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General Index
Sai Satcharitha
The Life Story of Shri Shiridi Sai Baba
Wednsday Reading – Day 7
Index
Chapter XLV
Kakasaheb's Doubt and Anandrao's Vision -
Wooden Plank Baba's bed-stead and not Bhagat's.
Chapter XLVI
Baba's gaya Trip - Story of Goats.
Chapter XLVII
Baba's Reminiscences
Chapter XLVIII
Warding off Devotee's Calamities
Chapter XLIX
Stories of (1) Hari Kanoba - (2) Somadeva
Swami - (3) Nanasaheb Chandorkar.
Chapter L
Stories of (1) Kakasaheb Dixit (2) Shri
Tembye Swami (3)Balaram Dhurandhar.
Epilogue
Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XLV
K akasaheb's Doubt and Anandrao's Vision -
Wooden Plank Baba's bed-stead and not Bhagat's.
Preliminary
W e have described in the last three
chapters Baba's Passing away. His physical or finite form has no
doubt disappeared from our view; but the infinite or spiritual
form (Spirit of Baba) ever lives. The Leelas which occurred during
His lifetime have been dwelt upon at great length up till now.
Ever since His passing away, fresh Leelas have taken place and are
even now happening. This clearly shows that Baba is ever-living
and helping His devotees as before. The people who got the contact
of Baba when He was living, were indeed very fortunate, but if any
of them did not get a dispassion for the things and enjoyments of
the world and had not their minds turned to the Lord, it was
sheerly their ill-luck. What was then wanted and is now wanted is
the whole-hearted devotion to Baba. All our senses, organs, and
mind should co-operate in worshipping and serving Baba. It is no
use in engaging some organs in the worship and deflecting others.
If a thing like worhsip or meditation is to be done, it ought to
be done with all our mind and soul.
The love that a chaste woman bears to her husband
is sometimes compared to that which a disciple bears to his master
(Guru). Yet the former falls far short of the latter, which is
incomparable. No one, whether he be father, mother, brother or any
other relation, comes to our aid in attaining the goal of life
(self-realization). We have to chalk out and traverse the path of
self-realization ourselves. We have to discriminate between the
Unreal and the Real, renounce the things and enjoyments of this
world and the next, control our senses and mind, and aspire for
liberation only. Instead of depending upon others, we should have
full faith in ourselves. When we begin to practice discrimination,
we come to know, that the world is transient and unreal and our
passion for worldly things becomes less and less, and ultimately
we get dispassion or non-attachment for them. Then we know that
the Brahma which is no other than our Guru is the sole reality and
as It transcends and besets the seeming universe, we begin to
worship It in all creatures. This is the unitive Bhajan or
worship. When we thus worship the Brahma or Guru whole-heartedly,
we become one with Him and attain self-realization. In short,
always chanting the name of the Guru, and meditating on Him
enables us to see Him in all beings, and confers eternal bliss on
us. The following story will illustrate this.
Kakasaheb's Doubt and Anandrao's Vision
I t is well-known, that Sai Baba had
enjoined Kakasaheb Dixit to read daily two works of Shri Ekanath:
(1) Bhagawat and (2) Bhawartha Ramayan. Kakasaheb read these daily
while Baba was living and he followed the practice even after
Baba's passing away. Once in Kaka Mahajani's house in Choupati,
Bombay, Kakasaheb was reading Ekanathi Bhagawat in the morning.
