Riches we often miss

[Guest guest]

Riches we often miss

By Mrs. H. V. Krishnaven

" Sai Baba - teach us to take advantage of the opportunities

offered to us - not the people offering them. "

- Anonymous

During the 'Akhanda Sai Nama Saptaham' held at Sai

Spiritual Centre at Bangalore, I used to see my father derive more from the 'Nama Japam' than anyone else in

the group. What in the world does he get out of this? - I used to ask myself,

for he is deep in his 80's and totally deaf. Then, one day, as tactfully as I

could, I scribbled a note and asked him.

" My dear " he chided me gently, " it is true that I

do not hear the Nama Japam

you do, but I 'hear' four or five others. "

 

I must have looked pretty mystified. He explained: " While the

rest of you are busily singing 'Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai' I am concentrating

on the holy Padukas of Sai Baba. There is plenty

there to ponder over surrendering to His lotus feet. You see, this is my 'Nama Japam'.

 

My father further explained the glory of love and friend­ship. It

is not the outstretched hand nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of

companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one from the life

of His Holiness Radhakrishna Swamiji

when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust Sai

Baba with his acts of Sai-love.

 

" I have held many things in my hands and I have lost them

all; but whatever I had placed in Sai Baba's hands that I still

possess " . "

- Narasimha Swamiji

(Source Shri Sai Padananda Jan 1990)