Officer and Peon Once upon a time, there lived two friends in a village. They often went on long journeys together. One of them had a horse, and so he always rode from place to place. The other walked by his side and he liked to carry a big soft pillow under his arm. Once when they were traveling thus, men saluted the friend on horse‑back, for, they believed him to be a big officer. They paid no notice to the man with the pillow, for; they thought of him as a peon, carrying the bundle of clothes belonging to his master. After a few miles of journey, the two friends entered a choultry (rest area), with a broad pail. The friend who had walked wished to rest for a time. He placed the pillow against the wall, and using it as a head‑rest, stretched his legs. His friend led the horse by its reins, and went round the garden in front of the choultry, searching for some shade where he could tether it, before joining his companion. People who saw them then, saluted the `man with the pillow,’ for they believed he was a big officer. They paid no notice to the man with the horse, for; they thought of him as a peon, looking after his master’s horse. But, the friends did not care. They knew that the villagers did not know the truth. They were only guessing from what they saw for a little while. They were hasty in forming opinions. Those who honor us today may well dishonor us tomorrow. We should not care for what people think of us. We must do our duty, and stick to truth, whatever people may say or may not say. ~BabaSource: Sanathana Sarathi, March 1973

Discover the Lord Within In this Kaliyuga, the principle of prema is not in evidence. It is smothered in jealousy, conceit, hatred, fear, falsehood, and greed. That is why it is best referred to as the kalaha-yuga, the age of faction, marked by fights between mother and daughter, father and son, teacher and pupil, guru and guru, brother and brother. The recitation of the name of Krishna is the best method for cleansing the mind of all these evil impulses. You may ask, “If we engage ourselves in this pastime, how can we earn our livelihood?” Well, let me assure you, if you have pure and steady faith in the Lord, He will provide for you, not merely food, but the nectar of immortality. You have that mighty potentiality in you, to discover the Lord within and compel, Him to grant you that nectar. ~Bab