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 creation!” 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,
morons, 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.
~ Sri PS Menon ~
(S.S. Sept.1970)
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