Qualities That Endear a Devotee to the Lord

A call to the people to ignore the past, as it is beyond recall, and not to worry about the future, as it is uncertain, and to make the best use of the present, was given by Bhagawan Baba in a memorable address to a vast gathering of Sai devotees on March 8, a "Sai Darshan", in Indiranagar, Bangalore. Bhagawan formally inaugurated the two new balconies added to the first floor of "Sai Darshan”, since His previous visit to the place eighteen months ago. "Sai Darshan" and the places all around it were packed with devotees from all parts of Bangalore. Bhagawan was received with Poornakumbham on arrival in the morning from Brindavan (Whitefield). After going round the devotees, Bhagawan went to the stage which was beautifully decorated for the occasion. Sri S.N.S. Murthy, former I.G. of Police, Karnataka and Convenor of the Indiranagar Sai Samiti, welcoming Bhagawan, gave a brief report of the samiti's seva activities. He mentioned in particular what the members were doing to help children in the slum areas. Bhagawan acceded to the request of the devotees to address them in Kannada. Speaking in fluent Kannada for nearly an hour, Bhagawan elaborated on the Gita sloka which describes the qualities that endear a devotee to the Lord. A devotee who has no expectations ("Anapekshah"), who is pure ("Suchi"), who is resolute ("Dakshah"), indifferent to loss or gain ("Udaseena"), free from distress ("gathavyathah") and who renounces all ostentatious undertakings ("sarvarambha parithyagi") is dear to the Lord, says Krishna. Bhagawan explained the implications of these qualities. The way to give up expectations is by reducing desires. The devotees require firm determination in the pursuit of the spiritual goal. Bhagawan referred to four kinds of "Alayas" (temples) frequented by the people. They are: Vidyalaya (temple of learning), Bhojanalaya (places of eating), Vaidyalaya (temple of Medicine) and Devalaya (temple of God). When people go to one of the first three "Alayas", they are concerned only about the specific purpose for which that "Alaya" exists, whether it is education, food or medical relief. But when people go to a temple of God, they talk about everything except God. When visiting a temple, people should concentrate their thoughts and words entirely on God. The whole world is a temple of God. Everyone should try to see the Divine in everything. People should give up the body consciousness and develop ''Ekatmabhava'', the awareness that the same Divine Spirit resides in all beings. In a passing reference to the considerations that should weigh with the people in the choice of leaders, Bhagawan said that in ordinary life people consider the antecedents and qualities of the person concerned before choosing a bride or bridegroom. Should not greater care be taken in choosing leaders to run the administration of the country? Equally, care should be taken in the choice of a Guru, who has been equated with Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. Commending compassion as the supreme quality of a devotee, Bhagawan recalled the example of Saint Eknath, who did not hesitate to offer the Ganges water he was carrying from Benares to a thirsty donkey, though it was meant to be used to perform "Abhishekam" for the Siva idol at Gokarnam. Eknath told his astonished disciples that he saw God in the donkey. Bhagawan exhorted all devotees to engage themselves in social service in a spirit of selfless dedication. After the discourse, Bhagawan witnessed a play by Bal Vikas children from the slum areas. The play presented the Bhagavata of the child Dhruva going to the forest to perform rigorous penance, on the advice of Narada, and the appearance of Vishnu before him in answer to his prayers. The spiritual and moral significance of the story was well brought out in the songs and dialogues. Bhagawan greatly appreciated the performance of the children who played the roles of Dhruva, Narada and Vishnu. - Excerpts from Sanathana Sarathi, April 1996