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)