BABA
-1. Story Of A Saint

Sage Suryananda took his seat beneath a banyan tree and looked at his students who were eagerly awaiting his recital of a new story that evening.  All his stories taught the children to follow good principles and be virtuous in life.  The Sage glanced at his students and addressed them benignly, “Dear students, today I want you to tell me the moral of the story that I am going to narrate.”  His disciples agreed excitedly and listened with rapt attention as the sage began the recitation of his new story. —————- As the duo walked along the streets, they instantly caught the attention of passers-by.  One of them appeared to be a young man with a fair complexion.  His composed eyes, endearing smile, let down hair and the ascetic robes that he donned gave him a look of divinity.  His companion was a small boy, not more than thirteen years of age, who was slightly darker in complexion.  He had dark eyes, curly hairs and sported a sweet smile on his lips.  He, too, was a picture of calm and peace.  It was quite strange then that the initial look of esteem on some of the people after seeing them gradually changed to disdain! The older ascetic took very confident steps and walked as if he was aware of his destination.  The young boy closely followed him.  After walking for a considerable distance, the elder hermit led the boy to a huge banyan tree and they sat under its shade.  Observing that his younger companion was in some thought looking at the other trees in that area, he said, “I know that some questions are crossing your mind, Bhargava.  All of them would be answered but at the appropriate time.  Now I would like both of us to be in silence for some time till I tell you a story.” “Story, Baba!” the boy exclaimed.  The very prospect of hearing a story from Baba excited the lad.  He, however, managed to sustain his emotions and remained silent just as Baba had desired. After some time, two men came from the other end and sat on the opposite direction of the banyan tree.  The trunk of this tree was so broad that it was impossible for people sitting on opposite sides to recognize each other’s presence till the time they spoke.  One of these men began a conversation, “Gopal, did you hear about Sage Dharmathma?” “He does not deserve to be called a ‘Sage’, Ramu.  You know how much I revered him.  I hardly missed any of his preaching.  And he betrayed us! Planning to flee with the funds that were meant for the development of the ashram!  How disgusting!” “Indeed, it is!  Now, who would believe in these sages anymore?” lamented Ramu.  “Nobody should, Ramu.  It serves them well!  We regard them as Gods and they behave like criminals!  I was planning to educate my son under the guidance of Dharmathma.  Now, I do not know what to do!   I do not feel like sending him to any ashram!”  Gopal averred. “I can understand, Gopal.  It is not easy for parents to send their children for education and be separated from them for twelve long years.  If they do, it is with the intention that their children not only get knowledge but even learn to lead a dignified life from their gurus.  But then, if the teachers themselves turn out to be criminals, then what is the point?”    Ramu observed. Gopal nodded in agreement. Some moments passed away in silence.  Then they heard someone speak from the other side of the tree. “Bhargava, are you ready to listen to my story?” “I am eagerly waiting, Baba!” “Alright!  Listen!  There lived a saint near a forest.  He had built a cottage for himself and had a beautiful garden where different varieties of colourful plants and flowers blossomed.  The saint spent the entire day in meditation and looking after the cottage and garden which he considered to be his family.  One day he had to go to another place for attending a yagna.  When he returned after a couple of days, he was aghast at what he saw!  His family was badly destroyed in an apparent fire which had ravaged the forest while he was away.  His eyes swelled with tears, he stood rooted to his ground looking at the destruction wrought by nature.  Then, regaining his senses he closed his eyes and invoked the Lord in his mind.”  After a moment’s pause the two men heard the same baritone voice again, “Bhargava, can you tell me what the saint spoke with the Lord in his mind?  You can take your time to think over this.” Silence prevailed for some time after that.  Both Ramu and Gopal were certain that the saint would have expressed his grudge to God about the unprecedented tragedy that had struck his family.  They now waited for Bhargava to respond who did not take a long time to air his views.  “Baba, whatever I say now is just a reproduction from what I learnt from guruji.  From the activities he was involved in, the saint was a pure soul.  People like him enjoy great wisdom.  They have the capacity to view all the happenings in their lives, no matter how grave they are, with a positive frame of mind.  I am sure that this saint was no exception to this.  After getting over his emotions, he would have thanked the Lord for keeping him away when the inferno thrust its fury on the forest.  Had he been there at that time, it may have put his life also in peril!  After all, the saint could build a new cottage and have another garden, but had he lost his life, it would have been lost forever.” “Well said, Bhargava!  Well said!  This is precisely what transpired in the story.  If we want to enjoy peace of mind even in moments of sorrow, then we must learn to have a very positive outlook in life.  That would also help us to not lose our sense of reasoning during difficult times.  Come on, Bhargava!  Let’s leave!” So saying, both of them got up and began to walk.  Gopal and Ramu instantly peeped at the other end only to face the back of Baba and Bhargava.  They could not believe that a young boy like Bhargava could speak such words of wisdom.  They sat back under the tree, exchanged glances and then looked at the ground thinking.