Pearls of Wisdom by Swami Kesavaiahji

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Pearls of Wisdom - is the title chosen to the collection of writings,

speeches and messages of His Holiness Swami Kesavaiahji dealing with his

Guru, Sri Sai Baba of Shridi, speanning a period of four decades of the

Swamijis Spiritual ministry of Sainath, we will try to publish a portion of

the book every day)

 

What Devotion Can Achieve

A milkmaid used to supply milk to a Brahmin priest living on the other

side of a river. Owing to the irregularities of the boat service, she

could not supply him milk punctually every day. Once, being rebuked for

going late, the poor woman said, "What can I do? I start early from my

house, but have to wait for a long time at the river 'bank for the

boatman and the passengers." The priest said, Woman ! they cross the

ocean of life by uttering the - name ' of God, and cannot you cross this

little river ? "

The simplehearted woman became very glad at heart on 'earning this

easy means of crossing the river. From the next day the milk was being

supplied early in the morning. One day the priest said to the woman, How is

it that you are no longer late nowadays?" She said, I cross the river by

uttering the name of the Lord as you told me to do, and don’t .stand now in

need of a boatman. The priest could not belive this and said “Can you show

me how you cross the river? The woman took him with her and began to walk

over the water. Looking behind, the woman saw the priest in a plight and

said, How is it, Sir, that you are uttering the name of God with your mouth,

but at the same time with your hands you are trying to keep your cloth

untouched by water ? ' You do not 'fully rely on Him” Total self surrender

and absolute faith in God are at the root of all miraculous deeds.

He who has not given up sinful ways, whose senses have not been restrained,

who is unmeditative, and whose mind is devoid of peace, cannot attaint Him,

even by a highly cultivated intelligence.

 

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