The All-Knowing Nature of Śrīla Bābājī Mahārāja
Many people would come to receive the darśana of Śrīla Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī Mahārāja, leaving donations upon departure. He would keep these donations in a small jug and have the money counted and mostly spent every fifteen days. Despite his advanced age and limited eyesight, Bābājī Mahārāja knew if even a small amount of money, such as 10 or 15 rupees, was moved without his knowledge, demonstrating his all-knowing nature.
Bābājī Mahārāja’s Disdain for the Hypocritical Residents of the Dhāma
Whatever donations Śrīla Bābājī Mahārāja received, he would spend as he saw fit. One day, he instructed his servant to use 200 rupees to buy rasagullas for all the cows of the dhāma. When the servant questioned why the rasagullas were not being given to the Bābājī Vaiṣṇavas of the dhāma, Bābājī Mahārāja explained that many of the bābājīs were hypocrites, using their renunciant status to engage in illicit activities. Therefore, he preferred to feed the cows rather than the hypocritical bābājīs.
Lesson to be Learned:
True spiritual leadership requires discernment and integrity. Śrīla Bābājī Mahārāja exemplified this by not only being aware of the actions and intentions of those around him, despite his physical limitations, but also by taking a strong stance against hypocrisy. His actions teach us that spiritual merit is not in outward appearances or titles, but in genuine, sincere devotion.
Prayer:
O Lord, grant me the clarity and wisdom to see beyond appearances and to recognize true devotion and integrity. Help me to act with sincerity and to avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy. May I be guided by Your light to uphold the values of true spiritual leadership, just as Śrīla Bābājī Mahārāja did.