Madhavarao Deshpande alias Shama and Kaka Mahajani were then
present and listened attentively to the portion read, viz., the
2nd Chapter, 11th skandha of the book. Therein the nine Nathas or
Siddhas of the Rishabha family, viz., Kavi, Hari, Antariksha,
Prabuddha, Pippalayan, Avirhotra, Drumil, Chamas and Karabhajan
expounded the principles of the Bhagawat Dharma to King Janak. The
latter asked all the nine Nathas most important questions and each
of them answered them satisfactorily. The first, i.e., Kavi
explained what is Bhagawat Dharma; Hari, the characteristics of a
Bhakta (devotee); Antariksha, what is Maya; Prabuddha, how to
cross Maya; Pippalayan, what is Para-Brahma; Avirhotra, what is
Karma; Drumil, the incarnations of God and their deeds; Chamas,
how a non-devotee fares after death; Karabhajan, the different
modes of worship of God in different ages. The substance of all
the exposition was that in this Kali age, the only means of
liberation was the remembrance of Hari's (Lord's) or Guru's feet.
After the reading was over, Kakasaheb said in a despondent tone to
Madhavarao and others - "How wonderful is the discourse of the
nine Nathas on Bhakti or devotion. But at the same time how
difficult it is to put it into practice! The Nathas were perfect,
but is it possible for fools like us to attain the devotion as
delineated by them? we won't get it even after several births,
then how are we to get salvation? It seems that there is no hope
for us." Madhavarao did not like this pessimistic attitude of
Kakasaheb. He said - "It is a pity that one who by his good
luck got such a jewel (Guru) as Baba, should cry out so
disparagingly; If he has unwavering faith in Baba, why should he
feel restless? The Bhakti of the Nathas may be strong and
wonderful, but is not ours' loving and affectionate? And has not
Baba told us authoritatively that remembering and chanting Hari's
and Guru's name confers salvation? Then where is the cause for
fear and anxiety? Kakasaheb was not satisfied with Madhavarao's
explanation. He continued to be anxious and restless, the whole
day, thinking and brooding over how to get the powerful Bhakti of
the Nathas. Next morning, the following miracle took place.
One gentleman, named Anandrao Pakhade came there
in search of Madhavarao. The reading of the Bhagawat was then
going on. Mr.Pakhade sat near Madhavarao and was whispering
something to him. He was mentioning in low tone his dream-vision.
As there was some interruption in the reading by this whispering,
Kakasaheb stopped the reading, and asked Madhavarao what the
matter was. The latter said - "Yesterday you expressed your
doubt, now here is the explanation of it; hear Mr.Pakhade's vision
which Baba gave him, explaining the characteristic of 'saving'
devotion and showing that the devotion in the form of bow to, or
worship of, Guru's feet is sufficient." All were anxious to hear
the vision specially Kakasaheb. At their suggestion Mr.Pakhade
began to relate the vision as follows.
I was standing in a deep sea in waist-deep water.
There I saw Sai Baba all of a sudden. He was sitting on a
beautiful throne studded with diamonds, with His Feet in water. I
was most pleased and satisfied with the Form of Baba. The vision
was so realistic that I never thought that it was a dream.
Curiously enough Madhavarao was also standing there. He said to me
feelingly - 'Anandrao, fall at Baba's Feet.' I rejoined - "I
also wish to do so, but His Feet are in water, how can I place my
head on them? I am helpless." Hearing this he said to Baba -
"Oh Deva, take out Your Feet which are under water." Then Baba
immediately took out His feet. I caught them without delay and
bowed to them. On seeing this Baba blessed me saying - Go now, you
will attain your welfare, there is no cause for fear and anxiety.
He also added - "Give a silk-bordered dhotar to my Shama, you
will profit, thereby."
In compliance with Baba's order, Mr.Pakhade
brought the dhotar and requested Kakasaheb to hand it over to
Madhavarao; but the latter refused to accept it, saying that
unless Baba gave a hint or suggestion for acceptance, he would not
accept it. Then after some discussion Kakasaheb decided to cast
lots. It was the invariable practice of Kakasaheb to cast lots in
all dubious matters and to abide by the decision as shown by the
picked up chit or lot. In this particular case two chits, on one
of which was written 'To accept' and on another 'To reject', were
placed at the feet of Baba's picture and an infant was asked to
pick one of them. The 'To accept' chit was picked up and the
dhotar was handed over to, and accepted by, Madhavarao. In this
way both Anandrao and Madhavarao were satisfied and Kakasaheb's
difficulty was solved.
