Normally if anyone brings something to eat during the
afternoons and it is over by the time I go to Bhagavan, it is
usual for Bhagavan to offer me a portion of what he has in
his hands, but as what he eats is usually very small quantity,
I respectfully decline to take it and go to the kitchen and
eat. I wanted to do the same thing this time also and looked
towards the kitchen. Noticing it Bhagavan called me and
said, “Listen. You won’t get this there, as it is all being
consumed here only. Come near. This is very tasty.” When I
went there as desired, Bhagavan gave me all that he had in
his hands. When I protested against his giving me away all
that he had, he said, “Never mind. I have already eaten a
lot. Your share only is the leftover.” I accepted it as a
mahaprasadam — an invaluable gift — and ate it with great
relish. To me it appeared like nectar. My delight knew no
* Prasad means food offered to God.
bounds as it was a prasadam received unsolicited from
Bhagavan’s own hands. My joy was indescribable.
Guroruchistam (the leftover of a Guru) is really this and not
what is left over from the guru’s plate or leaf after he eats.
This is perhaps what Bhagavan wanted to teach us that day.
While residing on the hill and also during the early
days of the Ashram, Bhagavan used to take part in kitchen
work and so devotees were at the time receiving prasadam at
his hands like this, but since my coming here this has not
happened. So on that day, when I received from Bhagavan’s
own hands a portion of what himself was eating, all felt that
it was my special good fortune — the result of my past births.