THIS PICTURE WILL LIVE AFTER ME

[Guest guest]

THIS PICTURE WILL LIVE AFTER ME

A devotee surprised when Baba recognised his long devotion, "I merely bowed to

His photo, this fact was noticed by Baba and in due time He made me realize

that seeing His photo is equivalent to seeing Him in person!" –Sri Sai

Satcharitra, ch. XXXIII.

This durbar remains intact, the same simple construction it was in the days of

the Master, a priceless legacy from him to us who revere him. In the center of

the hall where Baba used to sit is built a small wooden throne like seat on

which there is a life-size portrait of the Guru done in oils by one Mr. Jayakar

of Bombay.

A brief reference to this beautiful picture of Sai Baba is unavoidable. Mr.

Jayakar is not an artist of any great recognized international fame, but in

this portrait of the Saint of Shirdi he has produced a masterpiece, not in any

strict academic sense however, because it is quite possible that from a

technical point of view, the painting is full of flaws, and the art critic may

find in it many shortcomings of line and perspective and color tones.

Nevertheless, the painting is a masterpiece, for in it somehow the subject has

come alive!

The picture assures almost a three-dimensional reality, a hammering, insistent

presentation of the Soul, not a mere thing of canvas and oils, but a creation

that manifests the supermental touch. The eyes have the luster, brightness and

the compassionate moisture which is seen only in life., and the smile,

curiously resembling the smile of Mona Lisa in Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece,

is no less real and vivid. "It is not a painted smile," was the outburst of a

devotee. "It is not static, but alive and real, a thing of flesh and blood."

That could be said of the whole picture. It is not some static likeness of the

Saint that has been reproduced on canvas; it is as if the Master had himself

descended into the picture and made it real and immortal! It is very

interesting to record that the painting was done when Baba was actually present

in Shirdi, and when the inspired artist showed his work to him, Baba hugged the

portrait to his heart and is reported to have said,

"This picture will live after me." This prophecy has come true.

In Dwaraka Mayi, with this immortal portrait at one end, and the sacred fire

which has not been allowed to be extinguished since well nigh a hundred years

at the other end, one can find anew the infinite splendors of his supernal

light!

Shirdi has become immortal today as Brindaban in the days of yore. And in the

all-embarrassing panorama of historical truths, posterity will deem it an abode

of the Divine.

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

 

New and Improved Mail - Send 10MB messages!