THE PRINCE OF GIVERS

[Guest guest]

WHO IS THE PRINCE OF GIVERS?

One day when Baba was having lunch, a dog entered Dwarakamai and put its snout

in the can containing buttermilk. Bade Baba who saw it at once ordered another

devotee present to throw away the polluted buttermilk. Baba said "Why? He then

gave it to one Babu and got a dish prepared with it which he ate at night.

Sri Marthand, son of late Sri Mahlsapathi, has recounted to me the following

characteristic incident:

One day a palanquin was carried to and set down in front of Dwarakamai by a band

of attendants. It was curtained on all sides so that the inmates of it could not

be see. One of the attendants accompanying the palanquin carried a big vessel

with its opening secured by a piece of a cloth into the mosque and kept it

before Baba.

Baba brusquely said, "Who has come (in the palanquin)? ... Whoever it is, remove

the curtains!". The curtains were removed. The person in the palanquin was the

princess Chimnabai, one of the then princely States of India.

Baba told Mahalsapathi to see what the vessel contained. The latter looked up

and said, "It contains gold!"

Baba pointing at himself, said to Mahlsapathi "Is this (i.e., Baba’s form) the

real gold or is that?"

"You are the treasure!" said Mahlsapathi.

"Then send the vessel back to her!", ordered Baba.

The vessel was promptly returned to the palanquin.

Who is the prince of givers and who the receiver?

(Source: Sai Baba the Master)