This story exhorts us to give respect to the words
of other saints, but at the same time asks us to have full faith
in our Mother, i.e., the Guru, and abide by His instructions: for
he knows our welfare better than any other person. Carve out on
your heart, the following words of Baba - "There are
innumerable saints in this world, but 'Our father' (Guru) is the
Father (Real Guru). Others might say many good things, but we
should never forget our Guru's words. In short, love your Guru
whole-heartedly, surrender to Him completely and prostrate
yourselves before Him reverentially and then you will see that
there is no sea of the mundane existence before you to cross,
there is no darkness before the sun."
Wooden plank Baba's Bed-Stead, and not Bhagat's
In His earlier days, Baba slept on a wooden plank,
4 arms in length and only a span in breadth with panatis (earthen
lamps) burning at the four corners. Later on He broke the plank
into pieces and threw it away (Vide Chapter X). Once Baba was
describing the greatness or importance of this plank to Kakasaheb.
Hearing this the latter said to Baba - "If You still love the
wooden plank, I will again suspend or hang up one in the Masjid
again for You to sleep at ease." Baba replied - "I won't like
to sleep up, leaving Mhalasapati down on the ground." Then
Kakasaheb said - "I will provide another plank for
Mhalasapati." Baba - "How can he sleep on the plank? It is not
easy to sleep up on the plank. He who has many good qualities in
him can do so. He who can sleep 'with his eyes wide open' can
effect that. When I go to sleep I ask often Mhalasapati to sit by
My side, place his hand on My heart and watch the 'chanting of the
Lord's name' there, and if he finds Me sleepy, wake Me up. He
can't do even this. He himself gets drowsy and begins to nod his
head. When I feel his hand heavy as a stone on My heart and cry
out - 'Oh Bhagat', he moves and opens his eyes. How can he, who
can't sit and sleep well on the ground and whose asana (posture)
is not steady and who is a slave to sleep, sleep high up on a
plank? On many other occasions Baba said, out of love for His
devotees - "What (whether good or bad) is ours, is with us,
and what is another's is with him."
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
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Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XLVI
Baba's gaya Trip - Story of Goats.
T his Chapter describes Shama's strip to
Kashi, Prayag and Gaya and how Baba (in the Form of His portrait)
was there ahead of him; it also describes Baba's reminiscences of
the past birth of two goats.
Preliminary
B lessed, Oh Sai, are Your Feet, blessed is
Your remembrance and blessed is Your darshana which frees us from
the bond of Karma. Though Your Form is invisible to us now, still
if the devotees believe in You, they get living experiences from
You. By an invisible and subtle thread You draw Your devotees from
far and near to Your Feet and embrace them like a kind and loving
mother. The devotees do not know where You are, but You so
skillfully pull the wires that they ultimately realize that You
are at their back to help and support them. The intelligent, wise
and learned folk fall into the pit of the samsar on account of
their egoism, but You save, by Your power, the poor, simple and
devout persons. Inwardly and invisibly you play all the game, but
show that you are not concerned with it. You do things and pose
yourself as a non-doer. Nobody ever knows Your life. The best
course therefore for us is to surrender our body, speech and mind
to Your Feet and always chant Your name for destroying our sins.
You fulfill the wishes of the devotees and to those who are
without any desire You give bliss supreme. Chanting Your sweet
name is the easiest sadhan for devotees. By this sadhan (means),
our sins, Rajas and Tamas qualities will vanish, the Sattwa
qualities and righteousness will gain predominance and along with
this, discrimination, dispassion and knowledge will follow. Then
we shall abide in our Self and our Guru (who are one and the
same). This is what is called complete surrender to the Guru. The
only sure sign of this is that our mind gets calm and peaceful.
