Love And Faith - Qualities Of A True Devotee

When there is lamp, why go to neighbour's house. When you are Divine why look for God somewhere else. As per the Indian Culture every matter is Divine there is no matter without Divinity. Indians have not limited the principle of love to man only but it expands to material objects.

In this new age the noble principles, the unique principles relating to social justice which is Divine have got to be preserved. One who has broad mind only can understand this.

In olden days there was a man named Hemadpanth in a village called Bangra. He used to chant 'Baba Baba' always. He was also called Anna Saheb. One morning he got up at 3 o' clock and he saw a mighty personality entering his house. And that person patted on the back of Anna sahib and said that He would come for lunch tomorrow. He thought whether it was a dream or reality. He said that tomorrow surely Baba would come to his house for lunch. He was so happy and told everybody that Baba would come to his house for lunch. Wife heard all the shouts and got up and she asked whether he dreamt or something wrong with him. Its 3 o'clock, where is Shirdi and where is Bhangra how can Baba come. He said, 'Oh mad lady God is beyond space. He is everywhere. There is no question of His coming and going. He manifests himself to those who deserve it. He is sure to come tomorrow. All preparation must be made.' The wife also said that what else we want other than Baba coming to our house. The wife got up and cleaned all the vessels cooked nice food and decorated the whole house with flowers and festoons. Both of them waited for Baba to come. It was 12 o' clock, Baba didn't come. "Why Baba didn't come? He will surely come. He is embodiment of truth, He is Sathyanarayana". Anna Saheb thought Baba would never go back on His words, saying so he convinced his wife. It was 2 o' clock, suddenly the front door opened and two Muslims came inside and said: "Anna Saheb we wanted to talk to you but since you are busy making preparations for some guests arrival we will come later but kindly take this box, it is for you". Saying so they left. When Anna Saheb opened the box, he found the pictures of Baba inside. He said Baba You have come in the form of this picture and hugged it.

Sai Baba will cure all your madness and he will make you mad again. Why should He make us mad? He will relieve you from the madness of the world and make you mad after Him.

Anna Saheb kept the photo in front of the plate of food against a tumbler and said, 'Baba You must eat this food'. He closed his eyes and prayed. The vada was found missing and there were finger prints on the rice. Baba has eaten this food, he was overjoyed and ate the prasad. Such miracles and mysteries satisfied devotees at that time. When once He said He will come, in any form He will come. To say that all forms are His, He came in the form of a black dog, buffalo, etc. and partook the food. He assumed those forms then. Now its not like that. If I say that I will come for lunch to your house, I will come physically there and partake food. Because effects of the feelings then and now are different. There was total faith and love then.

Today's faith is like part time devotion. Once you have total faith I will fulfill my promise. That is God's word, "Amrith Vani", or divine gospel and it is bound to happen. The defect lies in your faith and therefore you miss the opportunity. Strengthen your faith. Let any amount of difficulties arise but never forget God. Just as you breathe continuously like wise you should have steady faith amidst all difficulties. There in Shirdi He promises to come but He comes in the form that He chooses to come. Those who had not understood the inner significance they used to say Baba why do you frustrate us like that? Baba would say 'mad man, I came to your house but you have driven me out with a stick. I came in the form of a black dog'. This means that the culture of Bharath will prove that God exists in all creatures.

Once Parvathi and Shiva conducted a competition for their sons, Vinayaka and Subrahmanya. They asked the sons to go around the universe and whoever reaches first would be rewarded. Vinayaka has a big belly and his rat is small. Subrahmanya was already off on his peacock, but Ganesha hadn't yet. He was waiting and as soon as he spotted Subrahmanya coming back he quickly went around Parvathi and Shiva and said that he had reached first. Parvathi said to Ganesha "your brother went around the whole universe and came but you didn't move at all, still you want prize". It is not that Parvathi and Shiva didn't know but they just wanted to teach a lesson to the world. Vinayaka then replied, "mother, wherever we see, you both are present. Energy in the form of Shiva and matter in the form Parvathi in the world. Therefore, if I just go around you it amounts to going around the whole universe". Parvathi gave the prize to him and turned to Subrahmanya and said "you are first in going around the whole universe and Vinayaka is first in explaining the inner meaning". Saying thus she presented Palani (a place in Tamil Nadu) to Subrahmanya. Unless you fathom the depths of divinity you will not be able to understand the significance of all these. When once you drown yourself completely in love and faith you will always be blissful. The one who float on the superficial layers are the modern educated people.

Therefore search for God is meaningless, when He is present everywhere. Once Anne Beasent said "devotee is in search of God, following so many paths [nine types of devotion]. Why does one need to search for God who is everywhere. It is foolishness. God is everywhere and you are God".

But now God is in search of a true devotee. I am searching and I am in continuous search of a true human devotee. There is true devotion in birds and animals but there is no true human devotee. Everything is part time. Have full faith that God is everywhere, you are God. Our body is the temple of God. Only when you have full faith you can enjoy the true bliss. The sweetness of sugar can be enjoyed only by keeping it on the tongue and not just by keeping it in hand.