Impact of Great Works By Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

[Guest guest]

But there is a way, even of reading these books-

be it Shri Sai Satcharitra or any other. One may read it in seven days or three

days or even in one day, - it is not the number of days and readings that

matter, but the manner of the readings. If the reading is cursory, or casual or

even mechanical and ritualistic, much of its value is diminished. How then one

should read these books so as to get profit from them. Baba has Himself given

the answer -once again through His words addressed to the devotees on different

occasions. We read, for instance, that Baba appeared in a dream to Shri Dev and

told him that Dnyaneshwari must

be read slowly, carefully and thoughtfully, so as to be able to understand it

properly. We also read about Baba's comment on Shri Chandorkar's exposition of

the 33rd verse in the fourth chapter of Shrimad

Bhagvad Geeta, where, by suggesting a slightly different and a more

appropriate exposition of the same verse, Baba surely brought out the

importance of a critical and more analytical approach to the reading of such

books.

 

Again, Shri Dabholkar felt that in the repeated readings of Guru-Charitra, Shri Sathe was more favored

while he himself fell short of Baba's grace. Baba immediately but indirectly,

brought home to him the fact that one should not compare oneself with others in

such matters and that it is patience and faith that is important. Incidentally,

He also brought to Dabholkar's notice, the undesirability of leaving the daily

reading of these books incomplete. What one needs is a discipline of the mind.

 

To be able to concentrate fully while reading is also a sign of a

disciplined mind. Such reading impresses the essence of the book on one's mind.

Whatever is read must be meditated upon, turned over and over in the mind; it

should be then strengthened further by repeated readings and contemplation. So

much so, that the real significance of the book emerges and is absorbed into

one's line of thought, becomes a part of one's being. It is then that it is

naturally, spontaneously translated into one's actions. One may not even be

conscious of it. This is what Baba told the Assistant Collector who was given Vicharsagar by a saint at Vadgaon and

asked to visit Baba at Shirdi. Baba told him that 'now that you have read this

book carefully, its wisdom must be practiced in day-to-day life, otherwise it

has no meaning.'

 

Above all, when we read books like Shri Sai Sat-Charita, we must approach them with faith and

reverence. In a sense all great books are like polished crystal; whatever

object is placed before it, it reflects it faithfully. From these books too,

you get back exactly in proportion to what you bring to it. If you bring faith

to it, it will confirm you in it; if you seek wise counsel from it, it will lay

open its rich store of wisdom for you. Ultimately one must know what to seek

and it will surely be found.

 

Source

Shri Sai Padananda Jan 2001 issue