8th Saying If you look to me I look after you

[Guest guest]

He told Baba, " Deva! You started a

great mission. You have drawn many people to this place. You might have known

this particular lady Radhabai. She is a lady of very

strong will and resolution. She greatly loves you and depends upon you; she is

observing fasting unto death to win your grace. Until you accept her and give

her your blessings, she will not eat. If anything happens to her, people will

certainly blame you. Everybody will say that she died because you did not bless

her. Therefore, we request you to bless her and shower your grace on her.

Please give her your sacred advice. "

 

Baba immediately accepted her and invited her to his presence. He

gave her the following advice:

" Oh Mother! Why do you unnecessarily strain your body and

welcome death? You are really my mother. I am your child. Please listen to me

fully with a kind heart. I shall tell you my entire history. It will certainly

do you good. I had a Guru. He was a great Yogeshwara.

He had a heart of compassion. I served him for a long time. But he never gave

me any mantra.

 

I never thought of leaving him. I decided to live with him with

the hope of getting some Upadesa from him. But he had

his strange ways. He got my head tonsured (shaven). He asked me two paise as an offering to him. I gave him that money

immediately. You may wonder why he should ask for money. How can a person

without desires entertain a desire for money? I can give you the direct

answer.”

 

" My Guru never cared for money. He has nothing to do with

money. The coins he asked for are: one is a symbol of faith in him and the

other is a symbol of patience. I offered them both to him and he was pleased

with them.

 

I served my master for twelve years. He brought me up. I did not

have any difficulty for food, shelter and clothing. He was a full person. He is

an incarnation of love. We can call him 'Premavatara'.

I cannot describe his love in words. I always found him fully engrossed in

meditation. Both of us were always in a state of bliss. Day and night, without

food and sleep, I fixed my mind on him. I could

not have peace when I did not look at him. I had nothing but his thought in my

mind. I always served him. He is my refuge. My mind was always fixed in him.

This is the first coin which I gave him as my offering. The second coin is my

patience. With tremendous patience, I served him for many years. In the ocean of Samsara or family

bondage, the ship of patience will take you safely to the shore of peace and

bliss.

 

Forbearance and patience are the qualities of a steadfast devotee.

If they can overcome all tests and tribulations, they can also wash away all

sins. Difficulties will be driven away. Hurdles will be removed. Fears will be

destroyed. Ultimately there will be victory. Patience is an asset. It is one's

seat of comfort, one's transport for success and sure means for realizing the

SELF.

(to be contd….)

(Source Eleven Holy Sayings of

Shirdi Sai Baba by Pujya Shri

Ananda Sai Swamy)