He came home with me carefully wrapped in my suitcase <br /> <br />All the way from Delhi <br /> <br />Nine years back, golden-alloy statuette, one of summer days <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />When I met my paternal aunt in Paschim Vihar <br /> <br />She lovingly gifted me <br /> <br />Saying 'have Him home, not as guest, but family member.' <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />He occupies my puja, seated on dainty plated throne <br /> <br />In His now-famed posture <br /> <br />Tiny garland of rudraksh*-n-flowers around to adorn <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />This is the image of that simple but extraordinary Saint <br /> <br />Whose birth, childhood unknown <br /> <br />But He was and is revered and idolised without restraint <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />One rare Indian Sadhu** in the days of pre-freedom <br /> <br />Who was respected equally <br /> <br />By brethren of both faiths: Hindoo and Moslem <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />He healed, He helped, He guided those who needed <br /> <br />Was loved by simple folk <br /> <br />From many villages, towns in and around where He lived <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />He had complete control over the forces of universe <br /> <br />Not understood by mere mortals <br /> <br />So his deeds seemed to them like miracle, mystique, surprise <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />But when He attained His Samadhi^ when was ripe old <br /> <br />He had with him not a rupee <br /> <br />No wealth, no trusts, no successors in His fold <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />He has brought wondrous peace to all in my family <br /> <br />For the little that we do for Him <br /> <br />He continues guiding, lighting, leading all our lives verily <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />In multitude of His temples built across globe in veneration <br /> <br />To reverentially invoke and pray, <br /> <br />'Om Sai, Sri Sai', the faithful chant of Him with utmost devotion. <br /> <br />- - <br />*Rosary beads worn as necklace for by religous Hindus. <br />**Saint in Hindi <br />^Highest level of conciousness attained when the soul departs the body.<br /><br />Padmanabhan Ananth<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-golden-guest/
