Last Dasara, on the day when the
poor were fed, I and few others were holding back the thousands, beyond
the gate of Prasanthi Nilayam for over two hours, when suddenly, in
obedience to some one’s orders, they broke all barriers and rushed
pell-mell to the pandal, to the left of the Nilayam! I was very much
annoyed that all our labour gone to waste; but, Baba called me towards
the pandal saying “Menon! Go and see that all are seated in rows. I Am
coming.” I went to the pandal and was surprised to see all that motley
mass arranged in perfect rows. Baba came there in a few minutes. He
walked along the rows, and turning towards me, said “Menon! Look at the
wonderful variety of ceation!” That was a revealing remark. Those words
opened my eyes. Yes, there must have been present in that pandal, at
that time, many pious souls, sadhakas, saints, seekers, pretenders,
penitents, idlers, idealists, castaways, moron
s, misfits, and many other types besides, making up this vast
multicoloured panorama of humanity. The scene was not something to be
viewed with disgust, as I was prone to; it was something to be watched,
and studied with sympathy and discrimination.
A few
hours later when the feeding had started and Baba had served with His
Hand the sweets to the poor, Himself to each and everyone. I was in the
kitchen near the pile of the rice, straightening my back to relieve the
strain. Suddenly, Baba appeared before us. He asked me, “Grand, isn’t
it?” I replied, “Yes, Swami. There must be at least three thousands.”
But Baba smiled and said, “Not that! The Shanti and the Ananda (Peace
and Happiness) here now… How is that?” Significant words those two! Yes,
they revealed to me my error, in getting disgusted with the noise and
confusion all around me. I must have concentrated, instead on the Ananda
that the poor got and the consequent Shanti that prevailed in their
minds. These were more real, than the noise and confusion, certainly.
Thus does
Baba, by a casual remark, a word or two, reveal to the ignorant the
significance of things and events. He is The Sadguru, the Supreme
Teacher.