The greatness of this surrender, devotion and knowledge is unique;
for peace, non-attachment, fame and salvation etc., come in its
train.
If Baba accepts a devotee, He follows him and
stands by him, day and night, at his home or abroad. Let the
devotee go anywhere he likes, Baba is there ahead of him in some
form in an inconceivable manner. The following story illustrates
this.
Sometime after Kakasaheb Dixit was introduced to
Sai Baba, he decided to perform the thread (Upanayan) ceremony of
his eldest son Babu at Nagpur. At about the same time Nanasaheb
Chandorkar decided to perform the marriage ceremony of his eldest
son at Gwalior. Both Dixit and Chandorkar came to shirdi and
lovingly invited Baba for these functions. Baba asked them to take
Shama as His representative. When He was pressed to come in
person. Baba told them to take Shama with them and that "after
doing Banares and Prayag He would be ahead of Shama." Now mark
these words for they show Baba's all-pervasiveness.
Taking the permission of Baba, Shama decided to go
to Nagpur and Gwalior for these functions and ceremonies and
thence to Kashi, Prayag and Gaya. Appa Kote made up his mind to
accompany him. They both went first to Nagpur for the thread
ceremony. Kakasaheb Dixit gave Shama Rs.200/- for his expenses.
Then they went to Gwalior for the marriage ceremony. There
Nanasaheb Chandorkar gave Shama Rs.100/- and his Vyahi (relation)
Mr.Jather gave him also Rs.100/-. Then Shama went to Kashi, and
then to Ayodhya where he was well received in Jather's beautiful
temple of Laxmi-Narayan at Kashi (Varanasi or Banares) and in the
Rama-Mandir at Ayodhya by Jathar's manager. They (Shama and Kote)
stayed for 21 days in Ayodhya and two months in Kashi (Banares).
Then they left for Gaya. In the train they felt a little uneasy on
hearing that plague was prevailing in Gaya. At night they alighted
at Gaya station and stayed in the Dharmashala. In the morning the
Gayawala (the Priest who arranges and provides for the lodging and
boarding of the pilgrims) came there and aid - "The pilgrims
have already started, you better make haste." Shama casually asked
him whether there was plague in Gaya. "No" said the Gayawala.
"Please come without any fear or anxiety and see yourself."
Then they went with him and stayed in his house which was a big
and commodious Wada. Shama was pleased with the accommodation
provided for him, but what pleased him most, was the beautiful big
portrait of Baba fixed in the central and front portion of the
building. Seeing this portrait Shama was overwhelmed with emotion.
He remembered Baba's words, viz., "After doing Kashi and Prayag
He would be ahead of Shama" and burst into tears. His hairs
stood on end, his throat was choked and he began to sob. The
Gayawala thought that he was afraid of plague prevailing there and
therefore was crying. But Shama enquired of him whence he got
Baba's portrait there. He replied that he had 200 or 300 agents
working at Manmad and Punatambe for looking to the convenience of
the pilgrims to Gaya and from them he heard about Baba's fame.
Then about 12 years ago he went to Shirdi and took Baba's
darshana. There he wanted Baba's portrait hung in Shama's house
and with Baba's permission Shama gave it to him. This was the same
protrait. Shama then remembered this former incident. The
Gayawalas's joy knew no bounds when he learnt that the same Shama
who obliged him before, was his guest then. Then they both
exchanged love and service and were most delighted and happy. The
Gayawala gave him a right royal welcome. He was a very rich man.
He sat in a palanquin and made Shama ride an elephant and attended
to all his comforts and conveniences.
The moral of the story is this:- That Baba's words
came out true to the letter and unbounded was His love towards the
devotees. But leave this aside. He also loved all creatures
equally, for He felt that He was one with them. The following
story will illustrate this.
Two Goats
B aba was once returning from Lendi, when He
saw a flock of goats. Two of them attracted His attention. He went
to them, caressed and fondled them and bought them for Rs.32/-.
