed something greater than hope.' 'Then please tell it to me, sir.'
स य आशां ब्रह्मेत्युपास्त आशयास्य सर्वे कामाः समृध्यन्त्यमोघा हास्याशिषो भवन्ति यावदाशाया गतं तत्रास्य यथाकामचारो भवति य आशां ब्रह्मेत्युपास्तेऽस्ति भगव आशाया भूय इत्याशाया वाव भूयोऽस्तीति तन्मे भगवान्ब्रवीत्विति
'Hope is indeed greater than memory. Kindled by hope, memory studies the sacred formulas, performs rites, desires sons and cattle, and desires this world and the next. Meditate on hope.'
आशा वाव स्मराद्भूयस्याशेद्धो वै स्मरो मन्त्रानधीते कर्माणि कुरुते पुत्राꣳश्च पशूꣳश्चेच्छत इमं च लोकममुं चेच्छत आशामुपास्स्वेति
Too long has man hearkened to the dank pessimism of his 'dust-thou-art' counselors, heedless of the unconquerable soul.
When thou art absent Sorrow dims my sight, / My Tree of Hope is barren of Delight, / And I, when thou art absent, all alone / Sit, and shall sit until my Soul takes flight.
O human, the opportunity is still there. Nothing is yet ruined. Do not sit in despair thinking that perhaps this is no longer possible. O human, your union with the Lord is possible. Do not waste this birth in vain.
Giving up all other hopes, whoever worships Lord Rama and fondly chants His praises undoubtedly crosses the ocean of transmigration.
There is no greater joy than this. By seeing You, all my hopes have been fulfilled. Now, please grant me this one wish: that I may spontaneously be attached to Your feet.
भाइहु लावहु धोख जनि आजु काज बर मोहि, सुनि सरोष बोले सुभअ बीर अधीर न होहि
Give up all hope and turn your faces homewards. It is not the will of Providence that Sītā should be married. All my religious merits shall be gone if I abandon my vow.
होहिं बिप्र बस कवन बिधि कहहु कृपा करि सोउ, तुम्ह तजि दीनदयाल निज हितूउ न देखौ कोउ
I am humble, but my ambition is high. I hope that good people will appreciate my words, while those with evil intentions will laugh at them.
भाग छोअ अभिलाषु बर करौ एक बिस्वास, पैहहिं सुख सुनि सुजन सब खल करिहहिं उपहास
God tells Prophet David that the dearest servant is one who loves God not out of fear or hope of reward, but out of devotion.
One should not perform, or cause to perform, any action that involves expectation of reward, destruction of life, or hoarding of wealth or objects.
Freedom from possessiveness, egoism, expectations, and desires, and treating all with equality, are the fundamental principles of the eternal religion of the good.
The one who is free from all existing things, transcends all opposites, has no expectations, is equal to all creatures, is free from the idea of possession, has controlled their self, and is detached from all surroundings - they have no fear from any source.
For all worldly things, perfect contentment, giving up all kinds of hopes, and patience - these are the greatest good for one who has controlled their senses and gained self-knowledge.
A person who gives up all actions, never entertains hope, is completely detached from worldly surroundings, and has renounced all worldly things is considered truly wise and knowledgeable.
Expectation gives birth to wickedness. Anger is considered a child of envy. Greed is the child of deceit. However, ingratitude is barren and has no offspring.
Time is what destroys all beings. Oh Indra, due to your ordinary intelligence, you don't see that destruction awaits all things.
Everything has an end. Without attachment, pride, desire, or hope, free from all bonds and disconnected from everything, I am spending my time in great happiness, observing the appearance and disappearance of all created things.
For one who has wisdom, self-control, contentment, and no desires or hopes, and sees everything with self-awareness, there is no trouble or anxiety.