DUTY IS GOD

THOSE were the days when the supply of electric power for lighting streets was available only to a few big cities in India. In one of the big towns every street had three or four oil lamps each with a glass chimney set on a pole. The municipal authorities employed some labourers to light the lamps at about 6:00 p.m. in the evening. The expenses incurred towards oil, wick and chimney were met by the municipalities.

There was one lamplighter who did his job cheerfully and scrupulously. He had great faith in God and always recited the name of his dear God, Rama. He was very punctual and systematic in his work. He used to come to his ward exactly at 5:00 p.m., clean the chimneys, pour oil into the container, set the wick right and light the lamp. While doing all these he would be singing, “Janaki Jeevana Ram, Karoonga Tumhara Kam,” meaning thereby, “Oh Lord of Janaki, I am doing only your work. I am only serving you.”

Reports reached the municipal authorities that the lamps lit by this devotee shone brighter all through the night while the lamps lit by others in the town were dim and many of them burnt only for a part of the night. The matter was taken for investigation. The reporting officer submitted to the authorities the fact that all the lamplighters in the town were given the same oil and other material and were also paid the same remuneration. As for the street where the lamps shone brightly all through the night unlike those in other streets, it was a unique case where the lamplighter was known to be a very pious man doing his duty as service to God.

Any work done sincerely as service to God is bound to reflect His love and glory.
-Baba