The devotees were surprised at this conduct of Baba. They thought
that Baba was duped in this bargain, as the goats would fetch
Rs.two each, at the most Rs.3/- or 4/- each, i.e., Rs.8/- for
both. They began to take Baba to task for this, but Baba kept calm
and cool. Shama and Tatya Kote asked Baba for an explanation. He
said He should not store money as He had no home, and any family
to look after. He asked them to purchase at His cost 4 seers of
'dal' (lentil) and feed the goats. After this was done, Baba
returned the goats to the owner of the flock and gave out of the
following reminiscences and story of the goats.
"Oh, Shama and Tatya, you think that I have
been deceived in this bargain. No. Listen to their story. In their
former birth they were human beings and had the good fortune to be
My companions and sit by My side. They were uterine brothers,
loving each other at first, but later on, they became enemies. The
elder brother was an idle fellow while the younger one was an
active chap and earned a lot of money. The former became greedy
and jealous and wanted to kill his brother and take away his
money. They forgot thier fraternal relations and began to quarrel
with each other. The elder brother resorted to many devices to
kill his younger brother, but all of his attempts failed. Thus
they became deadly enemies and finally on one occasion the elder
gave a deadly blow with a big stick on the latter's head while the
latter struck the former with an axe, with the result that both
fell dead on the spot. As the result of their actions, they were
both born as goats. As they passed by me, I at once recognized
them. I remembered their past history. Taking pity on them I
wanted to feed them and give them rest and comfort and for this
reason I spent all the money for which you reprove me. As you did
not like My bargain I sent them back to their shepherd." Such was
Sai's love for the goats!
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
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Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XLVII
Baba's Reminiscences
S tory of Veerbhadrappa and Chenbassappa
(Snake and frog)
The last chapter described Baba's reminiscences
about two goats. This describes more such reminiscences and
relates the story of Veerbhadrappa and Chenbassappa.
Preliminary
Blessed is the face of Sai. If we cast a glance at
Him for a moment, He destroys the sorrow of many past births and
confers great bliss on us; and if He looks at us with grace, our
bondage of Karma is immediately snapped away and we are led to
happiness. The river Ganges washes away the dirt and sins of all
people who go to her for a bath; but she intently longs for the
saints to come to her and bless her with their feet and remove all
the dirt (sins) accumulated in her. She knows for certain that
this accumulation can only be removed by the holy feet of the
saints. Sai is the crest-jewel of the saints, and now hear from
Him the following purifying story.
The Snake and the Frog
S ai Baba said - "One morning after
taking My breakfast I strolled along till I came to a small river
bank. As I was tired, I rested there, washed My hands and feet and
had a bath and felt refreshed. There was a foot-path and a
cart-track sheltered by shady trees. The breeze was also blowing
gently. As I was preparing to smoke chillim (pipe), I heard the
croaking of a frog. I was striking the flint and lighting the
fire, when a traveller turned up, sat by My side, bowed to Me and
politely invited Me to his house for meals and rest. He lit up the
pipe and handed it over to Me. The croaking was heard again and he
wanted to know what it was. I told him that a frog was in trouble
and was tasting the bitter fruit of its own karma. We have to reap
now the fruit of what we sow (do) in our past life, and there is
no use in crying about it. Then he smoked and handed over the pipe
to Me and said that he would go there in person and see for
himself. I told him that a frog was caught by a big snake and was
crying. Both were very wicked in their past life and were now
reaping the fruit of their actions in these bodies. He went out
and found that a huge black serpent was holding a big frog in its
mouth.
He turned to Me and said that in about 10 or 12
minutes the frog would be eaten up by the snake. I said, "No,
this can't be. I am its father (protector) and I am here now. How
shall I allow the snake to eat it up, am I here for nothing? Just
see how I release it."
