A Touch of the divine
There was once a Sanyasi who lived in a small village called
Medchal.
He would often talk to the villagers about the Lord and His Grace.
One day, he said, "The Lord is kind and merciful and He is full of
love for his devotees. Whenever you are in trouble and your strength
fails, pray to the Lord, He will certainly help you!"
Ramprasad, a farmer in the village, always went to listen to the
Sanyasi.
He was a great devotee of Anjanneya, Lord Hanuman.
He felt very happy when he heard that God always helped His
devotees, when in trouble.
One day, as Ramprasad was driving his bullock cart filled with
rice-bags, it began to rain heavily.
He had barely gone a little distance when both the side wheels of
the cart got stuck in the mud.
As he was checking the damage done, he remembered the words of the
Sanyasi.
With folded hands and closed eyes he began to pray,
"O Anjanneya, please come and push my cart out of the slush".
He prayed again and again but no God appeared before him.
Very disappointed, he became very angry with Lord Anjanneya.
Then he turned his anger towards the Sanyasi. He rushed to the
temple where the Sanyasi was staying and said,
"Maharaj, you have fooled us all. God never helps man.
My cart was stuck in the mud and I prayed to Anjanneya so many
times, but all in vain".
Then, he angrily explained all that had happened.
The Sanyasi patiently listened to Ramprasad.
Then patting his back with sympathy and love, he said,
"My son, I do know that you are disappointed but didn't I tell you
that The Lord comes to your help only after you have put in all the
effort? If you stand near a well and say, "Oh well, I am thirsty,
please give me some water !" What will you get ? Nothing! ! You have
to lower down a pot into the well and pull it up.
Only then will you get water from the well.
So too with the Lord. Use all the strength He has given you and then
pray for help."
Ramprasad ran back to his cart. He put his own shoulder under
one of the sides of the cart and urged the bullocks to pull the
cart while he pushed the wheel with all his strength.
He continued to pray. At that very time, Ramprasad felt that someone
else was pushing the other wheel of the cart with still greater
strength. He knew deep down in his heart that it was Anjanneya who
had come to his help. Immediately, both the wheels came out of the
mud and bullocks started running joyfully drawing the cart.
As the bells around the bullocks' neck jingled. Ramprasad began to
sing a prayer, expressing his gratitude to Lord Anjanneya.
Thereafter, Ramprasad would always tell his friends whenever they
were in trouble, "Use your intelligence and strength even as you
pray for God's help. Surely He will help you,
as God always helps those who help themselves."
Like wise if we have sincere devotion towards Sai
and with our hard efforts I am sure
Sai will come in some form to help us and
His Divine Touch and Grace will also be felt by us.
Jaisairam.
OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI!!!
Let us pray at the feet of Sai Baba who is the incarnation of all gods and protector of all, to show mercy on us, and increase our devotion towards him.