Story of the week - The Gold Plate

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Story of the weekSaturday, March 6, 2004

 

The Gold Plate

One day in the sacred shrine of lord Viswanath at Kasi, all the devotees and

temple priests were immersed in singing hymns and reciting chants. All of a

sudden, they heard a metallic sound. When they turned their heads in that

direction they saw a shining gold plate on the floor of the shrine. It must

have fallen through an open space in the center of the hall from the sky

leading to the sanctum sanctorum. All of them gathered round with wonder, while

the chief temple priest went close to examine it. He found some letters

inscribed on it. "This belongs to my dear devotee". The priest read the

inscription loudly. All the temple priests vied with one another to snatch the

plate with the feeling, "Who could be a greater devotee than myself. I spend my

time, talent and strength only to offer worship to the Lord Viswanath." But the

plate changed into an earthen one the moment they touched it one after another.

News spread like wild fire about the golden plate. Several scholars,

singers, poets and preachers came and tried their luck but in vain. Days, weeks

and months rolled on but the plate remained there without a claimant.

One day, a stranger came to the temple. He stood at the entrance and tears

gathered in his eyes when he saw beggars, blind, dumb and lame pitiously

pleading for alms. He felt ashamed of his inability to relieve them of their

hunger and agony. He wanted to pray to the Lord and so stepped into the temple.

He saw people gathered round and discussing something. He tried to squeeze

himself into the crowd to find out why they were standing there. He saw a

golden plate in the center of that enclosure. He enquired and was told about

the episode of the golden plate. He was rather surprised and sad at the

attitude of the people and the priests. Instead of praying to the Lord of the

Universe and trying to possess Him, they were eager to possess the golden

plate. Observing his non-chalant attitude, the high priest requested him to try

his hand. The stranger replied: "Oh Revered one! I do not care for either gold

or silver, what I long for is God's Grace." The priest's esteem for that man

increased. So he once again pressed him, "At least to satisfy us, please try

your hand." The stranger touched the plate without a trace of attachment. Lo!

It shone forth with redoubled effulgence. All the priests gathered round and

queried: "Sir, where do you come from? What are your qualifications? What are

the branches of learning you have mastered? How many years did you do penance?"

The stranger replied calmly: "I don't belong to any place. I just manage to earn

my bread by hard labor. The only sadhana I do is Namasmaran [repeating the name

of the Lord]. This has perhaps rendered my heart pure and filled it with love

and compassion. It has enabled me to control my mind and the senses. I have not

read any book or mastered any science. The only art I know of is chanting the

Name Divine. The only act I do is to be kind to the poor."

So, the only qualification to become dear to the Lord is to acquire a

compassionate heart and sense control. These two can be acquired through

Namasmaran with full faith in the Lord.

— Sri Sathya Sai Baba

Source: Chinna Katha II, 159http://beaskund.helloyou.ws/askbaba/stories/s1009.html

 

 

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