After smoking again, we walked on to the place. He
was afraid and asked Me not to proceed further as the snake might
attack us. Not minding him, I went ahead and addressed the
creatures thus:- "Oh Veerbhadrappa, has not your enemy
Bassappa yet repented though he has been born as a frog, and you
too, though born as a serpent, still maintain bitter enmity
against him? Fie upon you, be ashamed, give up your hatred now and
rest in peace."
Hearing these words, the snake left the frog
quickly and dived into the river and disappeared. The frog also
jumped away and hid itself in the bushes.
The traveller was much surprised; he said that he
could not understand how the snake dropped the frog and
disappeared at the words uttered, who was Veerbhadrappa and who
was Basssappa, and what was the cause of their enmity. I returned
with him to the foot of the tree and after sharing a few puffs of
smoke with him I explained the whole mystery to his as follows:-
There was ancient holy place sanctified by a
temple of Mahadev about 4 or 5 miles from My place. The temple was
old and dilapidated. The residents of the place collected funds
for its repairs. After a large amount was collected, arrangement
for worship was made and plans with estimates for repairs were
prepared. A rich local man was appointed the Treasurer and the
whole work was entrusted to him. He was to keep regular accounts
and be honest in all his dealings. He was a first class miser and
spent very little for the repairs, which consequently made very
little progress. He spent all the funds, swallowed some amount
himself and spent nothing from his pocket. He had a sweet tongue
and was very clever in offering plausible explanations regarding
the poor and tardy progress of the work. The people again went to
him and said that unless he lent his helping hand and tried his
best, the work would not be complete. They requested him to work
out the scheme and again collected subscriptions and sent the
amount to him. He received it, but sat as quiet as before without
making any progress. After some days, God (Mahadev) appeared in
his wife's dream and said to her - "You get up, build the dome
of the temple, I will give you a hundred-fold of what you spend."
She told this vision to her husband. He was afraid that it would
involve him in some expenses and therefore laughed it out saying
that it was a mere dream, a thing not to be relied and acted upon,
or else why did not God appear to him and tell him? Was he far off
from her? This looks like a bad dream, having for its object the
creation of ill feeling between husband and wife. She had to
remain quiet.
God does not like big subscriptions and donations
collected against the wishes of the donors, but He likes ever
trifling amounts given with love, devotion and appreciation. Some
days after, God again appeared in her dream and said - "Do not
bother yourself about your husband and the collections with him.
Don't press him to spend any amount for the temple. What I want
is, feeling and devotion. So give, if you like, anything of your
own." She consulted her husband about this vision and decided to
give God her ornaments given by her father. The miser felt
disconcerted and decided to cheat even God in this item. He
undervalued the ornaments at Rs.1,000/- and bought them himself
and in lieu of the amount gave a field to God as endowment or
security. The wife agreed to this. The field or land was not his
own, it belonged to one poor woman named Dubaki who mortgaged it
to him for Rs.200/-. She was not able to redeem it for long. So
the cunning miser cheated all, his wife, Dubaki and even God. The
land was sterile, uncultivated and worth nothing and yielded
nothing, even in best seasons.
Thus ended this transaction and the land was given
in the possession of the poor priest who was pleased with the
endowment. Sometime later on, strange things happened. There was a
terrific storm and heavy down-pour of rain; lightning struck the
house of the miser, when he and his wife both died. Dubaki also
breathed her last.
In the next life, the rich miser was born at
Mathura in a Brahmin family and was named Veerbhadrappa. His
devout wife was born as the daughter of the priest of the temple
and was named Gouri. The woman Dubaki (the mortgagor) was born as
a male in the family of the Gurav (attendent) of the the temple
and was named Chenbassappa. The priest was a friend of Mine, He
often came to Me, chatted and smoked with Me. His daughter Gouri
was also devoted to Me. She was growing fast and her father was
seeking a good husband for her. I told him not to worry about this
as the bridegroom himself would come seeking her. Then there came
a poor boy named Veerbhadrappa of their caste, wandering and
begging his bread to the priest's house. With My consent Gouri was
given in marriage to him. He was also at first devoted to Me as I
recommended his marriage with Gouri. Even in this new life he was
hankering after money and asked Me to help him to get it as he was
leading a married man's life.
