When I read the following point, I realized how we too often need to engage such a ‘constant’ battle requiring continuous exhortation and effort. But unlike Asoka who engaged in that ‘constant’ battle of dhamma–vijaya ‘with an eye not so much on this life as the next’, (p.271) we need to keep an eye even for our life here and now:
Such a victory which has been thus won everywhere and repeatedly, leads to satisfaction [piti]. I have obtained satisfaction through this dhamma–vijaya. But this satisfaction means little. Devanampiya {Asoka} values only the fruits [of action] in the next world. {Rock edict 13, lines 10-11}—Upended Singh, Political Violence in Ancient India, London, Harvard University Press, 2017, p.270
For many, a day begins with Facebook and Whatsapp, and also ends with them. Apart from this because of so many responsibilities and pulls and pushes of demands from various quarters, we hardly have time, energy and eagerness to spend a few minutes with the Lord.
This morning as I got up very early in the morning, I was not in a mood to read, write, think, or even pray. So after having my tea, I sat for few minutes quietly. Then I thought what would be the best sadhana for me to spend few minutes with the Lord not allowing my mind to waver. Then I got the idea and opened Bhakti Gita which I wrote and played the first chapter. As it was properly composed and recorded with proper music, it impressed me a lot and as I know the song by heart, I closed my eyes and began to follow each word. The next few minutes which went was nothing but bliss.
I won’t say that everyone should do the same. Each bhakta should invent her own sadhana which will best suit her need and temperament. But I would suggest, based on my experience that just play some bhakti song in any language about the Lord. Then close your eyes and follow the words and meaning but not the music. This kind of sadhana might help you to engage constantly with this ‘battle’ of sadhana.