Spiritual Gems from Sri Sai Satcharita

Spiritual Gems from Sri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 10

2010-09-09T18:37:00.004+05:30

Shri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 10

Sai Baba's Mode of Life - His Sleeping board - His Stay in Shirdi - His Teachings - His Humility - The Easiest Path. Remember Him (Sai Baba) always with love, for He was engrossed in doing good to all, and always abided in His Self. To remember Him only is to solve the riddle of life and death. This is the best and easiest of Sadhanas, as it involves no expenditure. A little exertion here brings great rewards. So as long as our senses are sound, we should, minute my minute, practice this Sadhana. Sai Ram. Though it is described as the easiest of Sadhanas, even that is beyond the reach of a person on whom the Divine Grace has not descended. To remember Him is in a way to join His Durbar. And, one cannot enter His Durbar either in body or mind without His will. Sai Ram. All other Gods are illusory; Guru is the only God. If we believe in Sadguru's holy feet, He can change our fortune for the better. If we serve Him nicely, we get rid of our Samsar. We need not study any philosophy like the Nyaya and the Mimansa. If we make Him our Helmsman, we can easily cross over the sea of all our pains and sorrows. As we trust the helmsman in crossing rivers and seas, so we have to trust our Sadguru in getting over the ocean of worldly existence. The Sadguru looks to the intense feeling and devotion of His devotees, endows them with knowledge and eternal bliss. Sai Ram. The first line of the above paragraph may be a little difficult to digest at first reading. In fact, I was quite pained the first few times I read that statement. Then by His grace, the real meaning of what Shri Hemadpant wanted to convey or rather what Sai Sadguru was trying to convey, dawned in my egoistic mind. Sai Ram. All other Gods are illusory - what a bold and apparently irreverent statement? Especially when Sai Himself did not allow anyone to show disrespect to Gods? So what does Hemadpant mean? That all other Gods or rather, their forms are perceived by our senses, in this case our eyes. If Krishna plays divine music over His flute or Saraswati plays Veena we hear with our ears. If a divine fragrance is emanated when God makes appearance, we perceive with our sense of smell. And if God's prasad tastes wonderful, we again sense that with our tongue. And when God touches us with His divine hand, we sense the love and the affection with our sense of touch. But all these senses are illusory in the sense that they are part of the body-mind complex, which is impermanent. That this is impermanent and our true nature is that of the Atman, Satchindananda is taught by the Guru. So the Guru is real. And since God as Parabrahman is real, Guru is the only God. That is why the sloka goes as, "Gurur Brahma, Gurur Vishnuh... Guru Sakshat Para Brahman, tasmait Sri Gurave Namah." Nyaya, Mimansa etc. are adjuncts of Vedas. And even in Vedas, the Karma Kanda parts are considered as the stepping stones and not the goal for a spiritual seeker. To cross the Samsara Sagar, we need a boat and we need a helmsman to steer the boat clear of all our dangers. Our body-mind can be thought of as the boat and the Guru who guides our intellect etc., as helmsman. True surrender is important in getting rid of our ego and once ego is destroyed, bliss results. Sai Ram. In the last chapter, Baba's mendicancy, and devotees' experiences and other subjects are dealt with. Let the readers now hear, where and how Baba lived, how He slept, and how He taught etc. Sai Ram. All these leelas of Baba are given here with only one aim and that is to increase our interest in matters spiritual and thus slowly but steadily wean us away from mundane materialistic desires and thus lead us back to our true origin. That is the journey that Hemadpant is talking above. And Sai is helping us by being the helmsman. Even when apparently another human being takes on the role of the Guru, it is Sai who is seated in the heart of each of us, who is using that body as a mere instrument to help us on the journey. Like He is using me as an instrument to bring these spiritual gems up to the surface from the depths of the ocean floor of Satcharitra. Sai Ram. Baba's Wonderful Bedstead Let us first see where and how Baba slept. Mr. Nanasaheb Dengale brought, for Sai Baba, a wooden plank, amount 4 cubits in length and only a span in breath, for sleeping upon. Instead of keeping the plank on the floor and then sleeping on it, Baba tied it like a swing to the rafters of the Masjid with old shreds or rags and commenced to sleep upon it. The rags were so thin and worn out that it was a problem how they could bear or support even the weight of the plank itself, let alone the weight of Baba. But somehow or other-it was Baba's sheer Leela that the worn out rags did sustain the plank, with the weight of Baba on it. On the four corners of this plank, Baba lighted panatis (earthen lamps), one at each corner, and kept them burning the whole night. It was a sight for the Gods to see Baba sitting or sleeping on this plank! It was a wonder to all, how Baba got up and down the plank. Out of curiosity, many careful observers kept watching the process of mounting and dismounting, but none succeeded. As crowds began to swell to detect this wonderful feat, Baba one day broke the plank into pieces and threw it away. Baba had all the eight Siddhis (powers) at His command. He never practiced nor craved for them. They came to Him naturally, as a result of His perfection. Sai Ram. We see similar incongruities in our Puranas where Ganesha is seen riding a mouse, Skanda a peacock and Vishnu an Eagle. Actually there is a lot of esoteric significance in these symbols. The mouse, the Peacock and the Eagle are actually empowered by the Gods who ride them. Without the Divine Grace, they can't support even themselves let alone the Gods. Sai also conveyed a similar meaning when He suspended the heavy wooden plank- using flimsy, worn out clothes. The clothes bore the weight of the plank by Sai's grace. Similarly when He lay upon the plank too, it was His will and Grace that supported the plank. Sai Ram. Why did Baba allow even this hint of His miraculous powers to be seen? Just to generate curiosity in the onlookers so that they get attracted like bees to the honey in the flowers. So that when they come to Him in search of His powers, He can use that same great mystic power to refine their egos. Baba generated curiosity in the minds of His devotees, by allowing them to have a peep into the spiritual realms, where tremendous powers ruled. He also showed through example that any power should be under our control and not the other way around. "Baba had all the eight Siddhis (powers) at His command. He never practiced nor craved for them. They came to Him naturally, as a result of His perfection." That is the secret of Satvik Siddhis. Sai Ram. Sagun Manifestation of Brahman Though Sai Baba looked like a man, three cubits and a half in length, still He dwelt in the hearts of all. Sai Ram. He dwelt in the hearts of all. That is the meaning of Spirit. And that is what the "Narayana Suktam' or 'Mantra Pushpam' , the offering of prayers, a Vedic Hymn, proclaimed. He is there in the hearts of all, as Narayana, the Chaitanyam or spark, which gives life. Sai Ram. Inwardly, He was unattached and indifferent, but outwardly, He longed for public welfare. Inwardly most disinterested, He looked outwardly full of desires, for the sake of His devotees. Inwardly an abode of peace, He looked outwardly restless. Inwardly He had the state of Brahman, outwardly He acted like a devil. Sai Ram. Hemadpant is trying to describe the state of opposites (duality) and then show that Sai is beyond the opposites. All the arguments about the nature of Brahman are futile. Like a coin has two sides, Brahman, too manifests as Nirgun and Sagun. Nirgun is so abstract a concept that ordinary Sadhakas like us can't really appreciate it let alone use it. Like no amount of philosophy is useful to a man to fill the stomach when he is hungry. At that time, food is what is needed. Similarly when a man is ill, medicine is needed. But when man is continually troubled by the disease of delusion, delusion that he is separate from the rest of the people, Brahma Jnan is needed to remove the delusion. In almost all the Vedic Hymns, this duality is recognized and respected. And all the prayers, rituals etc., are designed to help the person deal with the daily needs. Performing of one's karma or duty is the first step. Expecting a reward is natural. However, slowly but steadily a stage is reached where the faith of the person is built to a stage where he or she no longer expects a reward for the action performed and starts really offering the fruits of the actions at the Feet of Narayana, the Supreme. Sai Ram. Inwardly He loved Adwaita (union or monism), outwardly He got entangled with the world. Sai Ram. In the case of Siva, Adi Sankara, Ramana Maharshi or Sai and all other great Jnanis who are fully liberated souls, their enlightenment did not mean that they detached themselves from the day-to-day worldly activities. It just meant that they did what was needed to be done without any expectation of a personal reward. Sai Ram. Sometimes He looked on all with affection, and at times He threw stones at them; sometimes He scolded them, while at times He embraced them and was calm, composed, tolerant and well-balanced. He always abided and was engrossed in the Self and was well-disposed towards His Bhaktas. He always sat on one Asan and never travelled. His 'band' was a small stick, which He always carried in His hand. He was calm, being thought-free. He never cared for wealth and fame and lived on begging. Such a life He led. He always uttered 'Allah Malik' (God the real owner). Sai Ram. Not surprisingly, this is the same message that is also given in the first Upanishad, Isa Upansihad, about which we have a beautiful story in one of the later chapters. Since the whole world or Universe is pervaded by Isa, Lord, there is nothing that is not owned by Him. Allah Malik is the cryptic remark of Sai to remind us that the Lord owns everything. Sai Ram. Entire and unbroken was His love for the Bhaktas. He was the mine or store-house for self-knowledge and full of Divine Bliss. Such was the Divine Form of Sai Baba, boundless, endless and undifferentiated One principle which envelops the whole universe, (from a stone pillar to Brahma) incarnated in Sai Baba. The really meritorious and fortunate people got this treasure-trove in their hands, while those people who not knowing the real worth of Sai Baba took or take Him to be a man, a mere human being, were and are indeed miserable. Sai Ram. This is the most important recurring theme. SAI is not limited to a specific form, shape or location. All the stories, miracles etc., that He showed, had just one purpose, viz., to inculcate the sense of unity in diversity in the devotees, whose thinking is so conditioned by duality that only extraordinary events, which could not be explained by known laws of science, could shock them into breaking out of those thought patterns, which have a great grip on them and thus bind them. It is the mind which binds and it is the same mind that is exposed to radically new concepts that breaks out of the previous thought patterns and is now free. And when it is bound by those concepts, yet newer concepts or the same concept explained in a new way breaks that hold of habit on the thinking mind. Whether we worship Rama, Krishna, Sai or Siva, if we worship a Deity with the idea that this Deity is different from the other Deity and is more powerful, etc., and is thus to be preferred to be worshipped, we are exhibiting a form of ignorance difficult to beat. All Gods are One and all pujas, worship reach the same. In fact, the worshipper, the God worshipped and the act of worship, all are same (Pl. see Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra)! Whether it is the conflict between Hindus and Muslims , or between Vaishnavites and Saivites earlier, society always suffered from these artificial divisions due to the ingrained duality, the sense of separation which is so ancient that it keeps clouding our vision again and again. Sai came to Shirdi with the aim of uniting these divisive fragments and to show us our real nature. To show us that the forest is built of the trees. To show us the unity in the diversity. To show us the unifying principle behind the duality or plurality. Sai Ram. His Stay in Shirdi and Probable Birth-date None knew or knows the parents and exact birth-date of Sai Baba; but it can be approximately determined by His stay in Shirdi. Baba first came to Shirdi, when he was a young lad of sixteen and stayed there for three years. Then all of a sudden He disappeared for some time. After some time, He reappeared in the Nizam state near Aurangabad, and again came to Shirdi with the marriage-party of Chand Patil, when He was twenty years old. Since then, He stayed in Shirdi continuously for a period of sixty years, after which Baba took His Maha-Samadhi in the year 1918. From this we can say that the year of Baba's birth is approximately 1838 A.D. Sai Ram. Baba kept His life's origins a deliberate mystery to reflect the mystery of each of us. Do we really know when we were born, from where we came, who our real parents were etc.? And do we really know what we were in our previous births and what is going to happen in our next births, unless of course we get liberated from the cycle of birth and death by cutting the knot of our desires? And what is more important, what our history is or what we are doing now with what is given to us? As already mentioned, Baba represents the core Spirit in each of us, animal or human, animate or inanimate. He represents the Unity in Diversity, the one common to many. So, He deliberately kept the details of His birth and His early childhood a mystery. In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna compares the manifest universe to an inverted Banyan (Aswattha) Tree, with its branches spreading down from a root somewhere up. If we assume that we are on one of the twigs of a branch, can we simply trace the origin, i.e. the root? Similarly when Lord Brahma first became conscious in this Cycle, He found Himself seated on a lotus. He did not know from where the lotus originated. So, He investigated and found that He originated from the navel of Vishnu. Vishnu literally means one who is everywhere. Of course, Lord Vishnu materialized Himself into some form so that Brahma can see Him and understand from Him the secret of Creation represented by Vedas. Thus Sai, by keeping His birth details a mystery, is conveying several important messages. One, that unless we overcome our Maya, we cannot realize our true origin. Second, to whom we were born etc., is not as important as what we have done with that gift of human birth. And if we really trace our birth to the real roots, we find that though we all look so different, we all share one common source, thus eliminating the need for conflict. The same idea is expanded by Shri Hemadpant in the following paragraph. Sai Ram. Saint Ramadas (1608-1681) flourished in the 17th century, and fulfilled to a great extent his mission of protecting cows and Brahmins against the Yavanas (Mahomedans). But within two centuries after him, the split between the two communities -- Hindus and Mahomedans widened again, and Sai Baba came to bridge the gulf. Sai Ram. He used different methods at different times. For example as Sri Datta, He preached the unity of the Trinity, Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara, thus uniting to a large extent the different sects who were quarrelling among themselves. In Kali Yug, the same task was admirably carried out by Sri Sankara, and later by Sri Vidyaranya. Sri Vidyranya not only wrote scholarly commentaries on Vedanta (His Panchadasi is considered as a monumental treatise on Vedanta and is referred to in Sri Sai Satcharitra), but also helped in establishment of the Vijayanagar Empire to protect the Arsha Dharma from aggression of Mohammedans. Sri Datta Himself took birth as Sripada Srivallabha and in that Avatar, came to Kurupuram. When a washerman served Him well but was momentarily attracted to the worldly pleasures being enjoyed by a Yavana King, He gave a boon to that washerman that he will be born in his next birth as a Mohammedan King, but on his plea, assured him that he will continue to receive His grace then too. In another wonderful book that I had the good fortune to read a few months ago, it was mentioned that Sripada Vallabha (who is one with Datta and thus with Sri Rama etc.) wished that Sri Anjaneya should take birth as Sri Sai and help both the communities come together. Pl. read Sripada Srivallabha Charitamrutam, which is in Telugu and in English too. That may be the reason for Sri Sai to always repeat Allah Malik (God is the real owner), referring to His Lord, Sri Ram. Sai Ram. His constant advice to all was to this effect. "Rama (the God of the Hindus) and Rahim (the God of the Mahomedans) were one and the same; there was not the slightest difference between them; then why should their devotees fight and quarrel among themselves? You ignorant folk, children, join hands and bring both the communities together, act sanely and thus you will gain your object of national unity. It is not good to dispute and argue. So don't argue, don't emulate others. Always consider your interest and welfare. The Lord will protect you. Yoga, sacrifice, penance, and knowledge are the means to attain God. If you do not succeed in this by any means, vain is your birth. If any one does any evil unto you, do not retaliate. If you can do anything, do some good unto other." This in short was Sai Baba's advice to all; and this will stand in good stead both in material and spiritual matters. Sai Ram. "Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah". When someone does good, we do good. That is nothing great, though good. When someone does some harm to us, we tend to retaliate. Though we get momentary satisfaction, we continue to be trapped by the action-reaction cycle. It is like the tree, seed and a new tree... If we need to get out of the cycle of birth and death, we need to cut the tree down to the roots and burn the seeds so that fresh trees don't sprout. So, it is in our real self-interest to stop this retaliation, and to stop it not only in action, but also in thought and speech. Yes, if we remember Sai's advice and follow it, we will do well in spiritual matters. In material matters too it will hold good if we leave all the perceived injustices to Him, who is seated in the hearts of all, including our enemy. By not retaliating, we raise the conscience in the other person. He will realize his mistake. Sai Ram. Blessed are the people of Shirdi, who worshipped Sai as their God. While eating, drinking, working in their backyards and fields and doing various household works, they always remembered Sai and sang His glory. They knew no other God except Sai. What to speak of the love, the sweetness of the love, of the women of Shirdi! They were quite ignorant, but their pure love inspired them to compose poems or songs in their simple rural language. Letters or learning they had none, still one can discern real poetry in their simple songs. It is not intelligence, but love, that inspires real poetry as such. Real poetry is the manifestation of true love; and this can be seen and appreciated by intelligent listeners. Collection of these folk songs is desirable and Baba willing, some fortunate devotee may undertake the task of collecting and publishing these folk songs, either in the Sai Leela magazine or separately in a book-form. Sai Ram. At one level, it is the same 'single reality' that played this beautiful drama, leela as it has played in Ayodhya, in Brindavan and many other places. True love communicates from the heart level and poetry is one of the expressions of a loving heart. Just as the Gopikas had tremendous love for Sri Krishna and sang and played with Him, the women of Shirdi too had a great love for their Krishna, their Muralidhar, who came there as a handsome youth and stayed there for 60 years as a member of their village. Sai stayed in their hearts too! Sai Ram. Baba's Humility Lord or Bhagwan is said to have six qualities, viz. (1) Fame, (2) Wealth, (3) Non-attachment, (4) Knowledge, (5) Grandeur, and (6) Generosity. Baba had all these in Him. He incarnated in flesh for the sake of the Bhaktas. Wonderful was His grace and kindness! He drew the devotees to Him, or how else one could have known Him! Sai Ram. As mentioned above, Sai was a Sadguru and Guru draws the disciples to Him. We can't reach Baba physically or mentally unless we had some Poorva Janma Punyam and anubandham (relationship) with Him. Baba Himself confirmed this in another chapter when He described how He pulls his devotees or disciples to him like a sparrow with a thread tied to its legs. And knowing His true nature... how is it possible unless He wills it? Namameeswaram Sadgurum Sainatham...Sai Ram. For the sake of His Bhaktas Baba spoke such words, as the Goddness of Speech dare not utter. Here is a specimen. Baba spoke very humbly as follows:- "Slave of slaves I am your debtor, I am satisfied at your darshan. It is a great favor that I saw your feet. I am an insect in your excreta. I consider Myself blessed thereby". What humility is this? If anybody would think that by publishing this, any disrespect is shown to Sai, we beg His pardon and to atone for this we sing and chant Baba's name. Sai Ram. Baba was demonstrating the Abheda Bhava and also the concept of mirroring here. He puts Himself in His devotee's position and says things, which a devotee is expected to say. Thus showing his utter nature devoid of the taint of ego. And He also shows His oneness with all beings, including us and the insects inside our intestines. Sai Ram. Though Baba seemed outwardly to enjoy sense-objects, he had not the least flavour in them, nor even the consciousness of enjoying them. Though He ate, he had no taste and though He saw, He never felt any interest in what He saw. Regarding passion, He was as perfect a celibate as Hanuman. He was not attached to anything. He was pure consciousness, the resting place of desire, anger, and other feelings. In short, He was disinterested, free and perfect. A striking instance may be cited in illustration of this statement. Sai Ram. We already mentioned that Sri Sai in fact was an incarnation of that greatest devotee of Sri Ram (Atma Ram), namely Sri Hanuman. Sri Hanuman was a monkey by birth but by His conduct, He showed that He was the lord of all monkeys including that greatest monkey without a tail, namely our mind! And Sri Sai too showed His total command over His mind. Let us remember Him and prostrate to Him and offer our egos at His feet so that we too may attain mastery over our minds. Sai Ram. There was in Shirdi, a very quaint and queer fellow, by name Nanavalli. He looked to Baba's work and affairs. He once approached Baba who was seated on His Gadi (seat) and asked Him to get up, as he wanted to occupy the same. Baba at once got up and left the seat, which he occupied. After sitting there awhile Nanavalli got up, and asked Baba to take His seat. Then Baba sat on the seat and Nanavalli fell at His feet, and then went away. Baba did not show the slightest displeasure in being dictated to and ousted. This Nanavalli loved Baba so much that he breathed his last, on the thirteenth day of Baba's taking Maha-Samadhi. Sai Ram. When Jawahar Ali proclaimed that Sai was his chela, Sai did not object and in fact set a worthy example to all of us by serving the false Guru in many ways and similarly He did not mind Nanavalli's apparent show of disrespect, which was actually a demonstration of Sai's detachment. Sai Ram. The Easiest Path - Hearing the stories of the Saints and Being in their Company Though Sai Baba acted outwardly like an ordinary man, His actions showed extraordinary intelligence and skill. Whatever He did, was done for the good of His devotees. He never prescribed any asan, regulation of breathing or any rites to His Bhaktas, nor did He blow any mantra into their ears. He told them to leave off all cleverness and always remember "Sai" "Sai". Sai Ram. Cleverness is an aspect of the intellectual part of the ego. And is a shackle for liberation, just as desire for sensual enjoyment. Sai Ram. "If you did that" He said, "all your shackles would be removed and you would be free". Sitting between five fires, sacrifices, chantings, eight-fold Yoga are possible for the Brahmins only. They are of no use to the other classes. Sai Ram. Here, Shri Hemadpant uses the word Brahmin in a very restrictive sense of the word as those who were performing all the rites prescribed for them, not to those who took birth in that caste. And Sai, the benevolent Master did not forsake those who could not perform the prescribed rites because of their Poorva Janma Sanskaras or Vasanas. Remembering Him is the key to liberation. When the mind is absorbed into the Universal Consciousness represented by Sai, the individual ego dissolves and liberation results. Sai Ram. The function of the mind is to think; it cannot remain for a minute without thinking. If you give it a Sense-object, it will think about it. If you give it to a Guru, it will think about Guru. You have heard most attentively the greatness, grandeur of Sai. This is the natural remembrance, worship and Kirtan of Sai. Hearing the stories of the Saints is not so difficult, as the other Sadhanas mentioned above. They (stories) remove all fear of this Samsar (worldly existence), and take you on to the spiritual path. So listen to these stories, meditate on them, and assimilate them. If this is done, not only the Brahmins, but also women and lower clases will get pure and holy. You may do or attend to your worldy duties, but give your mind to Sai and His stories, and then, He is sure to bless you. This is the easiest path, but why do not all take to it? The reason is that without God's grace, we do not get the desire to listen to the stories of Saints. With God's grace everything is smooth and easy. Hearing the stories of the Saints is, in a way, keeping their company. The importance of the company of Saints is very great. It removes our body-consciousness and egoism, destroys completely the chain of our birth and death, cuts asunder all the knots of the heart, and takes us to God, Who is pure consciousness. It certainly increases our non-attachment to sense-objects, and makes us quite indifferent to pleasures and pains, and leads us on the spiritual path. If you have no other Sadhana, such as uttering God's name, worship or devotion etc., but if you take refuge in them (Saints) whole-heartedly, they will carry you off safety across the ocean of worldly existence. It is for this reason that the saints manifest themselves in this world. Even sacred rivers such as the Ganges, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri etc., which wash away the sins of the world, desire that the Saints should come to them, for a bath and purify them. Such is the grandeur of the Saints. It is on account of the store of merit in past births that we have attained the feet of Sai Baba. Sai Ram. The contact with Sants, and Sadgurus is never wasted. Just as a piece of iron brought into contact with a magnet does retain a small amount at least, Guru, does slowly but steadily brings the disciple close to Himself, may be over a few hundred births as given in a later chapter when Sai kindly explains Gita Sloka to Shri Nanasaheb Chandorkar. It is said that God's grace brings the disciple into contact with the Guru and Guru's grace helps the disciple to realize his own divinity. That is why Guru is worshipped as Brahma, Vishnu, Maheswara and as Para Brahma. Sai Ram. We conclude this chapter with meditation on Sai's Form. He, the beautiful and handsome Sai, standing on the edge of the Masjid and distributing Udi to each and every Bhakta, with a view of his welfare. He who thinks the world as naught and Who is ever engrossed in Supreme Bliss -- before Him -- we humbly prostrate ourselves. Sai Ram. With the grace of Sai, we have now completed the exploration, atleast for the time, of this great chapter of Sai Satcharitra. We too, offer our salutations to Sai and to Shri Hemadpant and Gunaji for giving us this nectar. Sai Ram.

__________________ With Sai's blessings, His servant Swamy

Spiritual Gems from Sri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 9

2010-08-26T18:55:00.002+05:30

Shri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 9

Effect of compliance and Non-compliance with Baba's Orders at the Time of Taking Leave - A few Instances - Mendicancy and Its Necessity - Devotees' (Tarkhad family's) Experiences - Baba fed sumptuously - How? At the end of the last chapter, it was barely stated that the Bhaktas, who obeyed Baba's orders at the time of taking leave, fared well and those, who disobeyed them, suffered many a mishap. This statement will be amplified and illustrated, with a few striking instances; and by other matters dealt with in this Chapter. Sai Ram. This statement needs a little clarification. It is not as if Sai wished misfortunes on those who disobeyed Him. It is just that He was able to look ahead and warn the devotees of the consequences of some actions and advised them to desist from that. He could have prevented them from taking up that action if He wished to do so. However, He chose not to exercise that power and allowed the individual to act freely and learn the Spiritual and Karmic lessons there from. Sai Ram. Characteristic of Shirdi - Pilgrimage One special peculiarity of Shirdi-pilgrimage was this, that none could leave Shirdi, without Baba's permission; and if he did, he invited untold sufferings, but if any one was asked to quit Shirdi, he could stay there no longer. Baba gave certain suggestions or hints, when Bhaktas went to bid good-bye and take leave. These suggestions had to be followed. If they were not followed or were departed from, accidents were sure to befall them, who acted contrary to Baba's directions. We give below a few instances. Sai Ram. This is in line with what is written above. Guru / God gives us the freedom of choice at the ego level since we are supposed to have the viveka, power of discrimination between good and bad, between right and wrong. One of the important dharmas of a disciple / chela is to surrender the ego at the feet of Guru and obey His directions implicitly. Pativrata Dharma is also like that and we have seen how Anasuya could change the Trinity into babies with the spiritual power gained through such dharma. Sri Guru Charitra has several stories extolling the greatness of a sishya (disciple) who treats Guru as God, nay even greater than Brahma, Vishnu or Siva. Guru Gita is also worth reading for spiritual sadhakas like us to become better disciples. Sai Ram. Tatya Kote Patil Tatya Kote was once going in a tanga to Kopargaon bazar. He came in haste to the Masjid, saluted Baba, and said that he would go to Kopargaon bazar. Baba said, "Don't make haste, stop a little, let go the bazar, don't go out of the village". Sai Ram. Pl. see the sequence of Baba's words. Since Tatya was in such a great hurry, He first told him "Don't make haste". HE then asked him to stop a little. Then He told him further to forget about the bazar. Finally He asked him not to go out of the village. This is similar to what Kabir's Guru Nipatiranjan told: "Do not be afraid; hold fast to the handle of knowledge of this mill, as I do, and do not wander far away from the same but turn inward to the Centre, and you are sure to be saved." Going away from the centre, Guru, knowledge of self, is not good. One can go anywhere if one has his Guru in his heart and remembers Him constantly. Sai Ram. On seeing his anxiety to go, Baba asked him to take Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande) at least with him. Not minding this direction, Tatya Kote immediately drove his tanga. Of the two horses one, which cost Rs.300/- was very active and restless. After passing Sawul well, it began to run rashly, got a sprain in its waist and fell down. Tatya was not much hurt, but was reminded of Mother Sai's direction. On another occasion while proceeding to Kolhar village, he disregarded Baba's direction, and drove in a tanga, which met with a similar accident. Sai Ram. Baba's above statement is very significant. When some devotee was insistent to do something, which Baba was advising against, Baba was offering Shama as protection. In Sri Sai Satcharitra, there is another incident where Baba asks another devotee to take Shama along with him. That man first declines but later takes Baba's advice and is saved. Similarly when Nanasaheb and Kakasaheb Dixit insist for Baba attending some ceremonies in their respective houses, Baba asks them to take Shama instead. It is thus clear that Baba gave Shama a special place in His Darbar. Tatya was young and rather impetuous it looks. And he had great love for Baba but also thought that he is against the rules and regulations that apply to other devotees. So, sometimes he took liberties. Baba did protect him but taught him an important lesson that a Chela, a devotee, a disciple has to follow Guru's directions totally. And in another story, we read Baba catching hold of Tatya's neck and forcibly removing his turban and throwing into fire. That story too gave me a similar message that the devotee sometimes takes some liberties (out of an unripe ego) but God protects the devotee.

