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