The Promises of the Lord are unbroken

The Promises of the Lord are unbroken

In Sanskrit a Promise is called pratijnaa. A Promise is defined as a vow and a declaration. It is an assurance that one will or will not do or undertake a certain action. Example, you make a promise to help someone, or you give a promise to be generous. It is the giving of one’s ‘word’, which, in practice should not be broken. It is a contract – a verbal contract which is legally binding. It is declared in the Rama-charitamanasa: “It has ever been a rule in the house of Raghu, to lose life rather break a promise. Even a multitude of sins cannot equal a lie. Truth is the root of all noble virtues, as the Vedas and the Puranas declare and as Manu has expounded.”  (B.K).

Here, breaking of a promise, or not keeping your word is equivalent to a ‘lie’, and a ‘lie’ is reckoned among the greatest of sins. Many promises are broken everyday. People everywhere do not keep their word. There was a time long gone by when a man’s word was his bond. He lived and died by his word. Not so today. Man is not trust-worthy anymore. His mere word is not taken. Any promise must now be reduced into writing.

Man is not perfect; (to err is human). We are aware that changes in circumstances have caused many promises to remain unfulfilled.  A father had promised to purchase a bicycle for his son if he passes his examination, but when the time comes, is unable to fulfill his end of the bargain because of financial difficulties. A friend had promised to speak to his boss to employ you in his firm, but instead, sought employment for his nephew. We are dealing with situations at the human level, and at this level many mishaps do occur. You had promised to repay a loan within one year but are unable to do so because you had used up the savings to repair a leaking roof.

How about life on the cosmic plane? God has also made some promises to us. Does God keep His promises? And what are some of His promises? Let us see.

GOD’S PROMISE – No. 1

Give your mind to Me; be devoted to Me; worship Me and bow to Me. In this way, I truly promise you that you will come to Me alone (Gita 18.65).

GOD’S PROMISE – No. 2

Resigning all duties to Me, take refuge in Me alone; I shall absolve you of all sins; do not worry.  (Gita. 18.66).

I shall provide all facilities for your welfare.  (Gita 9. 22).

GOD’S PROMISE – No. 3

Therefore, O Arjuna, think of Me at all times and do your duty. With mind and reason thus set on Me, you will doubtless come to me.

GOD’S PROMISE – No. 4

He who with his mind disciplined through Yoga in the form of meditation, and thinking of nothing else, is constantly engaged in God, attains the Supreme effulgent Divine Purusha (God). (Gita: 8, 7-8).

Man’s promises are often unreliable, subject to human fallibility, and can be conditional, while God’s promises are absolute, eternal, and grounded in His unchanging character and faithfulness. God’s promises are never broken; He actively watches over His word to perform it, providing a source of true hope and guidance for believers. In contrast, humans can forget, change their minds, or lack the ability to fulfill what they say, leading to disappointment.

(Pandit Ramdial Balbadar is a prominent Aachaarya (Teacher) of Hinduism in Guyana. He is the compiler and author of many titles and has over 30 years experience in Pandits’ Training across Guyana. He is currently the President of the Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha, Region 3).