Simply reading the book without the grace of the Guru and Self-realization is useless

Sairam friends,

I could not write past 2 days as I was going through some problem and also net was not working. My Father took lots of effort to fix the wire and now internet is working.

Since I am interested in Startups, Management and Organizational Growth/Marketing etc, the books I read and also the videos I watch has immensely helped me. This morning, I thought if I can really spend so much time reading books and watching videos because the best way to learn is by “Doing IT.”

So I am planning something and working on it by Sai grace.

I hope you had read the below incident in Sai Satcharitra – Chapter 21

Mr. Thakur – Reading is not enough. You have to Live based on what you learn.

Mr. V.H.Thakur, B.A., was a clerk in the Revenue Department and he once came to a town named Vadgaum near Belgaum (S.M. Country) along with a Survey party. There he saw a Kanarese Saint (Appa) and bowed before him. The Saint was explaining a portion from the book “Vichar-Sagar” of Nischaldas (a standard work on Vedanta) to the audience. When Thakur was taking his leave to go, he said to him, “you should study this book, and if you do so, your desires will be fulfilled, and when you go to the North in the discharge of your duties in future, you will come across a great Saint by your good luck, and then he will show you the future path, and give rest to your mind and make you happy”.

Then, he was transferred to Junnar, where he had to go by crossing Nhane Ghat. This Ghat was very steep and impassible, and no other conveyance, than a buffalo was of use in crossing it. So he had to take a buffalo-ride through the Ghat, which inconvenienced and pained him much. Thereafter, he was transferred to Kalyan on higher post, and there he became acquainted with Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He heard much about Sai Baba from him and wished to see Him. Next day, Nanasaheb had to go to Shirdi, and he asked Thakur to accompany him. He could not do so as he had to attend the Thana Civil Court for a civil case. So Nanasaheb went alone.

Thakur went to Thana, but there the case was postponed. Then, he repented for not accompanying Nanasaheb. Still he left for Shirdi and when he went there, he found that Nanasaheb had left the place the previous day. Some of his other friends, whom he met there, took him to Baba. He saw Baba, fell at His Feet and was overjoyed. His eyes were full of tears of joy and his hair stood on end. Then after a while the omniscient Baba said to him –

“The path of this place is not so easy as the teaching of the Kanarese Saint Appa or even as the buffalo-ride in the Nhane Ghat. In this spiritual path, you have to put in your best exertion as it is very difficult”.

When Thakur heard these significant signs and words, which none else than he knew, he was overwhelmed with joy. He came to know, that the word of the Kanarese Saint had turned true. Then joining both hands and placing his head on Baba’s Feet, he prayed that he should be a accepted and blessed. Then Baba said –

“What Appa told you was all right, but these things have to be practised and lived. Mere reading won’t do. You have to think and carry out what you read, otherwise, it is of no use. Mere book-learning, without the grace of the Guru, and self-realization is of no avail”. The theoretical portion was read from the work `Vichar Sagar’ by Thakur, but the practical way was shown to him at Shirdi.

The above story in Sri Sai Satcharitra conveys the truth about situation of Sai devotion in present day. There are millions of Sai devotees. Most of us know what Sai wants from us but we just don’t live up to his expectations. We want Sai to fulfill all our desires but we don’t take a small effort to show him that we are living with a pure heart, with determination, with ability to withstand all the disappointments and worries in life.

We keep complaining to Sai Baba.

Further, mere book reading is not enough. I don’t read Sai Satcharitra the way many of you read with devotion. I appreciate the devotion and patience you have but please try to assimilate the stories of Saibaba and apply that in your day to day life. When ever you desire something, when ever you have a need or when ever you have a difficulty, try to relate it with Sai’s life and hold on. May be, Sai needs some more time to bring peace and happiness in your life.

Reading books and gaining knowledge is great but we must also apply it in our real life.

Here, Sai speaks about spiritual path. If we hold on to his holy feet, we must also practice to live the way he wishes. Its not easy friends. It takes immense patience to live the way Sai expects. Saibaba also blesses us with self-realization which no book can give. This is the gift of having a Guru who lives in us and guides us subconsciously.

Sai Blessings,

Venkat