The Greatest Devotee

At Kodaikanal, Baba spoke about Arjuna’s ego, to show that even great people in a moment of ignorance can make mistakes.

One day, Arjuna asked Lord Krishna, “My dear Lord, do You have a devotee who is as close to You as I am?” Lord Krishna was standing on top of a hill and He said, “Do you see the man working in the field there? Go to him and he will give you the answer.” Arjuna found the man busily consuming dried grass, though he was working in a green vegetable garden. Arjuna wondered why Krishna had sent him to a mad man. Anyway, he asked him, “Dear sir, will you tell me what you are doing?” The man turned around and said “Can’t you see? I am enjoying my lunch.” Then Arjuna asked him “There are many green vegetables over here. Why are you eating the dried grass?” The man said, “God has created the plants, animals, and human beings. Human beings have human life, animals have animal life, and plants have plant life. I do not want to destroy any more life and create karma which I will have to pay back. Lord Krishna is here and I want to merge in this life with God. Therefore, I am consuming this dried grass. It has the nutrition to keep me alive.”

Arjuna was amazed at his devotion. Then he found that the man carried a sword, so he asked him what that was for. The man quickly drew his sword out and said, “Oh, I am just waiting to kill those four people.” Arjuna was shocked at this; he could not understand all this. “Here is a man who did not want to consume green vegetables, yet he is carrying a sword to kill four people. What kind of devotion is this?” Arjuna wondered.

Then he asked him, “Please, tell me who is the first person you want to kill?” He said, “I want to kill Narada.” Arjuna was shocked because Narada was a very great devotee, a messenger of God who traveled from one plane to another. So Arjuna asked him, “Why are you eagerly waiting to kill Narada?” He said, “Narada doesn’t give the Lord a moment of peace. He keeps on chanting ‘Narayana, Narayana, Narayana.’ My poor Lord doesn’t have a few minutes rest as a result of this.”

Then Arjuna asked him, “Who is the second person you want to kill?” He said, “I want to kill Prahlada.” Arjuna said, “What, you want to kill a little boy, what for?” He said, “Prahlada humiliated my Lord. He made Him take the form of half lion and half human and go into a pillar.”

Arjuna asked, “Who is the third person?” He replied, “Oh, that lady, Draupadi.” Arjuna was shocked, “What, you want to kill such a great lady, so close to Lord Krishna?” The man replied, “One day, my Lord took a handful of food, brought it to His mouth, but, instead of putting it into the mouth, He had to take the food and put it back on to the plate and rush off to help Draupadi when she was stripped of her sari. So, for worrying my Lord at a time when He sat down to have His meal, I will kill her. My poor Lord cannot even enjoy His meal.”

Arjuna then asked the next question, “Who is the fourth person you want to kill?” The man said, “Oh, he is the person that I hate the most. Do you see this sword, I will cut him into pieces for the way he worried my Lord. I have not seen him as yet but let someone show me who he is and see what I will do to him. Arjuna asked, “Who is that person?” He said, “That person is Arjuna.” A cold shiver ran down Arjuna’s spine and he asked, “Why do you want to kill Arjuna?” The man replied “For eighteen long days, he humiliated my Lord. He made my Lord his charioteer. My Lord had to go on His knees and he would place his foot on my Lord’s shoulder and get on to the chariot. Then, with his foot, he would press on to the Lord’s shoulder and say—turn right, turn left, stop, go faster, and so on. For abusing my Lord like that, I hate him most and I will kill him the moment I see him”.

Arjuna realized that there were very great devotees of Lord Krishna who may not be close to Him physically. He went up the hill to Lord Krishna and he put his head down and said, ‘Thank you, my Lord. Now I know that you have very great devotees.” Lord Krishna told him, “Arjuna, no man has a yardstick to measure the devotion of any human being. I only have that yardstick.”

The Greatest Devotee

True devotion is not measured by wealth, power, or recognition. It is measured by purity of heart, faith in God, and the willingness to surrender completely to the divine will. Throughout history, saints and seekers have shown humanity the meaning of devotion through their love for the Almighty. The journey of The Greatest Devotee is not about becoming famous but about becoming spiritually awakened through unwavering faith and humility. In the spiritual traditions celebrated by Devotional India, devotion is considered the highest path to attain peace and liberation.

A true devotee lives with kindness, compassion, and gratitude. The heart of The Greatest Devotee is filled with divine love that shines through every action and thought. Such a person does not seek rewards from God but simply wishes to remain connected to the divine presence. In the sacred teachings shared by Devotional India, it is said that when devotion becomes pure, God Himself protects and guides the devotee through every challenge of life.

Many spiritual stories describe how saints endured hardships while remaining firm in their faith. These stories inspire millions to understand the real strength of devotion. The Greatest Devotee does not lose faith during difficult times because trust in God becomes stronger than fear or doubt. Through prayers, meditation, and selfless service, the devotee develops inner peace and spiritual wisdom. According to the spiritual values promoted by Devotional India, devotion transforms ordinary life into a sacred journey filled with divine blessings.

The power of devotion can change the human heart completely. A person filled with anger, ego, or greed becomes calm and compassionate through sincere prayer. The Greatest Devotee understands that every living being carries a spark of divinity and therefore treats others with respect and love. This spiritual understanding creates harmony in families, communities, and society. The teachings of Devotional India encourage people to cultivate devotion not only in temples but also in daily actions, words, and thoughts.

In every age, devotees have shown that love for God is stronger than worldly attachments. Saints spent their lives singing hymns, serving humanity, and spreading messages of peace. Their devotion continues to inspire future generations. The Greatest Devotee always remains humble because true spirituality removes pride and fills the heart with gratitude. Such humility allows divine grace to enter one’s life and guide every step toward righteousness.

Faith is the foundation of devotion. Without faith, the mind becomes restless and confused. A devotee trusts that every event in life happens according to divine wisdom. This trust gives courage to face struggles with patience and positivity. The Greatest Devotee accepts both happiness and sorrow as blessings from God and continues to pray with complete surrender. Through the spiritual guidance offered by Devotional India, many seekers learn how devotion can bring mental peace and emotional strength even in difficult circumstances.

Prayer and chanting are powerful ways to connect with the divine. Repeating the holy name of God purifies the mind and creates spiritual energy within the soul. The Greatest Devotee finds joy not in material success but in remembering God every moment. This constant remembrance creates a deep spiritual bond that brings everlasting happiness. In the traditions of Devotional India, devotional music, bhajans, and sacred festivals help devotees experience divine love in a beautiful and meaningful way.

The path of devotion teaches humanity the importance of love, forgiveness, and surrender. A sincere devotee serves others selflessly and spreads positivity wherever they go. The Greatest Devotee inspires people to rise above hatred and selfishness by following the path of compassion and truth. Such devotion becomes a light that removes darkness from the world and guides humanity toward spiritual awakening.

Ultimately, the message of devotion is simple yet powerful. God does not look at status or achievements but at the purity of the heart. The Greatest Devotee is the one who loves God unconditionally and serves humanity with humility and kindness. The spiritual culture of Devotional India continues to inspire millions to walk this sacred path and discover the divine presence within themselves.

-Fun With Sai