By The Sai Sandesh Team, Om Sai Mandir

Intent on testing the devotion and faith of God’s devotees, Sage Narada left his celestial realm to visit devotees on earth. At first he approached the house of a well-known priest. As soon as he entered the priest’s house, he was greeted with great pomp and splendor. The priest fell at the sage’s feet, washed them, and offered several fruits and delicacies to appease his divine guest. When Narada had settled, the priest asked, “O Divine Sage, you have access to all the celestial planes and know many facts that are unknown to ordinary human beings. Could you tell me what God is doing right now?”

Narada is witty by nature and he responded to the priest’s request as follows: “Holy Sir, God plays many sports and performs countless deeds. He is trying to pass an elephant through a needle’s eye right now.”

On hearing this response, the priest burst into a thunderous laughter. He mocked his divine guest and said, “How foolish of you. How can an elephant pass through a needle’s eye?”The sage remained silent.

Narada left the place shortly thereafter and visited the houses of several devotees. At every devotee’s place, Narada would say the same thing: “God is passing an elephant through a needle’s eye.” Unfortunately, he would receive the same mockery and laughter wherever he went.

Finally, Narada visited a poor, illiterate cobbler. The cobbler had no learning and was simply performing his work while chanting God’s name constantly. As soon as the cobbler saw Narada, he was overwhelmed and fell at the sage’s feet. He worshipped the sage in the most humble manner and asked the same question as others: “Divine Sage, what is God doing right now?”

Narada gave the same response but this time he was in for a surprise. The cobbler danced in ecstacy and said, “Ah, what is impossible for God. Why an elephant? God can pass the entire creation through a needle’s eye. Nothing is impossible for God! Nothing!” Narada’s eyes were filled with tears. He was touched by this outpour of loving devotion and faith from this simple man.

Truly, nothing is impossible for God. Nothing! All God needs is our faith and love.

There was once an ardent devotee of God. He chanted God’s name millions of times but could not win a vision of the Divine. Having pushed his efforts to the extreme, he felt very frustrated and dejected due to the lack of progress in his spiritual efforts.

Finally, one day he just decided to just give up. He packed his belongings and proceeded to leave the temple where we had been practicing penance for so many years. Just as he was about to take his first step, Kaal Bhairav, a deity, manifested in front of him and said, “My child, where are you leaving? One must complete a good undertaking and avoid giving room to doubts and frustrations.” The devotee was pleased to see the vision but that was not the deity he was trying to appease. His goal was to secure of vision of God in the form of the Divine Mother. The devotee expressed this desire to Kaal Bhairav and questioned why he had been unable to achieve success in his endeavors.

Kaal Bhairav smiled and said, “Child, as a result of all the prayers you did so far you were able to burn all your past karma. It was because your karma has been nullified that you could win my vision. If you make the slightest effort now, the Divine Mother will manifest her presence and grace you.”

The devotee was extremely delighted and encouraged at this emphatic statement and decided to pursue his prayers with an even greater zeal. No sooner did he start, the Holy Mother granted Her vision and blessed the devotee profusely.

The line between failure and success is very thin. The last bit of effort might just be the one that could lead you to your goal. Sai Ram!