Gifts for All

 

One summer during the early nineties, Bhagawan was in 'Sai Sruthi', His abode in Kodaikanal. Generally, before leaving Kodai, Swami would shower all those who had served with loads of gifts. So the watchmen, washermen, cooks, gardeners, sevadals, the security, and literally anyone who had contributed even a little to make the stay comfortable would be blessed with lovely presents from Bhagawan.

One such important group was the police force. During that particular visit to Kodai, the entire police force was made to sit in the Bhajan Hall one evening. Swami walked into the premises but to everyone’s surprise immediately walked out. The reason being – the boys had made preparations for 20 pairs of clothes but there were 100 members of the police sitting in the hall! Swami enquired if there were enough clothes in stock to make new pairs. That was not a problem. The issue, however, was no one had enough money in cash for another 80 people. There was tension in the air. But Swami was calm. He simply said, “Wait...let me grant darshan to devotees and return.”

Once He went outside, the senior devotees inside started pooling up resources in all earnestness. Even as they desperately tried putting together the amount, Swami returned with a stash of letters in His hand. As He entered the room, one of the letters slipped from His fingers and fell onto the floor. It was picked up by a senior devotee. Incidentally, he was the one who was most actively engaged in aggregating the required sum. Bhagawan now gave him a meaningful look and said, “Open the envelope."

The gentleman slowly opened the cover and was left speechless. It was money! It was the exact amount needed for the distribution. However, that wasn’t the only extraordinary occurrence. Even more significant was what transpired next.

Swami softly yet firmly said, “I did not use My divine power for this money. This happened just to teach you an important lesson.” The man was still trying to fathom the immensity of His words. 

Graciously Bhagawan elaborated:

"Whenever you have a deep desire to make a positive difference in the lives of people, an unquenchable thirst to give yourself away selflessly for others welfare, the forces of Nature will wrap themselves around you to make it possible. Remember this always.”