The Blissful Devotee Master Mahasaya

Dadi: "Guddu beta, today I'll tell you about a very special person - a man so humble and devoted that even thinking about God would make him overflow with joy."

Guddu: "Overflow with joy? Like a glass of water spilling over?"

Dadi: "Even better, beta! This man, called Master Mahasaya, would sometimes be so filled with love for the Divine Mother that tears would flow from his eyes, his voice would tremble, and he could barely speak."

Guddu: "He sounds very emotional, Dadi!"

Dadi: "He was, beta, but in the most beautiful way. His real name was Mahendra Nath Gupta, and he was a disciple of the great saint Sri Ramakrishna. He ran a small school for boys in Calcutta, and he was the most humble man his students ever knew."

Guddu: "How humble was he?"

Dadi: "So humble that he never even used his full name! He would sign his writings as just "M." He never took credit for anything. If someone praised him, he would quickly say, "It is all my Guru's grace. I am nothing.""

Guddu: "Dadi, who is this story about then? Someone who visited Master Mahasaya?"

Dadi: "Yes! A young man named Mukunda - who would later become the famous Swami Yogananda and write a book called "Autobiography of a Yogi." When Mukunda was young, he went to meet Master Mahasaya at his home on Amherst Street."

Guddu: "What happened when they met?"

Dadi: "When Mukunda entered the room, he found Master Mahasaya in deep meditation, communing with the Divine Mother - the feminine aspect of God. The young man felt a sudden, overwhelming longing to also experience that divine presence."

Guddu: "Did he ask Master Mahasaya to help?"

Dadi: "He did more than ask, beta. He grabbed the saint's feet and begged, "Please! Please ask the Divine Mother to reveal herself to me!" Master Mahasaya was touched by his sincerity. He said quietly, "I will present your petition to the Beloved.""

Guddu: "And then?"

Dadi: "That night, Mukunda went back to his attic room and meditated. And then... something magical happened. In his meditation, the Divine Mother appeared to him! She was resplendent and smiling, radiating infinite love. And she spoke to him."

Guddu: "What did she say?!"

Dadi: "*softly* She said, "Always have I loved thee. Ever shall I love thee.""

Guddu: "*whispers* That's so beautiful, Dadi..."

Dadi: "The next morning, Mukunda rushed back to Master Mahasaya's house. But before he could say a single word, the old saint smiled and said, "I already know. The Mother visited you last night.""

Guddu: "He knew?! How?"

Dadi: "Because Master Mahasaya was so connected to the Divine that he could feel such things. He told Mukunda that his sincere devotion had touched infinite mercy. "The Motherhood of God," he said, "could never fail to answer a forsaken cry.""

Guddu: "Dadi, did Master Mahasaya have any special powers?"

Dadi: "He had the power of complete surrender to God, beta. And that brought many wonderful experiences. Let me tell you about one."

Guddu: "Tell me!"

Dadi: "One day, Master Mahasaya and Mukunda were walking when a very boring, self-important man joined them and wouldn't stop talking. Mukunda was frustrated, but Master Mahasaya quietly whispered, "I have told the Mother about this.""

Guddu: "And then?"

Dadi: "When they reached a red house, the man suddenly stopped mid-sentence, said goodbye, and left! Just like that! It was as if the Divine Mother had heard and solved the problem."

Guddu: "*laughs* The Divine Mother rescued them from a boring conversation!"

Dadi: "Even in small things, beta, God listens. Another time, they went to see "bioscopes" - what we call movies today. The university lecture they attended was terribly dull. Master Mahasaya leaned over and said, "I've told Mother." Immediately, all the lights went out! A power failure! They had to leave."

Guddu: "That's amazing! It's like he had a direct phone line to God!"

Dadi: "In a way, he did. But here's what's most beautiful about Master Mahasaya - his humility. When Mukunda tried to bow at his feet in gratitude, the old saint stopped him immediately."

Guddu: "Why?"

Dadi: "He said, "God dwells equally in your temple as in mine. I cannot allow the Divine Mother to touch my feet through your hands." He saw God in everyone - even in the young man bowing to him."

Guddu: "He didn't think he was special at all?"

Dadi: "That was his specialness, beta. True saints never see themselves as superior. Master Mahasaya once corrected Mukunda for silently judging some men who were mechanically chanting God's name. He said, "The Divine Mother's name sounds sweet from all lips, whether ignorant or wise.""

Guddu: "So we shouldn't judge how others worship?"

Dadi: "Exactly. God hears every sincere call, no matter how simple or sophisticated it sounds."

Guddu: "What can we learn from Master Mahasaya, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Many things, mere bacche. First, that humility is the doorway to divine grace. Master Mahasaya never sought honors, yet he experienced the most profound spiritual realities."

Guddu: "And second?"

Dadi: "Second, that God is not far away. Master Mahasaya talked to the Divine Mother about everything - boring lecturers, annoying companions, even small daily troubles. He showed that the divine is interested in every part of our lives."

Guddu: "Third?"

Dadi: "Third, that we should see the divine in everyone. If Master Mahasaya could see God in a young student bowing to him, can we not see God in our friends, our family, even people who annoy us?"

Guddu: "Dadi, how do I become more like Master Mahasaya?"

Dadi: "Start small, beta. When you feel happy, thank God. When you're troubled, ask for help. When you meet people, try to see something divine in them. And most importantly - stay humble. Remember that any good in us comes from a source greater than ourselves."

Guddu: "I'll try, Dadi. I'll talk to God like Master Mahasaya did - about everything!"

Dadi: "*smiles* And God will listen, beta. God always listens to a sincere heart."