Dehradun: The influence of power often pales in comparison to spirituality. Baba Neem Karauli is considered to be a great devotee of Hanuman ji and a miraculous saint. Even decades after his demise, the faith of the devotees has not diminished. An incident to his life even today teaches people that neither position nor protocol matters between a devotee and God.

This incident happened at the time when Baba was staying at Sarsaiya Ghat in Kanpur. About 200 devotees had gathered there to have darshan and listen to his sermon. At the same time, DSP of Kanpur arrived with some policemen and told that the then Prime Minister of the country Lal Bahadur Shastri and senior leader Gulzarilal wanted to meet Nanda Baba.

The Prime Minister was refused    

Baba clearly refused the DSP’s request. The police officers felt that since it was a matter of the Prime Minister, he should be taken inside. As soon as Lal Bahadur Shastri and Gulzarilal moved towards Nanda Baba, something happened which surprised everyone.

Baba suddenly merged into a divine light and disappeared from there. The Prime Minister and the security personnel kept watching but Baba was nowhere to be found. After waiting for some time, when Baba did not appear, both the leaders had to return without meeting him.

After some time after the leaders left, Baba again came and sat among the devotees. The people present there were astonished to see this.

If you had come as a simple devotee, you would definitely have got it.   

A devotee asked Baba why he did not meet the Prime Minister of the country. Baba replied that since I do not differentiate between common and special devotees, then he too should have come as an ordinary devotee. Why did they erect a wall of police between me and the devotees?

If he had come like a common man, I would have definitely met him. Baba said that position and ego have no place in the path of spirituality. The relationship between devotee and God is formed only with faith and true heart.

Baba’s teachings remain intact even today   

Through this incident, Baba made it clear that VVIP culture does not work at his rate. Even today, big leaders come to Kainchi Dham for darshan without any special facilities, standing in a queue like a common devotee.

This teaching of Baba Neem Karauli still reminds people that in true devotion neither rank nor protocol matters, only a sincere heart and faith matter.