The Hindu, Jul 09, 2003 - Surrender to God is the true offering

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Surrender to God is the true offering

 

CHENNAI JUNE 9 . Man does not bring any wealth with him when he

arrives in this world nor does he take anything when he departs.

Even a millionaire has to partake of food to satisfy his hunger as

he cannot swallow gold. In fact the riches he had accumulated may

ultimately fall into the hands of a thief or the ruler of the land.

But there will be one garland around his neck — in the form of the

consequences of his past acts, bad or good. Unfortunately no one

realises this but craves for worldly pleasures and forgets the

purpose of his birth.

 

To illustrate this Sri Sathya Sai Baba, in a lecture, recounted a

story. Once a priest of the Viswanathaswami Temple in Varanasi was

surprised to find a gold plate suddenly falling from above, after he

had offered the daily worship, with an inscription on it, "It should

be given to the most ardent devotee of the Lord." The priest felt

that he was the fittest person to possess it as he had been engaged

in the service of the Lord for years. But the moment he touched it,

it turned as mud. When the embarrassed man put it down it got back

its original shape as the golden one. Thousands of people started

trying their hand but none succeeded in the test.

 

Ultimately one devotee, with reluctance, but on repeated requests by

the priest, handled it when it became a gold plate with greater

shine. "I have not performed austerities. All I do is to serve the

poor and needy, an act that is very dear to God," he said. This was

an eye-opener to all. As he stepped out of the shrine, the plate too

followed him. When the poor at the entrance started asking him for

alms, he said: "God is the guardian of all. He is the noblest of

all. Ask Him." He prayed to God for the welfare of entire humanity.

Only such a submission with utter humility will melt God's heart.

 

Our scriptures have prescribed nine paths of devotion. Surrender is

the true offering a person should make. God has no dearth of wealth

and hence does not desire anything from His devotees. What He

expects is a "heart full of love". Since ancient times, mothers have

been guiding their children to be compassionate to others, to treat

everyone with affection, serve the needy, be courteous and do their

duty honestly. These were also the teachings of God, when He

appeared in the world, and of all the saints and Divine

personalities.

__________

 

Sai Baba in the Media:

http://www.saibabalinks.org/saibabainthemedia.htm