Rating *****

(UK order link)

219 pages (Volume I), 233 pages (Volume II)
published by Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust
ISBN 8172081162 (Set)

«Oka Chinna Katha» - when Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba intercepts the speeding current of His Discourse with these three Telugu words, meaning, "One Little Story", all ears are alert, all hearts are quivive. For, the story that follows is a flash that illumines, a shower that cools, a joke that tickles, a 'tablet' that alleviates, a peep into epic grandeur or pompous absurdity, a poetic parenthesis, an exhilarating prick, a lilt that enlightens, a sugar-coated pill of profoundity, a disarming repartee, a volley of raillery on religious rigmarole! It may be a tonic tale of the past or the report of a contemporary comedy; it may be a thrust on theological disputation or dear little dig at some egoistic dignitary.

The Chinna Katha, if only we ponder over its relevance, is an effective instrument in Bhagavan's educational process. When He is discoursing, these parables and stories, ever on the wing, hover in flocks in the firmament of His Love; He lets a few fly into our hearts and nestle there, until we fondle and foster them and make them part of our thought and behaviour patterns. Here is a charming, fragrant bouquet of these multicoloured Kathas, for our delectation, meditation and inspiration.

Last Updated Monday, December 28, 1998