From the life of Saint Sri Eknathji.

[Guest guest]

Dear Brothers and Sisters in TBP,

 

Love and Love alone....

 

I would like to narrate an illuminating episode from the life of the Great

Saint Sri Eknathji. It shows that it is the nature of saints not to take pride

in doing good to others.

 

Once Eknathji, with some other pilgrims, was carrying holy water of

Gangaji for offering to the deity at Rameswaram. On the way he noticed that a

donkey was dying of thirst. Without losing even a minute, the great saint made

the donkey drink the holy water that he was carrying.

 

The onlookers made fun of him and said, " How foolish to give the water

carried for Rameswaram to a donkey! " Eknathji said, " Here is my Rameswaram dying

of thirst. "

 

It is said that Lord Shiva was so pleased with this gesture of His

devotee that He appeared before him and said, " Ask for what you desire; I am

pleased with your deeds. " Eknathji was surprised and said, " What have I done to

deserve this boon, O Lord? "

" You have performed an act of kindness and compassion by saving the

donkey from dying of thirst. "

 

" This was no act of compassion or benevolence. I was pained to see the

animal dying and I had the water to offer to the thirsty one. I didn't do any

favour by serving the needy, " said Eknathji.

The above shows that only a sympathetic person can tread the path of

devotion. Service flows from sympathy. Often people talk of dying when they are

disappointed in some worldly matter. Those who make service their motto are

never disappointed and their life is full of joy. They do not talk of death.

Those who believe in God have no reason to worry. Their life is an ocean of love

and joy and they revel in the love of the Lord.

 

Let us all try and live such a life.

Love and Love alone... P. Gopi Krishna