This is an interaction that Mrs. Rani Subramanian who is lovingly called Rani Ma had with Swami sometime ago.
One day, her daughter asked, “Swami, You have been so good to our family now. How do we retain this grace? Will you be granting us such chances continuously?”
Then Swami said, “You are getting all these chances not because you are coming to Puttaparthi or you are having My darshan. The only way to ensure that you get complete grace and my poorna krupa (complete grace) is by holding on to My teachings.”
Swami continued, “I am not important, what is important are My teachings. If you get inspiration by coming to Puttaparthi, then you must come but if you come here and feel disturbed or if you are not able to progress on the spiritual path, then you need not come here. What is important is that you follow My teachings. Coming to Puttaparthi is not all that important.”
During that particular session as He was asking all to leave, He said, ‘”So, does everybody like bhajans?”
All replied, “Yes Swami.” Then, in a humorous tone, Swami said, “So much devotion, oh, so much devotion you all have.”
And as He got up, Swami said, “I don’t want your devotion, I want transformation.” I think He meant that devotion does not come on a Thursday or a Sunday evening or only when you go to Sai Kulwant Hall every day at 6.00 pm.
It is not uncommon that when we step into Sai Kulwant Hall, we are in a supreme state of devotion. We shed a tear or two for God and all of that. But the moment we step out, we are back to our old selves. Swami has also said, “Devotion ostundi pothundi (devotion can come and go) but when transformation comes, it stays with you.”
In short, the gift of devotion must be expressed in the transformation of the individual.
(Excerpts from Radio Sai Study Circle, Part 07)
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