GOD EXISTS - 4. CAN GOD BE SEEN - Sri Swami Sivananda

GOD EXISTS - 4. CAN GOD BE SEEN - Sri Swami Sivananda - HQ Full Book.

Chapter 4: Can God Be Seen? – A Reflection on Divine Perception
In Chapter 4 of *God Exists* by Sri Swami Sivananda, titled *Can God Be Seen?*, the author delves into the profound question of whether the omnipresent, formless, and infinite God can be perceived by human senses. Through a captivating narrative involving Emperor Akbar and his wise minister Birbal, Sivananda illustrates the limitations of human perception and the nature of divine realization. The chapter is a masterful blend of storytelling and spiritual wisdom, offering readers a deeper understanding of how God, though invisible to the physical eye, can be realized through inner purification and wisdom.

The Story of Akbar and Birbal: A Quest to See God
The chapter begins with Emperor Akbar posing a challenging question to his minister, Birbal. Akbar, known for his curiosity and intellectual pursuits, questions Birbal’s assertion that God is everywhere. To test this claim, Akbar removes his diamond ring and asks, “Is your God in this ring, too?” Birbal confidently replies that God is indeed present in the ring. However, when Akbar demands to see God in the ring, Birbal is left speechless. He requests six months to find an answer, during which he becomes deeply troubled, unable to reconcile his faith with the Emperor’s demand for tangible proof.
This dilemma sets the stage for a profound spiritual lesson. Birbal’s struggle symbolizes the human mind’s inability to grasp the infinite and formless nature of God through sensory perception alone. The physical eyes, bound by material limitations, cannot perceive the divine, which exists beyond name, form, and space.

The Boy-Mendicant: A Messenger of Wisdom
Birbal’s despair is alleviated when a young boy-mendicant visits his home. The boy, embodying innocence and wisdom, immediately senses Birbal’s distress and offers to help. Upon learning of Birbal’s predicament, the boy confidently declares that he can answer Akbar’s question. He accompanies Birbal to the imperial court and, with remarkable composure, addresses the Emperor.
When Akbar repeats his question, the boy requests a glass of curd before answering. As he stirs the curd, he remarks that it lacks butter, much to Akbar’s amusement. The Emperor explains that butter can only be obtained by churning the curd, to which the boy responds with a profound analogy: just as butter is hidden within curd and requires churning to be revealed, God is the indwelling presence within all creation, invisible to the physical eye but perceivable through inner purification and spiritual practice.
This analogy beautifully encapsulates the essence of spiritual seeking. The boy explains that God, though omnipresent, cannot be seen with the physical eyes because He is beyond form and name. To “see” God, one must churn the layers of the mind, intellect, and ego, separating the transient from the eternal. This process of inner purification and self-realization is the key to perceiving the divine.

The Nature of God: Beyond Human Comprehension
The boy-mendicant’s wisdom does not end with the analogy of curd and butter. When Akbar asks what God is doing, the boy delivers a profound discourse on the nature of divine will and human ignorance. He explains that God is the ultimate source of all power, perception, and action. It is through His will that the universe functions, empires rise and fall, and individuals experience joy and sorrow. Yet, humans, blinded by ego and ignorance, mistakenly believe themselves to be the doers and enjoyers of their actions.
The boy’s words highlight the transient nature of worldly phenomena. He describes how, in the grand scheme of the universe, human achievements and struggles are fleeting. Mountains become seas, and seas become plains; kings become paupers, and paupers become kings. Behind this ever-changing d