03/01/2026
🌺 Baba’s Teaching on Jealousy (Matsara) 🌺
*On the spiritual path, jealousy is a great obstacle.
To see the Supreme Lord in every being is true freedom from jealousy.*
Once, when Nanasahib was staying in Shirdi, he was sitting in the Masjid as usual, lovingly serving Baba’s feet. At that time, no one else was present near Baba except Nanasahib. In that intimate moment, Baba was conversing freely with him and suddenly asked,
“Nana! Among the six inner vices, which one do you think is the easiest to conquer?”
By Baba’s grace and through earlier experiences, Nanasahib’s ego of knowledge had already dissolved. He had learned that when one sincerely accepts one’s ignorance, Baba blesses them with profound wisdom that washes it away. Hence, without any hesitation and with great humility, Nanasahib replied,
“I do not know, Baba.”
Baba then said,
“Ah Nana! That vice is *matsara*—jealousy—and it is indeed the easiest to conquer. Jealousy means being unable to tolerate the progress of others. In truth, another person’s progress causes us no real loss at all. Yet, when good happens to others, we fail to digest it. We criticize them without reason. If misfortune befalls them, we feel a strange joy. But why should this be so? What loss do we suffer if others prosper? What hardship comes to us?
The same God who guides us also guides them. The same God who gives to us also gives to them. Who are they, after all? Are they not, like us, manifestations of the Divine? Yet humans never think in this way. When good happens to others, we should feel happy. If we wish for the same good to happen to us, we must strive sincerely for it, pray wholeheartedly to God for His grace, and remain courageous.
Did they sn**ch anything that belonged to us? Whatever they received came according to their own karma. So why should we suffer over it? Therefore, the very first thing we must conquer is jealousy.”
These divine words that flowed from Baba’s lips touched the depths of Nanasahib’s heart. Tears of devotion and love streamed from his eyes. In that state of inner transformation, Nanasahib bowed at Baba’s sacred feet and said with all sincerity,
“Baba, from today onwards, I will strive to conquer jealousy.”
Truly, when we reflect upon the supreme fortune of Nanasahib—who directly heard such soul-purifying, exalted teachings from the very lips of Sai Bhagawan—our hearts too overflow with devotion and emotion. Though we may yearn to receive such a blessing ourselves, the harsh truth reminds us that such an experience is beyond reach.
Yet, even if not in the same way, to receive this teaching appropriately is itself a rare blessing for all Sai devotees. Through Nanasahib, Baba has bestowed this priceless teaching upon the entire community of Sai devotees. Therefore, let us feel as though we are sitting in Baba’s presence, listening to this teaching with a pure heart. Let us keep it alive in our awareness and put it into practice in our daily lives. By doing so, let us offer our true gratitude and reverence at the sacred feet of Shri Sai.
Alright!
Tomorrow, we shall attempt a deeper reflection and clearer understanding of this wonderful teaching on *matsara*, conveyed by Baba with such simple yet profound words.
(To be continued)
Om Sai Ram
🌺🙏🌺
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*Source: Sai Smarana e-Magazine, Volume 1, January 2025
With gratitude to Shri Vijaya Kishore Garu*
