GRACE LOVE AND SWEETNESS

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GRACE, LOVE AND SWEETNESS

The Master had often promised that his tomb would speak and move with those who

made him their refuge, that even after his maha samadhi, he would appear the

moment a devotee called upon him with implicit faith and love - and happily

even today, though 60 years have passed away, these promises are abundantly

fulfilled. The Master manifests himself in different ways to different

devotees. His voice is not hushed. Nor is his physical presence lost to his

devotees. Testimonials come pouring in from all quarters of the tangible

reappearance of Sai Baba. In many cases the Master gives darshan in actual

flesh and blood, not only to those who had been his close disciples during his

lifetime, but also to many others who had not even seen or heard him. This

deliberate choosing of fresh disciples and devotees by vouchsafing to them some

kind of mystic experiences is very characteristic of the Saint of Shirdi.

Through such visitations the great yogi is gradually widening the scope of his

influence and hold. It is as it were the Avatar of Shirdi still feels that a

humanized symbol of Godhead, the meditating aspect of the Supreme, is the

support that reassures. To make the vast spiritual joy intimate, living,

visible, and possible to man is the Master's mission.

One is reminded here of Arjuna's plaintive cry when he saw Lord Krishna

manifested in his supreme universal character. Blinded by this terrible vision,

Arjuna cried out, "I would see Thee even as before crowned and with Thy mace and

discuss. Assume Thy four-armed shape, O thousand-armed, O Form Universal." And

when the Mahatma resumed once more the desired form of "Grace and love and

sweetness" Arjuna was consoled. Sai Baba is like Shri Krishna in this merciful

aspect of a friendly deity, who both inspires and delights.

It is a pleasing sadhana that Sai Baba outlines for the eager aspirant – the

longing for a Guru, the complete surrender to that Guru when he is eventually

found, and once again through the Guru, a feeling of unity with all creatures.

This sadhana of the feeling of unity with all creatures was advocated because

in all life there is oneness with the cosmic Godhead whom the Guru represents.

Absolute love for God and His creation is the way to a spiritual transcendence

of the troublesome ego which is at the root of all evil. And this contains in

essence all those ethical principles which make human relationship a pleasant

adventure, rather than an intrusion of bitterness and strife. "Thou shalt love

thy neighbor as thyself" - if he does not say so in so many words, it is the

same commandment that Baba gives precedence to, above all other rules of

conduct. "When man truly loves his fellowman, he loves me" Baba said. "And when

one dislikes or fears or hates his fellowmen, any one or any class of people, he

entertains actually the same feeling towards me, for all men are one in

principle since they are bits of me."

So, although Baba was often indulgent of the other frailties of human nature,

though he even condoned moral lapses of character, he was most miserable and

unhappy when he found people bickering and quarrelling. We are told that a

spasm of deep pain would shoot across his face whenever he heard of strifes and

disagreements, and that he would use all his loving influence to nip them in the

bud. He even disallowed heated debates and discussions of metaphysical problems,

for he thought them futile and disruptive of one's inner harmony.

Perhaps it could be said that Sai Baba's teachings and precepts develop true

individualism, even rugged individualism, for is not salvation individual? But

this individualism thrives only if it is matched with a true spirit of true

democracy and cooperation. Real freedom of life and action is possible only in

and through a proper regard of one's neighbor. The absence of this sensitive

solicitation of one's fellows leaves the door open for conflicts and friction.

How can any man hope to progress deeply if his personality brings about this

kind of disturbing reaction? Sai Baba is all for love which alone can bring

about that unimaginable transformation of man.

(Source: Sai Baba The Saint of Shirdi by Mani Sahukar)

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