Chinna Katha - 04 (The Lord Has No Fixed Form) (Short Story: As told by Sri Satya Sai Baba)

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04. THE LORD HAS NO FIXED FORM

There was an artist who had traveled far and wide and had built up for himself

an extensive reputation. But so far he had not achieved access to Krishna! As

much he was anxious to seek approbation from Lord Krishna as well.

 

With his view, one day he got an appointment with Krishna, met Him and requested

him to stay still, so that he could paint his picture.

 

He prepared the outline and told Krishna that he would get ready the final

painting in a week’s time.

 

Krishna knew the ego of the painter.

 

After a week, the painter brought a finished portrait, covered with a white cloth.

 

In Krishna’s presence, when he uncovered the painting, the painter himself was

shocked at the lack of similarity between Krishna and the painting.

 

The painter was completely surprised and asked for a week’s time to get the job done:

 

The painter tried several times but every time the result was equally disappointing.

 

In complete frustration and total dejection, he wanted to leave the city and go away.

 

When he was going away, sage Narada met him. Narada told him that it was silly

to attempt to paint the picture of Lord Krishna. The Lord has no fixed form

and He can change His face every second.

 

Narada advised, “If you do want to paint Him, I will tell you a method which

will enable you to do so.”

 

Narada whispered something into the ear of the artist. Following the advice

given by Narada, the painter came back, with a white cloth covering something

and again approached Krishna and told him that this time, he is welcome to

change in any manner but the painting will look exactly like him.

 

When the cloth was removed, Krishna saw only a mirror and this mirror reproduced

an exact replica of Krishna.

 

If therefore, you are imaging that God is like this or like that, it is not

correct. You cannot describe God and your attempts will fail. Make your mind

clear and clean; fill it with love and devotion; that will enable you to have

the true vision of God.

 

(from the Book: "CHINNA KATHA" (Short Story, as told by Sri Satya Sai BABA))