Page 141 - Bodhayanti Parasparam Vol 9

MURAD AND MALAMITA
The topic chosen for this seminar ‘Murad and Malamita’ essentially relates to the types of disciples and devotedness of the spiritual aspirants. It is necessary that we are clear about the thoughts related to devotion and piety before we can understand the concepts of Murad and Malamita. Master commands us to mould our living so as to develop true love and piety in others. Piety is Veneration or reverence of the Supreme Being, and love of His character; loving obedience to the will of God, and earnest devotion to his service. It can mean also duty; dutifulness; filial reverence and devotion; affectionate reverence and service shown toward parents, relatives, benefactors, country, etc.
In a famous dialogue Euthyphro says, Piety is an art of sacrifice and prayer. He puts forward the notion of piety as a form of knowledge of how to do exchange: giving the gods gifts and asking favours of them in turn. This is much similar to many in our society who visit temples, ashrams, gurus etc., Socrates presses Euthyphro to state what benefit the gods get from the gifts humans give to them, warning that this "knowledge of exchange" is a species of commerce. Euthyphro objects that the gifts are not that sort of gift at all, but rather "honour,