Baba's Storytime - Experience of an English Visitor

The story of a significant encounter between an Englishman and a leading Gujarati businessman, Sri Thakurdas of Rajkot, was the theme of one of Bhagavan's discourses in "Trayee Brindavan" in April 1997.  Bhagavan recalled the great devotion and purity of heart of Sri Thakurdas, as experienced by Mr. E. J. Forester, from the U.K. who came to spend a few days with him as his guest.

On the very first morning after his arrival, the English visitor observed that Sri Thakurdas was in his puja room deeply immersed in prayer before a picture of Sri Sathya Sai.  Mr. Forester asked him: "You have everything that one may wish to possess in life - a good and loving family, a spacious house, good health and prosperous business.  What are you seeking from God through your intense prayer?"

The thoughtful host smiled and replied: "I have discovered that material welfare is like a water bubble and does not give genuine happiness.  We all need God's love.  We have earned very little of it to fill our hearts.  We need more.  We need peace of mind.  We need Ananda, which is pure bliss.  Sri Sathya Sai is Prema Swarupa.  He is Ananda Swarupa.  The Divine Lord will shower Love and Bliss on us, if we are serious enough and pray intensely.  This is what I do day after day.  I know that our salvation will come through the Lord's compassion, which is co-extensive with the universe."

The Englishman was greatly moved by these words, which came from the heart of his host.  He was not well off materially and had till then been preoccupied with worldly pursuit.  He went into the puja room and sat there for many hours.  He became fully engrossed in his prayer for "love" and "bliss" from the Lord.  He sensed the presence of Sri Sathya Sai in the puja room.

Forester came out of the shrine with a radiant face.  He expressed his sense of gratitude to Thakurdas and from that day onwards he looked upon Thakurdas as his guru.

Swami happened to visit Bombay at that time.  Both Thakurdas and Forester came to Bombay to have Swami's darshan. Indulal Shah informed Swami about their arrival.  Swami met them.  Swami looked at Forester and asked him when he had come from Rajkot.  Sweami told him that he saw Forester in Rajkot and now he was in Bombay.  Both Forester and Thakurdas were amazed at Swami's announcement of His presence in Rajkot.

(Sanathana Sarathi - June 1997)