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 friend-ship. 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)