BABA
-5. Is God Only In Temples?

Looking at the husband, Baba continued, “God has never said that he would be pleased and shower his blessings on you only if you visit a temple and have his darshan.  Why should you seek him anywhere else when he resides right inside your heart? 

First, you do something which he has never approved of.  And then in the process if something untoward happens, you criticize him for letting that incident happen.  Isn’t this unfair to him, brother?  Besides, it is a fact that it was a bit of carelessness on the part of your wife that she slipped in the first place for which she is herself to blame.  Please do not oversee this fact that despite a grievous fall she has escaped literally unhurt.  Thus, if you are going to blame God for her fall, you should also give him due credit for not making her suffer from any injuries.  Remember, dear brother!  When we do something good we loudly proclaim it and take all credit for it.  But when God does something for our benefit, he does it silently.  He leaves it upon us to recognize it and thank him for his graciousness.  That is all I wanted to say!  Think over it and you may agree with my views!  Come, Bhargava.  Let us make our move!”  As Baba was about to leave, both of them tried to touch his feet but he made them get up before they could do so.  “I do not think that I am worthy of this act.  May God always keep both of you happy!”  Baba blessed them and went away followed by Bhargava.    

“Where are we now headed to, Baba?” 

“That is all for today, Bhargava.  We are going to our sweet home!”  Baba disclosed.

On the way, they found a bullock cart going in the opposite direction.  The man who was at the wheels was constantly hitting the animal and exhorted it to go fast.  Baba’s face became grim as he witnessed this brutality.  “We humans are so heartless despite having a heart, Bhargava!  While we wince at the slightest pain, we have no qualms in inflicting such affliction on poor animals.”  Bhargava was saddened at heart to see his Baba upset.  As there was nothing he could do to alleviate his concerns, he quietly walked alongwith him to the jungle where they spent the rest of the day.

As time went by, people became more attached to Baba which he disliked.  In his own words, “Too much attachment finally leads to disappointment and sorrow.”  His admirers implored him to hold some discourses to which Baba agreed.  Twice in a week at an anointed place in a bower, all of them assembled where Baba sat with them and preached about the moral and ethical values of life.    

One day, a group of sages paid a visit to him after he had finished with his teachings.  After all of them were seated, the eldest among the sages spoke with Baba, “It is because of you that people’s faith in us is fast restoring.  We all have come here to express our gratitude to you.” 

“O holy one, I feel honoured!  I only tried to do my duty towards society.  I would like to utilize this opportunity to make a request.”   Baba spoke with reverence.

“We would be only obliged to cater to your request.  Pray tell us what is in your mind.”  “O revered one, no cast, creed or even gender should create a bane in one’s path to get education.  However, there are many who are being disallowed this right owing to these very factors.  This is unfortunate.  Isn’t it an irony that girls are kept away from education when the deity of knowledge and wisdom is herself a goddess?  Let us bridge this disparity and allow the light of education to illuminate even the darkest corners of society.  Let children recognize one another as human beings and not by any other criteria.  Only then would there be collective development and growth.” 

The elderly sage was pleased to hear these words of Baba.  “You have very noble thoughts, O Baba!  I fully agree with your views.  There are some among us who have a parochial outlook that merits a change.   Like minded people like us will unite and try to bring about this metamorphosis.” 

Baba thanked the sage and after a short while, all of them took their leave.

A couple of days later after Baba had finished with his day’s discourse, some men sought an audience with him.  Thereby, one of them began the conversation, “Baba, we have come here with a grouse against you.  We implore you to give it a patient hearing.”  Bhargava was surprised to hear this.  He looked at Baba questioningly to which he only smiled and asked his visitor to proceed.  “We feel that you should not be advising people from against visiting temples.  After all, they are not doing so with some evil intentions but with the purpose to see their deity out of faith and devotion.  What is wrong in that? Baba, whatever you say has a deep impact on the people.  Thus, if you continue with such discourses, then we strongly believe that sooner or later people may start avoiding temples which would be regrettable.   Devotees offer money in the handi.  This offering is utilized for the betterment of the temple and is even donated for the welfare of the needy.  Thus, if people stop coming to temples, it would be in nobody’s interest.  We request you to desist from such preaching, Baba.” 

Baba replied benignly, “Brother, just to fill in your temple hundi, should people be allowed to persist with their mistaken beliefs?  People should be made to realize the truth which is what is I am trying to do.  Besides, aren’t there better ways other than utilizing the money of others to help the needy?” 

Realizing that Baba would not budge from his stand, the visitors did not argue further and departed.   “What would happen now, Baba?”  Bhargava asked perturbed. 

“That only time will tell you, Bhargava.  Come on!  Let us leave!”