On reading this story again today, Sai Sadguru gave another message. In a later chapter He gives His another great devotee Sri Nanasaheb Chandorkar a very cryptic message about holding the reins of one's senses and by Sadguru Sai's grace, Sri Nana got the message correctly and explains it to another devotee who overheard it and was curious to know what Baba meant (see Chapter 49, Story of Nanasaheb Chandorkar and Baba's message about purity of heart and control of sense organs). Most of the time, we are poor in controlling our senses and our chariots (bodies) meet many accidents! Sai Sadguru is teaching us the need to have proper control through such incidents and if we are indeed poor riders and have little or no control, we should hand over the reins to the expert Sarathi, the Guru, Who is Krishna, who became Parthasarathi (charioteer for His devotee, disciple Sri Arjuna) in the great war of Mahabharatha. Kurukshetra in fact represents a war between our base desires and our better sense and god fearing / obeying nature. God / Guru helps those who try to obey His directions and protects them. Arjuna represents the ego who is trying hard to win the war over the demonic / selfish desires inherent in each of us. Krishna is the Guru, who takes control of the reins and helps win the war. Similarly Sai is the Krishna, and helps us once we seek His help.

I could relate well to this insight, this real spiritual gem since my own health suffered and I found that I am indeed unfit to drive any vehicle (I was falling and while I was not hurt much, the message was clear). While I have stopped driving vehicles now and allow Him to transport me around through various forms of His, I am sorry to say that I am still not able to rein in my desires, which are like wild horses with a will of their own. Here too, I keep falling and keep getting hurt in my mind and ego but He keeps protecting me. I hope His grace will soon come down and will take over my mind and the senseless sensual horses too! He is called Hrishikesa because of this great quality only! Om Hrishikesaya Namah. Om Sri Sai Sadgurave Namah. Sai Ram.

European Gentleman One European gentleman of Bombay once came to Shirdi, with an introductory note from Nanasaheb Chandorkar, and with some object in view. He was comfortably accommodated in a tent. He wanted to kneel before Baba and kiss His hand. Therefore, he tried thrice to step into the Masjid, but Baba prevented him from doing so. He was asked to sit in the open courtyard below and take Baba's darshan from there. Not pleased with this reception he got, he wanted to leave Shirdi at once and came to bid good-bye. Baba asked him to go the next day and not to hurry. People also requested him to abide by Baba's direction. Not listening to all this, he left Shirdi in a tanga. The horses ran at first all right, but when Sawul well was passed, a bicycle came in front, seeing which the horses were frightened and ran fast. The tanga was turned topsy-turvy and the gentleman fell down and was dragged some distance. He was immediately released; but had to go and lie in Kopargaon hospital for the treatment of the injuries. Because of such experiences all people learnt the lesson, that those who disobeyed Baba's instruction met with accidents in one way or the other, and those who obeyed them were safe and happy. Sai Ram. Baba had His own reasons for doing so. And when He did not will it, no one could step into that Dwarakamai. A haji tried for several months to enter the Masjid but could not do so. Each fruit has to be ripe. I wanted to visit Shirdi for many years but Baba knew when the time is ripe. Similarly I wanted to visit Arunachala (Rituvannamalai) and have the darshan of Arunachala and Ramana Maharshi. I had to wait more than 10 years for that desire to be fulfilled and finally when my turn came, I could visit the sacred place in the company of two more noble souls and I got very good mystical experiences and blessings in that place. "He was asked to sit in the open court-yard below and take Baba's darshan from there. Not pleased with this reception he got, he wanted to leave Shirdi at once and came to bid good-bye." Thus showing that his ego was as yet not ripe to receive Baba's grace. We are reminded of another great devotee of Vithal, Sri Namadev, Who had to go through similar trials for ripening of his ego. God is always anxious that we should become one with Him by dissolving our egos in His love. Guru is God in flesh, blood and or Spirit. Baba mentioned many times that He could see a bit further into the future and thus was acting in the best interests of those souls that were given into His charge. But He didn't always interfere with their freedom of choice since the humans were endowed with the faculty of discrimination and thus could be expected to take due care. They also had to realize that their egoistic vision had definite limits unlike Baba's who was one with all. So, Baba did allow some freedom of action like a watchful mother allows the child to play but rushes to its rescue when it gets into trouble. Recollect the incident related in Chapter 8. After a few such incidents, the child does realize that its own limited knowledge is inadequate and accepts the directions of the Mother willingly. Sai Ram. Now to return to the question of mendicancy. A question may arise in the minds of some that if Baba was such a great personage - God in fact, why should He have recourse to the begging bowl, all His lifetime? This question may be considered and replied from two standpoints. (1) Who are the fit persons, who have a right to live by the begging-bowl? Our Shastras say that those persons, who, getting rid of, or becoming free from the three main Desires, viz. (1) for progeny, (2) for wealth, (3) for fame, accept Sannyas, are the fit persons to live by begging alms. They cannot make cooking arrangements and dine at home. The duty of feeding them rests on the shoulders of house-holders. Sai Baba was neither a house-holder nor Vanaprastha. He was a celibate sannyasi, i.e., sannyasi from boyhood. His firm conviction was that the universe was His home, He was the Lord Vasudeo - the Supporter of the universe and the Imperishable Brahman. So He had the full right to have recourse to the begging-bowl. (2) Now from the standpoint of (1) Pancha-soona - five sins and their atonement. We all know that in order to prepare food-stuffs and meals, the householders have to go through five actions or processes, viz. (1) Kandani-Pounding, (2) Peshani-Grinding, (3) Udakumbhi - Washing pots, (4) Marjani - Sweeping and cleaning, (5) Chulli-Lighting hearths. These processes involve destruction of a lot of small insects and creatures, and thus the householders incur a lot of sin. In order to atone for this sin, our Shastras prescribe five kinds of sacrifices, viz. (1) Brahma-Yajna - offerings to Brahman involving Vedadhyayan - the study of the Vedas. (2) Pitra-Yajna - offerings to the ancestors, 3) Deva-Yajna - offerings to the Gods, (4) Bhoota-Yajna-offerings to the beings, (5) Manushya-Atithi-Yajna-offerings to men or uninvited guests. If these sacrifices, enjoined by the Shastras are duly performed, the purification of their minds is effected and this helps them to get knowledge and self-realization. Baba, in going from house to house, reminded the inmates of their sacred duty, and fortunate were the people, who got the lesson at their homes from Baba. Sai Ram. Baba never differentiated between His and others. So, why should He feel diffident to beg? He was begging from Himself! We saw how Baba begged His food though He was having great powers at His command. The reasons for this were also given. Shri Hemadpant gives nice arguments in support of mendicancy. He tells us about the five sins that accrue to any person engaged in processing of food. He also mentions that these sins have to be atoned by performance of five yagnas or offerings daily. The last and most important of these five yagnas is the Atithi Yagna. In Sri Guru Charitra, Sumati got the darshan of Lord Dattatreya by performing the Atithi Yagna even before Pitru-Yagna was completed in the house. Baba, by His begging, taught us the importance of Atithi Yagna, offering to uninvited guests, especially those who come at mid-day which is the normal time for taking food. Atithi literally means without tithi, the lunar day. What it means is that feeding Atithi is to be done without inquiring into the day, time and the person's merits etc. God Himself is supposed to come in some form, not even necessarily human as we shall shortly see, and partake the food offered by us and bless us. Eating food that is not offered to God is considered a great sin in many households. So, in addition to offering of Naivedya to idols and portraits of Gods in our houses, we should offer food to Atithis and also to Fire God. We should in any case, leave a small portion of the food aside and then consume the rest. The portion, which is left, is discarded along with the leaf. It was a custom to invariably eat in banana and other biodegradable plant leaves, not stainless steel or silver plates. The vegetable leaf and the left over food was food to dogs and other animals outside. The need to share, to protect and preserve the environment was greatly stressed in our Shastras and culture, without learned scientific tomes being written and published in journals etc. Sai Ram. Now to return to the other more interesting subject. Lord Krishna has said in the Bhagawadgeeta (9-26) "Whosoever devoutly offers to me a leaf, a flower, or a fruit or water, of that pure-hearted man, I accept that pious offering." In the case of Sai Baba, if a devotee really longed to offer anything to Sai Baba, and if he afterwards forgot to offer the same, Baba reminded him, or his friend about the offering, and made him present it to Him, and then accepted it and blessed the devotee. A few instances are given below. Tarkhad Family (father and son) Mr. Ramachandra Atmaram alias Babasaheb Tarkhad, formerly a Prarthana-Samajist, was a staunch devotee of Sai Baba. His wife and son loved Baba equally or perhaps more. It was once proposed that Master Tarkhad should go with his mother to Shirdi and spend his May vacation there, but the son was unwilling to go, as he thought that in case he left his home at Bandra, the worship of Sai Baba in the house would not be properly attended to, as his father being a Prarthana Samajist, would not care to worship Sai Baba's enlarged portrait. However, on his father's giving an assurance on oath, that he would perform the worship exactly as the son was doing, the mother and the son left for Shirdi on one Friday night. Next day (Saturday) Mr. Tarkhad got up early, took his bath and before proceeding with the Puja, prostrated himself before the Shrine and said - "Baba, I am going to perform the Puja exactly as my son has been doing, but please let it not be a formal drill." After he performed the Puja, he offered a few pieces of lump-sugar as naivedya (offering), which were distributed at the time of the lunch. That evening and on Sunday, everything went on well. The following Monday was a working day and it also passed well. Mr. Tarkhad, who had never performed Puja like this in all his life, felt great confidence within himself that every thing was passing on quite satisfactorily according to the promise given to his son. On Tuesday, he performed the morning Puja as usual and left for his work. Coming home at noon, he found that there was no Prasad (sugar) to partake of, when the meal was served. He asked the servant - cook, who told him that there was no offering made that morning, and that he had completely forgotten then to perform that part of the Puja (offering naivedya). After hearing that he left his seat and prostrated himself before the Shrine, expressed his regret, at the same time chiding Baba for the want of guidance in making the whole affair a matter of mere drill. Then he wrote a letter to his son stating the facts and requested him to lay it before Baba's feet and ask His pardon for his neglect. This happened in Bandra at Tuesday noon. At about the same time, when the noon Arati was just about to commence in Shirdi, Baba said to Mrs. Tarkhad, "Mother, I had been to your house in Bandra, with a view to having something to eat. I found the door locked. I somehow got an entrance inside and found to My regret, that Bhau (Mr. Tarkhad) had left nothing for Me to eat. So I have returned from there without eating anything." The lady could not understand anything; but the son, who was close by, understood that there was something wrong with the Puja in Bandra and he, therefore, requested Baba to permit him to go home. Baba refused the permission, but allowed him to perform Puja there. Then, the son wrote a letter to his father, stating all that took place at Shirdi and implored his father not to neglect the Puja at home. Both these letters crossed each other and were delivered to the respective parties the next day. Is this not astonishing? Sai Ram. Baba always said that He Is within us. So, if any devotee sincerely wanted to offer something to Baba, as externally manifested in Shirdi, the same Baba seated in that devotee's heart ensured that the devotee's desire was fulfilled. When one thinks that one is doing, such incidents like Mr. Tarkhad forgetting to offer naivedya are bound to happen. Puja is done for the pleasure of the devotee. So Sraddha is needed. It should be done with heart and soul. Ego and Maya makes one forget that one is but an instrument in the hands of God. So, one's actions give either happiness or unhappiness. Mr. Tarkhad thought that he mastered Baba's puja and so allowed his attention to slip, and thus forgot to offer himself, which is represented by the Naivedya. The two letters crossed each other. Yes, it is astonishing if one forgets Baba's omniscience and omnipotence. If one remembers these aspects of Baba, there is no need to get astonished. Knowing our forgetfulness, Baba was showing such Leelas to make us remember. Sai Ram. Mrs. Tarkhad Let us now take up the case of Mrs. Tarkhad herself. She offered three things, viz. (1) Bharit (roasted brinjal egg plant mixed curds and spice). (2) Kacharya (circular pieces of brinjal fried in ghee), (3) Peda (sweetmeat ball). Let us see how Baba accepted them. Once Mr. Raghuvir Bhaskar Purandare of Bandra, a great devotee of Baba started for Shirdi with his family. Mrs Tarkhad went to Mrs. Purandare, and gave her two brinjals and requested her to prepare Bharit of one brinjal and Kacharya of the other, when she went to Shirdi and serve Baba with them. After reaching Shirdi, Mrs. Purandare went with her dish of Bharit to the Masjid when Baba was just about to start his meals. Baba found the Bharit very tasty. So He distributed it to all and said that He wanted Kacharya now. A word was sent to Radha Krishna-Mai, that Baba wanted Kacharya. She was in a fix, as that was no season of brinjals. How to get brinjals was the question? When an enquiry was made as to who brought the Bharit, it was found that Mrs. Purandare was also entrusted with the duty of serving Kacharya. Everybody then came to know the significance of Baba's enquiry regarding Kacharya, and was wonderstruck at Baba's all-pervasive knowledge. In December 1915 A.D., one Govind Balaram Mankar wanted to go to Shirdi to perfrom the obsequies of his father. Before he left, he came to see Mr. Tarkhad. Then Mrs. Tarkhad wanted to send something with him to Baba. She searched the whole house but found nothing, except a Peda, which had already been offered as naivedya. Mr. Mankar was in mourning. Still out of great devotion to Baba, she sent the Peda with him, hoping that Baba would accept and eat it. Govind went to Shirdi and saw Baba, but forgot to take the Peda with him. Baba simply waited. When again he went to Baba in the afternoon, he went empty-handed without the Peda. Baba could wait no longer and, therefore, asked him straight, "What did you bring for me?" "Nothing" was the reply. Baba asked him again. The same reply came forth again. Then Baba asked him the leading question, "Did not the mother (Mrs. Tarkhad) give some sweetmeat to you for me at the time of your starting?" The boy then remembered the whole thing. He felt abashed, asked Baba's pardon, ran to his lodging, brought the Peda and gave it to Baba. As soon as Baba got it in His hand. He put it into His mouth and gulped it down. Thus the devotion of Mrs. Tarkhad was recognized and accepted. "As men believe in me, so do I accept them" (Gita, 4-11) was proved in this case. Baba Fed Sumptuously, -- How? Once, Mrs. Tarkhad was staying in a certain house in Shirdi. At noon, meals were ready and dishes were being served, when a hungry dog turned up there and began to cry, Mrs. Tarkhad got up at once and threw a piece of bread, which the dog gulped with great relish. In the afternoon, when she went to the Masjid and sat at some distance, Sai Baba said to her, "Mother, you have fed me sumptuously up to my throat, My afflicted pranas (life-forces) have been satisfied. Always act like this, and this will stand you in good stead. Sitting in this Masjid I shall never, never speak untruth. Take pity on Me like this. First give bread to the hungry, and then eat yourself. Note this well." She could not at first understand the meaning of what Baba said. So she replied -- "Baba, how could I feed You? I am myself dependent on others and take my food from them on payment." Then Baba replied -- "Eating that lovely bread I am heartily contended and I am still belching. The dog which you saw before meals and to which you gave the piece of bread is, one with Me, so also other creatures (cats, pigs, flies, cows etc.) are one with Me. I am roaming in their forms. He, who sees Me in all these creatures is My beloved. So abandon the sense of duality and distinction, and serve Me, as you did today." Drinking these nectar-like words, she was moved, her eyes were filled with tears, her throat was choked and her joy knew no bounds. Sai Ram. This is another example of Baba's Sarvagnatva, omniscience. This indeed is a wonderful story. Baba showed practically that He is not limited to body, space and time. He showed practically that He is One with every one. There are some more examples spattered through out Satcharitra, like Sai appearing to Balaram Mankar at Mahendraghad in a physical form etc. Moral "See God in all beings" is the moral of this chapter. The Upanishads, the Geeta and the Bhagwat, all exhort us to perceive God or Divinity in all the creatures. By the instance given at the end of this Chapter and others too numerous to mention. Sai Baba has practically demonstrated to us how to put the Upanishadic teachings into practice. In this way Sai Baba stands as the best Exponent or Teacher of the Upanishadic doctrines. Sai Ram. Yes, this Moral is indeed the best gem from this chapter. The same concept is reinforced in Chapter 18; yes, again very significant since 18 adds up to 9, when Dasganu is taught the underlying concepts of Isa Upanishad. This indeed is a great chapter. Sai Ram.

Spiritual Gems from Sri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 8

2010-08-19T17:13:00.000+05:30

Shri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 8

Sai Ram. Sai devotees may skip the Spiritual Gems portion presented in red color italics and follow the main Satcharitra given in the normal blue font, especially if they are doing a Parayana. Sai Ram.

Importance of Human Birth - Sai Baba Begging Food - Bayajabai's Service - Sai Baba's Dormitory - His Affection for Khushalchand.

As hinted in the last Chapter, Hemadpant now explains at length, in his preliminary remarks, on the importance of human birth; and then proceeds to relate how Sai Baba begged His food, how Bayajabai served Him, how He slept in the Masjid with Tatya Kote Patil and Mhalsapati and how He loved Khushalchand of Rahata.

Sai Ram. We have completed (at least for the time being) the first day's parayan of Sai Satcharitra, when we delved into Chapter 7 and enjoyed the spiritual gems. Now, with a prayer to Sai to guide us and help us at every step, we take up the second day's parayana starting with Chapter 8.

The number 8 has great significance in numerology, the interesting science of numbers and their influence on us. And this chapter has very special significance to all Sai devotees (all seekers on the spiritual path are Sai devotees, since He is One with all Gods and Gurus!), whose lives are strongly influenced by number 8, which is ruled by Saturn, the great planet God who teaches humility and who teaches us that destiny is supreme and can't be over-ruled (He also teaches us a simple trick to overcome destiny! surrender to God/Guru).

Hemadpant (let us bow to him) discusses at length the importance of the human birth, Sai's begging for food, Bayajabai's brilliant service etc. Let us take up first things first.

The importance of human birth is stressed by Scriptures and Shri Hemadpant, contrary to his protestations is well read and thus brings out nicely the secret of the human birth, viz., the great purpose. And that is to get Salvation, Moksha, Mukti, Liberation, Enlightenment, call it by whatever name appeals to you. How to get it? What is that liberation? Liberation from the bondage of birth and death. To put the matter in a nutshell, souls get their births or transmigrations according to their deeds and intelligence (development of their minds).

The intelligence that Shri Hemadpant is talking of is not intelligence in worldly matters or bookish philosophy. The intelligence which he is talking of is the intelligence that automatically regulates our behavior at the thought level. Trikarana Suddhi. Cleanliness at three levels, manasaa (mental), vaachaa (speech level) and karmana (action level). And that cleanliness is possible only when Kama (sensual desire, desire for the fruit of one's action, the action-reward-reaction trap) is burnt off, washed off, uprooted etc. For that the steel crowbar of our ego needs to be heated in the Dhuni of True Knowledge (Brahma Jnana), quenched in the water of pure Bhakti (devotion), and hammered by the great Master so that a fine point which is very hard and tough, capable of digging deep into the psyche and removing the roots of desire is produced. Yes. The ego needs to be trained to uproot the desires produced by the same ego! Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi used the metaphor of a thorn being used to remove another thorn that has pierced our heel and is troubling us.

And the kind Master has already shown that after uprooting, the tree and the roots must suffer total destruction by burning to ashes. The resulting Vibhuti, Udhi is pure Bliss. That is what Shri Hemadpant tried to convey in a cryptic remark: Ultimately when their merits and demerits both drop down (are got rid of) completely, they get their deliverance and become free. Free to serve the Lord without the need to be chained to the wheel of birth-and-death.

In Gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna almost towards the end: Let go of all Dharmas, and surrender to Me, I will take care of you. Dharma, right or wrong is the ego's reaction to a thought, which comes up due to desire. So, if being surrendered to the Lord destroys the ego, and if the only thought the ego entertains is the one: Lord, let thy will be done! Then where is punya (merit) and where is paapa (demerit)? How do the merits and demerits drop down completely? They are the shackles, which bind the man to the cycle of birth and death. Shackles need something concrete to tie down and when the ego is reduced to zero, the shackles automatically drop off.

Sai performs this miracle in one of the later chapters to redeem one of His devotees, as we shall see. When the balloon of the individual 'I' is pricked with the needle of Brahma Jnan, it collapses and the shackles then have nothing to hold on. When one stops struggling, the ropes or shackles stop biting into the flesh and when one is sufficiently emancipated, they drop off. Water or mud etc. stick to a surface, which is a little rough and not so clean. When the surface is super smooth and when it is absolutely clean, water and mud etc. can't stick. That is why Lotus is portrayed as the symbol for purity. While being in the middle of this pond of Samsara, the Lotus remains untainted and always looks towards her husband, the Sun God. Thus the ego, which is cleaned by understanding the real purpose of its existence, is untouched and untainted by the surroundings, and is always tuned to Pure Knowledge. Sai Ram.

Importance of Human Birth

In this wonderful universe, God has created billions (84 lacs according to Hindusastra calculation) of creatures or beings (including Gods, demigods, insects, beasts and men) inhabiting heaven, hell, earth, ocean, sky and other intermediate regions. Of these, those creatures or souls, whose merits preponderate, go to heaven and live there till they enjoy the fruits of their actions, and when this is done, they are cast down while those souls, whose sins or demerits preponderate, go down to hell, and suffer the consequences of their misdeeds for so long a time as they deserve. When their merits and demerits balance each other, they are born on earth as human beings, and are given a chance to work out their salvation. Ultimately when their merits and demerits both drop down (are got rid of) completely, they get their deliverance and become free. To put the matter in a nutshell, souls get their births or transmigrations according to their deeds and intelligence (development of their minds).

Special Value of the Human Body

As we all know, four things are common to all the creatures, viz. food, sleep, fear and sexual union. In the case of man, he is endowed with a special faculty, viz. knowledge, with the help of which he can attain God-vision, which is impossible in any other birth. It is for this reasons that Gods envy man's fortune and aspire to be born as men on earth, so as to get their final deliverance.

Sai Ram. The human body has been given with a great purpose. It doesn't last as long as that of the Gods. And it is not as short-lived as that of the insects etc. And the humans have been given the special faculty of standing and walking erect, so that they can see each other in their full beauty. And the sense of beauty, intelligence etc., all considered higher faculties are more or less exclusive to human beings. Thus the ability to appreciate beauty is a gift. By appreciating beauty and by learning the pleasure from appreciating and enjoying that beauty, man was freed from the cycles of nature, which protect the other animals. Thus human beings are the only species that are FREE to enjoy sex throughout the year without the restrictions of estrus (heat).

But freedom always comes with responsibility. Thus the very desire to enjoy that beauty and pleasure again and again is bondage. One may look at it as a curse, but one can by Sai's grace look at that too as a gift. Since, without bondage, there cannot be liberation. The realization that one has bound oneself through desire is itself a great step forward, since without that realization, there would be no effort to get oneself free. The desire for liberation is in fact, the ultimate desire.

Who is bound and who is liberated? Only the individual ego. The Higher Self, The real Atma who is one with Paramatma is always free. The individual ego only goes through the concepts of bondage and liberation. Can the individual ego free itself? It is like asking the prisoner to free himself. Of course not. The ego is set free by the Guru, who has the key to the prison cell, the key of knowledge, not worldly knowledge, but the knowledge of the Self, that knowledge which sets the ego free forever. Sai showed through His life, through His Leelas, through His devotion that it is possible for the ego to get fully merged in the Higher Self and be thus liberated.

Liberation or Mukti, Moksha is of many types. What that means is freedom from the birth-and-death cycle. Freedom to take birth or not to take. Freedom from the inexorable laws of Destiny, Karma. The law, which is inviolable for us, which says that we have to reap what we sow. The law which is only broken when we stop sowing further seeds of desires in our fertile soil of minds. By not reacting even in our minds. By realizing that the apparent sense of separation which causes the feeling of I, you, they etc., is an illusion, a trick of the ego. Sai Ram.

Some say, that there is nothing worse than the human body, which is full of filth, mucus, phlegm and dirt, and which is subject to decay, disease and death. This is no doubt true to a certain extent; but in spite of these drawbacks and defects, the special value of the human body is - that man has got the capacity to acquire knowledge: it is only due to the human knowledge that one can think of the perishable and transitory nature of the body itself, and of the world and get a disgust for the sense-enjoyments and can discriminate between the unreal and the real, and thus attain God-vision. So, if we reject or neglect the body because it is filthy, we lose the chance of God-vision, and if we fondle it, and run after sense - enjoyments, because it is precious, we go to hell. The proper course, therefore, for us to pursue is the following; that the body should neither be neglected nor fondled, but should be properly cared for, just as a traveler on horse-back takes care of his pony on the way till he reaches his destination and returns home. Thus the body should ever be used or engaged to attain God-vision or self-realization, which is the supreme end of life.

Sai Ram. Hemadpant rightly writes: If we condemn the human body and don't take care of it, it falls into decay and we don't reach the goal. And if we fondle it (because of the sense of beauty and the desire for enjoying that beauty) we go to hell, i.e. we go deeper in to the spiritual darkness of selfishness, self here meaning the individual ego, and the lower, baser nature, which is pleasure seeking, without the higher faculty of discrimination, without the sense of right or wrong.

Between these two errors, the first error is less severe. Sooner or later, we realize that we need the body to live and so will be forced to take adequate care of it. The second error is more dangerous and more difficult to overcome. Especially the desire for enjoyment of beauty in others. Kama. Desire for possessions. This is the ultimate bondage and can only be overcome by Guru Kripa. In a later Chapter, one of Sai's close intimate devotee, Shri Bapusaheb Jog asks Him, when he will get liberated. Sai's reply to Bapusaheb Jog is truly applicable to all of us. Sai Ram.

