(As appeared in the Dwarakamayi Magazine Published from
Hyderabad
August 1989)
Sai Baba, the sage of Shirdi, has been
pouring out his divine love and blessings to thousands and hundreds of thousands
since 1845. The unending stream of devotees at Shirdi day in and day out is but
a manifestation of divine Love, Compassion and Pitv. Sai Baba is the most
powerfull sage, who bears all the burdens of humanity.
Like all great teachers Sai Baba has rightly
been claimed as the Mother of all virtues. Baba often told his devotees ''Your
servant's servant l am. lam your debtor". I am purified by your darshan.
It is a great grace on your part to have given Me the sight of your feet".
Lord Sai Baba often preached that the
attitude of "I" and "Mine'' are the result of ignorance. The
right attitude born of knowledge is that God is the Master and that all things
belongs to Him - Once Rama asked Hanuman "How do you like on me? Hanuman
replied. "0 Rama, as long as I have the feeling of "I", I see
that you are the whole and I am a part, you are the Master and I am you".
Thus the first step in the life of a devotee is humility.
Self surrender
marks the next step of a devotee. A devotee has to surrender to God himself wholly
and exclusively, including his five senses-Then he becomes a personal servant
of God. The entire responsibility for his Maintenance and protection is taken
up by the Lord. In BHAQVAD GlTA Lord Kriehna said
"0 Arjuna. take refuge in Me. I shall deliver you from
all sins". Lord Sai Baba also said, "Cast all your burdens on Me and
I shall bear them',. Also as preached by Lord Krishna to Arjuna, Baba also
said, "Do your duty and leave the rest to me" Because once the
devotee becomes free from sin and misery, as all his actions are performed as
divine duty without a thought for the result. Let all the works be God's works
all the thoughts, words and deeds are centered in God. Everyone should see God
in every thing and every thing in God, loves all beings in the universe as
manifestation of God. Thus, the natural results of this self surrender are
intense devotion towards God and love towards all beings in the universe, such
a devotee has no disappointments in life and has no fear of death.
BABA often used to say that once a person
has faith in God, he has achieved everything. There is nothing greater than
faith. The devotee's heart is full of virtues like forgiveness, spirit of
non-violence, Compassion and love. Thus, these are the virtues of the hero and
the characteristic of a true devotee is a courageous patience or Saburi as Sai
Baba has put it. Sainath said "surrender yourself completely your body
and soul to God.'' One, who has abundant faith (Nishta) and courageous patience
(Saburi), will achieve anything what they want through the attainment of God
Sai Baba
Hence, Faith, Patience and Love are the
ways to fulfill our Material goals as well as to reach 'Moksha'
Ch. SURYANARAYANA
Hyderabad-500044