Sai Pearls of Wisdom 40-B  “DIVINE NECTAR  - AMRITH" (With Subtitles).
Channel: Sai Pearls of Wisdom - Prof. Anil Kumar Kamaraju
Date: 2023-03-04

Bhagavan Sri Krishna has declared, “I have installed Myself in the heart of every living being!” So God Himself has chosen the heart as His Abode.

Swami says, “The spiritual heart is quite different from the physical heart, which of course is a vital organ of the body. In spiritual terms, the heart is eternal and unchanging. The one who realizes this principle attains all types of knowledge. The real freedom is contained in this realization.” 

Here is a story from the Shirdi incarnation which tells us how God is the Indweller in the devotee’s heart. Sri Dadasaheb Khaparde was an ardent devotee of Sainath. He used to visit Shirdi quite frequently. Once, Sainath kept Dadasaheb with Him for a long time, to protect him from being arrested by the police during the British Raj.  

Sri Madhavrao Deshpande was another ardent devotee of Sainath. He used to call Sainath, ‘Deva’ and Sainath used to call him ‘Shyama.’ On 8th December 1911, Sri Dadasaheb Khaparde had a very unusual experience. He went to Madhavrao’s house and found Madhavrao fast asleep. But every time he inhaled and exhaled, with each breath, the sound ‘Sainath Maharaj’ could be heard from his mouth. This sound was quite clear and could be heard from quite a distance. This shows that Madhavrao had crossed the 4 steps of devotion: Sameepya – closeness to God, Saroopya – to see God in all, Salokya – to concentrate on Him, Sayujya – to merge in God.

Swami says, “Bhakti – devotion leads to Shakti – power, and Shakti leads to Yukti - skill. The Yukti helps you fix your Rakti – attachment on the proper objects; and your Bhakti thus promoted finally results in Mukti – liberation.” 

One day Swami told a devotee, “I will come to your house!” 

The devotee got very excited and gave his address to Swami. Swami asked for the address once more. The devotee repeated it. 

Swami said, “That is not your house! It is a rented place. Your body is your house. I am ever present there, but due to illusion you are unaware of it. Remove the Maya and experience My presence!”

Every pure heart is Prasanthi Nilayam and Bhagavan Baba dwells there in all His glory.

Bhagavan Sri Krishna says, “The love towards those who are worthy of worship is devotion!” 

Bhagavan Baba says, “The two types of Bhakti – one is Sahaja Bhakti and the other is Visesha Bhakti. Sahaja Bhakti is satisfied with Worship, Bhajan, Namasmaran, Vrata, Pilgrimage etc. Visesha Bhakti craves for purity of character, suppression of impulses, practise of compassion, love, peace, non-violence and enquiry.”

While treading the path of devotion, the Navavidha Bhakti or the nine forms of adoration are Sravanam – to listen to God’s glory, Keerthanam – to sing God’s glory, Vishnu Smaranam – to chant God’s name, Pada Sevanam – to worship God’s Lotus Feet, Vandanam – to bow down to God, Archanam – to offer worship to God, Dasyam – to serve God, Sneham – to love God as a friend, Atma Nivedanam – total surrender to God. Atma Nivedanam is the ultimate form because God gets bound by the devotion of a devotee who has completely surrendered to Him.

We find innumerable examples of Bhakta Paradeenadha. Yes, He submits to Bhakta - that’s what it meant! To name a few, Sri Krishna ate the parched rice offered to Him by His poor friend Sudama. He ate granules of rice at Vidura’s place and weaved cloth for Kabir. Lord Vittala washed clothes for Janabai and served Sant Eknath as a servant named Shrikhandya. 

When Swami was residing at the old Mandir, there was an aged lady devotee named Sakkamma. She could not bear separation from Him. She was very concerned that Swami should have His meals on time. She would fear that His health could get affected if He went out in the bright afternoon sun. Consequently, she would follow Him wherever He went. But it was impossible for her to bind this mischievous God to one place. Whenever Swami was missing, she would go all over the village in search of Him, walking with the support of a stick. Finally after getting tired, she would return only to find Swami resting in His room. On seeing Him taking rest, she used to feel at ease. Baba used to pretend that He was resting only to please Sakkamma. The moment she turned her back, He would vanish to some place. 

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