The following is a transliteration by Sri Ramen Basu of a story narrated by Sri Sri Babathakur (appearing in Swajnaugrahasudha Vol. 2, pages 4, 5 & 6).
A question was raised by an ardent disciple to Sadguru Sri Sri Babathakur : O Revered Gurudeva ! we have heard that not everybody can have the company of Sadguru equally; again among those who get it, not all can attain the development and perfection equally. Guru-shakti is infallible no doubt, and it is true that it can be had from the company of the Guru, but for the perfection of the results thereof, what kind of efficiency is needed?
Sri Sri Babathakur told a story to elucidate and clarify the point raised:
A devoted disciple was with one perfected Guru for a considerable period of time. The disciple always strived to attain the mercy/ grace of Guru through his service. It is true he did not have much scriptural knowledge, but he was very devoted to the service of Guru. The Guru was much content with his service. Wherever the Guru went, He brought along that disciple.
One time he went with the disciple to a certain place. There sitting in front of the image of a special deity, Gurudeva worshipped the deity performing japa-meditation. Later while garlanding that image, the Guru stood still with the garland in His hand. The garlanding was not done. Quite a while had passed in this manner. The disciple sat beside Him, intensely looking at the face of the Gurudeva without any twinkling of the eye . After some time the disciple addressed the Gurudeva - ‘Gurudeva, you can now garland the image; the work for which you went there has ended. You can now garland the deity.’
Gurudeva was surprised a little upon listening to these words of the disciple because just a moment before he was about to garland the deity, he had gone to another dear disciple’s home in the subtle body as He saw through the inner eye that the said disciple was in trouble. That disciple had caught fire in the body. Gurudeva went to him in the subtle body and saved the disciple from fire-burn. Gurudeva was surprised wondering how the ignorant disciple by His side witnessed this subtle incident.
He garlanded the deity. Then He asked the disciple quite surprised: - ‘How did you come to know that I went elsewhere on an special errand?’ The disciple very humbly and calmly replied: – ‘Such and such disciple of yours caught fire unawares in the dress. His condition was very serious. Seeing and knowing the situation through your inner vision, within a second you went there in the subtle body and rescued the disciple. Being merciful, you allowed this worthless disciple to serve you for a long period, and since you are pleased with the service of this disciple of yours, he was able to make it a habit of looking after you with devotion always. As a result of that habit of staying with your physical body and having the privilege of serving you always, I have striven diligently to accomplish that service as far as possible. This servant of yours, also by virtue of your mercy, has the ability to go along with your subtle body so that he can serve the subtle body of yours too. Thus I had the privilege to accompany you there in the subtle body by your mercy. When you returned here, your mind was still connected with the memory of the previous incident and thus you forgot to garland the deity here momentarily. Hence expecting your mercy/grace in me I reminded you to garland the deity. Please excuse me Gurudeva. I have completely self-surrendered and have taken shelter at your feet. You out of mercy accepted me as a disciple; please I beg you not to make me shun your company and prevent me from serving you’.
Watching the disciple, the Master found the eyes of the disciple full of tears of love and his face glowing with divine light. Hearing these words from the disciple, Gurudeva gladly blessed him by putting His hand on top of the head, saying – ‘Your life is gratified’. Feeling the touch of Gurudeva on top of his head, the disciple fell flat at the feet of the Gurudeva. The Gurudeva lifted and embraced him in His bosom saying – ‘Just by serving Guru, you have achieved the supreme perfection. From this day onwards I won’t be able to take your service. By the grace of Self-Guru, all your impurities of the mind have been cleansed. Your third eye i.e. the divine eye has opened. Now you are able to bestow mercy/ grace onto others. You have become the ablest recipient of My entire teachings. The Sadhana of your life has been realized. Your Guru-seva is fulfilled and realized’.
How by simply serving the Sadguru devotedly can an ordinary disciple, with no scriptural knowledge, be established in perfect Realization with the Sadguru’s grace – this story is a perfect example thereof.
Transliteration submitted at the holy lotus feet of Sadguru Sri Sri Babathakur by Sri Ramen Basu. The translator acknowledges the help of Sri Debasish Kundu and Smt. Swapna Banerjee in this work.
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