Have Sincere Faith in God and His Words- Swami's Discourse

If you have steady devotion for God, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished. God Himself would come running forward to help you. Numerous such incidents occurred during the incarnation of God as Krishna.

Here is another example of Krishna’s limitless compassion. On the ninth day of the Kurukshetra war, Bhishma took a terrible vow to exterminate all the Pandavas before sunset the next day.

Draupadi came to know of this and became highly perturbed. She said to Krishna, “O Lord, this must not happen. You have to do something. I don’t know how, but You must make sure that I do not become a widow.” Krishna smiled and was non-committal. He just said, “Wait and see what happens.” God may appear non-committal but when you appeal to Him with deep sincerity, He will certainly respond.

Night came, and quiet descended on the battlefield, everyone having withdrawn to their respective quarters. In his tent, Bhishma was restless and was pacing to and fro. Meanwhile Krishna came to Draupadi and said, “This is the moment. Bhishma is unable to sleep and is pacing back and forth in his tent. He is regretting the vow he has taken. You must slip into his tent this very moment and throw yourself at his feet.” Draupadi nodded and started moving toward Bhishma’s tent. She was wearing special slippers used by royalty, that made a squeaking noise. The noise could be clearly heard in the stillness of the night. Krishna signalled to Draupadi to stop and said, “If Bhishma hears this sound, he would know that a lady is coming. He should not know about your approach.

So remove your sandals and give them to Me.” Draupadi did as instructed. Krishna collected the slippers, wrapped them in His upper cloth, and started walking behind Draupadi, some distance

away. Quietly, Draupadi slipped into Bhishma’s tent. Absorbed as he was in thought, Bhishma did not notice her entrance. Immediately upon entry, Draupadi threw herself at the feet of Bhishma. As she did so, the bangles in her hand made a sound. Bhishma heard the sound and realised that a lady was prostrating before him. Without a second thought, he blessed the lady in the traditional manner, “May you have a long and happy married life.” Draupadi was happy when she heard the benediction. She said, “This is enough for me,” and rose. It was then that Bhishma realised whom he had blessed. He exclaimed, “What! You, here at this time?! Who brought you here?” Draupadi replied, “Who else but Krishna?! He is the One who suggested this strategy to prevent the slaughter of my husbands. You have blessed me with a long and happy married life and so you now have to spare my husbands!”

Precisely at that moment, Krishna entered. Bhishma was happy about the turn of events, though it meant going back on his vow. The Pandavas were ideal men and great devotees of the Lord.

God in His Infinite Mercy had staged a drama as a result of which the Pandavas were now secure.

Bhishma was tired, having paced up and down for a long time. He sat down and said, “Krishna, have You brought any eatables for me? You seem to have a bundle slung on Your shoulder. Why

don’t You open it and give me some of the food it contains?”

Krishna smiled and said, “Do you think it is My job to bring food for you? This bundle does not contain food but the sandals of Draupadi. I carried them so that there was no sound when Draupadi entered your tent.” Krishna then opened the bundle and the sandals fell on the ground. Tears flooded Bhishma’s eyes. In a voice choked with emotion he said, “Lord, there is no limit to the extent You are prepared to go in order to save Your devotees!”

The Avatar is beyond petty worldly considerations and, where devotees are involved, no task is too mean or lowly for Him.

He will do what has to be done, anytime, any place. Protection and the welfare of devotees is His priority number one. Krishna always protected the Pandavas and they, for their part, worshipped

Krishna with great feeling. Krishna’s Name was always on their lips. The Lord was ever uppermost in their minds. The feeling was mutual, and Krishna too constantly concerned Himself with the welfare of the Pandavas. As is the sound, so is the resound. The Lord’s yearning for the devotee matches the yearning the devotee has for the Lord. God is inscrutable. People think: “How can God do such lowly things?!” God does not have such distinctions

or gradations. For the welfare of His devotees, God is prepared to do anything. Without devotees, where is God?! God’s greatness and noble acts are all due to devotees.

The magnetism of Sai’s prema! So many of you have gathered here. Why have you all come?

There is only one reason for this. You have come for that which is not in you, that which cannot be got at home, that which is not available in your village or town, or even country. What is that?

Pure Divine Love, or Sai’s prema! That is the reason why all of you have come, and not because someone invited you [loud applause]. That which you don’t have is Sai’s prema or selfless love! That which you cannot get in your village, town or country is Sai’s prema! That love is available only here and it is in search of that you all have come! In short, you have come here in search

of something that you desperately want but cannot get anywhere else. Having come in such a quest, collect all that you can before you return. Fill your hearts with this divine love. Without devotees, where is Baba? And without Baba, where are the devotees?! There is an unbreakable bond between Baba and His devotees. The two are inseparable and inter-dependent. Devotees are Baba’s very life. Likewise, Baba is the very life of His devotees. The two lives have the same breath. If you thoroughly grasp this principle, then, wherever you are, you will always enjoy Baba’s protection. Those who are firm and steadfast in their devotion will never face any troubles or difficulties. Surely, you must have heard or read many stories that illustrate that those who repose full faith in God and are always pure, never come to any harm. You must have pure, unsullied, and steadfast devotion.Your heart must stand firm like a rock. There are rocks on many seashores. Huge waves constantly dash against these rocks but the rocks remain firm. Waves repeatedly bash the rocks but they do not give way. Your heart must be like those boulders on the oceanfront. You may be constantly bombarded by worldly problems, but your faith in God must remain firm like a rock. That is true devotion.

Embodiments of Love! You can give up everything but never give up God! Never forget God! Engrave this lesson in your hearts. God is your most assured insurance and source of protection.