God resides in everyone

It was a bright sunny morning in the ancient town of Kasi. It was the day and stage for the Lord, Kasi Viswanathar, to bring to light one of the sublime principles of life. In the form of a beggarman, sporting a dishevelled look, barely clothed and with a bowl is His hand, Lord Shiva walked on the streets of Kasi seeking food. He knocked on the doors of the wealthy with no response. He moved from one house to another on the better-off streets. Still not a morsel was offered.

The sun was coming down; temple bells were ringing, and devotees were rushing with offerings. But the Lord did not receive a moment’s attention on the streets. He finally walked, tired, to a secluded spot where the sewage mixed with the Holy Ganga. There sat a lepor, surrounded by four dogs. He had food is his bowl and was dividing it into five portions. Four of these went to the dogs and the fifth was for himself.

The Lord stretched His arms seeking the little that was available with the lepor. And, He got the food. Eat it first, commanded the lepor. “Do you know who I am?,” asked the Lord. “Eat your food first,” the lepor replied again. The Lord shouted back the question. “You are the Lord, Kasi Viswanathar,” came the emphatic reply. “How do you know?” the Lord asked. “Who else would accept food from my hands,” the lepor retorted softly.

God is in all and there is no distinction between one living being and another for Him, was the subtle truth that the lepor had expressed. The Lord was taken aback and had found His man.

[Illustrations by Sreedarshine. H, Sri Sathya Sai Balvikas Student]