It is said that though God created various sorts of creatures he was not satisfied, for none of them was able to know and appreciate His work. So he had to create a special being - Man, and endow him with a special faculty, viz. Knowledge and when He saw that man was able to appreciate His Leela - marvelous work and intelligence. He was highly pleased and satisfied. (Vide, Bhagawat 11-9-28). So really it is good luck to get a human body, better luck to get birth in a Brahmin family, and best one, to get an opportunity of having recourse to Sai Baba's Feet and surrendering to Him.

Sai Ram. This is an echo of what was written in Viveka Chudamani, which is attributed to Sri Adi Shankara. By the way Viveka, means discrimination. And Viveka Chudamani means the Crest Jewel of Discrimination; discrimination of what is Real and what is Unreal. The Reality is that there is only One Supreme Self. The physical bodies, the variety of objects in this world, which appear to be real, are but images projected on a screen by the Self.

When the author (Shri Hemadpant) wrote that it is better luck to get birth in a Brahmin family, he had a deeper meaning to convey. He was not referring to the caste by birth, but to the way a person conducts himself. He who has interest in Brahma Jnan is a Brahmin. That is who is interested in spiritual knowledge, that helps one get rid of this birth-death cycle. The same result is assured in the Phala Shruti of Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotra.

Surrendering to Sai Baba's feet that is dissolving the ego into the supreme Self is the best means of realizing Brahma, which is one's true Self. Just as water drop realizes its identity with the ocean when it falls into it and just as a salt doll realizes its oneness with the salt of the ocean when it merges with the ocean. Sai Ram.

Man's Endeavour

Realizing how precious the human life is, and knowing that Death is certain and may snatch us at any time, we should be ever alert to achieve the object of our life, we should not make the least delay but make every possible haste to gain our object, just as a widower is most anxious to get himself married to a new bride, or just as a king leaves no stone unturned to seek his lost son. So with all earnestness and speed, we should strive to attain our end, i.e., self-realization. Casting aside sloth and laziness, warding off drowsiness, we should day and night meditate on the Self. If we fail to do this, we reduce ourselves to the level of beasts.

Sai Ram. Here, we find the two paths to Self-realization. One has already been described in the earlier paragraph, i.e. total surrender to Guru. Surrendering to Him is a very significant statement. He is not Sai in the physical body, but the Self, manifesting as that body for that period of time. Now the second path described is Self-enquiry, or 'meditate on the Self'. By the constant meditation on the Self, the same realization comes, as by surrender to self - namely that the individual ego that has no separate existence from the Self and the feeling of separation is an illusion developed by the ego over ages. Bhagwan Ramana Maharshi used to suggest the path of self inquiry to the seekers and for those not yet ready, He was suggesting surrender. Self inquiry may be swift or slow but true surrender is real swift and is irreversible! Sai Ram.

How to Proceed?

The most effective and speedy way to gain our object is to approach a worthy Saint or Sage - Sadguru, who has Himself, attained God-vision. What cannot be achieved by hearing religious lectures and study of religious works is easily obtained in the company of such worthy souls. Just as the sun alone gives light, which all the stars put together cannot do, so the Sad-Guru alone imparts spiritual wisdom which all the sacred books and sermons cannot infuse. His movements and simple talks give us 'silent' advice.

Sai Ram. The 'silent' advice is a reference to Dakshinamurthy, that form of Sri Siva, portrayed as eternal 16-year young Guru, Who clears all doubts of physically much elder Sages like Sanaka, Sanandana etc., not by speaking, but by making them transcend the mind. Since doubts are a part of mind, transcending the mind clears all doubts too. So, they withdraw from the senses and still the mind. In the stillness of the mind, real knowledge shines, just as the image of the Sun is clear when the water is unruffled by breeze. Almost all meditation techniques aim to still the mind only. And the Manasarovar yatra so arduously undertaken by all devout Hindus is a symbol of the need to still one's mind so that the Self can reflect itself in its full glory. Baba also had the unique ability of reading and controlling the minds of His devotees (many of them used to come with various doubts and questions but could never ask them unless He willed it!) Sai Ram.

The virtues of forgiveness, calmness, disinterestedness, charity, benevolence, control of mind and body, egolessness etc. are observed by the disciples as they are being practiced in such pure and holy company. This enlightens their minds and lifts them up spiritually. Sai Baba was such a Sage or Sad-Guru. Though He acted as a Fakir (mendicant), He was always engrossed in the Self. He always loved all beings in which He saw God or Divinity. By pleasures He was not elated. He was not depressed by misfortunes. A king and a pauper were the same to Him.

Sai Ram. Shri Hemadpant describes the signs of a true Jnani, a Sthitha prajna (One with a steady understanding). Since the Jnani is free from the shackles of the ego, He is not affected by external events such as pleasures or misfortunes. He looks at every thing as God's Leela or Prasad and accepts all events as transient images on a screen. He remains in Sakshi bhava, witness mode. Sai Ram.

He, whose glance would turn a beggar into a king, used to beg His food from door to door in Shirdi, and let us now see how He did it.

Sai Ram. He had a very special purpose in begging His food in that small village. He used that simple act of begging to teach many devotees, valuable spiritual lessons. The above sentence establishes Sai's oneness with Lord Dattatreya and makes us recall the story in Sri Guru Charitra where Sri Guru (Sripada Vallabha) bestows a kingdom on a washerman! Sai Ram.

Baba Begging Food

Blessed are the people of Shirdi, in front of whose houses, Baba stood as a beggar and called out, "Oh Lassie (or Oh Maayee), give me a piece of bread" and spread out His hand to receive the same.

Sai Ram. Baba was showing the signs of a true Brahmachari, who is one who moves in and with Brahma. What is done now-a-days as a small ritual at the time of the Upanayana Samskara, that is the Ceremony which gives the Yagnopavita, sacred thread to the brahmachari, and which is considered as a necessary 'ritual' preceding marriage, has a very deep spiritual meaning. A true Brahma Jnani has no sense of thine or mine, so has no ego problem in begging food for preserving the body so that it can do its duty. Looking upon and addressing all women as Mothers, Sisters or daughters establishes Sai's true Brahmacharya, celibacy. Sai Ram.

In one hand He carried a Tumrel (tinpot) and in the other a zoli or choupadari, i.e., a rectangular piece of cloth. He daily visited certain houses and went from door to door. Liquid or semi-liquid things such as soup, vegetables, milk or butter-milk were received in the tin pot, while cooked rice, bread, and such solid things were taken in the zoli. Baba's tongue knew no taste, as He had acquired control over it. So how could He care for the taste of the different things collected together? Whatever things He got in His zoli and in the tin pot were mixed together and partaken by Baba to His heart's content. Whether particular things were tasty or otherwise was never noticed by Baba as if His tongue was devoid of the sense of taste altogether.

Sai Ram. Baba's tongue knew no taste, as He had acquired control over it. Taste, external beauty, and similar sensations, that is signals received by the five sensory organs have no doubt a place in the ordinary day-to-day affairs. But for a Brahma Jnani, who has transcended the mind, taste has no significance. So, all food was mixed up and eaten. Sai was also indicating that all individual dharmas, attributes merge into Brahman, Who is free of all attributes. When all Gunas merge, Saguna becomes Nirguna. Nirguna does not mean no attributes alone, it also means no specific attributes, just as white light has all the colors and is thus devoid of any specific color. Sai Ram.

Baba begged till noon, but His begging was very irregular. Some days He went a few rounds, on other days up to twelve noon. The food thus collected was thrown in a kundi, i.e. earthen pot. Dog, cats and crows freely ate from it and Baba never drove them away. The woman who swept the floor of the Masjid took some 10 or 12 pieces of bread to her house, and nobody prevented her from doing so. How could, He, who even in dreams never warded off cats and dogs by harsh words and signs, refuse food to poor helpless people? Blessed indeed is the life of such a noble person!

Sai Ram. Again by His conduct, He showed that He is one with all animate and inanimate, sentient and insentient beings. Doing good acts consciously is different from doing it automatically as True Real Nature. That is why Shri Hemadpant says there, even in dreams never warded off, a very significant statement! In dreams, the hidden side of the mind comes to the forefront. So all negative emotions, which might have been suppressed in conscious state come up, since the control of the mind is relaxed in sleep and in dreams. So, Sai did not have a harsh word for anyone else even in dream, since Sai is one with everyone and there is no one else. Once that state is realized by the individual ego, it no longer exists separately and is no longer troubled by Maya, Illusion, and sense of separation. Sai Ram.

People in Shirdi took Him in the beginning for a mad Fakir. He was known in the village by this name.

Sai Ram. Sai was so liberal of mind and heart that He was One with all living and non-living beings. He was therefore, not minding cats and dogs from eating food from the same pot as He. Blessed indeed is the life of such a Noble Person. Indeed. But such behavior will be considered 'mad' by so called 'normal' society. People in Shirdi took Him in the beginning for a mad Fakir. He was known in the village by this name. And of course He did not bother.The great Yogi Sadasiva Brahmendra was also considered to be mad and when people went to His Guru and told him about Sadasiva's madness, the Guru exclaimed that he too wished to be so fortunate and be mad like his illustrious disciple! Yogi Vemana also was considered to be a mad man. Lord Dattatreya behaved like a man man many times to put off people who were not yet ready to get His blessings! Similarly Sai used to behave like a mad man because He did not care for what others thought of His behavior and also to put off some devotees whose time has not yet come! Sai Ram.

How could one, who lived on alms by begging a few crumbs of bread, be revered and respected? But this Fakir was very liberal of heart and hand, disinterested and charitable. Though He looked fickle and restless from outside, He was firm and steady inside. His way was inscrutable. Still even in that small village, there were a few kind and blessed people who recognized and regarded Him as a Great Soul. One such instance is given below.

Sai Ram. To recognize the greatness of some one else, we need a minimum greatness ourselves. At another place, Shri Hemadpant writes that only a Saint can recognize another Saint. We may not be Saints, but we should have some merit (poorva janma punyam). Thus, a few kind and blessed people recognized Him. Here, kind also means type. Like a lion recognizes another lion. And yes, they were blessed to play their part in the drama set up by Sadguru Sai. For ordinary people, whose senses were covered by the veil of Maya, it is not possible to recognize the greatness of a Saint. The few souls who recognised Him were capable since they too were advanced and took birth to play their part in that wonderful drama, just like Vasudeva and Devaki, Nanda and Yasoda took birth to play their parts when Krishna decided to take birth in Brindavan. And King Dasaratha, Kausalya, Vasishtha and Viswamitra etc. took birth when Rama took birth in Ayodhya. Sai Ram.

Bayajabai's Brilliant Service

Tatya Kote's mother, Bayajabai, used to go to the woods every noon with a basket on her head containing bread and vegetables. She roamed in the jungles koss (about 3 miles) after koss, trampling over bushes and shrubs in search of the mad Fakir, and after hunting Him out, fell at His feet. The Fakir sat calm and motionless in meditation, while she placed a leaf before Him, spread the eatables, bread, vegetables etc. thereon and fed Him forcibly. Wonderful was her faith and service. Every day she roamed at noon in the jungles and forced Baba to partake lunch. Her service, Upasana or Penance, by whatever name we call it, was never forgotten by Baba till His Maha Samadhi. Remembering fully what service she rendered, Baba benefited her son magnificently. Both the son and the mother had great faith in the Fakir, Who was their God. Baba often said to them "Fakiri (Mendicacy) was the real Lordship as it was everlasting, and the so called Lordship (riches) was transient". After some years, Baba left off going into the woods, began to live in the village and take His food in the Masjid. From that time Bayajabai's troubles of roaming in the jungles ended.

Sai Ram. Bayajabai, a great soul, took care of Sai, when His fame was still not wide spread and when people were not coming to Him for miracles and worshipping Him. She could see through the external appearances and had a soul-to-soul communication with Him. Baba also responded to that soul-level communication of love. Bayajabai's son Tatya also was another great soul, who believed in Sai. It is apparent that these soul mates of Sai were with Him for many generations. Sai made references to some such long-lasting relationships elsewhere in Satcharitra. It is interesting to note that when Sri Bhagawan Ramana went to Arunachala and when He was still not famous, a few simple souls took care of His physical body. And another great soul, Seshadri Swamy also took care of Ramana. To see the greatness in another requires greatness, greatness arising out of humility, in us. Sai Ram.

Dormitory of Trio

Ever blessed are the Saints in whose heart Lord Vaasudeo (Vaasudev, Krishna, son of Vasudeva) dwells, and fortunate, indeed, are the devotees who get the benefit of the company of such Saints. Two such fortunate fellows, Tatya Kote Patil and Bhagat Mhalsapati, equally shared the company of Sai Baba. Baba also loved them both equally. These three persons slept in the Masjid with their heads towards the east, west and north and with their feet touching one another at the centre. Stretching their beds, they lay on them, chitchatting and gossiping about many things, till late at midnight. If any one of them showed any signs of sleep, others would wake him up. For instance, if Tatya began to snore, Baba at once got up and shook him from side to side and pressed his head. If it was Mhalsapati, He hugged him close, stroked his legs and kneaded his back. In this way for full 14 years, Tatya, leaving his parents at home, slept in the Masjid on account of his love for Baba. How happy and never to be forgotten were those days! How to measure that love and how to value the grace of Baba? After the passing away of his father, Tatya took charge of the household affairs and began to sleep at home.

Sai Ram. It is significant to note that Mhalsapati was the first to greet Sai with that name when the Fakir landed in Shirdi along with the marriage party of Chand Patil. And Tatya, along with his mother, Bayajabai, was among the few, who worshipped Sai as a holy man and fed His body. It is appropriate that Sai too took a special interest in the spiritual development of these two and so He chose a very special method, of sleeping with them in the Dwarakamai.

If any of them showed sings of sleep, others would wake him up - But we don't read an instance of Sai sleeping and Tatya or Bhagat waking Sai. He was always awake, especially spiritually. He alludes to this in another chapter when a discussion about the wooden plank comes up. But the same Bhagat Mhalsapati sat for three days with the body of Sri Sai, obviously without sleeping. So, Guru's grace can do any thing. The physical waking up by Sai of Tatya and Bhagat was just a symbolism of the spiritual awakening by Him of those whom He pulled close.

In this way, for a period of 14 years, Tatya, leaving his parents at home, slept in the Dwarakamai on account of his love for Baba - A real growing up period indeed. Which stood him in good stead for the rest of his life. Sai Ram.

Khushalchand of Rahata

Baba loved Ganpat Kote Patil of Shirdi. He equally loved Chandrabhan Seth Marwadi of Rahata. After the demise of the Seth, Baba loved his nephew Khushalchand equally or even perhaps more, and watched his welfare, day and night. Sometimes in a bullock cart, at other times in a tanga with intimate friends, Baba went to Rahata. People of that village came out, with band and music, and received Baba at the Ves or gate of the village and prostrated before Him. Then He was taken into the village with great pomp and ceremony. Khushalchand took Baba to his house, seated Him on a comfortable seat and gave Him a good lunch. Then they talked freely and merrily for some time, after which Baba returned to Shirdi, giving delight and blessing to all.

Shirdi is midway between and equidistant from Rahata on one side (south) and Nimgaon on the other (north). Baba never went beyond these places during His lifetime. He never saw any railway train nor traveled by it. Still, He knew exactly the timing of arrival and departure of all trains. Devotees who acted according to Baba's instructions (re : their departure)which were given by him at the time of taking His leave fared well, while those who disregarded them suffered many a mishap and accident. More about this and other matters will be told in the next Chapter.

Bow to Shri Sai-- Peace to be all

NOTE: An incident, given in the footnote at the end of this Chapter, showing Baba's love for Khusalchand how He asked one afternoon Kakasaheb Dixit to go to Rahata and fetch Khushalchand to Him, and at the same time appeared before Khushalchand in his noon-nap dream asking him to come to Shirdi, is not given here as it is described in the body of the book (Sai-Charita) later on (Chapter 30).

Sai Ram. Baba loved every one, but showed especially a little extra love to some people, who were His spiritual companions from many lives. Ganpat Kote Patil and Chandrabhan Seth Marwadi of Rahata, and his nephew Khushalchand were among such privileged few, who received Baba's love openly.

Shri Hemadpant introduces the all-pervading knowledge of Sai by giving a small incident as a footnote, which is dealt in more detail in a later chapter. And also paved the way for the stories of the next chapter, where Baba gave clear indications to His devotees about when to leave or when not to leave. Sai Ram.

Baba did not depend on the physical sight or the rational, logical, intellectual part of the mind. Since He was one with all, He knew what was going on everywhere. He gave many examples of such Oneness, which people took to be some special mystical powers. Sai Ram.

Spiritual Gems from Sri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 7

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Shri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 7

Wonderful Incarnation - Behaviour of Sai Baba - His Yoga Practices - His All-pervasiveness - Leper Devotee's service - Master Khaparde's Plague-case - Going to Pandharpur

Wonderful Incarnation

Sai Baba knew all Yogic Practices. He was well versed in the six processes including Dhauti (Stomach-cleaning by a moistened piece of linen 3" in breadth and 22 1/2' in length), Khandayoga, i.e., separating His limbs and joining them again, and Samadhi, etc. If you think that He was a Hindu, He looked like a Yavan. If you think Him to be a Yavan, He looked like a pious Hindu. No one definitely knew whether He was a Hindu or a Mahomedan. He celebrated the Hindu festival of Rama-Navami with all due formalities, and at the same time permitted the 'Sandal' procession of the Mahomedans.

Sai Ram. Yes, Sai Baba was indeed a wonderful incarnation. Incarnation means the Avatar of Divinity in human form, in flesh and blood. God took pity on simple and ignorant folk like us and took that particular form, so mysterious and yet so accessible in the form of Sai Baba of Shirdi. He had a very clear purpose in coming to Shirdi and spending those 60 years there. His objective was to bring harmony between all classes of people.

It is those divisions of rich and poor, pious and dirty, Hindu and Mohamedan etc. (the basic duality of I and not I) that Sai addressed in His inimitable way and taught all the art of " live and let live". He always avoided the question of who He was and where from He came for the simple reason that He was not His Body. He was not His Mind. And since He did not have an ego, He was not His ego also. Then who was He? He asked us to look into our hearts. He is the In-dweller, seated in our Hearts, and watching us always and guiding us always. He is our Atma Ram.

He celebrated all the festivals with equanimity giving all the due importance. While Sai Baba allowed devotees to practice all rituals, He never believed in equating the ritual with Faith. Faith in a Higher power is different from ritualistic practices. He was not bound by any rules, regulations etc. but by the devotion of His devotees! Sai Ram.

He encouraged wrestling bouts in this festival, and gave good prizes to winners. When the Gokul Ashtami came, He got the 'Gopal-Kala' ceremony duly performed and on Id festivals, He allowed Mahomedans to say their prayers (Namaj) in His Masjid. Once in the Moharum festival, some Mahomedans proposed to contruct a Tajiya or Tabut in the Masjid, keep it there for some days and afterwards take it in procession through the village. Sai Baba allowed the keeping of the Tabut for four days, and on the fifth day removed it out of the Masjid without the least compunction. If we say that He was a Mahomedan, His ears were pierced (i.e. had holes according to Hindu fashion). If you think that He was a Hindu, He advocated the practice of circumcision (though according to Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who observed Him closely, He was not Himself circumcised. (Vide article in Sai Leela on "Baba Hindu Ki Yavan" by B.V. Deo, page 562). If you call Him Hindu, He always lived in the Masjid; if Mahomedan, He had always the Dhuni - sacred fire there, and the following things which are contrary to Mahomedan religion, i.e., grinding on the handmill, blowing of the conch and bells, oblation in the fire, Bhajan, giving of food, and worship of Baba's Feet by means of ARGHYA (water) were always allowed there. If you think that He was a Mahomedan, the best of Brahmins and Agnihotris, leaving aside their orthodox ways, fell prostrate at His Feet.

Sai Ram. By their Tapas and by His grace, these people could overcome the Maya and could see Sai as the Jnana Bhaskara, the Glorious Sun of Knowledge, the Yoga Agni, which burns all their Sins and Avidya. One becomes sacred only when He undergoes various Samskaras (Purification Rites) - not for His body, but for his body-mind-intellect-ego and thus gets the true Brahma Jnana. An Agnihotri is one who worships Fire God daily and it is well known that Fire purifies and burns all the Ignorance and Sins. So, they could see Sai to be what He truly was, not confined to the five feet six inches of body nor confined to Shirdi location. He was seen as the Satchidananda Parabrahma. Sai Ram.

Those who went to make enquiries about his nationality were dumb-founded and were captured by his darshana. So none could definitely decide whether Sai Baba was a Hindu or a Mahomedan*. (See the footnote a little below this paragraph) This is no wonder; for he who completely surrenders himself to the Lord, by getting rid of his egoism and body consciousness; thus becomes one with Him, and has nothing to do with any questions of caste or nationality. Such a one as Sai Baba was, saw no difference between caste and caste and even beings and beings. He took meat and fish with Fakirs, but did not grumble when dogs touched the dishes with their mouths.

Sai Ram. Sai Baba had this wonderful power of blanking the mental thought waves of those who went to Him, so that they could not remember to ask Him the questions, which He didn't want them to ask! And since He looked upon all food as Brahma (Annam Brahma - Food is Brahma, Annamannada evacha - He is Food and He is also Food Giver - Vishnu Sahasranama; many such aphorisms can be found), He didn't differentiate between vegetarian and non-vegetarian food, the dog and Himself etc. In later chapters, we will read the wonderful story of how Sai gave some deep spiritual lessons to some chosen devotees by accepting their food assuming the form of dogs! He never looked upon food as something to be enjoyed. For Him, the sole role of food was to nourish the body. And He downplayed the importance of hygiene since He was One with all living and non-living beings. But at the same time, He never encouraged people to go out of their Varnasrama Dharma, since such transgressions are motivated by desires for pleasures.

[* Note--(1) Mhalsapati, an intimate Shirdi devotee of Baba, who always slept with Him in the Masjid and Chavadi, said that Sai Baba told him that He was a Brahmin of Pathri and was handed over to a Fakir in his infancy, and when He told this, some men from Pathri had come, and Baba was enquiring about some men from that place. Vide Sai Leela 1924, Page 179. Sai Ram. Later, Mhalsapati confessed that he made up that story and we thus don't know Sai's real origins. Sai Ram. (2) Mrs. Kashibai Kanitkar, the famous learned woman of Poona says in the experience No.8, published on Page 79, Sai Leela Vol. 11,1934, - "On hearing of Baba's miracles, we were discussing according to our theosophic convention and fashion whether Sai Baba belonged to Black or White Lodge. When once I went to Shirdi, I was thinking seriously about this in my mind. As soon as I approached the steps of the Masjid, Baba came to the front and pointing to His chest and staring at me spoke rather vehemently -"This is a Brahmin, pure Brahmin. He has nothing to do with black things. No Musalman can dare to step in here. He dare not." Again pointing to his chest - "This Brahmin can bring lakhs of men on the white path and take them to their destination. This is a Brahmin's Masjid and I won't allow any black Mahomedan to cast his shadow here." Sai Ram. He meant by that the left hand path is not His, though He was beyond all paths. The left hand path of black magic and evil practices is much more dangerous than the right hand path and hence was not encouraged by Sai. Sai Ram.]

Such a unique and wonderful incarnation was Sai Baba. On account of the merits in my past birth, I had the good fortune to sit at His Feet and enjoy His blessed company. The joy and delight I derived therefrom was incomparable. In fact Sai Baba was pure Anand and Consciousness. I cannot sufficiently describle Him, His greatness and uniqueness. He who took delight at His Feet, was established in His own self. Many Sanyasis, Sadhakas and all sorts of men aspiring for salvation came to Sai Baba. He always walked, talked and laughed with them and always uttered 'Allah Malik' (God is the sole owner). He never liked discussion or arguments. He was always calm and controlled, though irritable at times, always preached full Vedanta and nobody knew till the last who Baba was. He treated princes and poor people alike. He knew the inmost secrets of all, and when He gave expression to them, all were surprised. He was the repository of all knowledge, but feigned ignorance. He also disliked honour. Such were the characteristics of Sai Baba. Though, He had a human body, His deeds testified to His Godhood. All people considered Him as the Lord God in Shirdi.

Sai Ram. Who was Baba? He was the indweller, Antaryami, He was the Paramatma, the Supreme Soul, The Self of all of us. He knew the inmost secrets of all, because He was the indweller of all of us. We, because of Maya, ignorance, were identifying ourselves with our bodies, minds and limited consciousness, and thus with our individual egos. He was above all these frailties and was one with the Universal Self. He took a human body and stayed in Shirdi to bless devotees like us.

The difference between a God and a devotee is only this. God is ego less and so is one with all. The devotee is still in dwaita bhava, dualistic mode of worship. The devotee is looking outside his heart to an external symbol in the form of a living Guru or an idol. The Guru or the God also takes that form so that with this ritualistic worship, the mind of the devotee gets purified and becomes fit to receive the true Knowledge. The devotee is enlightened about the fact that the external is but a representation of the internal. Further he becomes aware that the body of the Guru or the idol is but a symbol, to help the devotee to focus his attention, to still the restless mind. Sai Ram.

Behaviour of Sai Baba

Fool that I am, I cannot describe Baba's miracles. He got almost all the temples in Shirdi repaired. Through Tatya Patil, the temples of Shani, Ganapati, Shankar-Parvati, Village Deity, and Maruti were put in order.

Sai Ram. Baba got all the temples repaired. And His devotees got the old and dilapidated Masjid repaired. It is the mutual Seva. Baba never claimed that He was God, He was always most humble and was an exemplary devotee. Just like a leader should first be a follower. Sai Ram.

His charity was also remarkable. The money He used to collect as Dakshina was freely distributed, Rs.20 to some, Rs.15 or 50, to others everyday. The recipients thought that this was 'pure' charity money, and Baba wished that it should be usefully employed.

Sai Ram. Baba showed absolutely no attachment to money. He collected large sums as Dakshina and gave liberally to some people. At the end of each day, He used to again revert to the stage of a pauper, a poor Fakir. Sai Ram.

Having a darshana of Baba immensely benefited people. Some became hale and hearty; wicked people were turned into good ones. Kushtha (Leprosy) was cured in some cases, many got their desires fulfilled, without any drops or medicine being put in the eyes, some blind men got back their sight and some lame ones got their legs. Nobody could see the end of His extraordinary greatness. His fame spread far and wide, and pilgrims from all sides flocked to Shirdi. Baba sat always near the Dhuni and eased Himself there, and always sat in meditation, sometimes with and on other times without a bath.

Sai Ram. The darshan or sparshan (touch) or any other Sangatya (Company) - including remembering them, reading about them like here, of great Saints is never without benefit. So, all devotees who came into contact with Baba also got benefited. Depending on their merits of the past birth, they could come into contact with Him and their demerits, sins, got burnt down like dry grass in fire. So, poor became rich, ill people became well and minds were purified. Sai Ram.

