Geethartha Chinthane 130: Constant Practice of ‘It Is Not Mine’

Money on which taxes are paid is considered sacred and becomes white money. Untaxed money, however, is impure and turns into black money. Similarly, consuming something without acknowledging God is like using black money. Hence, the attitude of “it is not mine” (‘Nannadalla‘) should be a continuous practice. But instead, we often say “it is mine” (‘Nannadu Nannadu’).

Whether we say “it is mine” or “it is not mine,” the usage remains the same, but the mindset makes all the difference. There is no hindrance to happiness when one acknowledges that everything belongs to God. Such acknowledgment brings peace. Why should we claim something that is not ours as ‘mine’? True business acumen lies in accepting someone else’s ownership.

What’s wrong in seeking permission from the owner? If one accepts God’s ownership, there are no problems. Why hesitate to express gratitude? Being ready to accept reality is key. During a storm, tall, rigid trees may topple, but small, flexible plants survive because they bend.

Massive trees may be dragged away by the Ganges, encountering no resistance. This concept can be compared to the Narayanastra. If one surrenders, it becomes harmless. When Balarama used the Narayanastra on Bhima, an alert Krishna advised Bhima to surrender, thus saving him. Similarly, when we accept God’s sovereignty, no worries remain.

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