In those days, wearing a collar pin was considered to be a fashion. Narayana Raju presented Me a collar pin with a prayer that I should remember him always. After we returned from Hampi to Uravakonda, the collar pin dropped on the way as I was proceeding to the school holding books in one hand. It could not be found. But I was least affected by its loss. Yet, I pretended as though I was anxiously searching for it. Some boys who were coming behind Me enquired, ‘Raju, what are You searching for?’ I told them that I lost the collar pin. They too started searching all over the place. I laughed and remarked, ‘You are going to school to study. Why are you bothered about collar pin? Don’t worry about it.’ They said, ‘It looked so good when You were wearing it.’ One of those boys ran to Seshama Raju’s house. At that time, Seshama Raju and Narayana Raju were discussing as to what be inferred of My behaviour. When the boy reported the matter to them, they at once rushed to Me. Narayana Raju very lovingly put his hand around My shoulder and asked, ‘My dear, what are you searching for?’ I said, ‘I am searching for something.’ He understood that there was some inner significance in My reply. He said, ‘Raju. How can you search for something that You do not know?’ I told hi that I had lost the collar pin, which he had presented to Me. He said, ‘I will give you ten such collar pins. Don’t worry about it. Come, let’s go home’
That day was the day of change. The link with worldly ties had gone in the form of the pin; the pilgrimage to Hampi also served its purpose. Baba left home saying that Maya could not bind Him any longer. (Telugu Poem)
Man has two types of desires: One id worldly and the other spiritual. It is said. Worldly education is for life here while spiritual knowledge is for the life hereafter. However, man gives importance to worldly education only. He is always in search of worldly happiness. However I am not interested in such happiness. I told Narayana Raju that the bondage of worldly attachment was lost in the form of collar pin. On coming to know of this incident, the Excise Commissioner Hanumantha Rao came in his car and said to Me . ‘Raju, what are You looking for? Please come with me. I will give whatever You want.’ He had intense love for Me. I told him that I was not searching for anything. . People around Me asked, ‘Are You searching for God?’ I replied, ‘One need not search for God, for He is everywhere. Nor am I searching for a trivial thing like collar pin. ‘Then I was taken to the house of one H.S.Ramana, who was a lecturer in English. They questioned Me, ‘What do You want? Is it pin or God?’ I told them I don’t need a pin. I can get any number of pins, for everything is in My hand. Then, do you think that I am searching for God? He is everywhere. I don’t need to search for Him.’ Narayana Raju asked, ‘Where is God? Can we see Him?’ Earlier I had given him a ring. It disappeared from his finger and appeared on My finger. He was stunned. He asked, ‘How did it happen?’ I said, ‘I can do anything. Everything is in My hand.’ (Swami with a wave of His hand, materialised the same ring, which He had given Narayana Raju. He held it aloft and showed it to the congregation.) Watching all this, Seshama Raju was also astonished. He gave up the feeling that He was My elder brother. Shedding tears of joy and repentance, he asked, ‘My dear, You are all-knowing; everything is in Your hand. Then, what are You searching for?’ I also did not address him as brother. I told him that I was no longer bound by worldly relationship. (SSS Vol.36, pp. 127-129)