He used to tie a white turban on his head; and wear a clean Dhotar round his waist, and a shirt on his body. This was his dress in the beginning. He started practicing medicine in the village, examined patients and gave medicines. He was always successful, and He became famous as a Hakim (Doctor). A curious case may be narrated here. One devotee got his eye balls quite red and swollen. No Doctor was available in Shirdi. The other devotees took him to Baba. Other Doctors would use ointments, Anjans, cow's milk and camphorated drugs etc., in such cases. Baba's remedy was quite unique. He pounded some 'BEEBA' (Some Carpus Ana Cardium i.e. marking nuts) and made two balls of them, thrust them one in each eye of the patient and wrapped a cloth-bandage round them (eyes). Next day, the bandage was removed and water was poured over them in a stream. The inflammation subsided and the pupils became white and clear. Though the eyes are very delicate, the BEEBA caused no smarting; but removed the disease of the eyes. Many such cases were cured and this is only an instance in point.

Sai Ram. Initially Baba was giving herbs and other medicines to draw people to Him and to increase their faith in Him. Later, when the faith of the devotees became strong enough, He stopped giving any such medicines and His touch and His Udhi were sufficient, and the healing took place by His grace. So, even when He was not physically present, He could help people and save. One such incident where Baba saved a small child and allowed His hand to get burnt (He was probably against disappointing Fire God of His food!) is described in this chapter. Sai Ram.

Baba's Yoga Practices

Baba knew all the processes and practices of Yoga. Two of them will be described here:

(1) DHAUTI or CLEANING PROCESS: Baba went to the well near a Banyan tree at a considerable distance from the Masjid every third day and washed his mouth and had a bath. On one occasion, He was seen to vomit out his intestines, clean them inside and outside and place them on a Jamb tree for drying. There are persons in Shirdi, who have actually seen this, and who have testified to this fact. Ordinary Dhauti is done by a moistened piece of linen, 3 inches broad 22 1/2ft. long. This piece is gulped down the throat and allowed to remain in the stomach for about half an hour for being reacted there and then taken out. But Baba's Dhauti was quite unique and extraordinary.

Sai Ram. These extraordinary feats testify to Baba's training over several births and His discipleship under a great Master. But they should not be emulated or learnt for the sake of yogic powers, Siddhis etc., since that would be a diversion from the path of true Yoga, which is unification of our awareness with the Highest Self. Sai Ram.

(2) KHANDA YOGA: In this practice, Baba extracted the various limbs from His body, and left them separately at different places in the Masjid. Once, a gentleman went to the Masjid, and saw the limbs of Baba lying separately at separate places. He was much terrified; and he first thought of running to the village officers, and informing them of Baba being hacked to pieces and murdered. He thought that he would be held responsible, as he was the first informant, and knew something of the affair. So he kept silent. But next day when he went to the masjid, he was very much surprised to see Baba, hale and hearty and sound, as before. He thought, that what he had seen the previous day, was only a dream.

Sai Ram. Baba was not only showing His great yogic powers in this instance but was conveying a great spiritual truth. Initially, He was only one, but became many and finally, the Many return to the One. The water drops leave the ocean, form into clouds, rain down upon earth, become rivers, streams etc. and finally rejoin the ocean. All creation is from energy and all creation returns to energy as per modern science too. Baba was showing this in His own inimitable way. Sai Ram.

Baba practiced Yoga since, His infancy and nobody knew or guessed the proficiency He attained. He charged no fees for His cures. He became renowned and famous by virtue of His merits and gave health to many a poor and suffering person. This famous Doctor of doctors cared not for His interests, but always worked for the good and welfare of others, Himself suffering unbearable and terrible pain many a time in the process. One such instance, I give below, which will show the all-pervasive and most merciful character of Sai Baba.

Baba's All-pervasiveness and Mercy

In the year 1910 A.D., Baba was sitting near the Dhuni on Divali day and warming Himself. He was pushing the firewood into the Dhuni, which was brightly burning. A little later, instead of pushing logs of woods, Baba pushed His arm into the Dhuni; the arm was scorched and burnt immediately. This was noticed by the servant Madhava, and also by Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama). They at once ran to Baba and Madhavarao clasped Baba by His waist from behind and dragged Him forcibly back ward and asked, "Deva, for what have you done this?" Then Baba came to His senses and replied, "The wife of a blacksmith at some distant place, was working the bellows of a furnace; her husband called her. Forgetting that her child was on her waist, she ran hastily and the child slipped into the furnace. I immediately thrust my hand into the furnace and saved the child. I do not mind my arm being burnt, but I am glad that the life of the child is saved."

Sai Ram. We learnt (and we will be seeing in the future chapters too) that Baba had full control over all the elements. So, why did He allow His hand to be burnt? He could have saved the child just by His will, isn't it? Yes. But then He had two intentions. One, He wanted to tell His devotees that they should not mind injury to their body when they are trying to save some one else. Body consciousness is a big obstacle in the path of spirituality. So, Baba was demonstrating that one should get rid of body consciousness. Secondly, He wanted to provide an opportunity to the leper devotee Bhagoji Shinde, to serve Him as given below. Let us remember Baba's words on that occasion: "Forgetting that her child was on her waist, she ran hastily and the child slipped into the furnace. I immediately thrust my hand into the furnace and saved the child. I do not mind my arm being burnt, but I am glad that the life of the child is saved." Baba was mentioning that, even if we forget about something, He doesn't and He always protects the devotees. Sai Ram.

Pujya Shri B.V.Narasimha Swamyji has documented similar incidents of Baba helping His devotees at far off places without ever leaving His place in Shirdi in "Devotees' experiences". All these incidents were Baba's efforts to show us that He was beyond the constraints of space and time. And that He was not confined to His body. These miracles were performed with the sole intention of strengthening our Faith in Him, so that our ego becomes humble and the Teli's (Oil Grocer, Business man, a Sadhaka in early stages who still looks for karma phala, the rewards for his efforts) wall between Sai and us is broken down (Sai's advice to a Sadhaka in a later chapter). Sai Ram.

Leper Devotee's Service

On hearing the news of Baba's hand being burnt from (Shama) Madhavrao Deshpande, Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, accompanied by the famous Doctor Parmanand of Bombay with his medical outfit consisting of ointments, lint and bandage etc. rushed to Shirdi, and requested Baba to allow Dr. Parmanand to examine the arm, and dress the wound caused by the burn. This was refused. Ever since the burn, the leper devotee, Bhagoji Shinde, dressed the arm. His treatment consisted in massaging the burnt part with ghee and then placing a leaf over it and bandaging it tightly with Pattis (bandages). Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar solicited Baba many a time to unfasten the Pattis and get the wound examined and dressed and treated by Dr. Parmanand, with the object that it may be speedily healed. Dr. Parmanand himself made similar requests, but Baba postponed saying that Allah was His Doctor; and did not allow His arm to be examined. Dr. Paramanand's medicines were not exposed to the air of Shirdi, as they remained intact, but he had the good fortune of getting a darshana of Baba. Bhagoji was allowed to treat the hand daily. After some days, the arm healed and all were happy. Still, we do not know whether any trace of pain was left or not. Every morning, Bhagoji went throught his programme of loosening the Pattis, massaging the arm with ghee and tightly bandaging it again. This went on till Sai Baba's Samadhi (death). Sai Baba, a perfect Siddha, as He was, did not really want this treatment, but out of love to His devotee, He allowed the 'Upasana' - service of Bhagoji to go on un-interrupted all along. When Baba started for Lendi, Bhagoji held an umbrella over Him and accompanied Him. Every morning, when Baba sat near the post close to the Dhuni, Bhagoji was present and started his service. Bhagoji was a sinner in his past brith. He was suffering from leprosy, his fingers had shrunk, his body was full of pus and smelling badly. Though outwardly he seemed so unfortunate, he was really very lucky and happy, for he was the premier servant of Baba, and got the benefit of His company.

Sai Ram. Bhagoji Shinde was chosen to dress the burns of Baba's hand. Dr. Paramanand, the famous doctor brought by Shri Nanasaheb Chandorkar from Bombay (present day Mumbai) had to remain a mute spectator to this Leela of Baba. Why did not Baba allow Dr. Paramanand to treat Him? It was not as if Baba was not kindly disposed towards Nanasaheb and Dr. Paramanand. It was because Baba wanted Nana and the good doctor to learn one important lesson - that it is God who heals in the form of a doctor (Vaidyo Narayano Hari goes the saying). And if God wills it, anything and everything can heal. And if God doesn't will it, nothing will help. Since Baba had full faith in Allah, He also had full control over who can treat His hand and who can't. Bhagoji was chosen because of his merits of his past birth. So, though he was a sinner, his merits were taken up so that he can work out his salvation through Sadhu Sparshan and Darshan. The lesson to all of us is clear. We may be the worst sinners in our previous births or even in this birth up to this moment, but we also had a small amount of merit, which brought us to Sai's feet. So, let us make best use of this opportunity and let us redeem ourselves to be His worthy devotees. Sai Ram.

Master Khaparde's Plague-Case

I shall now relate another instance of Baba's wonderful Leela. Mrs. Khaparde, the wife of Mr. Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti, was staying at Shirdi with her young son for some days. One day the son got high fever, which further developed into Bubonic plague. The mother was frightened and felt most uneasy. She thought of leaving the place for Amraoti, and went near Baba in the evening, when He was coming near the Wada (now Samadhi Mandir) in His evening rounds, for asking His permission. She informed Him in a trembling tone, that her dear young son was down with plague. Baba spoke kindly and softly to her, saying that the sky is beset with clouds; but they will melt and pass off and everything will be smooth and clear. So saying, He lifted up His Kafni up to the waist and showed to all present, four fully developed bubos, as big as eggs, and added, "See, how I have to suffer for My devotees; their difficulties are Mine." Seeing this unique and extraordinary deed (Leela), the people were convinced as to how the Saints suffer pains for their devotees. The mind of the saints is softer than wax, it is soft, in and out, as butter. They love their devotees without any idea of gain, and regard them as their true relatives.

Sai Ram. Baba showed His merciful attitude to His devotees in Master Khaparde's plague case. He showed that He is fully aware of what is going on with any or all of His devotees. When Mrs. Khaparde approached Baba for permission to leave Shirdi and to go to Amraoti, her husband's place, Baba kindly showed her the fully developed buboes in his groin, thus indicating that He has taken upon Himself the disease. Our Faith in God or Guru is not really steadfast, and hence the need for occasional reinforcement of the same by God and Guru. If only our faith is really steadfast, we won't try to run away from problems and we will not appeal to God and Guru to alleviate the problems. We forget that they are always aware of what is going on and what is for our best welfare. Sai Ram.

Going to Pandharpur and Staying There

I shall now close this Chapter after relating a story illustrating how Sai Baba loved His devotees and anticipated their wishes and movements. Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who was a great devotee of Baba, was Mamlatdar at Nandurbar in Khandesh. He got an order of transfer to Pandharpur. His devotion to Sai Baba bore fruit, as he got an order to go and stay at Pandharpur, which is regarded as the 'BHUVAIKUNTHA' - Heaven on earth. Nanasaheb had to take immediate charge, so he left, immediately, for the place, without even writing or informing anybody at Shirdi. He wanted to give a surprise visit to Shirdi - his Pandharpur, see and salute his Vithoba (Baba), and then proceed. Nobody dreamt of Nanasaheb's departure for Shirdi, but Sai Baba knew all about this, as His eyes were everywhere (omniscient). As soon as Nanasaheb approached Neemgaon, a few miles from Shirdi, there was stir in the Masjid at Shirdi. Baba was sitting and talking with Mhalsapati, Appa Shinde and Kashiram, when He at once said, "Let us all four do some Bhajan, the doors of Pandhari are open, let us merrily sing." Then they began to sing in chorus, the burden of the song being "I have to go to Pandharpur and I have to stay on there, for it is the house of my Lord."

Baba sang and the devotees followed Him. In a short time Nanasaheb came there with his family, prostrated before Baba and requested Him to accompany them to Pandharpur and stay with them there. This solicitation was not necessary, as the devotees told Nanasaheb that Baba was already in the mood of going to Pandharpur and staying there. Hearing this Nanasaheb was moved and fell at Baba's Feet. Then getting Baba's permission, Udi (sacred ashes) and Blessings, Nanasaheb left for Pandharpur.

Sai Ram. This is another indication of Baba's knowledge of events far from Him in space or time. He knew of Nanasaheb's transfer from Khandesh to Pandharpur and He knew of Nana's impending arrival in Shirdi. Baba also showed His devotion to Vithoba of Pandharpur by singing bhajans in His praise. The devotee and the God become One when the ego is absent. And God favors His devotee's devotees more than His direct devotees. Thus devotees of Hanuman and Sai etc. get quicker results than those who worship say Rama and Krishna. This is purely my (this author's) view. Sai Ram.

There is no end to Baba's stories, but let me now make a halt here, reserving for the next Chapter other topics, such as importance of human life, Baba's living on alms, Bayajabai's service and other stories.

Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all

Spiritual Gems from Sri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 6

2010-07-29T08:34:00.001+05:30

Sai Ram. Now let us take up the Chapter 6 of Sri Sai Satcharitra and enjoy the Spiritual Gems that Sadguru Sai gives us. Sai Ram.

Chapter 6 - Rama-Navami Festival And Masjid Repairs

Efficacy of the Touch of Guru's Hand - Rama-Navami Festival - Its Origin, Transformation, Repairs to the Masjid.

Before describing Rama-Navami Festival and Masjid Repairs, the author makes some preliminary remarks about Sad-Guru as follows:

Efficacy of the Touch of Guru's Hand

Where Real or Sad-Guru is the helmsman, he is sure to carry us safely and easily beyond the worldly ocean. The word Sadguru brings to mind Sai Baba.

Sai Ram. Sad-Guru means true teacher. There are many Sad-Gurus at any given time, but each lock has only one key. Later in Sat Charitra, the author Shri Hemadpant gives the signs by which a Sad-Guru can be recognized by the disciple. He said that where the mind becomes calm without any effort on the part of the Sadhaka, he should realize that he is in the presence of the Sad-Guru. That is because the Sadguru is able to tune into the disciple's mind and restore harmony in the mind. Pujya Sri B.V.Narasimha Swamyji (Who was Sai's chosen instrument to spread Sai's name and fame all over South India), found His Sad-Guru through a long journey which took Him to Ramanashram and many other places ending at Sakori where the great Upasani Baba, told Him "Go to Shirdi, your Sad-Guru is waiting for you there." And all this happened after Baba left His physical body. I too feel so much peace when I look at Sai's portrait or just remember His name. I find a great benefit from His Udhi. Sai Ram.

He appears to me, as if standing before me, and applying Udi (scared ashes) to my fore-head and placing his hand of blessing on my head. Then joy fills my heart and love overflows through my eyes. Wonderful is the power of the touch of Guru's hand.

Sai Ram. There are different ways by which a Guru may transfer spiritual power to the disciple. Placing His hand of blessing over the disciple's head is one of them and is called Hasta-Mastaka Samyoga (the good union of Hand and Head), blowing of breath over the head or face of the disciple, a mantra given to the disciple, eye-to-eye contact etc. Baba Himself described, how He was blessed by His Guru after being taken out of the well, in a later chapter of Sat Charitra. Bhagawan Ramana Maharshi used eye-to-eye contact for blessing His disciples many times. I always used to get so much fascinated and energized by looking at the photo of Ramana Maharshi and when I finally visited His ashram last year (2009), the peace that I felt was so deep. I also got some mystical experiences when I visited Skandashram where the Maharshi did meditation for many years. I also got a great spiritual lesson that Sai is One with all Gods and Gurus a few years ago and He allows me to worship Him in His various forms at different places as needed. Sai Ram.

The subtle-body (consisting of thoughts and desires) is destroyed by the mere touch of the Guru's hand, and the sins of many past births are cleaned and washed away. Even the speech of those, whose heads feel annoyed when they hear religious and Godly talks, attains calmness. The seeing of Sai Baba's handsome form, chokes our throat with joy, makes the eyes overflow with tears, and overwhelms the heart with emotions. It awakens in us 'I am He (Brahman)' consciousness, manifests the joy of self-realization, and dissolving the distinction of Thou, and I then and there and makes us one with the Supreme (One Reality).

Sai Ram. This is the beneficial effect of Mantra. Mantra literally means Crossing of the Mind. Guru's touch destroys the turbulence in the mind, which gets stilled. Once the mind is stilled, the great Truth, that we are not our mind, but Self (of the same nature as God, Guru), that it was only our illusion that we are different, unworthy, separate from God, that caused all the problems, dawns on us. After that, even if we occasionally forget the lesson, it keeps coming back, since the Guru never leaves a disciple halfway in the journey. Sai Ram.

When I begin to read the scriptures, at every step I am reminded of my Sadguru, and Sai Baba, assumes the form of Rama or Krishna and makes me listen to his Life. For instance when I sit to listen to Bhagwat, Sai becomes Krishna from top to toe, and I think he sings the Bhagwat or Uddhava Gita (song of teachings by Lord Shri Krishna to His disciple, Uddhava) for the welfare of the devotees. When I begin to chitchat, I am at once put in mind of Sai's stories for enabling me to give suitable illustrations. When I myself start to write anything, I cannot compose a few words or sentences, but when He of his own accord makes me write, I go on writing and writing and there is no end to it.

Sai Ram. Needless to say, it is as if Hemadpant is speaking not only for himself but also on behalf of all who write about Sai. It is as if we are possessed by Sai's spirit, when we start writing. It is so, since it is Sai who makes us write. Sai Ram.

When the disciple's egoism props up, He presses it down with His hand, and giving him His own power, makes him gain His object, and thus satisfies and blesses him. If any one prostrates before Sai and surrenders heart and soul to Him, then unsolicited, all the chief objects of life viz. Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (Desire) and Moksha (Deliverance), are easily attained. Four paths, viz., of Karma, Jnana, Yoga and Bhakti lead us separately to God. Of these, the path of Bhakti is thorny and full of pits and ditches, and thus difficult to traverse, but if you, relying on your Sadguru, avoid the pits and thorns and walk straight, it will take you to the destination (God). So says definitely, Sai Baba.

Sai Ram. Bhakti is normally considered to be an easy path, but here Hemadpant says it is thorny and full of pits. Initially my egoism propped up and I was unwilling to accept this statement. Later, however, I realized by Sai's grace that even Bhakti could give rise to egoism. Many times Bhakti gives us a lot of power, and with power comes forth egoism. So, unless the Guru showers His grace and gives us true Jnana, we will fall into the pit of our own ego. Unlike Bhasmasura, whose hand is destructive, Guru's hand is beneficial to our true Self. It destroys our ego without doubt. It is like Bhasmasura Hastam or Siva's Third eye for our ego. The combination of Bhakti and Jnana is like a good railroad track, on which our vehicle of spiritual seeking travels safely with the Guru as the Driver, Navigator and Guard. We should be just like a good passenger, who boards a train with full faith that it takes him to his destination. Sai Ram.

After philosophizing about the Self-Existent Brahman, His Power (Maya) to create this world, the world created, and stating that all these three are ultimately one and the same, the author quotes Sai Baba's words guaranteeing the welfare of the Bhaktas:

Sai Ram. The Creator, the act of creation and the created are the same. Creation can be considered to be a Yagna (sacrificial offering). The Yagna Karta, the Yagna offering and the Yagna Bhokta are all Vishnu (See Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stotram, the importance of which was extolled by Baba in a later chapter). Similarly God, devotee and devotion are same. However, since Maya clouds the divine vision from the devotee's mind, the devotee has to pray to God/Guru. Philosophizing may be intellectually satisfying and may help us maintain our equanimity in the face of adversity, but when the obstacles become too difficult to surmount, when the burdens become too heavy to carry, the same Self (Brahman), who manifested Himself as God, Guru and devotee, takes the role of a God/Guru/Guide/Helper and assists the devotee to overcome the obstacles. That is why Guru is considered to be the real benefactor. And that is what Baba is explaining in the next paragraph.

"There will never be any dearth or scarcity, regarding food and clothes, in any devotees' homes. It is my special characteristic, that I always look to, and provide, for the welfare of those devotees, who worship Me whole-heartedly with their minds ever fixed on Me. Lord Krishna has also said the same in the Gita. Therefore, strive not much for food and clothes. If you want anything, beg of the Lord, leave worldly honors, try to get Lord's grace and blessings, and be honored in His Court. Do not be deluded by worldly honor. The form of the Deity should be firmly fixed in the mind. Let all the senses and mind be ever devoted to the worship of the Lord, let there be no attraction for any other thing; fix the mind in remembering Me always, so that it will not wander elsewhere, towards body, wealth and home. Then it will be calm, peaceful and carefree. This is the sign of the mind, being well engaged in good company. If the mind is vagrant, it cannot be called well-merged."

Sai Ram. Here Baba gives the secret of surrender to Him and thus the secret of happiness. As long as we strive for food, clothing, etc., with our efforts, Baba doesn't interfere. But once we get engrossed in remembering Baba and so forget to take care of our food, and other needs (not wants), Baba takes care. Just as a mother always has the welfare of the child in her mind and allows the child to play and amuse itself, while always keeping an eye on it, Baba has His devotees under a benevolent surveillance. An example of this surveillance is given in a later chapter, where Baba saves a child from falling into fire from its mother's lap, by putting His own hand into the fire. That divine Leela has a lot of esoteric and spiritual significance. It is just one of many examples of Baba's mercy. Even if our biological parents forget to protect us (because of the limitations of the human senses), Baba never forgets His devotees. Since Baba has assured that He takes care of us, we, the devotees are free to think about Him. Self-inquiry (inquiry into our real nature) is the highest devotion to Him, Who is not really different from us. This theme is further explained in one of the later Chapters, in the form of Baba's upadesh to Nanasaheb Chandorkar. What Baba is advising us is to push aside the veil that Maya has drawn over our vision and to realize the sameness of our true nature with that of the Brahman, like the drops and the water body, waves and the sea, sun-beam and the sun, golden ornaments and the gold etc. All such analogy has one objective in common, to dispel the Avidya or ignorance. Sai Ram.

After quoting these words, the author goes on to relate the story of Rama Navami festival in Shirdi. As Rama-Navami is the greatest festival celebrated at Shirdi, another fuller account, as published in Sai Leela Magazine of 1925, page 197, is also referred to and a summary of the festival, as related in both these accounts is attempted here.

Sai Ram. Now let us take up the Rama-Navami festival and its significance. Rama is not only the hero of the Epic Ramayana; Rama is the embodiment of Dharma and Truth. And ultimately, Rama represents the Atma Rama, Para Brahman that we have been talking about in the beginning of this chapter. Rama is not just the human body (He is Vishnu, Who, is not really different from Brahma and Siva). Ravana, His main foe is none other than His great devotee Dwara Palaka (Security guard) Jaya. And the whole drama was to facilitate the eternal truth of the triumph of Truth over Untruth, of Dharma over Adharma. Sita is Maya. All the other gods took the form of monkeys. Adi Sesha (the Primordial Serpent, who probably symbolizes Kundalini) took birth as Lakshmana. Thus the curtain is raised on one of the most beautiful epic dramas ever written. We will discuss more of it later. Baba was above all religions and rituals, but encouraged the devotees to celebrate all festivals and social/religious rituals. He followed Krishna's dictum (I have no karma to perform, but I do it to set an example to others, He said to Arjuna). Baba too was a great Saint/devotee/God/Guru (He is as we want to see Him). He was always immersed in contemplation of the Brahman and was enjoying an uninterrupted blissful relationship with the One, who became many, including Rama, Krishna, Kabir, Sai etc. But Baba lived among people and He behaved like one among them, and so celebrated or allowed His Chelas to celebrate various festivals. Thus the 'Sandal' procession and "Rama-Navami' celebrations began. The idea behind those celebrations was to teach communal harmony, as shown by a study of this Chapter and born out by the statement therein given below. Sai Ram.

Origin

One, Mr. Gopalrao Gund, was a Circle Inspector at Kopergaon. He was a great devotee of Baba. He had three wives, but had no issue. With Sai Baba's blessings, a son was born to him. In the joy that he felt regarding the event, an idea of celebrating a fair or 'Urus' occurred to him in the year 1897, and he placed it for consideration before other Shirdi devotees, viz. Tatya Patil, Dada Kote Patil and Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama). They all approved of the idea, and got Sai Baba's permission and blessings. Then an application for getting the Collector's sanction for celebrating the Urus was made. But as the village Kulkarni reported against holding the fair, the sanction was refused. But as Sai Baba had blessed it, they tried again, and ultimately succeeded in getting the Collector's sanction. The day for the Urus was fixed on the Rama-Navami day, after having consulted with Sai Baba. It seems, He had some end in view, in this, viz., the Unification of the two fairs of festivals, the Urus and the Rama-Navami and the unification of the two communities - the Hindus and the Mohammedans. As future events showed, this end or object was achieved.

Though the permission was obtained, but other difficulties cropped up. Shirdi was a village, and there was scarcity of water. There were two wells in the village, the one in use, dried up soon, and the water from the second was brackish. This brackish water was turned into sweet by Sai Baba, by throwing flowers into it.

Sai Ram. Readers who are familiar with Sri Guru Charitra and Sri Akkalkot Swamy's Charitra will see some similarities in the above miracle. Sri Akkalkot Swamy, also called as Swamy Samarth, showed this 'water' miracle several times. If He wills it so, I will share those stories too at the appropriate time. Sai Ram.

The water of this well was insufficient, so Tatya Patil had to arrange to get water, from a well by fixing Moats (leather sacks) thereon, at a considerable distance. Then some temporary shops had to be constructed, and wrestling bouts arranged. Gopalrao Gund had a friend, by name Damu Anna Kasar, of Ahmednagar. He also was similarly unhappy in the matter of progeny, though he married two wives. He was also blessed by Baba with sons, and Mr. Gund prevailed upon his friend to prepare and supply one simple flag for the procession of the fair; he also succeeded in inducing Mr. Nanasaheb Nimonkar to supply another embroidered flag. Both these flags were taken in procession through the village, and finally fixed at the two ends or corners of the Masjid, which is called by Sai Baba as Dwarkamai. This is being done even now.

The 'Sandal' Procession

There was another procession that was started in this fair. This idea of 'Sandal' procession originated with one Mr. Amir Shakkar Dalal, a Mahomedan Bhakta from Korhla. This procession is held in honour of great Muslim Saints. Sandal i.e. Chandan paste and scrappings are put in the THALI (flat dishes), and these are carried with incense burning before them in procession to the accompaniment of band and music through the village and then after returning to the Masjid, the contents of the dishes are thrown on the 'Nimbar' (nitche) and walls of the Masjid with hands. This work was managed by Mr. Amir Shakkar for the first three years, and then afterwards by his wife. So on one day, the two processions, the 'Flags' by the Hindus and that of 'Sandal' by the Muslims, went on side by side, and are still going on without any hitch.

Arrangement

This day was very dear and sacred to the devotees of Sai Baba. Most of them turned out on the occasion, and took a leading part in the management of the fair. Tatya Kote Patil looked to all outward affairs, while the internal management was entirely left to one Radha Krishna Mai, a female devotee of Baba. Her residence was full of guests on the occasion, and she had to look to their needs, and also to arrange for all the paraphernalia of the fair. Another work, which she willingly did, was to wash out and clean and white-wash the entire Masjid, its walls and floor, which were blackened and were full of soot on account of the ever-burning Dhuni (sacred fire) of Sai Baba. This work, she did during the night, when Sai Baba went to sleep every alternate day in the Chavadi. She had to take out all the things, including even the Dhuni, and after thorough cleaning and whitewashing replace them, as they were before. Feeding the poor, which was so dear to Sai Baba, was also a great item in this fair. For this purpose, cooking, on a grand scale and preparing various sweet dishes, was done in Radha-Krishna Mai's lodging, and, various rich and wealthy devotees took a leading part in this affair.

