Precious Closeness of Bhagawan - Pt. 2

Continuing the transcription of the talk delivered by Sri B Arvind in the divine presence of Bhagawan Baba on the 29th of July 2005.

"We are unhappy because of what people term Maya – ignorance; and we have the Jagad Guru, the Lord of Lords amongst us to help us overcome this. Talking about ignorance, or Maya, I am reminded of an interesting anecdote.

Once upon a time there was a fisherman who used to go to the beach and throw out his fishing net. He would catch his fish and return. In the ocean there were so many fish but there was one particular fish that was never caught in the net. All of its friends and relatives used to get caught but not this fish.  So one day, all the other fish went to this fish and asked, "How is it that you never get caught in the net?" The fish explained, "When the fisherman comes, he throws his net. At that time I swim close to his feet so I don't get caught in the net." To escape from this net of Maya the only way is to take refuge at the feet of the fisherman – our Lord! That is what Jesus meant when he went to the fishermen and said: "I am a fisher among men." That is what Bhagavan also said in His very first discourse as a tiny lad: "Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam, Dushtara Bhava Saagara Taranam." At the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Swami is our Mother, our Father, our Guru, our Friend, our Everything: Tvameva Mata Cha Pita Tvameva, Tvameva Bandhus Cha Sakha Tvameva; Tvameva Vidya Dravinam Tvameva, Tvameva Saravam Mama Deva Deva. Mama Sai Deva."

(To be continued)

(Source: "Experiences by Devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba)