Oh! I am a Chowkidar (watchman)

Oh! I am a Chowkidar (watchman)

On another occasion group captain Bose, driving with his wife and father-in-law from Ambala to Gauhati in a high powered car with low clearance was unable to move on the slushy road near Hariharganj. The entire area was dangerously flooded by serpentine heavy rains; the road was a lake. The back wheels of the car sank completely into the mud, while up front, one wheel was stuck in a ditch! At that late hour of 11.30 p.m. no help was available, nor would it have been of much avail since all efforts to free her only succeeded in making her sink deeper. The occupants were able to procure shelter in a nearby school, and slept on bare benches at night. Mrs. Bose felt that Baba had spared them a long and hazardous journey, driving through the night, but her husband was determined to reach Gauhati where he had to preside over a Court Martial. “Duty is God. Work is Worship,” he quoted Baba.

When dawn broke, no passing car or truck would agree to help, nor would the small crowd of amused villagers lift a finger! Their enjoyment of the pitiable spectacle only fanned the flames of despair. Unfortunately Mr. Bose had a little bit of ego left in him; he decided to rely on horse power rather than Sai Power! Ropes were procured, but the car would not move; the engine was restarted, but she only sank further into the slush. Eventually, an exhausted Bose flopped to the ground, saying, “The Lotus Feet of Baba is our only refuge.” Almost immediately a gentle looking man with a strong physique came towards them. No one seemed to recognize him, nor could they guess his whereabouts. Handing his umbrella to Mrs. Bose, he became master of the situation. Bose was asked to get into the car and take the wheel – a sweet fragrance flooded the interior, but before the engine could be switched on, or the gaping crowd could offer assistance, Mrs. Bose saw the man ‘put his right hand under the bumper, and with one lift, he placed the car forward upon hard ground, all wheels safe out of the awful mire.’ Then all the occupants were requested to get into the car! Puzzled, they tried to thank him and to ask who, and what he was, “Oh, I am a Chowkidar (watchman),” he said, and walked away. Disengaging itself from the now vociferous crowd, the car moved away, and soon caught up with the man, walking briskly down the road. Bose begged the man to accept something but he refused. Then He spoke one sentence, “Why did you not call for me last night itself?” The Lotus Feet had indeed come to them!

I am a Chowkidar – A Sacred Lesson On Duty, Vigilance, And Service

I am a Chowkidar is a simple statement, but it carries a deep spiritual meaning when understood with humility. A chowkidar is one who watches, protects, remains alert, and serves without seeking constant praise. In ordinary life, this duty may be connected with guarding a place, but in spiritual life, it becomes a reminder to guard the heart, protect good values, and remain awake to the voice of conscience.

Every human being has something sacred to protect. We must protect truth in our speech, purity in our thoughts, compassion in our actions, and faith in our heart. If we become careless, negative habits can enter silently. Anger, greed, jealousy, pride, and selfishness can slowly disturb inner peace. Therefore, spiritual alertness is necessary every day.

I am a Chowkidar teaches that real guarding begins within. It is easy to notice the faults of others, but difficult to watch our own mind. The mind can deceive us through excuses, desires, and ego. A sincere seeker must stand at the doorway of the heart and ask, “Is this thought pure? Is this word kind? Is this action helpful?”

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba often emphasized purity of thought, word, and deed. This purity does not happen automatically. It requires constant watchfulness. Just as a guard remains alert at the gate, the devotee must remain alert at the gate of the senses. What we see, hear, speak, and think shapes the direction of life.

A true spiritual guard does not protect only personal comfort. He protects dharma. Dharma means right conduct, truth, compassion, discipline, and love in action. When we refuse to support dishonesty, when we speak gently instead of harshly, when we help someone in need, and when we choose goodness over selfishness, we are guarding dharma.

I am a Chowkidar becomes meaningful when it is connected with service. A watchman does not sleep while others depend on his alertness. In the same way, a devotee should not become careless when society needs kindness, honesty, and courage. Serving the hungry, helping the weak, guiding children, caring for elders, and protecting nature are also sacred forms of duty.

The world today needs people who are watchful over values. Many people are busy protecting wealth, position, image, and personal interest, but fewer protect character. Yet character is the real treasure of human life. Without character, education becomes dangerous, wealth becomes pride, and power becomes harmful. With character, even a simple life becomes noble.

I am a Chowkidar also reminds us to guard our speech. Words can heal, but they can also wound. A careless word can break trust, create anger, and spread pain. A careful word can bring comfort, courage, and peace. Before speaking, we should ask whether our words are truthful, necessary, and kind.

The heart must also be guarded from hatred. Hatred enters when we forget the Divine in others. We may disagree with someone, but we should not lose compassion. We may correct wrong behavior, but we should not become cruel. Spiritual vigilance means protecting love even during difficulty.

I am a Chowkidar finally teaches that humility is the foundation of true service. A guard may perform an important duty, yet often remains unnoticed. This is a lesson for devotees. We should serve without demanding recognition. God sees every sincere action, every silent sacrifice, and every pure intention. Divine approval is greater than worldly praise.

A devotee must also guard time. Time wasted in gossip, laziness, anger, and useless worry cannot be recovered. Every day gives us a chance to pray, work honestly, serve someone, learn something noble, and remember God. A watchful person uses time wisely because human life is precious.

Prayer helps us remain alert. When we begin the day with remembrance of God, the mind becomes stronger. Namasmarana protects the heart from negativity. Bhajan fills life with devotion. Meditation creates inner silence. Selfless service keeps ego under control. These practices become spiritual guards around the soul.

In the end, I am a Chowkidar is a call to live with responsibility, purity, and devotion. It asks us to guard the heart from evil, guard society through service, guard speech with kindness, and guard faith through surrender. When we remain alert in thought, word, and deed, life becomes a sacred duty offered at the feet of God.

Sai Saga