Transformation of Urus into Rama-Navami Festival

Things were going on in this way and the fair was gradually increasing in importance till 1912 A.D., when a change took place; That year one devotee, Mr. Krishnarao Jageshwar Bhisma (the author of the pamphlet 'Sai Sagunopasana'), came for the fair with Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti, and was staying on the previous day in the Dixit Wada. While he was lying on the verandah, and while Mr. Laxmanrao alias Kaka Mahajani, was going down with Puja materials to the Masjid, a new thought arose in his mind and he accosted the latter thus - There is some providential arrangement in the fact that the Urus or fair is celebrated in Shirdi on the Rama-Navami day; this day is very dear to all the Hindus; then why not begin the Rama-Navami Festival - the celebration of the birth of Shri Rama here on this day? Kaka Mahajani liked the idea, and it was arranged to get Baba's permission in this matter. The main difficulty was how to secure a Haridas, who would perform 'Kirtan' and sing the glories of the Lord on the occasion. But Bhishma solved the difficulty, by saying that his 'Rama Akhyan' (composition on Rama's birth) was ready, and he would do the 'Kirtan' himself, while Kaka Mahajani should play on the harmonium. It was also arranged to get the 'Sunthavada' (ginger-powder mixed with sugar) as Prasad prepared by Radha-Krishna Mai. So they immediately went to the Masjid to get Baba's permission. Baba, who knew all things and what was passing there, asked Mahajani, as to what was going on in the Wada. Being rather perturbed, Mahajani could not catch the purport of the question and remained silent. Then Baba asked Bhishma, what he had to say. He explained the idea of celebrating Rama-Navami festival, and asked for Baba's permission and Baba gladly gave it. All rejoiced and made preparations for the Jayanti-festival. Next day, the Masjid was decorated with buntings etc., a cradle was supplied by Radha-Krishna Mai, and placed in front of Baba's seat and the proceedings started. Bhishma stood up for Kirtan and Mahajani played on the harmonium. Sai Baba sent a man to call Mahajani. He was hesitating to go, doubting whether Baba would allow the festival to go on; but when he went to Baba, the latter asked him as to what was going on and why the cradle was placed there. He answered that the Rama-Navami festival had commenced, and the cradle was put on for that purpose. Then Baba took a garland from the 'Nimbar' (nitche), and placed it round his neck and sent another garland for Bhishma. Then commenced the Kirtan. When it came to a close, pound sounds of "Victory to Rama" went up; and Gulal (red - powder) was thrown up all round, amidst band and music. Everybody was overjoyed, when suddenly roaring was heard. The red-powder thrown promiscuously all round, went up, somehow entered Baba's eyes. Baba got wild and began to scold and abuse loudly. People got frightened by this scene and took to their heels. Those intimate devotees, who knew Baba well, took these scoldings and outpourings of Baba, as blessings in disguise. They thought that when Rama was born, it was proper for Baba to get wild and enraged to kill Ravana; and his demons, in the form of egoism and wicked thoughts etc.

Sai Ram. Recently Sadguru Sai gave another insight - Ravana is our ego, always hungry for sensual pleasures. The ten heads of Ravana represent the five sense organs and their mental counterparts. Ravana also represents our ego deluded by maya and thus running after pleasures though intellectually knowing that the path is wrong! Rama is our Atma (Paramatma) and has to come to finish off Ravana (ego) and take back His Maya. Sai Ram.

Besides they knew, that whenever a new thing was undertaken at Shirdi, it was usual with Baba to get wild and angry, and so they kept quiet. Radha-Krishna Mai was rather afraid; and thought that Baba might break her cradle, and she asked Mahajani to get the cradle back. When he went to loosen and unfasten the cradle, Baba went to him, and asked him not to remove it. Then after some time, Baba became calm, and that day's programme, including Mahapuja and Arati was finished. Later on, Mr. Mahajani asked Baba, for permission to remove the cradle, Baba refused the same saying, that the festival was not yet finished. Next day, another 'Kirtan' and Gopal-Kala ceremony (an earthen pot containing parched rice mixed with curds is hung, only to be broken after the 'Kirtan', and the contents distributed to all, as was done by Lord Krishna amongst His cow-herd friends, were performed, and then Baba allowed the cradle to be removed. While the Rama-Navami festival was thus going on, the procession, of the two flags by day and that of the 'Sandal' by night, went off with the usual pomp and show. From this time onwards, the 'Urus of Baba' was transformed into the Rama-Navami festival.

From next year (1913), the items in the programme of Rama-Navami began to increase. Radha-Krishna Mai started a 'Nama-Saptah' (singing the glory of God's name continuously day and night for seven days), from 1st of Chaitra, For this, all devotees took part by turns, and she also joined it, sometimes early in the morning. As Rama-Navami Festival is celebrated in many places all over the country, the difficulty of getting a Haridas was felt again. But 5 or 6 days before the festival , Mahajani met accidentally Balabuva Mali, who was known as modern Tukaram, and got him to do the 'Kirtan' that year. The next year (1914), another Balabuva Satarkar of Brihadsiddha Kavate, District Satara, could not act as a Haridas in his own town, as plague was prevailing in his town, and so he came to Shirdi; With Baba's permission, which was secured through Kakasaheb Dixit, he did the Kirtan; and was sufficiently recompensed for his labour. The difficulty of getting a new Haridas every year was finally solved from 1914 by Sai Baba, as He entrusted this function to Das Ganu Maharaj permanently, and since that time, he has been successfully and creditably conducting that function up till now.

Since 1912, this festival began to grow gradually year-by-year. From the 8th to 12th of Chaitra, Shirdi looked like a beehive of men. Shops began to increase. Celebrated wrestlers took part in wrestling bouts. Feeding of the poor was done on a grander scale. Hard work and sincere efforts of Radha-Krishna Mai turned Shirdi into a Sansthan (State). Paraphernalia increased. A beautiful horse, a palanquin, chariot and many silver things, pots, buckets, pictures, mirrors etc. were presented. Elephants were also sent for the procession. Though all this paraphernalia increased enormously, Sai Baba ignored all these things, and maintained His simplicity as before. It is to be noted that both the Hindus and Mahomedans have been working in unison in both the processions, and during the entire festival, there has been no hitch or quarrel between them at all so far. First about 5000-7000 people used to collect, but that figure went up to 75000 in some years; still there was no outbreak of any epidemic or any riots worth the name during so many past years.

Sai Ram. It was Sai Baba's intention to bring communal harmony in Shirdi and nearby areas and the above shows that He succeeded to a great extent. Even now, people of all religions visit Shirdi and receive the blessings of Baba. Sai Ram.

Repairs to the Masjid

Another important idea occured to Gopal Gund. Just as he started the Urus or fair, he thought that he should put the Masjid in order. So in order to carry out the repairs, he collected stones and got them dressed. But this work was not assigned to him. This was reserved for Nanasaheb Chandorkar, and the pavement -work for Kakasaheb Dixit.

Sai Ram. Just as Hemadpant was assigned the work of writing Sai Satcharitra, the work of repairing the masjid was assigned to these two devotees. In Sai's darbar, each has a role to play. We may think we are doing this or that. But it is Baba, the inner dweller, the invisible wirepuller, who gets these things done through us using us as mere instruments. He, of course approached everything in the same spirit of surrender. Sai Ram.

First, Baba was unwilling to allow them to have these works done, but with the intervention of Mhalsapati, a local devotee of Baba, His permission was secured. When the pavement was completed in one night in the Masjid, Baba took a small Gadi for His seat, discarding the usual piece of sack - cloth used till then. In 1911, the Sabha - Mandap (court - yard) was also put in order with great labour and effort. The open space in front of the Masjid was very small and inconvenient. Kakasaheb Dixit wanted to extend it and put on it roofing. At great expense, he got iron-posts, and pillars and trusses and started the work. At night, all the devotees worked hard and fixed the posts; but Baba, when he returned from Chavadi next morning, uprooted them all and threw them out.

Sai Ram. Initially this story made no sense to my intellectual mind. And some of the people at that time would have no doubt thought that Baba was mad - in another great book, Devotees's experiences by Pujya Sri B.V.Narasimha Swamyji, a few episodes are given where the onlookers got such an impression - Baba, of course was not mad but was driving away the madness in His devotees. In true Dattatreya tradition, He was resorting to various gimmicks to keep insincere devotees away. A few, whose poorva janma punyam was great, did succeed in entering His darbar after initial rebuffs. Megha, Tatyasaheb Noolkar, Sapatnekar, the Yogi Somadeva Swami etc.

Later as I went on rereading Satcharitra, Sai took pity on me and gave me the inner meaning of this story. It is my good fortune that I am now able to share it with Sai's devoted and thus blessed readers. Sai Ram.

The posts fixed in the night represent our desires and attachments. Baba's uprooting them in the day represents the uprooting of deep-seated, deep-rooted desires by Guru's hand. What so many devotees labored so much in the night was so easily uprooted by Baba. Thus the Sadguru, is able to bring so many disciples to the path of liberation - liberation from attachments and desires. See the further Leela of Baba, below. Sai Ram.

Once it so happened that Baba got very excited, caught a pole with one hand, and began to shake and uproot it, and with the other hand caught the neck of Tatya Patil. He took by force Tatya's Pheta, struck a match, set it on fire and threw it in a pit. At that time, Baba's eyes flashed like burning embers. None dared to look at Him. All got terribly frightened. Baba took out a rupee from his pocket and threw it there, as if it were an offering on an auspicious occasion. Tatya also was much frightened. None knew what was going to happen to Tatya, and none dared to interfere. Bhagoji Shinde, the leper devotee of Baba, made a little boldly advance, but he was pushed out by Baba. Madhavrao was also similarly treated, he being pelted with brick pieces. So all those, who went to intercede, were similarly dealt with. But after some time, Baba's anger cooled down. He sent for a shopkeeper, got from him an embroidered Pheta and Himself tied it on Tatya's head, as if he was being given a special honor. All the people were wonderstruck to see this strange behavior of Baba. They were at a loss to know, what enraged Baba so suddenly and what led Him to assault Tatya Patil, and why His anger cooled down, the next moment. Baba was sometimes very calm and quiet and talked sweet things with love, but soon after, with or without any pretext, got enraged. Many such incidents may be related; but I do not know which to choose and which to omit. I, therefore, refer them as they occur to me.

Sai Ram. Baba's Leela did not end with the uprooting of the posts. Desires once uprooted, will sprout again if left like that. Weeds must not only be uprooted but also burnt so that they can't reroot. That is what Baba demonstrated by the above strange behavior. Tatya was so much attached to Baba, and called Him Mama, uncle. Attachment to good things is no doubt good, but any attachment is a hindrance. A golden cage is after all a cage. So, Baba wanted to show that all relationships are ephemeral. And He chose Tatya, one of the closest of His devotees for this demonstration. He took off Tatya's old turban and set it on fire and threw it. He offered the attachments to Agni, Who is the destroyer of all attachments. Guru means one who burns ignorance. Attachment is due to ignorance of one's true nature. Baba burnt Tatya's attachment - may be Tatya was feeling a little proud of his special relationship with Baba? Who knows? Anyway He offered Dakshina to Agni God, since Baba believed in getting any job done only with suitable payment. So, He didn't even accept this service from Agni God without Dakshina. Sai Ram.

Did He stop there after that? No. He gave a new turban to Tatya - a spiritual rebirth. And thus showed that His relationship with His devotees is indeed special. This attachment is not ego-tainted. This attachment is that of a God and devotee - both love each other and depend on each other. Because both are of the same origin, both are parts of the true Self.

Sai Ram. We have now completed Chapter 6. Six by the way represents the six internal enemies, of Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and Matsarya. Baba's offering of Tatya's turban to Agni represents the burning of the six internal enemies. Sai Ram.

In the next Chapter the question whether Baba was a Hindu or a Mohammedan will be taken up; and His Yogic practices and powers, and other matters will be dealt with.

Bow to Shri Sai Baba - Peace be to All

Spiritual Gems from Sri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter - 5

2010-07-15T22:58:00.000+05:30

Sai Ram. Now, let us take up the spiritual gems from Chapter 5 of Sri Sat Charitra. Incidents from the earlier or later chapters or from other sources, as inspired by the Master, will also be connected. Sai Ram.

Shri Sai Satcharitra

Chapter V

Baba’s Return with Chand Patil’s Marriage - party - Welcomed and Addressed as "Sai" - Contact with Other Saints - His Dress and Daily Routine - The Story of the Padukas - Wrestling Bout with Mohdin and Change in Life - Turning Water into Oil - The Pseudo - Guru Javhar Ali.

Return with Chand Patil’s Marriage - Party

As hinted in the last Chapter, I shall now describe first how Sai Baba returned to Shirdi after His disappearance.

There lived in the Aurangabad District (Nizam State), in a village called Dhoop, a well-to-do Mahomedan gentleman by name Chand Patil.

Sai Ram. Dhoop means fragrant smoke. And where there is smoke there will be fire as the adage goes. So, from Dhoop (also spelt as Dhup), proceeded the man, heralding the Fire of Knowledge in the form of Sai. Chand means Moon, who rules over mind. Mind is the medium through which the body experiences the spirit. Thus Sai chose Chand Patil as the medium through which His greatness (fragrance) became available to the whole world. Sai Ram.

While he was making a trip to Aurangabad, he lost his mare. For two long months, he made a diligent search but could get no trace of the lost mare. After being disappointed, he returned from Aurangabad with the saddle on his back. After travelling four Koss and a half, he came, on the way, to a mango tree under the foot of which sat a RATNA(queer fellow). He had a cap on His head, wore Kafni (long robe) and had a "Satka" (short stick) under His arm-pit and He was preparing to smoke a Chilim (pipe). On seeing Chand Patil pass by the way, He called out to him and asked him to have a smoke and to rest a little. The Fakir asked him about the saddle. Chand Patil replied that it was of his mare which was lost. The queer fellow or Fakir asked him to make a search in the Nala close by. He went and the wonder of wonders! he found out the mare.

Sai Ram. The mare represents God's grace (Chapter 21, story of Anantrao Patankar), and like Chand Patil, we too have lost or misplaced the Grace by forgetting God / Guru / our true nature. And the Sadguru, out of His kindness, draws us to him and helps us in regaining the lost mare. Sai Ram.

He thought that this Fakir was not an ordinary man, but an Avalia (a great saint). He returned to the Fakir with the mare. The Chilim was ready for being smoked, but two things were wanting; (1) fire to light the pipe, and (2) water to wet the chhapi (piece of cloth through which smoke is drawn up). The Fakir took His prong and thrust it forcibly into the ground and out came a live burning coal, which He put on the pipe. Then He dashed the Satka on the ground, from whence water began to ooze. The chhapi was wetted with that water, was then wrung out and wrapped round the pipe. Thus everything being complete, the Fakir smoked the Chilim and then gave it also to Chand Patil.

Sai Ram. This is one form of Guru's uchhishta, i.e. prasad from Guru, the left over. Accepting it is the first major step in one's spiritual progress. In chapter 50, the story of Shri Balaram Dhurandhar is given, where too Baba gave that gentleman, the Chillim to smoke. In that case, the gentleman was not used to smoking, but accepted it, took a few respectful puffs and handed the Chillim back to Baba, only to be wonder struck at finding that his long-standing asthma has gone! Chand Patil, no doubt was not having any such problems and was probably quite accustomed to smoking. But his accepting Baba's Chillim and smoking must have certainly helped him spiritually. It certainly made his name immortal, since millions of Sai devotees now know his name, long after he passed away. Is that not a wonderful gift from Baba? There is another interesting story of Kushabhav, another great devotee of Sai, who also lapped up Guru Ucchishta and Sai, though pretended initially to be angry, gave him a boon that udhi from Sai's dhuni will come to the hands of Kusha Bhav where ever he is, when he needs it. This gift was used by Kusha Bhav for helping many people and this story is shared by Sri B V Narasimhaswamy a great disciple of Sai Baba, in his book, "Devotees Experiences". Sai Ram.

On seeing all this, Chand Patil was wonderstruck. He requested the Fakir to come to his home and accept his hospitality. Next day He went to the Patil’s house and stayed there for some time. The Patil was a village - officer of Dhoop. His wife’s brother’s son was to be married and the bride was from Shirdi. So Patil made preparations to start for Shirdi for the marriage. The Fakir also accompanied the marriage-party. The marriage went off without any hitch, the party returned to Dhoop, except the Fakir alone stayed in Shirdi, and remained there forever.

How the Fakir Got the Name Sai

When the marriage - party came to Shirdi, it alighted at the foot of a Banyan tree in Bhagata Mhalsapati’s field near Khandoba’s temple. The carts were loosened in the open court-yard of Khandoba’s temple. The carts were loosened in the open court-yard of Khandoba’s temple, and the members of the party descended one by one, and the Fakir also got down. Bhagat Mhalsapati saw the young Fakir getting down and accosted Him "YA SAI" (Welcome Sai). Others also addressed Him as Sai and thence-forth he became known as Sai Baba.

Sai Ram. It seems Sai has the meaning of a Saint, a holy man. To me, SAI means SPIRITUAL, ABSOLUTE and INFINITE;The SATCHIDANANDA PARA BRAHMA. The PURE AWARENESS or CONSCIOUSNESS. The marriage party of Chand Patil, a Muslim gentleman got down in the fields adjoining to Khandoba's ( a Hindu God) temple. And Mhalsapati, the priest of Khandoba welcomed Him as Sai. It is as if the main purpose of Sai's advent in Shirdi, viz., the integration of the two communities was made clear that day itself. It was as if one chapter of God's great Drama unfolded on that great day.

Baba told seekers many times that He is not confined to the place Shirdi, or by time or by His 3 and a half cubit tall body. Thus He clearly identified Himself with the ULTIMATE. At some other time, He also said that He was not God, He was a servant of God. And sometimes, He said that He was an agent of God, that He was given vast powers. At other times, He also said that He is the indweller, the wire Puller. These apparently contradictory statements are all true, since they were told to different persons at different times, keeping their spiritual maturity or the lack of it in view. Ultimately the Seeker, the Guru and the God are one. The seeker or disciple is not aware of this unity, which the Guru is aware. Sai Ram.

Contact with Other Saints

Sai Baba began to stay in a deserted Masjid. One Saint named Devidas was living in Shirdi many years before Baba came there. Baba liked his company. He stayed with him in the Maruti temple, in the Chavadi, and some time lived alone. Then came another Saint by name Jankidas. Baba spent most of His time in talking with him, or Jankidas went to Baba’s residence . So also one Vaishya house-holder Saint, from Puntambe by name Gangagir always frequented Shirdi. When he first saw Sai Baba, carrying pitchers of water in both hands, for watering the garden, he was amazed and said openly, "Blessed is Shirdi, that it got this precious Jewel. This man is carrying water to-day; but He is not an ordinary fellow. As this land (Shirdi) was lucky and meritorious, it secured this Jewel." So also one famous Saint by name Anandnath of Yewala Math, a disciple of Akkalkot Maharaj came to Shirdi with some Shirdi people. When he saw Sai Baba, he said openly, "This is a precious Diamond in reality. Though he looks like an ordinary man, he is not a ‘gar’ (ordinary stone) but a Diamond. You will realize this in the near future." Saying this he returned to Yewala. This was said while Sai Baba was a youngster.

Sai Ram. There is a saying that a flower can't hide its fragrance, a candle can't hide its light. Thus though Sai was at that point of time, trying to be anonymous and ordinary, it wasn't to be. The other saints were sufficiently advanced to realise the spiritual power silently radiating out of Sai, the youngster. Physically He might have been young, but spiritually He was quite old. Did He remember His past lives at that point of time? We don't know, but can only guess. He probably knew His mission even then. He was not the hurrying or worrying type. He knew that things will take place at the right time. Sai Ram.

Baba’s Dress and Daily Routine

In his young days, Sai Baba grew hair on His head; never had His head shaved. He dressed like an athlete.

Sai Ram. He probably adopted this dress and hairstyle to just look like an ordinary man, or He was trying to convey a great spiritual lesson that even ordinary men, who are caught up in materialistic desires can, at the appropriate time, change over to a spiritual mode of life. Or that dress and hair style have no link to spirituality. Sai Ram.

When He went to Rahata (3 miles from Shirdi), He brought with Him small plants of Merry Gold, Jai and Jui, and after cleaning, he planted and watered them. A devotee by name Vaman Tatya supplied Him daily with two earthen pitchers. With these Baba Himself used to water the plants. He drew water from the well and carried the pitchers on His shoulders. In the evening the pitchers were kept at the foot of the Neem tree. As soon as they were placed there, they were broken, as they were made of raw earth and not baked. Next day, Tatya supplied two fresh pitchers. This course went on for 3 years; and with Sai Baba’s toil and labour, there grew a flower-garden. On this site, at present, stands the big mansion - Samadhi Mandir of Baba, which is now frequented and used by so many devotees.

Sai Ram. Sai Baba prepared very carefully His resting place, so that it is free from all negative vibrations, so that devotees who come to visit His Samadhi, get the benefit of only the positive vibrations. In fact, all the plants planted by Him represent individual souls like us. He planted us in His spiritual garden and took good care of us. The pots made of unbaked clay were held together by His power, and when their purpose was served at the end of the day, they returned to the mother earth from whom they took their birth. Sai was thus hinting at how we should live. Our birth is for a specific purpose, which we may not be aware. When the purpose is over, we return to the five elements from which we took our bodies or rather our maker who gave us the body. Sai Ram.

The Story of Padukas (foot-prints) under the Neem Tree

A devotee of Akkalkot Maharaj by name Bhai Krishnaji Alibagkar worshipped the photo of Akkalkot Maharaj. He once thought of going to Akkalkot (Sholapur District), taking the darshana of the Padukas (foot-prints) of the Maharaj and offering his sincere worship there; but before he could go there, he got a vision in his dream. Akkalkot Maharaj appeared in the vision and said to him - "Now Shirdi is my resting place, go there and offer your Worship." So Bhai changed his plan and came to Shirdi, worshipped Baba, stayed there for six months and was happy. As a reminiscence of this vision etc., he prepared the Padukas and installed them on an auspicious day of Shravan, Shaka 1834 (1912 A.D.) under the Neem tree with due ceremonies and formalities, conducted by Dada Kelkar and Upasani. One Dixit Brahmin was appointed for worship, and the management was entrusted to devotee Sagun.

Sai Ram. The version of the story of Padukas as given by Shri Hemadpant is slightly different from the 'full story' given by Shri Gunaji based on the published version of Shri B.V.Dev, another great Sai devotee of that time. The differences are slight, but significant. In Shri Dev's version, when Shri Bhai Krishnaji Alibagkar, went to Shirdi en route to Akkalkot and went to Sai after the installation of the Padukas to take His permission to go to Akkalkot to visit that Maharaj, Sri Sai is reported to have dissuaded him saying, - "Oh, what is there in Akkalkot? Why do you go there? The incumbent Maharaj of that place is here, myself." Hearing this Bhai did not go to Akkalkot." Whereas in Shri Hemadpant's version, Akkalkot Maharaj appeared to Shri Alibagkar in a dream and told him, "Now Shirdi is my resting place, go there and offer your Worship." So Bhai changed his plan and came to Shirdi, worshipped Baba, stayed there for six months and was happy. Which is correct or both are correct, only Sai and Akkalkot Maharaj (they are One) know. However, one important aspect of the story is that we got Padukas to worship, thanks to Bhai Krishnaji, who was an able instrument in the hands of God. And thanks to Shri Upasani Baba, we got a nice Sloka about the greatness of Sai. Sai Ram.

Complete Version of this Story

Mr. B.V. Deo, Retired Mamalatdar of Thana, and a great devotee of Sai Baba, made enquired about this matter with Sagun Meru Naik and Govind Kamlakar Dixit and has published a full version of the Padukas in Sai Leela Vol. 11, No. 1, page 25. It runs as follows:

In 1834 Shaka (1912 A.D.) one Doctor Ramarao Kothare of Bombay came to Shirdi for Baba’s darshana. His compounder; and his friend, Bhai Krishnaji Alibagkar, accompanied him. The compounder and Bhai became intimate with Sagun Meru Naik and G.K. Dixit. While discussing things, these persons thought that there must be some memorial of the fact of Sai Baba’s first coming to Shirdi and sitting under the holy Neem tree. They thought of installing Baba’s Padukas there and were going to make them of some rough stones. Then Bhai’s friend, the compounder, suggested that if this matter be made known to his master, Dr. Ramarao Kothare, who would prepare nice Padukas for this purpose. All liked the proposal and Dr. Kothare was informed of it. He came to Shirdi and drew a plan of the Padukas. He went to Upasani Maharaj in Khandoba’s temple, and showed him his plan. The latter made many improvements, drew lotuses, flowers, conch, disc, man etc., and suggested that the following SHLOKA (verse) regarding Neem tree’s great ness and Baba’s Yogi powers be inscribed. The verse was as follows:

Sai Ram. These symbols like lotus and sankhu etc. are found in the feet of great Saints and were similar to the good signs described in Shri Guru Charitra (the birth of Sri Pada Vallabha, the first incarnation in Kali Yug of Lord Dattatreya, for example). Baba probably never allowed anyone to check out His feet (after all He declined to show His palm to Moolay Shastri as we shall see in later chapters and also discouraged His devotees from placing too much faith in astrology). So, Upasani's suggestion was out of reverence to Baba's powers, which He has already experienced by that time. And the Feet of the Lord are anyway known to contain all the auspicious signs so those devotees, who take shelter at His feet, never have to fear anything. Thus, the story of Padukas gives us an opportunity to realize the Oneness of Akkalkot Maharaj, Sai and God. Sai Ram.

"Sada Nimbarvrikshasya mooladhiwasat,
Sudhasravinam tiktamapi-apriyam tam,
Tarum Kalpavrikshadhikam sadhayantam
Namameeshwaram Sadgurum Sai Natham"

Upasani’s suggestions were accepted and carried out. The Padukas were made in Bombay and sent to Shirdi with the compounder. Baba said that they should be installed on the Pournima (15th) of Shravan. On that day at 11 a.m., G.K. Dixit brought them on his head from Khandoba’s temple to the Dwarkamai (Masjid) in procession. Baba touched the Padukas, saying that these are the feet of the Lord and asked the people to instal them, under foot of the Neem tree.

Sai Ram. Baba always or most of the time, described Himself as a humble devotee of God. This act of His touching the Padukas saying that those are the feet of the Lord is one good example. Only one instance of Baba saying His feet are old and holy comes up, when an advocate from Akkalkot (isn't it a nice coincidence that Akkalkot figures in both the stories?), Shri Sapatnekar went to get Baba's blessing. Initially Sai punishes that man for his earlier lack of faith as expressed in ridiculing his co-student Shri Shevade, but later when Saptnekar repents truly, blesses him. "With these words, He placed His blessing hand on his head and comforted him saying - "These feet are old and holy, you are care-free now; place entire faith in Me and you will soon get your object." "Sapatnekar was much moved with emotion, he bathed Baba's feet with his tears and then returned to his residence."(Chapter48, SaiSatcharitra). Sai Ram. Sai showed that when awareness is one with God, we become God and when that awareness is lacking; we are his humble servants. Sai Ram.

