WONDEROUS SAINT SRI SAIBABA-PART18

BY PUJYA SRI NARASIMHASWAMY JI

JEALOUSY EASIEST TO CONQUER
SAI BABA POINTS A MORAL

One day Sri Sai Baba asked Nana Saheb: "Of all the six internal enemies of man, which is the easiest to conquer?" Nana could not say which it was. Baba then pointed out that jealousy was the easiest to conquer. In the other passions, there is some question of gain or loss to a man, but when a man is afflicted with jealousy, he is getting no material gain nor avoiding material loss thereby. It is perverse inability to put up with some other man's good fortune. If another obtains something, that is due to his previous good works; and we ought to rejoice at it. In any case, he does not gain it at our expense and we do not suffer any loss or disadvantage. So by dwelling on these matters, jealousy must be the easiest to conquer. In such forceful terms, Baba impressed a lesson much needed in these days of competition.

Grasping is Loss :
Baba frequently drew the attention of his devotees to the wisdom and happiness of parting with goods due to another and the folly of retaining them. Acceptance of goods or services from others gratis takes away one's Apurva or stored up merit. Baba taught this to Nana in various ways.