Remember: Only God’s Will succeeds, no one else’s. God is sarva sanga parityagi – One who has renounced all attachment. But there is one bond which God cannot renounce - the bond of pure love between Him and His devotee. God changes His Own Will such that the will of His devotee may be upheld.

Markandeya was born by Lord Shiva’ s blessing and was allotted only 16 years of life. He told himself, I have only 16 years. These years should not be wasted. I will offer every moment to God. Let me acquire a good reputation for myself and my parents. He contemplated on the Lord incessantly. Pleased by Markandeya’s purity and Love, the Lord mollified His own condition of blessing him to stay 16 years old forever. God is bhakta paradina - One who submits to His devotees. Such is the mighty efficacy of devotion! None can limit the power of devotees. (SSB 1995, p. 39)