By: C V Srivalli
Baba had great affection towards Laxmibai, the wife of Ganesh Srikrishna Khaparde, a famous lawyer from Amaravathy. He used to call her Mother Khaparde and told her how she was connected to him in different previous births.
Once Mother Khaparde brought curd-rice and a pickle to Baba and told him – ‘This is a freshly made pickle. Baba was delighted and gave her a short sermon about attaining perfection from the pickle.
A freshly made pickle – it’s sharp and intense. It has all the ingredients that a ready-to-eat pickle has but lacks the mellow taste. Baba said as it ages, it matures into something truly delicious. In the same way, when you gain knowledge, you may have the answers to many situations. But there are rough edges to your personality. You may speak words of wisdom. But you may not be living them.
Baba pointed out that at a younger age, you are taught by elders to be unselfish, but you get distracted by the allure of instant pleasure. This gap between what you know and what you should do is not insurmountable.
Baba told Mother Khaparde that becoming wise is a journey. It involves three phases. The first stage is Shravan, gaining information, like reading a book or reciting God’s name. The second 
phase is Manan, reflection, thinking, contemplating on the Scriptural Baba pointed ideas, and experimenting with them. Finally, the third phase is Nidhidhyasan, living and practicing them. This is when you truly transform into a better person. Intake of knowledge is easy, and reflection takes effort, but applying it in life is the real challenge.
Baba pointed out that Khapardes have lived with the right attitude of living in proximity to God Almighty without focusing on fleeting pleasures. Consider always – the joy of giving, loving others, and rising to emotional thrills and intellectual delights. You will grow into a remarkable personality. The final plunge is to the spiritual realm. You will then see the futility of worldly pursuits, and not be carried away by the glitter of transitory joys. You will seek infinite happiness and attain enlightenment.
Long before you take on the world, you must win against your deadliest opponent – you! You have imposed limitations on yourself. You worry about failing and do not even consider the possibility of winning.
The world is a projection of your mind. Change your thoughts into ‘Raja Ram, Raja Ram’ and your world changes miraculously. The same world you felt insecure, vulnerable, and threatened, now becomes a secure, welcoming, and warm environment. All it requires is a change in attitude.
Everyone wants happiness. Baba pointed out that the ignorant seek and obtain trivial, finite ends.
Baba asked Mother Khaparde to visualize the transcendental and worship God. She was a Jnani and excelled. She was bound to get permanent happiness and attain enlightenment.
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