One day, while Shehenshah Satguru Sai Satramdas Sahib was sitting with his followers, a man carrying birds in a cage passed by and caught sight of Saijan. He approached and touched Saijan’s feet in reverence. Saijan kindly gazed upon him and instructed him to set the birds free from their cage. The Shehenshah Satguru noted that the birds were more beautiful flying freely in the sky and that every being has the right to experience freedom.
The man carrying the birds in the cage responded that the type of birth one receives in this life is determined by the actions or karma from previous lives. He argued that if the birds were in the cage, it was because of their past karma and that if he did not keep them, someone else would capture them. In his view, it was better for them to be with him.Saijan acknowledged that indeed, the type of life one receives depends on past life karma, but added that sants offer liberation from karma. Rather than dwelling on the past deeds of others, it was better to reflect inwardly and refrain from adding any further negative karma to one’s own life. The man was deeply moved by Saijan’s words and prostrated himself at the feet of Shehenshah Satguru Sai Satram Das Sahib. He made a promise never to capture innocent birds again and came to understand the true purpose of his life. Saijan then blessed the man with the gift of the pious “NAAM DAAN”.
