Many people do not have a proper understanding of how worship (upasana), anushthana, and sadhana help fulfill their intentions (sankalpa). They imagine that as soon as they chant a mantra, God will immediately act like their servant and bring everything they desire to their feet.
The deity we worship is a supreme power endowed with immeasurable strength and infinite knowledge far beyond our comprehension. Therefore, it is a foolish notion to think that we can approach such a divine authority the way one might bribe an ordinary official to get one’s work done as desired.
All divine forces bestow their power and knowledge in alignment with the universal law (prapancha niyati). We must receive that energy and, through our own capacity for action (kriya shakti), accomplish our objectives.
When we undertake anushthana with a specific intention, the divine power first grants clarity in our intellect and then grants the strength to our body and mind to carry out the intended task. When both of these have taken place, if the practitioner actively engages in the required effort for the chosen goal, success follows. If, out of laziness, the practitioner fails to make any effort, the power accumulated through the anushthana can go to waste.
Therefore, it is essential that you make a sincere effort to act upon the intention (sankalpa) you have set.