Hazir Swaroop Sai Sadhram Saheb, in one of his satsangs, narrated a true incident. Once, a kind and humble lady, also a devotee of Shahanshah Satguru Sai Satramdas Saheb, who would religiously sit in meditation, came to meet Saijan and shared an incident that happened with her. The lady explained that some days ago, she encountered people in her neighbourhood attending a satsang. They invited her to join them, and she happily became part of their gatherings, enjoying their company. It soon became a daily habit for her to meet and talk with these people about many interesting things that she truly enjoyed.
Shahanshah Sai Satramdas Saheb instructed the lady to ascend the staircase alongside him and Bhagat Saheb. She recounted to Saijan that after urging her to climb, Shahanshah Sai Satramdas Saheb ascended 4 to 5 steps, and Bhagat Saheb followed suit, climbing 4 steps. However, she managed to ascend only one step and struggled to proceed further on the staircase. Despite her earnest efforts, she conveyed to Shahanshah Satguru that climbing the second step proved exceedingly challenging for her.
Shahanshah Satguru inquired why she found it difficult to ascend the same staircase that they were climbing effortlessly. Once again, he encouraged her to climb the staircase. While instructing the lady, Shahanshah Satguru ascended a few more steps, with Bhagat Saheb trailing behind. Despite her earnest efforts, she struggled and could not progress beyond the second step of the staircase. She conveyed her helplessness to Shahanshah Satguru.
Upon hearing the lady’s struggles, Shahanshah Satguru descended from the staircase and explained to her that the staircase they were attempting to climb symbolised the steps of Parmatma’s grace and blessings. He emphasised that it could be ascended by those who accumulate good deeds through their actions.
Shahanshah Satguru advised the lady that while possessing knowledge is essential, it is equally crucial to act in accordance with that knowledge. He emphasised that knowledge should not be confined solely to discussions.
Merely having knowledge of things and constantly talking and sharing knowledge verbally, but not applying that knowledge in practice, is worthless. Knowledge requires consistent effort and practice.
Initiation is important because it unlocks a wealth of knowledge and wisdom.
We should implement, act, and function according to whatever we learn, hear, talk about, or encourage others to discuss. Merely discussing the extent of our knowledge without putting it into practice diminishes our value as human beings. During the final judgement, we won’t be questioned about what we have spoken to others or what we have heard from them. Instead, we will be asked about our personal account of actions—what we have done and what we have influenced.
Therefore, it’s crucial to implement the knowledge we have accumulated in the best possible way to enhance our status as human beings. Possessing knowledge should go hand in hand with devoted implementation. Knowledge should not exist in isolation; it should be accompanied by action performed with complete devotion and faith.
Shahanshah Satguru further enlightened the lady, explaining that the staircase she struggled to climb was the stairway to Parmatma’s blessings. He emphasised that with full devotion, karma, and knowledge, along with constant remembrance of Satguru or Parmatma, one could ascend to a level where they would be capable of attaining Parmatma’s blessings and benediction.
Our ego will rise if there is knowledge with karma but without devotion. Constantly boasting about our achievements and accumulated knowledge can lead to accumulating more bad karma and sins than actual good deeds.
God is love, love is devotion, knowledge is wisdom, and karma is execution or practice. God is Love, and through our knowledge or wisdom, we aim to attain God or Brahman, ultimately becoming Brahma (Aham Brahmamsi). This is our destination, and karma means we have to move in that direction.
Shahanshah Satguru explained that as human beings, we are continuously walking on the path, and that’s why we are never satisfied—because we still have not reached our destination. Whatever we do in our lives, such as organising satsangs, visiting temples or other places of worship, praying, or having desires, is linked to our continuous journey toward our destination.
Hazir Swaroop Sai Sadhram Saheb narrated a beautiful short story in connection with the teachings of Shahanshah Satguru Sai Satram Das Saheb. He shared that people often wrestle with the question of whether they should ask God for something when visiting a place of worship. Some believe it might not be appropriate to make requests to God. Saijan recounted a story of a man who sought advice from a saint on whether he should ask for anything from God. The saint advised him to pray for wisdom.
According to the Sant, possessing wisdom leads to true contentment, which is the ultimate destination of the human journey.
The story highlights the profound wisdom shared by the sant – that in our spiritual journey, seeking wisdom is the key to true contentment. Whether we visit places of worship or engage in prayers, the ultimate fulfilment lies in attaining wisdom. Shahanshah Satguru Sai Satram Das Saheb’s teachings echo the sentiment that, above all else, it is the pursuit of wisdom that guides us towards the fulfilment of our spiritual aspirations and the attainment of contentment on our human journey.
