How God Responds

To illustrate how God responds to the prayers of devotees, Swami related the story of a rich man with four wives, who expressed what they wanted him to get for them during a trip abroad.

The first wife, who was spiritually enlightened, prayed for his safe return. The second wife wanted him to buy some sacred books. The third wife, who was ailing, wanted him to get some medicines. The fourth wife, who was a "modern", asked him to get her sarees and jewellery.

The merchant on his return gave the three wives what they wanted but stayed with the first wife because she had no other desire except to have him back.

Drawing on the lesson of this story, Swami said:

"God responds to devotees in the same manner. To those who aspire for wealth, He grants wealth. Those who seek knowledge, He will help them to acquire it. Those who are ailing and who pray to God will get the relief they pray for. God builds hospitals for their treatment. Those who pray to God for oneness with Him, will realise Him.

This is the way God responds to the four kinds of devotees."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~

(Divine Discourse 25.12.96)