When Bhagawan Defined True Friendship

When Bhagawan Defined True Friendship

During a Prasanthi evening of those ‘olden-golden’ days, when Bhagawan would spend time with His students imparting value based lessons, Bhagawan had a cut out task for a group of students, to define the characteristics of True Friendship. As He ‘threw the hat into the ring’ inviting the student folk to join, they got enthused and started coming up with answers galore. Many answers were given and the examples of Lord Krishna and Arjuna were cited. Bhagawan was candid and clear, that He wanted examples from human lives alone. The relation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna was that of the Divine to man.

As usual, finally, after giving equal share to the participants, Bhagawan pitched in HimSelf, delivering ‘the answer’. Answering the same through a story from ancient Italy, He went on illustrating it, in His own inimitable style.

Bhagawan said true friendship is present when the friends regard themselves as two bodies with one heart and soul. He then related the story of two unusual friends, Damon and Pythias.

Pythias had been sentenced to death by a ruler (of Syracuse) for an offence against the State. Pythias’s friend, Damon, came to the ruler and said that as the sentence was to be executed a month later Pythias might be released from prison to see his wife and children. The ruler was gracious enough, and agreed to release Pythias on condition that Damon agreed to be in prison for a month and was willing to suffer the death sentence in case Pythias did not turn up on the due date. Damon readily offered to take Pythias’s place. Pythias was freed and permitted to go home to meet his immediate family. As the news of the unusual ‘treaty’ spread all over, on the day prior to the date of execution a large crowd had gathered at the prison to see whether Pythias kept his word. Time clock ticked most diligently, and tension mounted as Pythias, as promised, had not arrived yet, by the evening.

Damon was cheerfully ready to mount the scaffold in case Pythias did not turn up. It was late in the night, but ‘the true friend’ kept his promise. He came running to the prison to save his dear friend, Damon, from execution for his sake. The ‘D-day’ morning next, as the kingly ruler was escorted to the royal court,  he was left astonished at seeing both the friends ‘ready for the gallows’, Damon and Pythias!!! Awe-struck at the intense love between the twin ‘true’ friends, his heart turned full and fulfilled, and thus his most unexpected verdict, pardoning Pythias and absorbing the ‘best of friends’ into the State service.

Bhagawan went on to say that such friendship was not to be found today. Most ‘friends’ were fair weather friends who flocked around a person when he was prosperous or held a high position, but ignored him when he was down and out. Such ‘friends’ were like frogs which gathered in a pond full of water but abandoned it when it was dry. Swami declared, God alone was the unfailing friend Who could be relied upon to stand by the man of faith in weal and woe and protect him through all vicissitudes. Young people should not think that they could postpone thinking about God till their old age. No one can say when the ‘final call’ will come. Only if one remembers God constantly all the time will he be able to remember God in his final moments.

When Bhagawan Defined True Friendship – A Sacred Lesson Of Love, Trust, And Divine Companionship

When Bhagawan Defined True Friendship, He gave devotees a beautiful understanding that friendship is not merely a social bond, a casual relationship, or a matter of convenience. True friendship is based on love, loyalty, sacrifice, understanding, and spiritual concern for the welfare of the other person. It is a bond that uplifts, protects, and guides.

In ordinary life, many friendships are formed through common interests, comfort, entertainment, or personal benefit. Such friendships may remain pleasant for some time, but they can weaken when situations change. A true friend, however, stands with us in difficulty, corrects us when needed, and helps us become better human beings.

When Bhagawan Defined True Friendship, He reminded us that the best friend is one who leads us toward goodness. A person who encourages wrong habits, careless living, gossip, anger, or selfishness may appear friendly, but such company can harm the soul. Real friendship should strengthen character, not weaken it.

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba often taught that God is the only real friend because His love is constant, pure, and selfless. Human friends may misunderstand us, leave us, or fail to help due to their own limitations. But God knows every hidden fear, silent prayer, and sincere longing of the heart.

When Bhagawan Defined True Friendship, He also showed that friendship must include truth. A true friend does not flatter us only to keep us happy. He speaks with kindness, but also with honesty. Correction given with love is a blessing. It may hurt the ego for a moment, but it protects the soul from greater suffering.

Friendship becomes sacred when it is free from selfish expectation. If we help only when we expect something in return, the bond remains limited. A noble friend gives time, care, prayer, and support without constantly calculating personal gain. Such friendship reflects the love of God in human form.

When Bhagawan Defined True Friendship, He taught through His own life that divine friendship is full of compassion. Swami listened to devotees, guided them, corrected them, protected them, and loved them beyond their faults. He did not love only the perfect; He lifted the weak, strengthened the doubtful, and gave hope to the sorrowful.

A true friend should also help us remember God. In moments of fear, he reminds us to pray. In moments of pride, he reminds us to be humble. In moments of sorrow, he gives courage. In moments of confusion, he helps us choose the path of truth. Such friendship becomes a form of satsang.

When Bhagawan Defined True Friendship, the message was not only about choosing good friends, but also about becoming one. We should ask ourselves whether we are loyal, kind, truthful, patient, and helpful to others. Do we listen with care? Do we support without pride? Do we correct without cruelty? Do we forgive without keeping bitterness?

Friendship must not become attachment. Attachment controls, expects, and fears loss. True friendship gives freedom, strength, and peace. It does not bind the other person with selfish demand. It prays for their welfare and supports their growth, even when life takes them through different paths.

When Bhagawan Defined True Friendship, He showed that love must be joined with service. A friend should not only speak sweet words, but also help in practical ways when needed. A meal offered with love, a patient conversation, a prayerful thought, or silent support during pain can become a sacred expression of friendship.

The highest friendship is friendship with God. When the devotee makes God the closest companion, loneliness becomes weaker and faith becomes stronger. Prayer becomes conversation, remembrance becomes comfort, and conscience becomes guidance. The devotee begins to feel that the Divine is always near.

In the end, When Bhagawan Defined True Friendship is a sacred reminder to choose noble company, become a loyal friend, and recognize God as the eternal companion of the soul. True friendship should lead us toward love, truth, humility, service, and divine remembrance. When friendship is filled with purity and selflessness, it becomes a blessing touched by God’s grace.

The Holy Bundle Of Bliss