"The power of the spirit is exemplified by the life of Kabir. He was a poor weaver, who used to help the poor out of his earnings. While plying his loom, he constantly chanted the name of Rama. The clothes woven in such a devotional spirit were prized high. But he used to sell his cloth at fair prices and often gave it free to those who could not afford the cost.
In this context, I wish to refer to a current incident. Here are some 25 Greek devotees. They landed at Bangalore by plane. They strapped their baggage to their backs, carried water bottles in their hands and started walking all the way to Prasanthi Nilaym. Such is their devotion! At every step they recited the mantra: "Om Sri Sathya Sai Babaya Namah!" and reached Prasanthi Nilayam. I went towards them and received them on arrival at the Mandir. I asked them: "Do you feel pain in the legs?" They said: "Oh Lord! Not at all. We are ready to walk another ten miles if necessary, chanting all the way. If we had come by car, we could not have remembered the Lord's name."
Kabir was in the habit of uttering "Ram! Ram!" at each step as he walked. The greatness of his devotion spread to all parts of the country. A ruler of that time also came to know about it. Realising Kabir's poverty and helplessness, the king sent various presents to Kabir in a palanquin. Kabir saw the palanquin nearing his house while returning from a bath in the river. Astonished at the sight, Kabir asked the four bearers of the palanquin: "What is all this? In our house, there are only two of us. For whose sake did four of you bring the palanquin? Both of us are quite hale." Kabir hinted that only a dead body is carried on the bier by four persons. "Please inform the king that we are quite well," said Kabir.
The palanquin bearers said: "We have brought in the palanquin clothes, provisions and other gifts from the king who sympathises with your plight. The king has ordered us to offer them to you because he considers you "Anaatha" (a helpless person)."
Kabir said: "Oh! Did the king say so? But I am not "Anaatha". Bhagavan is my overlord. I am not without a protecting master. Rama is the only one who is an "Anaatha". There is no lord above Him. You better offer all these things to Rama."
See how Kabir has delved into the meaning of the word "Anaatha". No one in the world is an "Anaatha" (without a master). God alone is "Anaatha", as there is no "naatha" (master) above him. Everyone has a master. God alone has no one above Him.
Some people come to Swami and say: "Swami! Don't make us "Anaathas". I used to tell them: "It is not you who are "Anaathas". I am the "Anaatha". Never consider yourself "Anaatha".
Many people feel miserable and forlorn because they do not understand the ways of God. To those who firmly believe in God, there can be nothing lacking."
~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(From Bhagavan's Discourse on 22.8.1996)
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