Devotion

[Guest guest]

AUM SAI RAM

 

"Do not

become a devotee of my form; become a devotee of my teachings!" says Baba.

 

DEVOTION

was the topic chosen by the Study Circle Convener last Thursday. Participation

in study circles is one of the most cherished activities at our centre as to

quote Bhagawan Baba 'study circles are meant to transform, not to educate the

devotee'. As the discussion progressed,

the convener cast a fleeting look at the assembly in the bhajan hall (study

circle is held immediately after bhajans) packed mostly with the fair sex and

gallantly remarked that women are more devoted to God than men. Of course, his

point of view was not shared by the few men who were present on that rainy and

icy cold winter evening.

 

As nothing happens without Baba' divine will, I

sensed that I had to relate the story of Goddess Laskmi's great devotion to

Lord Shiva and that of the wood apple (the

bhel or bilva fruit) to our family gathering. This story is so beautiful

that it is worth sharing with the readers.

 

According

to the Brihaddharma Purana, Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu, was a

very devout bhakti of Lord Shiva. She

prayed to him and offered him 10,000 lotus buds everyday to express her

adoration. One day, she fell short of two lotus buds and remembering that Lord Vishnu

had compared her breasts to lotus buds, she made up her mind to give her breasts

as offerings to Lord Shiva. She cut one and offered it in veneration but as she

was about to cut the other breast, Lord Shiva stopped her. He was

overwhelmingly pleased by her devotion. The breast that she had cut and offered

to Lord Shiva became the Bhel or bilva fruit (the wood apple).The Bhel tree is

sacred and its trifoliate shaped leaves are offered to Lord Shiva especially

for Shivratree (the great night of Shiva).

 

Ever since,

women are known as Lakshmi Devi.

 

However, in

all fairness to our men folk, we should not forget that Sri Hanuman was an

unparalleled devotee of Sri Rama but most of all, that all devotees are alike. 'Roop anek hain. Atma ek hain'. The form is

different but the soul is one.

 

At the

Lotus Feet of Sai

Anita