The Mission Of Saints

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The Mission Of Saints

 

THE mission of the saints and sages of India forms a glorious chapter in the

spiritual history of our country. It is well known in Hindu religious lore

that God incarnates Himself in the world whenever there is an ascendency of

Adharma, for the protection of the virtuous and for the annihilation of the

wicked. The mission of the saints is similar, though not identical. As Sri

Ramakrishna observed, " divinity is for ever seeking you and knocking at

your door."

 

One of the manifestations of divine grace is in the advent of saints who are

truly messengers of God come into the world to carry Out a divine directive

for the fulfilment of a divine purpose. The human situation with all its

complexities is perpetually in need of such guidance and help. It was a

saint, Ramdas, who energized Shivaji and helped him in his glorious

victories. Behind the splendour of Asoka's rule lay his adherence to the

tenets of Buddha. As in the case of kings and kingdoms, so with men and

women. The saints, by their inherent goodness, make others who come in

contact with them also good, for goodness is enchanting, as it is purity in

essence. Further, saints, by attracting hordes of individuals set them on

the path of righteousness.

 

The last decade or so witnessed a rapid spread of Sai Bhakti throughout our

country so that there will be no one today who has not heard of Sai Baba as

a shining example of a Jeevan Mukta, one who obtained liberation from

earthly bondage while still continuing in human body. Divine powers came to

Him as a natural result of the perfection He attained. These powers were

used for the benefit of His innumerable devotees.

 

His birth and early life are shrouded in mystery. No one knows who His

parents were or where He was born. He made His appearance for the first time

as a boy of sixteen at Shirdi, a hamlet in Ahmednagar district of

Maharashtra State. Even then He seems to have attained God realization and

possessed all the powers of a Siddha. For the succeeding half a century and

more, though He lived amongst His devotees in Shirdi, He was still outside

it. During this long period, Baba played a significant role in the

alleviation of human distress, both mental and physical, and also set many

on the path of spiritual advance. His way of drawing His devotees to himself

and reforming them was unique-Knowing fully the limitations of human nature,

He first attracted men by an initial grant of temporal benefits. But the

ultimate objective was the spiritual regeneration of His people. In the

main, the benefits conferred by Baoa served to check the spread of

agnosticism or atheism and to develop faith in God.

 

Baba's main role was that of a Samartha Sadguru who diffused the spirit of

religion and helped the good by removing the evil oppressing them and set

the wicked on the path of goodness. Those who visited Him during His

lifetime were struck by His marvellous knowledge of events far removed in

time and space. His message to the world is in essence the old gospel of

Vedanta. He actively discouraged mere discussion of pros and cons in matters

relating to God, which, He said, transcend the limitations of human

intellect and powers of reasoning. He commended the dictum that removal of

Afhana is automatically the attainment of gnana, by which one may attain

self-realisation. The guru's role is only to remove this veil so that -gnana

may dawn on the disciples.

 

An important aspect of Sai Baba's mission is to make religion, a unifying

force in society and help man attain the highest ethical levels. He

constantly impressed on His followers the fact that the essence of all

religions is the same, and whoever is true to his own religion will

ultimately attain God-realization. Baba's endeavours, more by practice than

by precept that there is no real conflict between religions, met with

tremendous success. During his lifetime, the Sri Ramanavami festival was

celebrated alongside the Muslim celebration of the " Sandal procession ", in

both of which Hindus and Muslims participated in complete agreement.

Baba, while living, fulfilled man's idea of God on earth. With His passing

away, He seems to have assumed His infinite aspect, and is still actively

helping His innumerable devotees, as is evident from their experiences.

Saints like Him are immortal.

 

Om Shanthi ! Shanthi \\ Shanthihi !!!

 

(Adopted from the Book Pearls of Wisdom by His Holiness Swami Kesavaiahji)