Impact of Great Works By Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

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Impact of Great Works

By Sri Radhakrishna Swamiji

The Secret

Both rain and sunshine are needed to make a rainbow. Both joy and

sorrow are needed to make life truly beautiful and colorful.

 

(Eknath Maharaj,

it is said, had a neighbor, who though born a Brahmin, led an irreligious and

in disciplined life. Full of compassion for him, Eknath

Maharaj taught him to read Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, verse by verse, which helped the man in

self-purification and ultimately in getting redemption. It was the same book,

Sri Vishnu Sahasranama that Baba gave to Shama, despite his protests and much to the annoyance of

the Ramadasi bua to whom it

belonged. Shama was asked to read it slowly,

carefully and with understanding so that it may pave the way for

self-purification.

 

With the same purpose Shri Dixit and Shri Jog were asked to

read aloud and with exposition, books like the Nath Bhagvat, Bhavarth Ramayan, Dnyaneshwari, to

the audience who was specially sent by Baba to listen to them. Shri Dev, Shri Dabholkar and other devotees were encouraged to read such

books too. These books are beacon lights that remove doubts and guide us along

the right path. It is in this sense that they help in self-purification.

 

As with these books, so with Shri Sai Satcharitra, which unfolds a

way of life for the pious and the faithful? Its verses are full of anecdotes,

experiences of people and philosophical expositions. But these are as a foil to

a gem; for it is Baba's personality, His powerful presence and His invaluable

words which lend significance to the stories, experiences and philosophical

expositions. It is most interesting to observe as to what valuable advice,

simple practical guidance and principles of a good life are scattered through

the pages of this volume.

 

That one should respect all God's creatures; that one should

realize that even the poor, the meek, the dumb suffer the same pangs of hunger

as we do; that we should never take labor from anyone without paying for it

well and adequately; that it is uncharitable to talk ill of another;....these

principles and a thousand others like these, are woven in and through

interesting stories and anecdotes. There is nothing new or unusual about most

of these words of simple wisdom, but it is only after reading and re­reading Shri Sai Satcharitra that

we begin to take note of these, to ponder over them, and they begin to act as a

check over all our daily actions. We reproach ourselves when we fail to follow

them in practice. Self-purification has already begun imperceptibly, gradually.

 

It is also interesting to note as to how many devotees have

discovered that when their minds are troubled and they are faced with problems,

the moment they open Shri Sai Satcharitra, at

whatever page and at whatever chapter, their problem is answered instantly and

satisfactorily.

(to

be contd…..)

Source Shri Sai Padananda Jan 2001 issue