THE EYES OF THE MASTER

 
On our way from the cars to where the ascent of the holy hill (on the great plateau of Mysore at Sravana Belgola — the seat of the Jain Community) began, we noticed the eyes of the Master turn towards a narrow side street. What was it that held his gaze along that street of shambled houses? We were more interested in the approaching climb and the anticipation of the summit, but Shri Baba knows and feels all.

Only on our way back we came to realize that here dwelt a holy life of today, a torchbearer and living link with a thousand years of spirituality. Shri Baba sent two of his mandali into the narrow side street, and there on an inconspicuous veranda exposed to sun or rain, sat a nude man (reminiscent of the ancient ascetic Jain) who, feeling the presence of the Master at a distance, looked out so that we chanced to see his face.

The Master's eyes met his and the inner contact was made in that moment; to those who are advanced spiritually, how little time is needed! This man is recognized in the vicinity as the present guru of the Jains, though few there are who have actually seen him. Shri Baba told us that despite this ascetic's peculiar behavior, he is not a mast but consciously on the spiritual path.

As guru, he directs spiritually many Jains today, and this "contact" with the Master will bear fruit we may yet witness among this ancient sect, which like all the religions of today, needs a reflowering. On the other hand, it could be that one spiritually longing soul, aspiring to God, drew the Master.