A day before, one Parsi devotee of Bombay named Pastha Shet sent Rs.25/- by money order. Baba gave this sum for the installation of the Padhukas. The total expense of installation came up to Rs.100/- out of which Rs.75/- were collected by subscriptions. For the first 5 years, G.K. Dixit worshipped the Padukas daily and then this was done by Laxman Kacheshwar Jakhadi. In the first five years, Dr. Kothare sent Rs. 2 per month for lighting and he also sent the railing round the Padukas. The expense of bringing the railing from the station to Shirdi (Rs. 7-8-0) (presently Rs.7.50p) and roofing was paid by Sagun Meru Naik. Now, Jakhadi (Nana Pujari) does the worship and Sagun Meru Naik offers the naivaidya and lights the evening lamps.

Bhai Krishnaji was orginally a devotee of Akkalkot Maharaj. He had come to Shirdi at the installation of the Padukas, in Shaka 1834 on his way to Akkalkot. He wanted to go to Akkalkot after taking the darshana of Baba. He asked Baba’s permission for this. Baba said - "Oh, what is there in Akkalkot? Why do you go there? The incumbent Maharaj of that place is here, Myself." Hearing this Bhai did not go to Akkalkot. He came to Shirdi off and on, after the installation of the Padukas.

Mr. B.V. Deo concluded that Hemadpant did not know these details. Had be known them, he would not have failed to depict them in his Sat-charita.

Wresting Bout with Mohdin Tamboli and Change in Life

To return to other stories of Baba. There was a wrestler in Shirdi, by name Mohdin Tamboli. Baba and he did not agree on some items, and both had a fight. In this Baba was defeated. Thenceforth, Baba changed His dress and mode of living. He donned Kafni, wore a Langot (waist band) and covered His head with a piece of cloth. He took a piece of sack-cloth for His seat, sack-cloth for His bed and was content with wearing torn and worn out rags. He always said that "Poverty is better than Kingship, far better than Lordship. The Lord is always brother (befriender) of the poor." Gangagir was also very fond of wrestling. While he was once wrestling, a similar feeling of dispassion came over him, and at the proper time he heard the voice of an adept, saying that he should wear out his body, playing with God. So he too gave up Samsara and turned towards God-realization. He established a math on the banks of the river near Puntambe, and lived there with disciples.

Sai Ram. The above story is really enlightening. It may be recalled that Sai dressed like an athlete. He grew long hair. He was fond of wrestling. When the time came, Baba 'lost' a wrestling fight with Mohiddin Tamboli and used that opportunity to gain a great spiritual victory over materialistic desires. He converted a worldly loss into a great spiritual gain. He changed His mode of dressing and shaved His head. He also consciously changed His external living style. He deliberately chose the life style of a Fakir. Saint Gangagir also had a similar spiritual experience. Both these incidents are spiritually parallel to the struggle that the Elephant King (Gajendra) put up with the Crocodile (Makar) depicted in Srimad Bhagavatham. Man is especially endowed with two natures, the lower, which runs after worldly pleasures and is full of desires for wealth, name, fame etc., and the higher nature of discrimination and devotion. Baba, showed through His wrestling bout with Tamboli that sooner or later, we are bound to lose to someone. We should use that loss to learn a spiritual lesson and stop struggling with a desire for victory. By surrendering to God, we are freed from struggles. Sai Ram.

Sai Baba did not mix and speak with the people. He only gave answers when he was questioned. By day he always sat under the Neem tree, sometimes under the shade of a branch of a Babul tree near the stream at the outskirts of the village. In the afternoon, He used to walk at random and go at times to Nimgaon. There He frequented the house of Balasaheb Dengale. Baba loved Mr. Balasaheb. His younger brother, named Nanasaheb, had no son, though he married a second wife. Balasaheb sent Nanasaheb for taking darshana of Sai Baba, and after some time with His grace, Nanasaheb got a son. From that time onwards, people began to come in numbers to see Sai Baba, and His fame began to spread and reached Ahmednagar; from thence Nanasaheb Chandorkar and Keshav Chidamber, and many others began to come to Shirdi.

Sai Ram. He used these miracles to pull the devotees to Him, increase their Sraddha and thus help them on their spiritual journey. Sai Ram.

Baba was surrounded by His devotees during day; and slept at night in an old and dilapidated Masjid. Baba’s paraphernalia at this time consisted of a Chilim, tobacco, a "Tumrel" (tin pot), long flowing Kafni, a piece of cloth round His head, and a Satka (short stick), which He always kept with Him. The piece of white cloth on the head was twisted like matted hair, and flowed down from the left ear on the back. This was not washed for weeks. He wore no shoes, no sandals. A piece of sack-cloth was His seat for most of the day. He wore a coupin (waist-cloth-band) and for warding off cold he always sat in front of a Dhuni (sacred fire) facing south with His left hand resting on the wooden railing. In that Dhuni, He offered as oblation; egoism, desires and all thoughts and always uttered Allah Malik (God is the sole owner).

Sai Ram. Baba thus showed His affinity to Agni. No wonder Sri Tembe Maharaj (Sri Vasudevananda Saraswati, a great Datta Bhakta and considered as incarnation of Sri Datta) addressed Sai as His Elder brother. No wonder, Sai was a bit favorably inclined towards the Nasik Agnihotri Brahmin, Moolay Sastri. (We will meet both in later chapters). Moolay Shastri was the disciple of another great Guru. Sai was always gentle with devotees of other Sadgurus who came to visit Him. Sai also showed that He is one with Siva, who burnt down Kama Deva, the God of Desire in the Fire, which emanated from His Third Eye. Sai Ram.

The Masjid in which He sat was only of two room dimensions, where all devotees came and saw Him. After 1912 A.D., there was a change. The old Masjid was repaired and a pavement was constructed. Before Baba came to live in this Masjid, He lived for a long time in a place Takia, where with GHUNGUR (small bells) on His legs, Baba danced beautifully sang with tender love.

Turning Water into Oil

Sai Baba was very fond of lights. He used to borrow oil from shop-keepers, and keep lamps burning the whole night in the Masjid and temple. This went on for some time. The Banias, who supplied oil gratis, once met together and decided not to give Him oil. When, as usual, Baba went to ask for oil, they all gave Him a distinct No. Unperturbed, Baba returned to the Masjid and kept the dry wicks in the lamps. The banias were watching Him with curiosity. Baba took the Tumrel (tin pot) which contained very little (a few drops) of oil, put water into it and drank it and forced it fall in the container. After consecrating the tin-pot in this way, He again took water in the tin-pot and filled all the lamps with it and lighted them. To the surprise and dismay of the watching Banias, the lamps began to burn and kept burning the whole night. The Banias repented and apologized. Baba forgave them and asked them to be more truthful in future.

Sai Ram. In a later chapter, He tells Smt. Kasibai Kanitkar, who was wondering whether Sai belonged to Black or White Lodge of Magicians, ("When once I went to Shirdi, I was thinking seriously about this in my mind. As soon as I approached the steps of the Dwarakamai, Baba came to the front and pointing to His chest and staring at me spoke rather vehemently - "This is a Brahmin, pure Brahmin. He has nothing to do with black things." Again pointing to his chest - "This Brahmin can bring lacks of men on the white path...") It is not therefore surprising that Sai was fond of lights, the external light representing the internal spiritual light, which He was trying to light up in our hearts. His begging and borrowing oil from the grocers of Shirdi was for their benefit. Once they all joined hands (we are all united in our ignorance of our true nature!) and declined to oblige to Him with the daily supply of oil, He was unperturbed and used water instead. By His spiritual power, the water could keep the lamps burning in the Dwarakamai through out the night. So, what Baba was trying to teach us through that episode is that we should remain unperturbed in the face of adversities; God will take care of us. Our Faith is the lamp. Our Patience with those who try to oppose us (both external and internal enemies) is the oil. Faith and patience (Shraddha and Saburi) will light the spiritual lamp in us. Sai Ram.

The Pseudo-Guru Javhar Ali

Five years after the wrestling bout mentioned above, one Fakir from Ahmednager by name Javhar Ali, came to Rahata with his disciples and stayed in Bakhal (spacious room) near Virabhadra temple. The Fakir was learned, could repeat the whole Koran and had a sweet tongue. Many religious and devout people of the village came to him and began to respect him. With the help of the people, he started to build an Idgah ( a wall before which Mahomedans pray on Idgah day), near the Virabhadra temple. There was some quarrel about this affair, on account of which, Javhar Ali had to leave Rahata. Then he came to Shirdi and lived in the Masjid with Baba. People were captured by his sweet talk, and he began to call Baba his disciple. Baba did not object and consented to be his Chela.

Sai Ram. Many of us fall into this trap of intellectual egoism and the pride of learning. True knowledge has no place for pride and only gives humility. Another trait of a true Jnani is Love. Let us see how Sai transformed this man. Sai Ram.

Then both Guru and Chela decided to return to Rahata and live there. The Guru (Teacher) never knew his disciple’s worth, but the disciple knew the defects of the Guru, still he never disrespected him, observing carefully his duties. He even served the Master in various ways. They used to come to Shirdi off and on, but their main stay was in Rahata. The loving devotees of Baba in Shirdi did not like, that Baba should stay away from them in Rahata. So they went in a deputation to bring Baba back to Shirdi. When they met Baba near the Idgah and told the purpose for which they came, Baba said to them that the Fakir was an ill-tempered fellow, he would not leave him and that they should better return to Shirdi without him, before the Fakir returned. While they were thus talking, the Fakir turned up and was very angry with them for trying to take away his disciple. There was some discussion and altercation and it was finally decided that both the Guru and Chela should return to Shirdi. And so they returned and lived in shirdi. But after a few days the Guru was tested by Devidas and he was found wanting. Twelve years before Baba arrived in Shirdi with the marriage-party, this Devidas aged about 10 or 11 came to Shirdi and lived in the Maruti temple. Devidas had fine features and brilliant eyes, and he was dispassion incarnate and a Jnani. Many persons, namely Tatya Kote, Kashinath and others regarded, him as their Guru. They brought Javhar Ali in his presence, and in the discussion that followed, Javhar was worsted and fled from Shirdi. He went and stayed in Bijapur and returned after many years to Shirdi, and prostrated himself before Sai Baba. The delusion that he was Guru and Sai Baba his Chela, was cleared away, and as he repented, Sai Baba treated him with respect. In this case Sai Baba showed by actual conduct how one should get rid of egoism and do the duties of a disciple to attain the highest end, viz., self-realization. This story is told here according to the version given by Mhalsapati ( a great devotee of Baba).

Sai Ram. Sai showed through the above story that to be a good leader, one must first be a good follower. He also, showed that the disciple is not required to exercise any judgement about the Guru (the inappropriateness of a Kindergarten student judging his teacher's worth may be a good analogy). God actually sends the pseudo-Guru to test the disciple's ego-mind. The disciple who takes his Guru to be God will benefit and will be protected by that God. This point was emphasised by Sri Guru Datta in Sri Guru Charitra also. Any bad experience the disciple goes through will enrich him spiritually. Sai of course was imbued with all Divine qualities and was fully aware of the pseudo-Guru's faults, but He showed us a good example, by behaving like an ordinary person. The pseudo-Guru, later realized his mistake and surrendered to Sai. Doing one's duty sincerely leads to self-realization, i.e. realization that the same Self shines through various bodies and that the Guru and the Chela are two aspects of the same Self. Sai Ram.

In the next Chapter will be described Rama-Navami Festival, the Masjid, its former condition and later improvement etc.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all

Spiritual Gems from Sri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter - 4

2010-06-24T14:36:00.000+05:30

Shri Sai Satcharitra

Chapter IV

SAI BABA’S FIRST ADVENT IN SHIRDI

Mission of the Saints - Shirdi a Holy Tirth - Personality of Sai Baba - Dictum of Goulibuva - Appearance of Vithal - Kshirsagar’s Story - Das Ganu’s Bath in Prayag - Immaculate Conception of Sai Baba and His First Advent in Shirdi - Three Wadas.

In the last chapter, I described the circumstances which led me to write Sai-Sat-Charita. Let me now describe the first advent of Sai Baba in Shirdi.

Mission of the Saints

Lord Krishna says in Bhagvadgita (Chapter IV, 7-8) that "Whenever there is a decay of Dharma (righteousness) and an ascendancy of unrighteousness, I manifest Myself; and for the protection of the virtuous, the destruction of the vicious and for the establishment of righteousness, I manifest Myself in age after age".

This is the mission of Lord, and the Sages and Saints, Who are His representatives and Who appear here at proper times, help in their own way to fulfil that mission. For instance, when the twice born, i.e. the Brahmins, the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas neglect their duties and when the Shudras try to usurp the rights of the higher classes, when spiritual preceptors are not respected but humiliated, when nobody cares for religious instructions, when every body thinks himself very learned, when people begin to partake of forbidden foods and intoxicating drinks, when under the cloak of religion, people indulge in malpractices, when people belonging to different sects fight amongst themselves, when Brahmins fail to do Sandhya adoration, and the orthodox their religious practices, when Yogis neglect their meditation, when people begin to think that wealth, progeny, wife are their sole concern, and thus turn away from the true path of salvation, then do Saints appear and try to set matters right by their words and action. They serve us as beacon-lights, and show us the right path, and the right way for us to follow. In this way, many saints, viz. Nivritti, Jnanadev, Muktabai, Namdev, Gora, Gonayi, Ekanath, Tukaram, Narahari, Narsi Bhai, Sajan Kasai, Sawata, Ramdas, and various others did appear at various times to show the right path to the people, and so presently came Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi.

Sai Ram. The above gives Shri Hemadpant's understanding of the Mission of the Saints in the light of what Shri Krishna stated in Shri Bhagavad Geeta (Gita). It is to be noted that Shri Hemadpant like all normal people, had certain inherent limitations of perspective due to his family background. Baba, was beyond all these considerations, but He never advocated any of His devotees to transgress their social religious duties. So the writings of Shri Hemadpant are to be understood keeping the social perspective in view. Sai Ram.

Shirdi - A Holy Tirth

The banks of the Godavari river, in the Ahmednagar District, are very fortunate for they gave birth and refuge to many a Saint, prominent amongst them being Jnaneshwar. Shirdi also falls in the Kopargaon Taluka of the Ahmednagar District. After crossing the Godavari river at Kopargaon, one gets the way to Shirdi. When you go three Koss (9 miles), you come to Nimgaon, from whence, Shirdi is visible. Shirdi is as famous and well-known as other holy places like Gangapur, Narsinhwadi, Audumbar on the banks of Krishna river. As the devotee Damaji flourished in and blessed Mangalvedha (near Pandharpur) as Samarth Ramdas at Sajjangad, as Shri Narasimha Saraswati at Saraswatiwadi, so Sainath flourished at Shirdi and blessed it.

Personality of Sai Baba

It is on account of Sai Baba that Shirdi grew into importance. Let us see what sort of a personage Sai Baba was. He conquered this Samsar (worldly existence), which is very difficult and hard to cross. Peace or mental calm was His ornament, and He was the repository of wisdom. He was the home of Vaishnava devotees, most liberal (like Karna) amongst liberals, the quint-essence of all essences. He had no love for perishable things, and was always engrossed in self-realization, which was His sole concern.

Sai Ram. It should be our sole concern also. All things are perishable. The One, which has no beginning and hence has no end, is called Self. And to realize it and to abide in it, is the true sign of a Yogi. Intellectual under- standing of this truth is no doubt a step in the right direction, but one can't realize the Self, with one's intellect, which is a part of the mind. Self is beyond the mind.

He felt no pleasure in the things of this world or of the world beyond. His Antarang (heart) was as clear as a mirror, and His speech always rained nectar. The rich or poor people were the same to Him. He did not know or care for honour or dishonour. He was the Lord of all beings. He spoke freely and mixed with all people, saw the actings and dances of Nautchgirls and heard Gajjal songs. Still, He swerved not an inch from Samadhi (mental equilibrium).

Sai Ram. He could do that because he remained unaffected by His senses. Later in Sat Charitra, Chapter 49, Page 252, is the beautiful advice given by Sai to Shri Nanasaheb Chandorkar, when the latter was affected by the sight of the beautiful face of a lady when she removed her veil while taking Baba's darshan. So, intellectual understanding has to be experienced. Baba too gave the same advice to Shri V.H.Thakur (Chapter 21, page 111)- "What Appa told you was all right; but these things have to be practiced and lived. Mere reading won't do. You have to think and carry out, what you read, otherwise, it is of no use. Mere book-learning, without the grace of the Guru, and self-realization is of no avail." Dear Sai Bandhus, the above words of Sai are applicable to all of us, first to this writer. So, let us pray to Sadguru Sai Maharaj for showering His grace on us! Sai Ram.

Sai Ram. Dear Sai Bandhus, you have noticed a small deviation in this article from the previous ones, in that quotations and incidents from the later chapters of Sai Satcharitra are coming up now, apparently out of their ordered sequence. I submit that what is being presented here is His grace and He knows best what is due where. Also kindly remember Shri Hemadpant's words: The life of the Saint is neither logical nor dialectical. Elsewhere, Shri Hemadpants too confesses: I don't know which one to write and which one to omit, I write as the spirit taht Sai moves. Sai Ram.

The name of Allah was always on His lips. While the world awoke, He slept; and while the world slept, He was vigilant. His abdomen (Inside) was as calm as the deep sea. His Ashram could not be determined, nor His actions could be definitely determined, and though He sat (lived) in one place, He knew all the transactions of the world. His Darbar was imposing. He told daily hundreds of stories, still He swerved not an inch from His vow of silence. He always leaned against the wall in the Masjid or walked morning, noon and evening towards Lendi (Nala) and Chavadi; still He at all times abided in the Self. Though a Siddha, He acted like a Sadhaka.

Sai Ram. So, Sai is showing us through His conduct that a Sadhaka should not act like a Siddha. Of course, such tests do come in the path to test the Sadhaka. If he passes the tests, he progresses further. If he fails, he has to renew the struggle. Not that his sadhana is in vain. Sri Krishna clearly gives an assurance in Gita that an Yogabrashta (the one who has failed to complete the journey in one life) is born with appropriate circumstances in his next life so that his progress is faster. All Sai devotees also, need have no fear. Our sadhana is never wasted. Sadguru Sai calls us to Him in whatever form and wherever we are (Story of goats, story of Veerbhadrappa and Chenbasappa and the story of Khaparde's wife are wonderful examples). Sai Ram.

He was meek, humble and egoless, and pleased all. Such was Sai Baba, and as the soil of Shirdi was trodden by Sai Baba's Feet, it attained extraordinary importance. As jnaneshwar elevated Alandi, Ekanath did to Paithan, so Sai Baba raised Shirdi. Blessed are the grass-leaves and stones of Shirdi, for they could easily kiss the Holy Feet of Sai Baba, and take their dust on their head. Shirdi became to us, devotees, another Pandharpur, Jagannath, Dwarka, Banaras (Kashi) and Rameshwar, Badrikedar, Nasik, Tryambakeshwar, Ujjain, and Maha Kaleshwar or Mahabaleshwar Gokarn. Contact of Sai Baba in Shirdi was like our Veda and Tantra; it quieted our Samsara (world consciousness) and rendered self-realization easy. The darshana of shri Sai was our Yoga-Sadhana, and talk with Him removed our sins. Shampooing His Legs was our bath in Triveni Prayag, and drinking the holy water of His Feet destroyed our desires. To us, His commands were Vedas, and accepting (eating) His Udi (sacred ashes) and Prasad was all purifying. He was our Shri Krishna and Shri Rama who gave us solace and He was our Para Brahma (Absolute Reality). He was Himself beyond the Pair of dwandwas (opposite), never dejected nor elated. He was always engrossed in His Self as 'Existence, Knowledge and Bliss.' Shirdi was His centre; but His field of action extended far and wide, to Punjab, Calcutta, North India, Gujarat, Dacca (Now in Bangladesh) and Konkan. Thus the fame of Sai Baba spread, far, and wide, and people from all parts came to take His darshana and be blessed. By mere darshan, minds of people, whether, pure or impure, would become at once quiet.

Sai Ram. True. Like in Sri Maha Bharat, the great epic, the Ashram of Sage Kanwa is described (the story of Shakuntala and Dushyant, the story of the birth of Bharata, later beautifully dramatised by great Kalidasa in Abhijnana Shakuntalam), wherein it was mentioned that cows, tigers etc., which are elsewhere enemies were living in perfect friendship. Similarly in Kailas, the abode of Sri Siva, snakes and peacocks, rat, bull and lion all live in peace. He (Somadev Swami) remembered his Guru's saying that:"That is our abode and place of rest, where the mind is most pleased and charmed."- See Chapter 49. So, whether pure or impure, all minds were at rest in Sai's presence. But those who were pure, continued to be at rest even after leaving His physical presence, whereas in the case of the impure, materialistic desires used to crop up like boils, once they left His physical presence, since they forgot Him afterwards. Sai, is the wire-puller and slowly but steadily, He works on their minds, pulls out all the weeds, and plants the seeds of bhakti. His name is the balm for all Bhava-roga generated boils and skin rashes!!! Sai Ram.

They got here the same sort of unparalleled joy that devotees get at Pandharpur by seeing Vithal Rakhumai. This is not an exaggeration. Consider what a devotee says in this respect.

Dictum of Goulibuva

An old devotee by name Goulibuva, aged about 95 years, was a Varkari of Pandhari. He stayed 8 months at Pandharpur and four months - Ashadha to Kartik (July - November) on the banks of the Ganges. He had an ass with him for carrying his luggage, and a disciple, as his companion. Every year he made his Vari or trip to Pandharpur and came to Shirdi to see Sai Baba, Whom he loved most. He used to stare at Baba and say, "This is Pandharinath Vithal incarnate, the merciful Lord of the poor and helpless." This Goulibuva was an old devotee of Vithoba, and had made many a tripto Pandhari; and he testified that Sai Baba was real Pandharinath.

Vithal Himself Appeared

Sai Baba was very fond of remembering and singing God's name. He always uttered Allah Malik(God is Lord) and in His presence made others sing God's name continuously, day and night, for 7 days. This is called Namasaptaha. Once He asked Das Ganu Maharaj to do the Namasaptaha. He replied that he would do it, provided he was assured that Vithal would appear at the end of the 7th day. Then Baba, placing His hand on his breast assured him that certainly Vithal would appear, but that the devotee must be 'earnest and devout'. The Dankapuri (Takore) of Takurnath, the Pandhari of Vithal, the Dwarka of Ranchhod (Krishna) is here (Shirdi). One need not go far out to see Dwarka. Will Vithal come here from some outside place? He is here. Only when the devotee is bursting with love and devotion, Vithal will manifest Himself here (Shirdi).

Sai Ram. One has to turn around and has to go far in, cross the sea of the mind, which is full of crocodiles of desire, whales of anger etc., before reaching the Heart, where Vitthal is seated. Sai Ram. Love is different from lust, desire. Devotion is the means of getting rid of the ego. Ego is the biggest barrier in spiritual progress. One may be able to cross Himalayas but one can't cross the ego-mountain. The story of Vindhya Mountain and the sage Agastya is very relevant here. Sai Ram.

After the Saptaha was over, Vithal did manifest Himself in the following manner. Kakasaheb Dixit was, as usual, sitting in meditation after the bath, and he saw Vithal in a vision. When he went at noon for Baba's darshana, Baba asked him point-blank - "Did Vithal Patil come? Did you see Him? He is a very truant fellow, catch Him firmly, otherwise, he will escape, if you be a little inattentive." This happened in the morning and at noon there was another Vithal darshana. One hawker from outside, came there for selling 25 or 30 pictures of Vithoba. This picture exactly tallied with the figure, that appeared in Kakasaheb's vision. On seeing this and remembering Baba's words, Kakasaheb Dixit was much surprised and delighted. He bought one picture of Vithoba, and placed it in his shrine for worship.

Sai Ram. Das Ganu Maharaj did the Saptah (Seven days of non-stop chanting of God's name), but Vitthal appeared to Sri Kakasaheb Dixit. Strange? Yes and No. Vitthal appeared to those who were ready to see Him. Baba asked him point-blank, "Did Vitthal Patil come? Did you see Him? He is a very truant fellow, catch Him firmly, otherwise, He will escape, if you are a little inattentive." Vitthal is tied by Shraddha (Attention-devotion). Pure minds are able to hold attention on God always. Impure minds are distracted by worldly thoughts and desires. How to purify the mind? Remember Him and His name often, even mechanically. Remember Him when worldly desires trouble you. Dear Sai Bandhu, don't think I am preaching to you. I am reiterating this for my benefit since Iam also still troubled by the worldly desires and keep forgetting Him. So, let us say with all our might: Sai Natha Maharaj ki Jai!!!"

If that was Baba's kindness to a devotee who had a lot of Shraddha, Faith in Him, let us now see how Baba helped another person, who had strayed from the path of devotion. Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar's story below is a real gem. The father of Bhagwantrao was a devotee of Vithoba. After his death, the son stopped everything - the Vari, annual pilgrimage to Pandharpur, the worship and even Shraaddha ceremony (his duty to his departed father and other Pitru Devatas). Baba willed and pulled Bhagwantrao to Shirdi. Sai Ram.

Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar's Story
How fond was Baba for Vithal worship was illustrated in Bhagwantrao Kshirsagar's story. The father of Bhagwantrao was a devotee of Vithoba, and used to make Varis (annual trips) to Pandharpur. He also had an image of Vithoba at home, which he worshipped. After his death, the son stopped everything - the Vari, the worship and shraddha ceremony etc. When Bhagwantrao came to Shirdi, Baba on remembering his father, at once said - "His father was my friend, so I dragged him (the son) here. He never offered naivaidya (offering of food) and so he starved Vithal and Me. So I brought him here. I shall remonstrate him now and set him to worship."

Sai Ram. What a great kindness! Baba remembered Bhagwantrao's father's friendship and service and helped the son by pulling him on to the right path! Deva Yagna and Pitru Yagna are among the daily Yagnas, which are to be performed in atonement of the Pancha Sunas (five sins) incurred by a householder in the act of preparation of food, cleaning the house etc. This is described in the later chapters. Baba indicated that He was one with Vitthal by saying that 'he (Bhaganwantrao) never offered Naivaidya and so, starved Vitthal and Me.' In fact, by starving Vitthal and Baba, Bhagwantrao starved himself spiritually and Baba, who is Sarvantaryami, took pity on Bhagwantrao and pulled his body and mind to Shirdi. Shraadddha ceremony (I have used double a, to indicate the pronunciation and differentiate it from Shraddha, Faith. For Hindus, offering annual oblations and food to forefathers is a very important duty. And since it is to be performed with a lot of Faith, Shraddha, it is called Shraaddha (annual ceremony). Bhagwantrao out of Ashrarddha (lack of faith, carelessness), slipped in his duty as a son.

