Doubt Leads to Faith

During Dasara festival at Prasanthi Nilayam, the few Pandits who found their way to Puttaparthi were given the chance to expound passages from scriptures.  Baba blessed them with traditional gifts.  Musicians too arrived in order to be in His Holy Presence and they were allowed to showcase their talents.Baba responded with joy when the yearning for God reflected in the elaboration of a Raga or the rendering of a song.

Once during the festival, the famous vocalist, Honnappa Bhagavathar from Bangalore was singing.  Baba rose from His silver chair and sat next to him, on the dais, side by side with the artistes playing the instruments.  When the concert was over, Baba created a golden necklace for him and put it round his neck Himself.  

On his way back to Bangalore, Bhagavathar and his friends were assessing the carat value of the gold.  There were different estimates of its monetary worth.  Soon, they were confronted by a causeway over which flood waters were rushing furiously, blocking the traffic.  They had to halt overnight and stay in the vehicle itself.  Next morning when the waters receded, they could start the journey.

Honnappa Bhagavathar found to his astonishment that the necklace was no longer on his neck.  It was nowhere to be found.  It had vanished.  He decided to return to Puttaparthi and plead for pardon.

Before he reached Parthi, Baba gave all these details to Kasturi about the missing necklace.  Bhagavathar came to Baba, stood crestfallen, leaning on a pillar resisting sobs and tears.  When Baba came near him, the dam burst.

Baba patted him and caressed him for long.  "There was nothing wrong.  It was just what anyone would do.  Your friends too encouraged you.  Don't worry, I love you nonetheless.  I appreciate the doubt since it alone can confirm faith.  Well!  Here it is, again the same.  When I create anything, it is a part of Me and it has to return to Me," so saying, Baba waved His palm and the lost necklace was restored to the astonished penitent.  What a gorgeous way of blessing!

(From the book "Mother Sai's Miracles of Love")