Temple Entry

This is a story about the mystery and miracle of Bhagavan. I am an American attending the University of Madras [Chennai]. Some days ago, a classmate and myself went to the Kapaleesvara Temple here in Madras. After one passes through the huge gate of the outer temple walls, one’s attention is attracted to the various signs that say­ `Non‑Hindus not allowed’. I had heard about such signs, but in all the years that I have been in India, I had never en­countered one. I told my friend to go on inside and that I would wait outside. Soon thereafter, an old man approached me. He said, “Please do not feel offended nor think badly of these people. This is merely the custom here.” As I silently held my peace, he went away. I began to talk to Baba in my mind thus: “Will this custom prevail forever? You, Yourself are Shiva, and though I’ve come to have Your darshan, I’m forbidden to enter inside. Is not the Lord everyone’s?”

As I was mentally conversing with Swami thus, another old man came up to me and said, “Come”. My righteous pride rose up and I remained where I was. Twice again he repeated—”Come”. So I follow­ed him inside. As we began to circumam­bulate the Holy of Holies, he moved his hand, and it was full of Vibhuti. He smeared it all over my forehead and then reached over to a Goddess carved into the rock and removed some kumkum [red vermillion powder], which he also applied. We continued around and as we approached Lord Kapaleesvara he said, “Look”. I beheld the Linga to my satisfaction and then he led me to the con­sort of Lord Kapaleesvara for Her darshan. Then he said, “Now, go.”

The next day I was on my way to Putta­parthi. Here is the mystery. Baba en­quired if I had enjoyed the darshan! Some people call `this’ the miracle—this transcen­dence of space and time. But to me the real miracle lies in His infinite care. As quickly as one turns toward Him, He is there with His compassion ready to respond. Such a small, simple act and yet to me it represented His greatest miracle of all­—His Love.

~John Grimes
Source: Sanathana Sarathi, May 1979

Do karma, but do not hanker after the fruit. Do not complain that you did not get public recognition for the dona­tions you gave to some trust. Fruits, whether good or bad, (you) yourself have to consume; so the best means of liberating yourself from the consequences is to ignore the fruit and do karma for the sake of karma only. You will not be burdened with either papa [sin] or punya [merit] if you act so. If you crave for the profit, you will have to be prepared to accept the loss also. If you construct a well where four roads meet expecting to get merit for slaking the thirst of men and cattle, you cannot shirk the demerit you will be credited with when someone falls into it and gets drowned. If you fan a person out of love, you can leave off when you must; but a punkhawallah [hired to fan] accepting wages must continue whether he likes it or not. Give up the desire for remuneration and you are free; accept it or ask for it and you get bound. That is the secret of karma-phala-tyaga [renunciation of the fruit of action].

 ~Baba