In plain words
In whatever way a man prays to God, He takes on that form. To one who prays, ‘God must stay just behind me and protect me’, to one who prays, ‘God must stay close by me and keep protecting me’, only the sound of footsteps behind is heard. To those who say, ‘O God, do You not see my troubles, do You not see my weeping?’, only eyes appear. For one who prays, ‘Do You not hear my lament, do You not hear my prayer?’, there are only ears, they say. In everything He appears in the very face, they say. At Shirdi He said just this. ‘I am always right with you, my boy; I am coming just behind you, my boy, with you,’ he said, they say. Going on a little way, this devotee looked behind him, they say. Sai Baba was not behind. ‘What a lie he told! He said he was right behind me, did he not! I do not see him behind me.’ He went. ‘Bābā! You are so great a person, are you not? Is it right to tell lies? You said you would be right behind me. When I turned and looked, you were not there!’ ‘You devil! Is this your understanding? No, no. When you turned, your back turned too, did it not? When your back turned, I turned. I am always right behind you.’ How mysterious, how secret, how wondrous the words of God are! Not everyone can understand. Do not try to understand. Listen to what you are told and act on it. That is your duty. In the things of God there is so much to be known beforehand. No one can come to know the things of God. He appears as an ordinary man. But a power beyond all arises. That is not possible for everyone. Do your own duty. To make your doubts an offering, offer them to God. That is your chief duty.