The above incident and a few more (Bayajabai's service in chapter 8, Pitale's in Chapter 26 etc.) clearly indicate that the Satkarmas (good actions) performed by parents help the children, in addition to the parents of course. So, if any of you are worried about your children, spouses etc., please do Parayana (regular reading) of Sri Sai Satcharitra and Sri Guru Charitra. Sai will be pleased and will help you and the person for whom you have prayed. I have experienced this and invite you to please satisfy yourself by your own experience. Sai Ram.

Das Ganu's Bath in Prayag

The Hindus think that a bath in the holy Tirth of Prayag, where the Ganga and Yamuna meet, is very meritorious and thousands of pilgrims go there, at periodical times, to have the sacred bath there. Once, Das Ganu thought that he should go to Prayag for a bath, and came to Baba to get His permission for doing so. Baba replied to him - "It is not necessary to go so long. Our Prayag is here, believe me." Then wonder of wonders! When Das Ganu placed his head on Baba's Feet, out came or flowed streams, of Ganga - Yamuna water, from both the toes of Baba. Seeing this miracle, Das Ganu was overwhelmed with feelings of love and adoration and was full of tears. Inwardly, he felt inspired, and his speech burst forth into a song in praise of Baba and His Leelas.

Sai Ram. The above helps us take a spiritual bath of purification in the Spiritual Spring of Ganga and yamuna that sprang from the toes of Baba's feet and that story which sprang from the pen of Shri Hemadpant. Baba assured him that "It is not necessary to go so far. Our Prayag is here, (if you) believe Me!" Where there is Faith, there purity is present and faith washes away all our sins. Sai Ram.

Immaculate Conception of Sai Baba and His First Advent in Shirdi

Nobody knew the parents, birth or birth-place of Sai Baba. Many enquiries were made, many questions were put to Baba and others regarding these items, but no satisfactory answer or information has yet been obtained. Practically we know nothing about these matters. Namdev and Kabir were not born like ordinary mortals. They were found as infants in mother-of-pearls, Namdev being found on the bank Bhimrathi river by Gonayee, and Kabir on the bank Bhagirathi river by Tamal. Similar was the case with Sai Baba.

Sai Ram. Sai is considered by almost all devotees to be a Datta Avatar like Shri Akkalkot Swami and Shri Manikprabhu Maharaj, after Sripada Vallabha and Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swamy. It is interesting to see that in the case of Sripada Vallabha and Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swamy, no one has seen their passing away. And in the case of Sri Akkalkot Swami (also called Swami Samartha) and Sri Sai Baba, no one has seen their beginning. Datta's ways are beyond human comprehension. Sai Ram.

He first manifested Himself as a young lad of sixteen under a Neem tree in Shirdi, for the sake of Bhaktas. Even then He seemed to be full with the knowledge of Brahman. He had no desire for worldly objects even in dream. He kicked out Maya; and Mukti (deliverance) was serving at His feet. One old woman of Shirdi, the mother of Nana Chopdar, described Him thus. This young lad, fair, smart and very handsome, was first seen under the Neem tree, seated in an Asan. The people of the village were wonder-struck to see such a young lad practising hard penance, not minding heat and cold. By day he associated with none, by night he was afraid of nobody. People were wondering and asking, whence this young chap had turned up. His form and features were so beautiful that a mere look endeared Him to all. He went to nobody's door, always sat near the Neem tree. Outwardly he looked very young; but by His action he was really a Great Soul. He was the embodiment of dispassion and was an enigma to all. One day it so happened, that God Khandoba possessed the body of some devotee and people began to ask Him, "Deva (God), you please enquire what blessed father's son is this lad and whence did He come". God Khandoba asked them to bring a pick-axe and dig in a particular place. When it was dug, bricks were found underneath a flat stone. When the stone was removed, a corridor led to a cellar where cow-mouth-shaped structures, wooden boards, necklaces were seen. Khandoba said - "This lad practiced penance here for 12 years." Then the people began to question the lad about this. He put them off the scent by telling them that it was His Guru's place, His holy Watan and requested them to guard it well. The people then closed the corridor as before. As Ashwattha and Audumbar trees are held sacred, Baba regarded this Neem tree equally sacred and loved it most. Mhalasapati and other Shirdi devotees regard this site as the resting place (Samadhi-Sthana) of Baba's Guru and prostrate before it.

Three Wadas

(1) The site with the Neem tree and surrounding space was bought by Mr. Hari Vinayak Sathe, and on this site a big building styled Sathe's Wada was erected. This Wada was the sole resting place for pilgrims, who flocked there. A Par (platform) was built round the neem tree and lofts with steps were constructed. Under the steps, there is a niche facing South and devotees sit on the Par (platform) facing north. It is believed, that he who burns incense there, on Thursday and Friday evenings will, by God's grace, be happy. This Wada was old and dilapidated and needed repairs. The necessary repairs, additions and alterations have been made now by the Sansthan. (Swamy's note: I could not see this Wada when I visited Shirdi.) (2) Then after some years another Wada, Dixit's Wada was constructed. Kakasaheb Dixit, Solicitor of Bombay, had gone to England. He had injured his leg by an accident there. The injury could not be got rid of by any means. Nanasaheb Chandorkar advised him to try Sai Baba. So he saw Sai Baba in 1909 A.D., and requested Him to cure rather the lameness of his mind than that of his leg. He was so much pleased with the darshan of Sai Baba, that he decided to reside in Shirdi. So he built a Wada for himself and other devotees. The foundation of this building was laid on 10-12-1910. On this day, two other important events took place. (1) Mr. Dadasaheb Khaparde was given permission to return home, and (2) the night Arti in Chavadi was commenced. The Wada was complete and was inhabited on the Rama-Navami day in 1911 A.D., with due rites and formalities.

Sai Ram. Talking about Dixit's Wada, Shri Hemadpant pays a great tribute to Sri Kakasaheb Dixit. So, he saw Sai Baba in 1909 A.D., and requested Him to cure rather the lameness of his mind than that of his leg." What a great mind! Kakasaheb knew by his poorvajanma Punyam, merits of past births, what is important. Let us all pray to Sai Maharaj to cure our mind and spirit and if He be pleased and thinks it necessary, to cure our physical ailments also. Sai Ram.

(3)Then another Wada or palatial mansion was put up by the famous millionaire, Mr. Booty, of Nagpur. Lots of money were spent on this building, but all the amount was well utilized, as Sai Baba's body is resting in this Wada, which is now called the Samadhi Mandir. The site of this Mandir had formerly a garden, which was watered and looked after by Baba. Three Wadas thus sprang up, where there was none formerly. Of these, Sathe's Wada was most useful to all, in the early days.

Sai Ram. The third Wada, was built by Sriman Buti and is the present Samadhi Mandir, where the physical remains of Sai Baba are kept. The site of this Mandir had formerly a garden, which was watered and looked after by Baba. Thus it was well prepared by Baba, freed of all weeds, physical and spiritual and all the positive vibrations of those flowers made that place fit to receive Baba's body.

Do the three Wadas represent the Three Gunas, the Three Sheaths (physical, mental and spiritual)? Do they represent the Tripuras? Is Baba the Tripurasundari (Divine Mother)? We may speculate. Shirdi and Samadhi Mandir have especially has become a powerful spiritual magnet, which draws devotees from far and near. While the other two Wadas are named after the devotees (Sathe and Dixit), Buti's Wada was the most fortunate since it became Baba's Samadhi Mandir. Sriman Buti was a multi-millionaire of Nagpur and was also spiritually and devotionally very rich. So, he became a fit instrument for carrying out Baba's wish to be interred there and from there continue His mission of putting people on the right path. Sai Ram.

The story of the garden, attended to by Sai Baba with the help of Vaman Tatya, the temporary absence of Sai Baba from Shirdi, and His coming again to Shirdi with the marriage-party of Chand Patil, the company of Devidas, Jankidas and Gangagir, Baba's wrestling match with Mohdin Tamboli, residence in Masjid, love of Mr. Dengale and other devotees; and other incidents will be described in the next Chapter.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all

Spiritual Gems from Sri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter - 3

2010-06-09T20:22:00.000+05:30

Shri Sai Satcharitra

Chapter III

Sai Baba’s Sanction and Promise - Assignment of Work to Devotees - Baba’s Stories as Beacon - Light - His Motherly Love - Rohilla’s Story - His sweet and Nectar - like Words.

Sai Baba’s Sanction and Promise

As described in the previous chapter, Sai Baba gave His complete assent to the writing of the Sat-Charita and said, "I fully agree with you regarding the writing of Sat Charita. You do your duty, don’t be afraid in the least, steady your mind and have faith in My words. If my Leelas are written, the Avidya (nescience) will vanish and if they are attentively, and devoutly listened to, the consciousness of the worldly existence will abate, and strong waves of devotion, and love will rise up and if one dives deep into My Leelas, he would get precious jewels of knowledge."

Sai Ram. Dear Sai Bandhus, this one paragraph is worth its weight in pure gold and precious gemstones! This Para or this assurance of Sai Baba is the basis for this series of articles. Sai Ram.

Hearing this, author was much pleased, and he at once became fearless and confident, and thought that work was bound to be a success. Then turning to Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande) Sai Baba said.

"If a man utters My name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes, increase his devotion. And if he sings earnestly My life and My deeds, him I shall beset in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees, who are attached to Me, heart and soul, will naturally feel happiness, when they hear these stories. Believe Me that if anybody sings My Leelas, I will give him infinite joy and everlasting contentment. It is My special characteristic to free any person, who surrenders completely to Me, and who does worship Me faithfully, and who remembers Me, and meditates on Me constantly. How can they be conscious of worldly objects and sensations, who utter My name, who worship Me, who think of My stories and My life and who thus always remember Me? I shall draw out My devotees from the jaws of Death. If My stories are listened to, all the diseases will be got rid of. So, hear My stories with respect; and think and meditate on them, assimilate them. This is the way of happiness and contentment. The pride and egoism of My devotees will vanish, the mind of the hearers will be set at rest; and if it has wholehearted and complete faith, it will be one with Supreme Consciousness. The simple remembrance of My name as ‘Sai, Sai’ will do away with sins of speech and hearing".

Sai Ram. May I add, “from the jaws of desire too, since desire is death”? How? It is the desires, which bind us to the vicious circle of birth and death. In a later chapter, we will read an interesting story where Sai literally releases His devotee, who is born as a frog from the jaws of a serpent (Story of Veerabhadrappa and Chenbasappa – chapter 47). Sai Ram.

Different Works Assigned to Devotees

The Lord entrusts different works to different devotees. Some are given the work of building temples and maths, or ghats (flight of steps) on rivers; some are made to sing the glories of God; some are sent on pilgrimages; but to me was allotted the work of writing the Sat Charita. Being a jack of all trades but master of none, I was quite unqualified for this job. Then why should I undertake such a difficult job? Who can describe the true life of Sai Baba? Sai Baba’s grace alone can enable one to accomplish this difficult work. So, when I took up the pen in my hand, Sai Baba took away my egoism and wrote Himself His stories. The credit of relating these stories, therefore, goes to Him and not to me. Though Brahmin by birth, I lacked the two eyes. (i.e. the sight or vision) of Shruti and Smriti and therefore was not at all capable of writing the Sat-Charita, but the grace of the Lord makes a dumb man talk, enables a lame man to cross a mountain. He alone knows the knack of getting things done as He likes. Neither the flute, nor the harmonium knows how the sounds are produced. This is the concern of the Player. The oozing of Chandrakant jewel and the surging of the sea are not due to the jewel and the sea but to the rise of the moon.

Sai Ram. The author with utmost gratitude says that the Lord has entrusted different jobs to different people. The author feels that he being the jack-of-all-trades and master of none is being entitled to write Sai's story. So he feels that his job is only to continue writing with humility, as he is an instrument in Sai's hand. Sai only knows the purpose of making him write His divine story. "Neither the flute, nor the harmonium knows, how the sounds are produced. This is the concern of the player." So let’s read on with the firm conviction that we are the instruments in Sai's hands.I may add that I too am a jack of all trades and master of none. In fact, I am not even a good jack! Still, Sadguru Sai has taken pity on me and to help me, to bless me, He is getting this seva done by me, just as He allowed the leper devotee Bhagoji Shinde to serve Him (we will come to that story in chapter 7). Sai Ram.

Baba’s Stories as Beacon- Light

Light houses are constructed at various places in the sea, to enable the boatmen to avoid rocks and dangers, and make them sail safely. Sai Baba’s stories serve a similar purpose in the ocean of worldly existence. They surpass nectar in sweetness, and make our worldly path smooth and easy to traverse. Blessed are the stories of the saints. When they enter our hearts through the ears, the body - consciousness or egoism and the sense of duality vanish; and when they are stored in the heart, doubts fly out to all sides, pride of the body will fall, and wisdom will be stored in abundance. The description of Baba’s pure fame, and the hearing of the same, with love, will destroy the sins of the devotee and, therefore, this is the simple Sadhana for attaining salvation. The Sadhana for Krita Age was Shamadama (tranquillity of mind and body), for Treta Age, sacrifice, for Dwapara, worship, and for Kali (present) Age, it is singing of the name and glory of the Lord. This last Sadhana is open to all the people of the four varnas (Brahmins, etc.). The other Sadhanas, viz. Yoga, Yagya (sacrifice), Dhyana (meditation) and Dharana (concentration) are very difficult to practice, but singing and hearing the stories and the glory of the Lord (Sai Baba) is very easy. We have only to turn our attention towards them. The listening and singing of the stories will remove the attachment to the senses and their objects, and will make the devotees dispassionate, and will ultimately lead them to self-realization. With this end in view, Sai Baba made me or helped me to write His stories, Sat-Charitamrita. The devotees may now easily read and hear these stories of Sai Baba and while doing so, meditate on Him, His form and thus attain devotion to Guru and God (Sai Baba), get detachment and self-realization. In the preparation and writing of this work, Sat-Charitamrita, it is Sai Baba’s grace which has accomplished everything, making use of me as a mere instrument.

Motherly Love of Sai Baba

Everybody knows how a cow loves her infant calf. Her udder is always full and when the calf wants milk and dashes at the udder, out comes the milk in an unceasing flow. Similarly a human mother knows the wants of her child and feeds it, at her breast in time. In case of dressing and adorning the child, the mother takes particular care to see that this is well done. The child knows or cares nothing about this, but the mother’s joy knows no bounds, when she sees her child beautifully dressed and adorned. The love of mother is peculiar, extraordinary and disinterested, and has no parallel. Sadgurus feel this motherly love towards their disciples. Sai Baba had this same love towards me, and I give an instance of it below:-

In 1916 A.D. I retired from Government Service. The pension that was settled in my case was not sufficient to maintain my family decently. On Guru-Pournima (15th of Ashadha) day of that year, I went to Shirdi with other devotees. There, Mr. Anna Chinchanikar, of his own accord, prayed to Baba for me as follows:- "Please look kindly on him, the pension he gets is quite insufficient, his family is growing. Give him some other appointment, remove his anxiety and make him happy." Baba replied - " He will get some other job, but now he should serve Me and be happy.

Sai Ram. Sai Baba was asking for the first and probably last Guru Dakshina from Shri Hemadpant, viz., surrender of ego! This is confirmed by His next few sentences given below. Sai Ram.

His dishes will be ever full and never empty. He should turn all his attention towards Me and avoid the company of atheists, irreligious and wicked people. He should be meek and humble towards all and worship Me heart and soul. If he does this, he will get eternal happiness".

The question Who is this HE, Whose worship is advocated, is already answered in a note on "Who is Sai Baba" in the prologue, at the beginning of this work.

Sai Ram. Unfortunately in the later editions, this prologue is not to be found. But it is clear from the reading of Sri Sai Sat Charita, that Sai is Paramatma, Para Brahma, the in-dweller in our heart. Like Sri Krishna gave Gita to Sri Arjuna, Baba has, through Shri Hemadpant, given out this wonderful Upadesa. Sai Ram.

Rohilla’s Story

The story of the Rohilla illustrates Sai Baba’s all embracing love. One Rohilla, tall and well-built, strong as a bull, came to Shirdi, wearing a long Kafni (robe) and was enamoured of Sai who stayed there. Day and night he used to recite in a loud and harsh tone Kalma (verses from Holy Koran) and shout "ALLAH HO AKBAR" (God is Great). Most people of Shirdi, were working in their fields by day and when they returned to their homes at night, they were welcomed with the Rohilla’s harsh cries and shouts. They could get no sleep and felt much trouble and inconvenience. They suffered in silence this nuisance for some days, and when they could stand it no longer, they approached Baba, and requested Him to check the Rohilla and stop the nuisance. Baba did not attend to their complaint. On the contrary, Baba took the villagers to task, and asked them to mind their own business, and not the Rohilla. He said to them that the Rohilla had got a very bad wife, a Zantippi, who tried to come in and trouble the Rohilla and Himself; but hearing the Rohilla’s prayers, she dare not enter and they were at peace and happy. In fact, the Rohilla had no wife and by his wife Baba meant DURBUDDHI, i.e. bad thoughts. As Baba liked prayers and cries to God better than anything else, He took the side of the Rohilla, and asked the villagers to wait and suffer the nuisance, which would abate in due course.

Sai Ram. Rohila's story is an excellent example of keeping bad thoughts at bay through Nama-Smaran, singing of Lord's name. That was the reason for Baba to take up the cause of Rohila. Baba chided the villagers who were unable to see through Rohila's harsh voice, his devotion. Sai Ram.

Baba’s Sweet and Nectar-like Words

One day at noon after the Arti, devotees were returning to their lodgings, when Baba gave the following beautiful advice:-

"Be wherever you like, do whatever you choose, remember this well that all what you do is known to Me. I am the Inner Ruler of all and seated in their hearts. I envelope all the creatures, the movable and immovable world. I am the Controller - the wire-puller of the show of this Universe. I am the mother - origin of all beings - the Harmony of three Gunas, the propeller of all senses, the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer. Nothing will harm him, who turns his attention towards Me, but Maya will lash or whip him who forgets Me. All the insects, ants, the visible, movable and immovable world, is My Body or Form".

Sai Ram. Not only what we do, what we think is also known to Sai. Nothing is secret to Him. If Maya lashes us when we forget Him, can Yama be far behind? Actually Maya also is helping us to remember Sai by whipping or lashing us. So we should thank Maya and return to Sai's fold. Sai Ram.

Hearing these beautiful and precious words, I at once decided in my mind to serve no man henceforward, but my Guru only; but the reply of Baba to Anna Chinchanikar’s query (which was really mine) that I would get some job, began to revolve in my mind, and I began to think whether it would come to happen. As future events showed, Baba’s words came true and I got a Government job, but that was of short duration. Then I became free and solely devoted myself to the service of my Guru-Sai Baba.

Before concluding this Chapter, I request the readers to leave out the various hindrances viz. indolence, sleep, wandering of mind, attachments to senses, etc. and turn their whole and undivided attention to these stories of Sai Baba. Let their love be natural, let them know the secret of devotion; let them not exhaust themselves by other Sadhanas, let them stick to this one simple remedy, i.e. listening to Sai Baba’s stories. This will destroy their ignorance and will secure for them salvation. A miser may stay at various places; but he always thinks of his buried treasure. So let Sai Baba be enthroned in the hearts of all.

In the next chapter, I shall speak of Sai Baba’s advent in Shirdi.

Sai Ram. "Let their love be natural...," says Hemadpant, the author. Forced love is also useful at times. As we eat, even neem becomes sweet, goes a proverb in Telugu. A person asked Swami Shivananda Maharaj of Divine life society about the usefulness of Meditation in the absence of purity of mind. The kind Swami told him to go on repeating the Lord's name even mechanically so that the mind becomes pure. So reading Sai's wonderful stories will lead to mental purification and that in turn will lead to better success in meditation and other advanced methods. Even now, I find it difficult to concentrate or meditate, but I have found that remembering Him has become easier because of the sadhana of the last few years. After all, the Vasanas and distractions that have developed over nearly 50 years and though it may not take 50 years to get rid of them, a few years of sadhana are certainly needed. Sraddha and Saburi are the two paise that Sai is asking from us and let us offer these two at His Lotus feet. Sai Ram.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all

Spiritual Gems from Sri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 2

2010-05-20T19:45:00.000+05:30

Chapter II

Object of Writing the Work - Incapacity and Boldness in the Undertaking - Hot Discussion – Conferring Significant and Prophetic Title of Hemadpant - Necessity of a Guru

In the last Chapter, the author mentioned in the original Marathi book that he would state the reason that led him to undertake the work, and the persons qualified to read the same and such other points. Now in this chapter, he starts to tell the same.

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Sai Ram. Yes, just as to write Satcharitra, Hemadpant had to seek the blessings of Sri Sai Baba, and to translate the same into English, Shri Gunaji got permission from Sai, (as nicely narrated by him in the first introduction), to read too, we need some minimum qualification, some merit, some poorva janma punyam, i.e. merits done in the previous birth. Later in Sri Sai Satcharitra, nine types of devotion have been mentioned, viz., Sravanam, kirtanam, (Vishno) smaranam, padasevanam, archanam, vandanam, dasyam, sakhyam, atma nivedanam. Hearing, loudly reciting and praising Vishnu (God), remembering, worshipping His feet, doing formal Puja, doing namaskar, i.e. bowing, serving, friendship and self-surrender are the nine modes of devotion.

So, reading Sri Sai Satcharitra comes under kirtanam category. Or when someone reads aloud, we may hear and that comes under sravanam, i.e. hearing. As we keep reading or hearing, we do remember Him and His leelas often, so smaranam, remembering takes place. We develop love to Him, so Sakhyam or archanam also happens. Finally our ego gets sufficiently purified and we surrender to Him completely. Sai Ram.

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Object of Writing the Work

In the first chapter, I described Sai Baba’s miracle of checking and destroying the epidemic of Cholera by grinding wheat and throwing the flour, on the outskirts of the village. I heard other miracles of Sai Baba to my great delight, and this delight burst forth into this poetic work. I also thought, that the description of these grand miracles of Sai Baba would be interesting, and instructive to His devotees; and would remove their sins, and so I began to write the sacred life and teachings of Sai Baba. The life of the saint is neither logical nor dialectical. It shows us the true and great path.

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Sai Ram. Let us recall the grinding of wheat and enjoy the spiritual gems through one more interesting aspect. Please recall what He did before He started the preparations for grinding wheat. "After washing His mouth and face, Sai Baba began to make preparations for grinding wheat." After sending the article on Spiritual Gems from the first chapter in 2003, a few days later, I was reciting Aditya Hridayam (a Stotra in praise of Sri Sun God, Surya), also called popularly as Suryanarayana, signifying His oneness with Narayana, the Para Brahma, the origin of this whole Universe. This particular Stotra is a part of Sri Ramayana composed by that great Sage, Sri Valmiki, who was a hunter earlier. His transformation was effected through the great Ram Naam. Sage Agastya, gives the physical Rama the Hridayam (the inner core, the heart) of Aditya (Sun) (the Atma Ram, the True Self) and assures Sri Rama that if He worships Sun God, i.e. understands the true nature of Atma, Self, He will be sure to conquer Ravana, the Ten-headed Rakshasa (our five body organs and five sense organs). Sri Rama too, worships Aditya after doing Achamanam three times (Trirachamya Suchirbhutva… says Aditya Hridayam, which can also be interpreted as cleansing body, mind and intellect). It is a common feature in all Hindu rituals to start any Puja with Achamanam, i.e. cleaning oneself physically, mentally and spiritually by washing one’s hands and sipping water three times. For the first sip, we use Om Kesavaya Swaha, for the second sip, Om Narayanaya Swaha and for the third sip, we recite Om Madhavaya Swaha. There is a lot of esoteric signficance in those three Mantras. At the appropriate time, by Sai's grace, we will discuss that too. So, Sri Sai also did Achamanam before His yogic ritual of grinding wheat, before His fight against the Cholera!

Sri Sai is showing us the power or efficacy of true detachment. After assiduously grinding the wheat (putting so much effort), He asked that it be thrown on the village boundary) without any attachment. True Nishkama karma. It is thus a true Bali, sacrifice (Atma nivedanam, the last and highest form of Bhakti). Sai always used to utter "Allah Malik" (God is the proprietor). And yes, it is a fortunate coincidence that this was keyed in on the day of Bakrid, a holy festival of our Muslim brothers. (This article in its original form was keyed in on Bakrid Day in the year 2003). As all of you know, God asks the father to offer his own son as sacrifice. The father doesn't hesitate. At the last second, Allah substitutes a goat for the child. This story is also present in The Bible. The story of Bhakta Siriyala is the Hindu equivalent of the same story. Thus, sacrifice of one self and what one holds dear (it is easier to sacrifice one’s own life than to give up the attachment to one’s family and possessions) is praised in all religions. Sri Sai reinforced the same message through the grinding of wheat, which apparently looked like a miracle. Such miracles are the means of attracting the devotees by Sai so that they come nearer to Him, physically, mentally and spiritually. Faith improves and His grace starts flowing better through them. It is like tilling and watering a field, where the seeds of Bhakti are lying dormant. With the right inputs, Bhakti sprouts up and the field gets fulfilled. We are the Kshetra (Field) and He is the Ksetrajna (Knower of the field) as given in Srimad Bhagavat Gita. In a later chapter, we shall see how Baba tilled the flower garden where the present Samadhi Mandir stands! Thus He indeed proved that He is Kshetrajna. Sai Ram
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Incapacity and Boldness in Undertaking the Work

Hemadpant thought that he was not a fit person to undertake the work. He said, "I do not know the life of my intimate friend nor do I know my own mind, then how can I write the life of a saint or describe the nature of Incarnations, which even the Vedas were unable to do? One must be a saint himself, before he could know other saints, then how can I describe their glory? To write the life of a saint is the most difficult, though one may as well measure the depth of the water of the seven seas or enclose the sky with cloth-trappings. I knew that this was the most venturous undertaking, which might expose me to ridicule. I, therefore, invoked Sai Baba’s grace.

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Sai Ram. Hemadpant thought that, he was not a fit person to undertake the work. The irony is that, if he thought he was fit, he would simply and certainly would have been unfit. In my childish enthusiasm, I too thought that I am very spiritual and so on and wanted to expound the great spiritual truths uncovered by my great intellect, much earlier, in the year 2001 or so. Sai, the kind master that He is, removed such illusions and made me go through the Satcharitra several times before He started giving out the spiritual gems. He only knows who is fit for what seva, and He chose the time for these Spiritual Gems to come out into the light at the appropriate time. What started in the year 2003 is still going on (I never imagined that) and even now, as I read and review the earlier articles, He keeps giving new insights.

Shri Hemadpant thought that "One must be a saint himself, before he could know other saints, otherwise, how can I describe their glory?" It is true to a certain extent, but even sinners were drawn to Him because of the merits in their present or previous births. To really know a saint or jnani, one has to be a saint or jnani himself, because if one were not, one’s ego blocks one from fully knowing and experiencing the saint’s and thus God’s grace. But even through a cloud, we perceive Sunlight, thus, even with our ego-limited perception, we are able to realize the greatness of Saints like Sai and benefit by their Sangatya. So, unless we are totally blind, i.e. totally unfit, we do realize and we benefit from their company. As already stated above, we do have some merit and that is why, we are brought into His fold. Sai Ram.
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The premier poet-saint of Maharashtra, Shri Jnaneshwar Maharaj, has stated that the Lord loves those who write the lives of saints; and the saints also have a peculiar method of their own of getting the service, which the devotees long for, successfully accomplished. The saints inspire the work; the devotee becomes only an indirect cause or instrument to achieve the end.

