Bhakti, selfless Guru seva and innocence are a great combination for drawing the ultimate Grace of God and Guru. The lives of the saints of India and all over world demonstrate this truth. One such example is found in the live of Bola- disciple of Sri Samarth Ramdas.
Sri Samarth Ramdas was a prominent warrior saint of Maharashtra who lived during the 17th century. He was a great poet and writer. He was Guru to Shivaji Maharaj and guided him well in freeing Marathas from the Mughuls and ruling his people with benevolence, justice and love. He was a great devotee of Sri Rama and Hanuman. He had many disciples who lived in his ashram and studied at his feet.
One day, a small boy came to the ashram and humbly asked Ramdas if he could join the ashram. Seeing the sweet innocence on his face, Ramdas agreed. He named the boy ‘ Bola’ meaning innocence. Bola attended the classes the first day but was missing the next day. Later on Ramdas saw him sweeping the backyard. Bola explained to his Guru that he was not learned and could not understand scriptures but he could sweep and clean the ashram well and feed the cattle. The Guru was pleased with his attitude to seva and humbleness.
Ramdas allowed Bola to do Guru seva but asked him to attend the reading of Ramayana every night. Every night Bola would listen to the Ramayana attentively. He never paid heed to others sniggering behind his back. One night, Bola was late in arriving for the class. Ramdas waited for him to come and then started the Ramayana. The other disciples often wondered what the Guru saw in this boy but no one dared to ask Ramdas.
Once Shivaji Maharaj invited Ramdas and his disciples to the palace for a few months to enlighten the royal courtiers with daily talks and teachings. Ramdas asked Bola to join him. Bola refused saying that someone had to stay behind and take care of the cattle and the ashram. The ashram was large and there was far too much work for a small boy to handle. Ramdas instructed Bola to call upon Hanuman for help if he was unable to manage. Bola accepted his Guru’s words implicitly.
So Bola stayed back and looked after the ashram. There was a lot of work to do, but he cheerfully did all the work alone. After cleaning the ashram and feeding the cattle, he prepared food for the Gods. He set the food on a tray and took them to the puja room. He waited for a long time but Sri Ram, Maa Sita and Laxman did not come to eat. He wondered what to do when he recalled his Guru’s words. Without hesitation, he called out to Hanuman. The very next second, Hanuman appeared before him. He requested him to bring Sri Rama, Maa Sita and Laxman quickly as the food was getting cold. Hanuman was surprised at the innocence of Bola but decided to test him. He said to Bola: Why don’t we eat some of the food now and then I can bring them. I am really hungry. Bola replied: Nothing doing. Go and call them. After they have eaten, I will serve you a lavish meal.
Hanuman bowed to the innocent faith of Bola and fetched Sri Rama, Maa Sita and Laxman. Bola prostrated in front of them and offered them food and drink. He pleaded with them to come daily and accept the offerings. This went on for a few months. A day before his Guru was due to return, he sought help from Sri Rama, Laxman, Maa Sita and Hanuman to clean and prepare the ashram to receive his Guru. Maa Sita offered to cook a feast for Sri Samarth Ramdas and asked Sri Rama and Laxman to decorate the ashram and Hanuman was sent off to fetch fresh flowers and fruits. Very happily, Bola cleaned the ashram and fed the cattle.
The next morning when Ramdas came in with his disciples, the ashram was cleaned, fragrant with floral decorations and delicious fragrances of cooked food. Bola explained all the happenings to his Guru. All the disciples had a disbelieving look when Bola said that Sri Rama, Maa Sita, Laxman and Hanuman lived at the ashram and helped him to get the ashram ready for the Guru’s arrival. The Guru ignored their scorn and asked where they were. Bola lead the Guru and disciples to the main ashram building. As soon as they reached the puja room, everyone saw the figures of Sri Rama, Maa Sita, Laxman and Hanuman disappearing into the puja room. All were speechless. Sri Samarth Ramdas embraced Bola and blessed him profoundly for his bhakti and surrender to God and Guru.
Extreme bhakti and selfless service to the Guru compels Divinity to assume form and permit the devotee to offer worship and love. Let us cultivate this extreme bhakti and guru seva through SitaRam Mantra, meditation and following the teachings of the Guru and serve God.