Sairam friends,
I had previously told you that I recently acquainted a guy in Saibaba temple where I go regularly. At times, during weekends, if I make it early to Temple, he used to join me for a walk in Saibaba colony. Basically, I try not to make friends that easily. 5-6 Years back, there was a Man who used to look scary and like a typical rowdy. When ever I come across him, I keep away and walk to the other side. Once, I was standing in the corner of the temple when this Man smiled to me. Not knowing how to react, I also smiled to him. He walked towards me.
I was thinking in my mind “Baba, why is this Man coming towards me?”
Moments later he asked “Will you join us for a Tea?”
It was funny because not all who look like rowdy are really one.
Anyway, I mean to say, when we are in a Temple environment, we never know whom to trust. I have quite a few devotees who come to Temple regularly. We are not friends. We just have seen each other for several years. I can say we are well-wishers of each other. When I don’t go to temple for a week, people ask me “I din’t see you around?”. So its basically a warm feeling that people like you to be a part of this environment.
Coming back to this guy who joins me for a walk in Saibaba colony, he is not educated but has good manners. He speaks decently and is someone good to talk to. He often asks people to help him for a job but as far as I could analyze, he’s not interesting in doing any work. The other day, he told me that he has decided to vacate his rented house and go to Shirdi and live there once for all. He knows some Tamil men over there it seems.
I myself know couple of people who are living in Shirdi for more than 20 years. They used to tell me that its not easy to find a decent job in Shirdi because that’s just a pilgrime place. One can do odd jobs in Hotels and just earn enough to have food. I told this guy that its better if he lives in Coimbatore, earns a living and goes to Shirdi once every few month. I even directed him to a place where they can teach him some skills to focus on a purticular area of work.
The past 2 weeks he told me that some lady is taking devotees to Shirdi free of cost to do Seva. Seems, this guy is supposed to give a certificate from Police station that there’s no case against him and he is harmless. This poor guy has roamed across Coimbatore and even to Comminsior’s offer seeking such a letter. They have asked him to pay 1000Rs. This guy can’t afford it and hence he can’t avail free trip to Shirdi to do seva.
Something that striked me was why should one bribe 1000 Rs which probably includes some fee to prove that he’s innocent? Something basically wrong with the way our Nation works.
I recommonded this guy to one of my friend who heads a Car dealer company’s branch office. But this guy doesn’t seem to be interested in taking up any job. He just wants to go to Shirdi and live there.
This is one example of ordinary devotee from a poor family thinking about Sai and Sai alone. I don’t blame him and I never ask him not to go to Shirdi. Just that, I expect he would practically understand the truth after few years.
Living in Shirdi is not life. Serving Saibaba is not life. You have to do your work, be responsible and that’s your life.
There are several Sai devotees who come all the way from Delhi and other parts of India to settle in Shirdi. They can’t live there unless they can adjust the new life there.
The whole world is Shirdi if you remember Sai where ever you are. So be where you are and do something good for others. This will make your life meaningful.
I was too much devoted to Sai in 2005. I will never accept if people call me religious now because I changed a lot.
I started to believe that Sai is in what we think, speak and do.
Going behind Sai and not focussing on your studies, career and family is not what Sai expects from you. I appreciate guys who never worship any God but they are responsible Husband and Father. If you skip your responsibilities to please Baba, I am sorry to say, Sai don’t need you at all.
I also like to remember Sai every moment but I just wish to remember him while doing the other important stuff in my life. Remembrance is enough for Sai no matter where you live and what you do.
On the other hand, there are people who call themselves simply as Sai devotee without knowing Sai and his ways. His ways are unique. No one can understand Sai at all.
Many Sai devotees judge Sai based on how he blesses them for their prominent desires.
You wish to marry the one you like.
You wish to have a child.
You wish to get your dream job.
You wish for a better health.
These are your prominent desires. It takes years of patience for some devotees to see a change in these major issues.
If you call yourself as Sai devotee, learn how he’s taking care of you in small issues and day to day life.
People assume doing some pooja for 9 weeks, or writing “Om Sai Ram” in a book or visiting a near by Saibaba temple can make them close to Sai. These are just ways to remember him. The more you remember him, the more you would eventually understand him.
So remember him when ever you feel like.
Its hard for me to write “Who is Saibaba” even after all these years because I don’t know him completely.
The guy who comes for walk with me doesn’t seem to be interested in any work. I don’t know how to advice him also. I might never see him after few days. The problem is,this is another ordinary Indian I have come across and I know there are several thousands of men and women like this who don’t know what to do and where to go.
You can be devoted to Sai but let your devotion not blind you.
All my friends who are devoted to Sai also focus on their work. I have seen very few people simply fooling themselves and others in the name of Sai. If you really love Sai, focus on your life and be responsible.
I sincerely wish all those who love Sai also have a focus in their Career goals.
Sai will ever be with you and your family
Venkat
Om Sai Ram. Your words “the whole world is Shirdi” are very deep and true. God is everywhere. We only require that faith to see him