4th Saying My tomb shall bless and protect my devotees

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Fourth Holy Saying

" My tomb shall bless and protect my devotees "

 

In the history of spirituality, the place of a devotee is very great. A

true devotee is but a reflection of God himself. For the victory of the

devotees the first person to feel happy is God himself. There is no

spirituality without a devotee.

God's lover is a devotee. God is devotee's beloved.

 

In the twelfth chapter of the Bhagwad Gita, Arjuna asks Krishna, " some

devotees keep their mind in you and they worship you. Some other

devotees meditate on Akshara Parabrahman, the un-decaying divinity. Who

is superior in the two categories? " Krishna replies, " Whoever keeps the

mind in me and worships me with all steadfast devotion and sincerity is

the best of Yogis. This is my opinion. "

 

The true devotee hates none. He is a friend of all. He is always kind,

compassionate and loving. He is devoid of all attachments and egoism;

always tranquil in the midst of pains and pleasures; He is of absolute

self control, stern determination and yogic excellence. Such a devotee

surrenders his all, including body, mind and intellect at my feet. I

like such devotee.

 

How does such a devotee look like? Where does he sit? What does he eat?

How does he speak? When does he sleep? What type of imagination does he

have? How can we identify him to be a devotee?

 

There is no way by which a devotee displays his devotion. There is no

scriptural definition for the display of devotion. If anybody tries to

exhibit devotion, for self identification as a devotee, he ceases to be

a real devotee. A devotee is a devotee only at heart. External

expressions and the devotional symbols don't make a true devotee. Nor

are they an evidence for his devotion. The physical frame, food habits,

dress and address are only secondary. Integrity is intrinsic. Egoism is

absent in a true devotee.

 

Worldly matters don't give anybody even the slightest of peace. Only

devotion gives peace. Devotion is but abundance of love. Only love gives

us bliss. Only divine love makes one a devotee.

 

Bhakti, Karma and Gnana are the ways by which one can know, understand

and realize God. But among them, only devotees are very clearly visible

and known to the world.

(to be contd..)

(Source Eleven Holy Sayings of Shirdi Sai Baba by Pujya Shri Ananda Sai

Swamy)