The devotee's ordeals and God's grace

22 October 1996

Published English.

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You know how was a friend of in their boyhood. Because of his prolific progeny. was immersed in a sea of troubles. His wife reminded him that if he went to , who was his boyhood friend at the 's and who was now a ruler at , would relieve him of his poverty. While he had some apprehensions whether would remember him and receive him, he got over them and set out for . Though was in tattered clothes, the moment learnt that his old friend had come, he rushed towards him and embraced him. He exclaimed: "How long ago is it since we last met? Where have you been all these years? How have you been faring?" remembered the Lord only because of his troubles.

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Another example may be found in the . After completing their years of exile, the returned to their capital. Happy over the safe return of her sons, went to to offer her salutations. said: "Dear aunt! Are you happy? Is there anything more you want? I shall fulfill your wishes." said: "! I don't need anything. I have to enjoy your support, your guidance and your nearness at all times. I must be blessed with troubles always. It is because my children experienced innumerable troubles during our exile in the forest, living on roots and fruits, that we found you were always with us, beside us and behind us and you saved us so many times. If we are to enjoy your proximity we have to face troubles."

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Experience of two students In this context, let me reveal a significant episode in 's career which is not known to anyone. Every year summer courses used to be conducted in . In view of the growth in number of students at , we undertook to build a new hostel for them. That year I took all the students to during the summer. All the arrangements for the summer course were completed successfully. told the students a day before they were to leave : "Boys! You have had the chance to come to . You had better go on a sight-seeing trip and enjoy the grandeur and beauties of the Lord's creation." asked them to go out sight seeing, but they insisted on also coming with them. The boys are a stubborn breed. told them that if He came with them, large crowds would gather wherever He went and they would not be able to see anything.

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Modern boys have a stubbornness of their own. They said they would not leave unless also came with them. relented and made arrangements for all the students to leave by buses for , the highest point in the range (above 8000 feet altitude). They wanted to take photographs with on the top of the hill and agreed to follow them to take photographs with them. left half an hour later from to . Two young men went to to see . They were told that had left for . Immediately the two young men got up on their motorcycle and started driving at high speed to catch up with 's car on the road to . Their only anxiety was somehow to get a glimpse of .

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noticed the boys and wanted to know who they were. Someone in the car remarked: "They might be some rowdies." remarked: "No, no. Without knowing the truth you should not make such remarks. They might be boys eager for 's ." When 's car was taking a turning, the boys came at high speed near 's car. At the turning the motorcycle fell on a side. Both the boys fell down from the vehicle. Immediately, I stopped my car, went near them, wiped the mud from their bodies and enquired of them: "Boys! Have you suffered any injuries! Why did you drive at such a high speed? You should not have done so. If you wanted to see me, you could have come to ." I sought to comfort them and gave them two oranges to eat.

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The two boys, who were local college students, said: "! We came to have your . Because of this mishap, we not only got 's , but also , and If this accident had not happened, would have come near us, wiped our backs and spoken so endearing to us? ! We yearned for your . We earnestly sought you. We got all three , , (see you touch you and speak with you). Any trouble is worth while if these three can be got. Please give us always such troubles."

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There is no pleasure and pain for the Lord prayed likewise to . The benignity with which the Lord considers a devotee in the moment of his troubles, He is not likely to show .at other items. Of course, the Lord thinks of the devotee even at happy occasions. For the Lord there is nothing like pleasure and pain.

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When was in 's palace he forgot to ask what he had come to ask. But there is no need to ask the all-knowing Lord. After lavishing all the hospitality on him, sent back in a palanquin. After going some distance reflected on his folly. "I enjoyed all the sumptuous feast gave me, but I forgot all about the plight of my children. I forgot to ask what I had gone to ask him. What a fool I am!" But when he neared his old home, what he saw was a magnificent mansion. His wife was dressed in fine clothes and was shining with all ornaments. She came out to welcome like a queen. wondered whether she was some princess or his wife.

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She approached and asked him: "Lord! What did tell you?" described how lovingly rushed to meet him and embraced him endearingly. "How can I describe his all-encompassing love? He is love itself. Is there anyone who could confer countless blessings in return for a handful of 's parched rice!" ( sang a Telugu song). "What a fool I was not to realise the boundless grace of such a Lord!" Reflecting like this went round the mansion, deeply moved by 's love for him.

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During the past four days, innumerable devotees from all parts of have come here and experienced the bliss of heaven on earth. All of them are utterly innocent people. Their hearts are pure and unsullied. They have firm faith in God. culture today survives to some extent only in the villages.

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No one can adequately describe the joy experienced by these innocent villagers. That is true devotion. All other devotees present in were deeply moved by the devotion of these village folk. I bless all of them to be happy, to be ever blissful and lead sacred lives.