Out of the Mouth of Babes

As Anjali lay in bed, she thought about Swami’s birthday which was coming soon. She wondered what would be the nicest gift to give Him, after all He held the entire world in His hands. Even though she was thousands of miles away from Him, she could feel His love all around her. She reflected on how tirelessly Swami took care of everyone, yet people never showed any gratitude. “I wonder how patient I’d be if I were in His place,” she thought aloud.

The moonlight was streaming into her bedroom window, and the world outside was asleep and quiet. As she gazed outside, a bright, lonely star high up in the sky caught her eye. “Is that You, Swami?” she asked the star. “Are You up there watching over us?” She sighed and said, “Poor Swami, He must be so tired trying to teach people to behave themselves.”

Anjali gazed at the star once more. All of a sudden, she felt herself being drawn into the star like a magnet….it was pulling her in. She felt herself land on something as soft and fragrant as a rose petal, and as she looked around, she could see the earth at a distance. She realized to her amazement, that she was sitting on the palm of Baba’s hand. She looked up and stared right into Baba’s beautiful smiling face. Baba seemed to have assumed a huge form, surrounded by a brilliant aura of love, and was now bending over her, whispering something—”I will show you the world through My eyes. You will understand the truth behind everything.”

Anjali looked back at the lovely earth so far away. Suddenly, she felt a jolt, and then was immersed in an ocean of love with waves pouring forth from her. She was captivated by the magnificent scenes that passed before her eyes. “Swami, the earth looks beautiful. I can see everything with love and compassion.”

“Yes, if only man would understand how lucky he is to take human birth, he would treat his fellow beings with the same love that you now feel, for it is this love that radiates from Me and it is this light that envelops the entire world to ultimately flow back to Me.”

Anjali thought about this for a minute. Then, she asked, “My parents tell me ‘do this’ and ‘do that’, and they get tired after a while. But You teach the whole world, Swami. Don’t You ever get tired?”

“No, My eyes are always on My children, day and night, and indeed every second. I keep watch over all of you. I have come to make man understand the truth, that he is God and that he is born on this earth for the purpose of realizing this. Besides, all of them down there provide me with much entertainment,” He said with a laugh.

“But, Swami, don’t You ever have to punish anyone?” queried Anjali. Then His face grew serious. “I do not punish anyone. Through man’s own wrong doing he will receive retribution, and through his good deeds he earns merit. My love and compassion pour forth. It is up to man to earn my grace through merit or reject it through demerit. Some seek my guidance and listen to me…others don’t,” He ended with a sigh.

Anjali sat quiet for a while, digesting all of this information. Then she asked hopefully, “May be if You shouted at them, or spoke louder, then they would listen?” “Well, they can hear two voices: Mine, and that of their ego’s. They can hear My voice coming from their hearts, but many choose to listen to the voice of their ego instead,” Swami replied.

“What is ‘ego’, Baba?”

“How shall I explain it to you, My innocent child? Let’s see… Ego is when people think, ‘I am the best,’ ‘I know everything,’ and ‘I am right and others are all wrong.’ It is when God tells you to do one thing and you do the opposite because you think you know better. Ego makes man selfish and greedy.” Swami pointed to a war scene back on the earth. “Look at the way they are fighting. Each side thinks that it is right, and refuses to listen and compromise when their opinions differ. They immediately begin to fight, as if fighting will solve all of their problems. Many die, and sorrow descends on all sides,” said Baba sadly.

Anjali watched the horrible scene for a minute and then noticed something. “Why is there a grey cloud around the war, Swami?” “Well, when many egos clash, the scene is enveloped in a grey aura,” replied Swami. Anjali noticed something else, and pointed it out. “Look at those pretty cows grazing in the pasture over there, Swami. They have a pink cloud around them.”

“Do you know why? Pink is the color of eternal love. The few who are surrounded by pink understand My message, and are closer to Divinity. Animals follow their dharma [right conduct] and do not need to be taught how to behave. The most difficult lesson is teaching man the meaning and significance of life,” explained Swami.

Anjali pondered over this. Then she asked, “Swami, do you love some people more than others?” “No, little one, I love all of you equally. You see, I separated Myself from Myself in order to have someone to love and someone to love Me. But humans have forgotten how to love God,” replied Swami.

Swami looked so sad that Anjali felt doleful as well, and she hastened to reassure Him. She stood up on His palm, and hugged His thumb. “I love You very much, Swami.”

Love shone in Swami’s eyes with the glow of a million stars, as He looked at her. “Yes, I know, Anjali. That is why, I am talking with you. Man has to become as small and pure-hearted as a child like you to listen to Me. Then, he will learn to love both God and his fellow beings.” At this point, try as she might, Anjali could not stop a large yawn from escaping her.

“You must be sleepy, child, I shall send you home now,” said Swami, gently stroking the little girl’s hair.

“But Swami, you must be even more tired than I am. Why don’t You take a nap, and I will watch the world for You,” replied Anjali.

“Little one, your parents will miss you. But perhaps some day, I’ll be able to close My eyes and sleep while you keep watch on the world for Me. That would be a lovely birthday gift,” said Swami, smiling sweetly.

Anjali readied herself to go home. Then she turned around and asked, “Swami, I have just one more question. When You look at me, do I have a grey or a pink cloud?”

“My precious, you are neither grey nor pink. You are far beyond the colors that your eyes can perceive. In truth, you are Me and I am you”

~Alka Pradhan, Class X, Ohio, U.S.A.
Source: Sanathana Sarathi, April 1998