Guru - The Last Resort... Short Story, As told by Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba

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GURU - THE LAST RESORT

(Short Story, as told by Bhagavan SRI SATHYA SAI BABA)

An aspirant after spiritual realization went off into a jungle and was plodding

across the infested region, through the thick undergrowth, when he heard the

angry roar of a lion; he climbed a tree to escape from the beast, but, the lion

saw him among the branches and roamed round and round the trunk in terrific

rage.

 

On the tree he was attacked by a bear and so, he slid down the roots that

descended from one of the branches of the Banyan tree.

 

Luckily, there were two roots hanging from the branch, so that he could hand on

in mid-air clinging to them, one in each hand.

 

Just then, he saw two rats, one white and the other black, which were gnawing at

the base of the roots, endangering his life with every bite.

 

While in his perilous state, a honeycomb, which was full of sweet nectar

situated on one of the top branches leaked a few drops, which fell his way; so,

the unfortunate man put out his tongue to catch a drop so that he may taste the

delicious honey.

 

But, no drop reached his tongue. In despair and terror, he called on his Guru,

"O Guruji. Come and save me."

 

The guru who was passing by heard his appeal; he speed to the rescue; he brought

a Bow and arrow and slew the lion and bear, frightened off the rats and saved

the disciple from the fear of death. Then he led the man to his own ashram and

taught him the path of liberation.

 

This is a story of every one of you.

 

This world is the jungle on which you roam;

 

Fear is the lion, which drives you up the tree of Samsara, world activities;

 

Anxiety is the bear that terrifies you and dogs your steps in Samsara;

 

So, you slide down into attachments and binding deeds, through the twin roots of hope and despair.

 

The two rats are the day and night, which eat away the span of life.

 

Meanwhile, you try to snatch a little joy from sweet drops of egoism and mind feeling.

 

Finding at last that the drops are trivial and out of reach, you shout in the

agony of renunciation, calling on the Guru;

 

The guru appears, whether from within or without, and saves you from fear and anxiety.

 

(Story #48, from the Book: "CHINNA KATHA")

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