The Circle of Love

[Guest guest]

The Circle of Love

By Mrs. Usha Ranganathan

''When Sai Baba measures man, He puts the tape around his heart -

not his head " .

- Radhakrishna Swamiji

 

As a devotee of Sai Baba and beloved Sri Radhakrishna

Swamiji, I have often wondered that Swamiji is an Ideal without a body, an Image enshrined in

the heart of mine, a song whose music and melody have thrown innumerable souls

into the raptures of ecstasy. Little did I know that on a fine morning that I

could be part of the circle of 'Love', when I was in the USA on a short assignment in 1984.

 

My colleague, Miss Albery, was perhaps

the most unusual of my colleagues. She seldom spoke herself. We knew that her

early life had been privileged, but that when she joined our company, she was

old and alone and impoverished, living in a shabby room with a few cherished

keepsakes.

 

She met adversity bravely, but with a stern and haughty demeanor.

I myself tried hard, but I could not break through her reserve. I used to pray

to Sai Baba and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

that I would find some way to reach her, but she was too proud to let emotion

show.

 

One lunch hour in December 1984, I was browsing

in an antique shop, a favorite pastime. I seldom purchased anything, but this

day was different. I spotted an enamel pencil in a silver case. It had a large

'A' in its elaborate monogram and I felt an urge - almost a physical nudge - to

buy it for my friend Albery.

 

" What is this? " she asked brusquely when I handed her

the tiny package.

" Just a little Christmas something " , I said

apprehensively. When Albery opened the package and

saw the silver case, her body tensed, and her eyes filled with tears.

" Usha'', she said, - never before had she used my first name - " Usha,

how did you know?''

" Know what? " I asked.

" This one belonged to me, " she said, " I had to sell

it years ago, when I was hungry and desperate. It was given to me by someone I

loved. And now your kindness has brought it back’

 

A Circle of Love

‘Circle of love' thought, 'I have been part of a as I

thanked Sai Baba and Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji from my heart, I could see happiness beaming across

Albery's face.

(Source Shri Sai Padananda Jan 1990)