Fear and Sai Devotion

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In nature, when two individuals meet, either they are attracted to or repelled

by each other, i.e., they meet as friends or foes. Their respective strength,

position, powers; sympathies and attitude towards external objects will

determine the question of friendship or enmity. In the case of divine beings,

the attributes in question include superior power, vast strength and protection

or help to all creatures. So, normally, fear and awe are the first responses to

be aroused when such a creature encounters the divine. These responses are

followed by gratitude and service, and the creature may subsequently rise to or

be risen to the level of being in friendship and love with the divine. This is

accompanied by the spirit of perfect unreserved surrender ending in merger.

Sri Narasimha Swami ji wrote that the above ladder of salvation begins with fear

and humility and ends with transmutation of the fearing and separate individual

self into the supreme self. Fear, like many other emotions, is seen to be a

transient phase. Fear, though natural at first or early stages of contact must

pass or be changed into higher emotions and sentiments. Fear of God is the

beginning of wisdom. However, it cannot even in the lowest forms, remain

unalloyed fear. In higher cultures especially, it is seen to be soon

transformed to awe. Awe, which recognizes the sublimity of Divine power, marks

a distinct cultural advance. Even awe must be transient. If not, one would

contemplate their life’s time on witnessing God’s miracles and stay at distance

from God. It is unhealthy for one to remain longer in this stage of spiritual

ladder.

As fear is the most common, almost normal beginning of devotion, it is held to

be a virtue. However, it is a virtue only at one stage. Fear is the teething

ring or a rattle that has to be shunned away at one point in order to see the

higher states of bliss.

(Inspired by "Glimpses of Sai Baba" by H.H. Sri Narasimha Swami ji, published by

All India Sai Samaj, Mylapore, Chennai, India - 600 004)

source:saibaba.org

Arun Reddy Nukala

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