One perception of God(s) is that He/She/It can answer our prayers, grant our wishes, save us from distress and bless us with success in various life challenges.
Obviously in this perception, God is a powerful benefactor, a Divine Father or Divine Mother or Divine being.
Our wishes may range from health, wealth, long life, sons and grandsons, vehicles and food to knowledge, illumination and mOkSa.
In this perception there is duality of circumstances and a preference for comfort, dharma, victory, life, prosperity and so on.
Even those who perform severe penance and have a sAkSAtkAra of God, will then ask for some boons.
In the second perception of God, It is everywhere and in oneself and can only be seen/perceived after you no longer have any preferences or wishes or attachments. Then you may even be tested with temptations and tribulations, and only when you have no favour or fear for one or the other, then do you feel the presence of divinity in and as yourself. This state is said to give great joy and total freedom.
The second way involves internal and external detachment, there is no question of prayers, wishes, boons etc
Some Hindus have one perspective and some Hindus have the other.
Which is yours?
To ask the divine for fulfilment of desires or to give up desires for the achievement of oneness with divinity.
satyA