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Sai Ram. Many times, we are not aware of our own mission in Life, but Sai knows and He gets the service and gives us the results, which we need, so that we can proceed further. Sai Ram.
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For instance, in 1700 Shaka year, the poet Mahipati aspired to write the lives of saints. Saints inspired him, and got the work done; so also in 1800 Shaka year, Das Ganu’s service was accepted. The former wrote 4 works-Bhakta Vijaya, Santa Vijaya, Bhakta Leelamrit and Santa Kathamrit, while the latter wrote two - "Bhakta Leelamrit and Santa Kathamrit", in which the lives of modern Saints were described. In chapters 31,32,33 of Bhakta Leelamrit and in chapter 57 of Santa Kathamrit, the sweet life and teachings of Sai Baba are very well depicted. These have been separately published in Sai Leela Magazine, Nos. 11 and 12, Vol. 17; the readers are advised to read these chapters. So also Sai Baba’s wonderful Leelas are described in a small decent book named Shri Sainath Bhajana Mala by Mrs. Savitribai Raghunath Tendulkar of Bandra. Das-Ganu Maharaj also has composed various sweet poems on Sai Baba. A devotee named Amidas Bhavani Mehta has also published some stories of Sri Baba in Gujarathi; some Nos. of Sainath Prabha, a magazine published by Dakshina Bhiksha Sanstha of Shirdi, is also published. Then the question of objection comes in, that while so many works regarding Sai Baba are extant, why should this (Satcharita) be written and where is its necessity?

The answer is plain and simple. The life of Sai Baba is as wide and deep as the infinite ocean; and all can dive deep into the same and take out precious gems (of knowledge and Bhakti), and distribute them to the aspiring public. The stories, parables, and teachings of Sai Baba are very wonderful. They will give peace and happiness to the people, who are afflicted with sorrows and heavily loaded with miseries of this worldly existence, and also bestow knowledge and wisdom, both in the worldly and in spiritual domains. If these teachings of Sai Baba, which are as interesting and instructive as the Vedic lore, are listened to and meditated upon, the devotees will get, what they long for, viz., union with Brahman, mastery in eight-fold Yoga, Bliss of meditation etc. So I thought, that I should call these stories together that would be my best Upasana. This collection would be most delightful to those simple souls, whose eyes were not blessed with Sai Baba’s Darshan. So, I set about collecting Sai Baba’s teachings and expressions - the outcome of His boundless and natural self-realization. It was Sai Baba, who inspired me in this matter; in fact, I surrendered my ego at His feet, and thought that my path was clear; and that He would make me quite happy here, and in the next world.

I could not myself ask Sai Baba to give me permission for this work; so I requested Mr. Madhav Rao Deshpande alias Shama, Baba’s most intimate devotee, to speak to Him for me.

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Sai Ram. I too, could not bring myself to ask Baba directly and so approached Baba through, Saibanisa. Baba told Shama "He is Only an outward instrument. I should write Myself My Autobiography and satisfy the wishes of My devotees." – That applies to this work also, and the title of Spiritual Gems was so kindly suggested by Sai Himself through the above. Even today, He is giving new insights as I read stories about His miracles from Sai Satcharitra and other holy scriptures or His miracles being experienced by His devotees even today. Sai Ram.
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He pleaded for my cause and said to Sai Baba, "This Annasaheb wishes to write Your biography, don’t say that You are a poor begging Fakir, and there is no necessity to write it, but if You agree and help him, he will write or rather, Your feet (grace) will accomplish the work. Without Your consent and blessing, nothing can be done successfully." When Sai Baba heard this request, He was moved and blessed me by giving me His Udi (sacred ashes) and placing His boon-bestowing hand on my head said: - "Let him make a collection of stories and experiences, keep notes and memos; I will help him. He is only an outward instrument. I should write Myself My autobiography and satisfy the wishes of My devotees. He should get rid of his ego, place (or surrender) it at My feet. He who acts like this in life, him I help the most. What of My life-stories? I serve him in his house in all possible ways. When his ego is completely annihilated and there is left no trace of it, I Myself shall enter into him and shall Myself write My own life. Hearing my stories and teachings will create faith in devotees’ hearts and they will easily get self - realization and Bliss; let there be no insistence on establishing one’s own view, no attempt to refute other’s opinions, no discussions of pros and cons of any subject."

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So, Sai Ram, I place my head at your lotus feet. Please bless the readers and me. Sai Ram.
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The word ‘discussion’ put me in mind of my promise to explain the story of my getting the title of Hemadpant and now I begin to relate the same. I was on close friendly terms with Kakasaheb Dixit and Nanasaheb Chandorkar. They pressed me to go to Shirdi and have Baba’s Darshan, and I promised them to do so. But something in the interval turned up, which prevented me from going to Shirdi. The son of a friend of mine at Lonavala fell ill. My friend tried all possible means, physical and spiritual, but the fever would not abate. At length he got his Guru to sit by the bedside of his son, but this too was of no avail. Hearing this, I thought ‘what was the utility of the Guru, if he could not save my friend’s son? If the Guru can’t do anything for us, why should I go to Shirdi at all?’

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Sai Ram. Hemadpant thought "What was the utility of the Guru, if he could not Save my friend’s son?" This episode served to trigger the thoughts about Guru in his mind, and yes, the Guru saved that boy’s Sukshma Shareera (the subtle astral body, of desires) by sitting at his bedside while the physical body was being shed. So the Guru’s sitting at the boy’s bedside was not in vain at all! It is to be understood that the Guru is One and takes several physical forms to help the sadhakas, as clearly explained in Sri Guru Charitra and as clearly brought out by the different stories in Sri Sai Satcharitra. Sai Ram.
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Thinking in this way, I postponed my Shirdi-trip; but the inevitable must happen and it happened in my case as follows: - Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who was a Prant Officer, was going on tour to Bassein. From Thana he came to Dadar and was waiting for a train bound for Bassein. In the meanwhile, a Bandra Local turned up. He sat in it and came to Bandra; and sent for me and took me to task for putting off my Shirdi trip. Nana’s argument for my Shirdi trip was convincing and delightful, and so I decided to start for Shirdi, the same night. I packed up my luggage and started for Shirdi. I planned to go to Dadar and there to catch the train for Manmad, and so I booked myself for Dadar and sat in the train. While the train was to start, a Mohammedan came hastily to my compartment and seeing all my paraphernalia, asked me where I was bound to. I told him my plan. He then suggested that I should straight go to Boribunder, and not get down at Dadar, for the Manmad Mail did not get down at Dadar at all. If this little miracle or Leela had not happened, I would not have reached Shirdi next day as settled, and many doubts would have assailed me. But that was not to be. As fortune favored me, I reached Shirdi the next day before 9 or 10 A.M.

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Sai Ram. Since Hemadpant’s time has come; the miracle did take place and he reached Shirdi (not just the physical place, but his inner destination). Sai Ram.
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Mr. Bhausaheb (Kaka) Dixit was waiting for me there. This was in 1910 AD, when there was only one place, viz., Sathe’s Wada for lodging pilgrim devotees. After alighting from the Tonga, I was anxious to have Darshan, when the great devotee, Tatyasaheb Noolkar returned from the Masjid and said that Sai Baba was at the corner of the Wada, and that I should first get the preliminary Darshan and then, after bath, see Him at leisure.

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Sai Ram. He was advised to take the ‘Dhooli Darshan’ (literally dusty sighting), since Guru is the best purifier and so bowing to Guru, wherever He is, in whatever condition we are, is the first and best purifier. Physical bath cleanses the body and refreshes and thus cleans the mind, but this namaskar to Guru, this Dhooli Darshan is the best purifier of the ego. Sai Ram.
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Hearing this I ran and prostrated before Baba and then my joy knew no bounds. I found more than what Nana Chandorkar had told me. All my senses were satisfied and I forgot thirst and hunger. The moment I touched Sai Baba’s feet, I began a new lease of life. I felt myself much obliged to those who spurred and helped me to get the Darshan; and I considered them as my real relatives, and I cannot repay their debt. I only remember them and prostrate (mentally) before them. The peculiarity of Sai Baba’s Darshan, as I found it is that by His Darshan our thoughts are changed, the force of previous actions is abated and gradually non-attachment of dispassion towards worldly objects grows up. It is by the merit of actions in many past births that such Darshan is got, and if only you see Sai Baba, really all the world becomes or assumes the form of Sai Baba.

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Sai Ram. In Ramayana, we are told about Sri Rama and Sri Lakshmana being given two mantras by Sage Viswamitra. The two mantras were "Bala" and "Ati bala" and by the grace of these two mantras they were freed from hunger, thirst and fatigue etc., i.e. they were freed from all the human body’s weaknesses. Sri Annasaheb Dabholkar, shortly going to be named as Hemadpant also forgot his thirst and hunger. He felt the sign of Guru’s grace. Sai Ram.
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Hot Discussion

On the first day of my arrival in Shirdi, there was a discussion between me and Balasaheb Bhate regarding the necessity of a Guru. I contended, "Why should we lose our freedom and submit to others? When we have to do our duty, why a Guru is necessary? One must try his best and save himself. What can the Guru do to a man who does nothing but sleeps indolently?" Thus I pleaded freewill, while Mr. Bhate took up the other side, viz., Destiny, and said, "Whatever is bound to happen must happen; even great men have failed, man proposes one way, but God disposes the other (contrary) way. Brush aside your cleverness; pride or egoism won’t help you." This discussion, with all its pros and cons went on for an hour or so, and as usual no decision was arrived at. We had to stop the discussion ultimately, as we were exhausted. The net result of this was that I lost my peace of mind and found that unless there is strong body-consciousness and egoism, there would be no discussion; in other words, it is egoism, which breeds discussion.

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Sai Ram. "What can the Guru do to a man, who does nothing, but sleeps indolently?" asked Hemadpant, thus pleading free-will. But what did the Guru do to Hemadpant? He agitated his mind through his friend’s son’s death episode and brought him to Shirdi. So, the Guru does wake up the sleeping man too. He will create such situations in that man’s life that he starts running! And even these qualities of pride, cleverness, ego etc. help in ripening the destiny of the man quickly and a ripe fruit has to fall from the tree of sansar, as given by the Mahamantra, “Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam, Urvaruka Miva Bandhanan Mrutyor Musksheeya Mamrutat.”

In all the puranas, we come across stories of Daityas (sons of Diti, also called as Rakshasas etc.), who met death at the hands of various forms of God (like Vishnu, Siva, Kartikeya, Durga etc.). Results follow actions is the inviolable law of karma. They (the Rakshasas) did great penance and so obtained boons. They misused the powers thus obtained and met their just end. But since they were powerful in a negative way, a positive power had to manifest itself in the form of Siva, Vishnu etc., to annihilate the negative power. If we need to eliminate or destroy an electron (a very tiny particle which is electrically negatively charged) we need to bring a positron (an electrically opposite charged particle, otherwise identical or superior) to it. The result? Both disappear and pure energy equal to the combined mass of both appears. Similarly if a proton and an electron combine, a neutron forms or vice-versa. Thus in the cosmic drama, good and bad or simply like light and shadow. "I lost my peace of mind and found that, unless there is strong body-consciousness and egoism, there would be no discussion; in other words, it is egoism, which breeds discussion." And I would add, desire too. Unfulfilled desire leads to frustration, resentment, anger and all other evils. Sai Ram.
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Then when we went to the Masjid with others, Baba asked Kakasaheb Dixit the following: -

"What was going on in the (Sathe’s) Wada? What was the discussion about?" and staring at me, Baba further added, "What did this Hemadpant say?"

Hearing these words, I was much surprised. The Masjid was at a considerable distance from Sathe’s Wada where I was staying and where the discussion was going on. How could Baba know our discussion unless He is omniscient and Inner Ruler of us all?

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Sai Ram. This surprise is not surprising in the initial stages of one’s spiritual path. That Sai is One with All and hence knows our innermost thoughts may be known to us, but we still feel that awe when we experience such incidents where Baba speaks aloud about what happened far away from His physical presence. Sai Ram.
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Significant and Prophetic Title

I began to think why Sai Baba should call me by the name Hemadpant. This word is a corrupt form of Hemadripant. This Hemadripant was a well-known Minister of the kings Mahadev and Ramadev of Devgiri of the Yadav dynasty. He was very learned, good-natured and the author of good works, such as Chaturvarga Chintamani (dealing with spiritual subjects) and Rajprashasti. He invented and started new methods of accounts and was the originator of the Modi (Marathi Shorthand) script. But I was quite the opposite, an ignoramus, and of dull, mediocre intellect. So I could not understand why the name or title was conferred upon me, but thinking seriously upon it, I thought that the title was a dart to destroy my ego, so that, I should always remain meek and humble. It was also a compliment paid to me for the cleverness in the discussion.

Looking to the future history, we think that Baba’s word (calling Mr. Dabholkar by the name Hemadpant) was significant and prophetic, as we find that he looked after the management of Sai Sansthan very intelligently, kept nicely all the accounts and was also the author of such a good work "Sai Satcharita", which deals with such important and spiritual subjects as Jnana, Bhakti and dispassion, self-surrender and self-realization.

About the Necessity of a Guru

Hemadpant has left no note, no memo about what Baba said regarding this subject, but Kakasaheb Dixit has published his notes regarding this matter. Next day after Hemadpant’s meeting with Sai Baba, Kakasaheb went to Baba and asked whether he should leave Shirdi. Baba Said, "Yes". Then someone asked - "Baba, where to go?" Baba said, "High up." Then the man said, "How is the way?" Baba said, "There are many ways leading there; there is one way also from here (Shirdi). The way is difficult. There are tigers and wolves in the jungles on the way." I (Kakasaheb) asked - "But Baba, what if we take a guide with us?" Baba answered, - "Then there is no difficulty. The guide will take you straight to your destination, avoiding wolves, tigers and ditches etc. on the way. If there be no guide, there is the danger of your being lost in the jungles or falling into ditches." Mr. Dabholkar was present on this occasion and he thought that this was the answer Baba gave to the question whether Guru was a necessity (Vide Sai Leela Vol. I, No.5, Page 47); and he thereupon took the hint that no discussion of the problem, whether man is free or bound, is of any use in spiritual matters, but that on the contrary real Paramartha is possible only as the result of the teachings of the Guru, as is illustrated in this chapter of the original work in the instances of great Avatars like Rama and Krishna, who had to submit themselves to their Gurus, Vasishta and Sandipani respectively, for getting self- realization and that the only virtues necessary for such progress are faith and patience. (Vide Sai Satcharita, Ch. II, 191-92).

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Sai Ram. Baba said "The way is difficult. There are tigers and wolves in the jungles on the way." The tigers and wolves are desire, anger, jealousy and cruelty etc., which are waiting to pounce upon the Sadhaka and finish him up. Luckily Guru helps us to avoid them or face them with light (it is a known fact that wild animals like tigers, wolves etc., are afraid of fire, which is light) of true knowledge and faith. So, let us submit our cleverness, ego, body-consciousness, desires and all else at the feet of Sadguru Sai Maharaj, so that our path becomes clear like a Raja Marga (Royal Road). Sai Ram.
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Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all

Sai Ram. We have completed the second chapter of Sri Sai Satcharitra for now. We will revisit the post and edit it as needed and as inspired by Sai Maharaj in future. Sai Ram.

Spiritual Gems from Sri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 1

2010-04-29T09:43:00.000+05:30

Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter I
Salutations -- The Story of Grinding Wheat and Its Philosophical Significance

According to the ancient and revered custom, Hemadpant begins the work, Sai Satcharitra, with various salutations.

First, he makes obeisance to the God Ganesha to remove all obstacles and make the work a success and says that Shri Sai is the God Ganesha.

Then, to the Goddess Saraswati to inspire him to write out the work and says that Shri Sai is one with this Goddess and that He is Himself singing His own life.

Then, to the Gods; Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar - the Creating, Preserving and Destroying Deities respectively; and says that Sainath is one with them and He as the great Teacher, will carry us across the River of Worldly Existence.

Then, to his tutelary Deity Narayan Adinath who manifested himself in Konkan - the land reclaimed by Parashurama, (Rama in the Hindi version) from the sea; and to the Aadi (Original) Purusha of the family.

Then, to the Bharadwaja Muni, into whose gotra (clan) he was born and also to various Rishis, Yagyavalakya, Bhrigu, Parashara, Narad, Veda Vyasa, Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatkumar, Shuka, Shounak, Vishwamitra, Vasistha, Valmiki, Vamadeva, Jaimini, Vaishampayan, Nava Yogindra etc, and also modern Saints such as Nivritti, Jnanadev, Sopan, Muktabai, Janardan, Ekanath, Namdev, Tukaram, Kanha, and Narahari etc.

Then, to his grandfather Sadashiv, father Raghunath, his mother, who left him in his infancy, to his paternal aunt, who brought him up, and to his loving elder brother.

Then, to the readers and prays them to give their whole and undivided attention to his work.

And lastly, to his Guru Shri Sainath - an Incarnation of Shri Dattatreya, Who is his sole Refuge and Who will make him realize that Brahman is the Reality and the world an illusion; and incidentally, to all the Beings in whom the Lord God dwells.

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Sai Ram. The author (Hemadpant) makes salutations to various Gods while asserting that Sai is One with all of them. Then why bow to all of them? Why not to Sai alone? Bowing in obeisance comes from a feeling of Dwaita, i.e. the feeling of separateness from the other person or Deity. Since most of us including the author are presently in that Dwaita state, it is proper to bow in worship to all the different Deities. Since Sai is our Sadguru and since the Shastras assert that Guru is Brahma, Vishnu, Siva, in fact Para Brahma and since all Deities are manifestations of the same Para Brahma- Para Shakti, it is also correct to say that Sai our Sadguru is one with all of them. 'Sarva Deva Namaskarah Kesava Pratigacchati' - all namaskars reach Kesava, Sai Who is Para Brahma. Sai Ram.

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After describing in brief the various modes of devotion according to Parashara, Vyasa and Shandilya etc., the author goes on to relate the following story:

"It was sometime after 1910 AD that I went, one fine morning, to the Masjid in Shirdi for getting a Darshan of Sai Baba. I was wonder-struck to see the following phenomenon. After washing His mouth and face, Sai Baba began to make preparations for grinding wheat. He spread a sack on the floor; and thereon set a hand-mill. He took some quantity of wheat in a winnowing fan, and then drawing up the sleeves of His Kafni (robe); and taking hold of the peg of the hand-mill, started grinding the wheat by putting a few handfuls of wheat in the upper opening of the mill and rotated it. I thought ‘what business Baba had with the grinding of wheat, when He possessed nothing and stored nothing, and as He lived on alms!’ Some people who had come there thought likewise, but none had the courage to ask Baba what He was doing.

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Sai Ram. Coming to the story of the chapter, grinding of wheat, the author thought, "What business Baba had with the grinding of wheat, when He possessed nothing and stored nothing, and as He lived on alms!" Every act need not have a selfish motive and can be for universal welfare. Baba had no earthly business. His business (Busy ness!) was spiritual, to bring all of us to the path of the spirit. His grinding of wheat represented the grinding of our egos and thus freeing the inner spirit in each of us, just as the useful flour is released from the external seed by grinding. Sai Ram.

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Immediately, this news of Baba's grinding wheat spread into the village, and at once men and women ran to the Masjid and flocked there to see Baba's act. Four bold women, from the crowd, forced their way up and pushing Baba aside, took forcibly the peg or handle into their hands, and, singing Baba's Leelas, started grinding.

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Sai Ram. Were the women the four directions of the village? Were the bodies of four ordinary simple devoted village women taken over momentarily by the Grama Devatas, the Village ruling deities? Who but Sai will know? Sai Ram.

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At first Baba was enraged, but on seeing the women's love and devotion, He was much pleased and began to smile.

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Sai Ram. He was smiling because He knew the past, present and the future and since He knew very shortly how the drama was going to unfold. Sai Ram.

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While they were grinding, they began to think that Baba had no house, no property, no children, none to look after, and He lived on alms, He did not require any wheat-flour for making bread or roti, what will He do with this big quantity of flour?

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Sai Ram. True, in the worldly sense, but the whole Universe was His house, His property and all the living and non-living beings were His children. He had the whole world to look after! Sai Ram.

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Perhaps as Baba is very kind, He will distribute the flour amongst us. Thinking in this way while singing, they finished the grinding and after putting the hand-mill aside, they divided the flour into four portions and began to remove them one per head. Baba, Who was calm and quiet up till now, got wild and started abusing them saying, "Ladies, are you gone mad? Whose father's property are you looting away? Have I borrowed any wheat from you, so that you can safely take the flour? Now please do this. Take the flour and throw it on the village border limits." On hearing this, the women felt abashed and whispering amongst themselves, went away to the outskirts of the village and spread the flour as directed by Baba.

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Sai Ram. Looked at from the ordinary human point of view, this episode brings home the truth that even while doing good karmas, we get attached to the fruits or the result of the karma, action. Sai has rightly rebuked them and us and advised us to work without any expectation of the results for the work which we do. This is perfectly accordance with Sri Krishna's teaching to Sri Arjuna in Srimad Bhagavad Gita that one should do ones' duty but without attachment to the result. "Ladies, are you gone mad?" Yes, those ladies and all of us who hanker after reward for actions are 'mad' with ajnan. Greed is the root cause of madness. "Have I borrowed any wheat from you, so that you can safely take the flour?" If we try to take what is not rightly ours, we get into karmic debt, which we have to repay with interest in the present or future lives. Thus Sai, our Krishna is teaching us His Gita. Sai Ram.

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I asked the Shirdi people - "What was this that Baba did?" They replied that as the Cholera Epidemic was spreading in the village and this was Baba's remedy against the same; it was not wheat that was ground but the Cholera itself was ground to pieces and pushed out of the village. From this time onward, the Cholera Epidemic subsided and the people of the village were happy. I was much pleased to know all this; but at the same time my curiosity was also aroused. I began to ask myself - What earthly connection was there between wheat flour and Cholera? What was the causal relation between the two and how to reconcile them? The incident seems to be inexplicable. I should write something on this and sing to my heart's content Baba's sweet Leelas. Thinking in this way about this Leela, my heart was filled with joy and I was thus inspired to write Baba's Life - The Satcharita.

And as we know, with Baba's grace and blessing this work was successfully accomplished.

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Sai Ram. The most extraordinary things start in very ordinary way. The masterpiece Sri Sai Satcharitra began thus from a very simple incident. "Cholera itself was ground..." not only cholera, but the desire to covet what is not ours, that was ground. "What earthly connection was there..." nothing. But in the astral planes, it becomes clear to those gifted with 'divine eyesight' that disease/illness is linked to our disharmony with nature and our transgression of dharma. So Baba used a magical ritual (white magic), which the simple village people did not understand consciously or intellectually but could feel in their auras and spiritual vibrations. Simple souls would just wonder, pray and accept. They don't question or look for logical explanations. But the educated need intellectual curiosity to be satisfied. Hence explanations come when we surrender our ego and our intellect so that intuition can come forth and our faith can grow side by side with logic and discriminating intellect. Sai Ram.

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Philosophical Significance of Grinding

Apart from the meaning, which the people of Shirdi put on this incident of grinding wheat, there is, we think, a philosophical significance too. Sai Baba lived in Shirdi for about sixty years and during this long period, He did the business of grinding almost every day - not, however, the wheat alone; but the sins, the mental and physical afflictions and the miseries of His innumerable devotees. The two stones of His mill consisted of Karma and Bhakti, the former being the lower and the latter the upper one. The handle with which Baba worked the mill consisted of Jnana. It was the firm conviction of Baba that Knowledge or Self-realization is not possible, unless there is the prior act of grinding of all our impulses, desires, sins; and of the three gunas, viz. Satwa, Raja and Tama; and the Ahamkara, which is so subtle and therefore so difficult to be got rid of.

This reminds us of a similar story of Kabir who seeing a woman grinding corn said to his Guru, Nipathiranjana, "I am weeping because I feel the agony of being crushed in this wheel of worldly existence like the corn in the hand-mill." Nipathiranjana replied, "Do not be afraid; hold fast to the handle of knowledge of this mill, as I do, and do not wander far away from the same but turn inward to the Center, and you are sure to be saved."

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Sai Ram. “and the Ahankar, which is so subtle and therefore, so difficult to be got rid of." In extraction of metals, the raw materials that are in the form of ores, minerals need to be ground before they can be processed further. The law of comminution states that the finer something is, the more energy is needed to grind it to a finer state (check any scientific book on mineral dressing). Only Bhakti can provide that infinite energy to grind the subtle Ahankar and dissipate it into the five elments, pancha bhutas! The grinding of corn: The corn may feel the pain while being ground, but as flour, it is useful, to appease the hunger, as food for ants etc., and as roti or bread, to other animals including humans. Similarly, we should not mind the troubles coming to us because we, like the corn get refined or transformed into flour and thus serve the purpose of our being created in this world. Sri Nipatiranjan, Kabir's guru, is advising him, not to wander from the path of knowledge, and to remain introverted. For the disciple, Guru is the axis, so if he does not wander far from Him, he need not fear being crushed by the wheel of Karma, which crushes only those who out of their spiritual ignorance, ajnan, are troubled by Kama, Moha etc., but does not touch those who know their true nature. Sai Ram.

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Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all

Spiritual Gems from Sri Sai Satcharitra - Preface

2010-01-20T07:13:00.000+05:30

Sai Ram. Om Sri Ganesaya namah. Om namo Venkatesaya. Om Sri Matre Namah. I offer what is written or rather keyed in to the PC by His inspiration to Him, Sadguru Sainath Maharaj. At His inspiration, it is proposed to share with all Sai Bandhus various Spiritual Gems that were handed over to this servant to be brought out at the appropriate time. As this writer was reading Sri Sai Satcharitra by Shri Gunaji (translated into English from the Marathi work of Sri Govind Raghunath Dabholkar, also known as Annasaheb and on whom the title of Hemadpant was bestowed by Sai), various ideas, clarifications etc., used to float up as it were from the depths of Sai Satcharitra and Sai Philosophy. Thus the name of Spiritual Gems was given to these revelations by Sri Sai Maharaj!

The readers who would like to partake of this spiritual feast are requested to kindly read this offering and gain the benefit of reading Sri Sai Satcharitra in English written by that great Sai Devotee Sri Nagesh Vasudev Gunaji. Sai Ram.

The original text of Sri Sai Satcharitra is given in blue color and the Spiritual Gems are given in between dashed lines in red color+italics and start and end with Sai Ram. If you want to do a parayan of Sri Sai Sactharitra, pl. skip the text in between the dashed lines and continue with the text. Sai Ram.

Your blessings and comments etc. are welcomed at swamy@saimail.com and at facebook.