Strange things happened. There was a sudden rise
in prices. By Gouri's good luck, there was a great demand for land
and the endowment land was sold for one lakh of rupees (100 times
the worth of her ornaments). Half the amount was paid in cash and
the remaining was to be paid in 25 instalments of Rs. 2,000/-
each. All agreed to this transaction, but began to quarrel over
the money. They came to Me for consultation. I told them that the
property belonged to God and was vested in the priest and Gouri
was his sole heiress and proprietress and no amount should be
spent without her consent and that her husband had no right
whatsoever to the amount. Hearing my opinion Veerbhadrappa was
wroth with Me and said that I wanted to establish Gouri's claim
and embezzle her property. Hearing his words, I remembered God and
kept quiet. Veerbhadrappa scolded his wife (Gouri) and she came to
Me at noon and requested Me not to mind the words of others and
not to discard her as she was My daughter. As she thus sought My
protection I gave her a pledge that I would cross seven seas to
help her. Then that night Gouri had a vision. Mahadev appeared in
her dream and said - "The whole money is yours, do not give
anything to anybody, spend some amount for temple purposes in
consultation with Chenbassappa and if you want to use it for some
other purpose, consult Baba in the Masjid (Myself)." Gouri told Me
the vision and I gave her the proper advice in the matter. I told
her to take the principal or capital amount to herself, give half
the amount of interest to Chenbassappa and that Veerbhadrappa had
nothing to do in the matter. While I was thus talking, both
Veerbhadrappa and Chenbassappa came there quarreling. I tried My
best to appease them and told them God's vision to Gouri.
Veerbhadrappa got wild and angry and threatened to kill
Chenbassappa cutting him to pieces. The latter was timid, he
caught my feet and sought my refuge. I pledged Myself to save him
from the wrath of his foe. Then after some time Veerbhadrappa died
and was born as a snake and Chenbassappa died and was born as a
frog. Hearing the croaking of Chenbassappa and remembering my
pledge, I came here, saved him and kept My word. God runs to His
devotees for help in times of danger. He saved Chenbassappa (the
frog) by sending Me here. All this is God's Leela or sport."
The Moral
T he moral of the story is that one has to
reap what one sows, and there is no escape unless one suffers and
squares up one's old debts and dealings with others, and that
greed for money drags the greedy man to the lowest level and
ultimately brings destruction on him and others.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
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Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XLVIII
Warding off Devotee's Calamities
S tories of (1) Shevade and (2) Sapatneker
At the commencement of this chapter, some one
asked Hemadpant whether Sai Baba was a Guru or Sad-guru. In order
to answer the question Hemadpant describes the signs or marks of a
Sad-guru as follows:-
Signs of Sad-guru
H e who teaches us Veda and Vedanta or the
six Shastras (systems), he who controls the breath, or brands his
body with Mudras (metallic marks of Vishnu's weapons) or gives
pleasing discourses regarding Brahma, he who gives mantras (sacred
syllables) to the disciples and orders them to chant the same a
certain number of times, but does not assure them any result in a
definite time, he who by his spacious wordy knowledge explains
beautifully the Ultimate Principle, but has himself got no
experience or self-realization is not a Sad-guru. But he, who by
his discourse creates in us, a distaste for the enjoyments of this
world and the next, and gives us a taste of self-realization, who
is well-versed in both the theoretical and practical knowledge
(self-realization) deserves to be called a Sad-guru. How can he,
who is himself devoid of self-realization, give it to the
disciples? A Sad-guru does not, even in his dream, expect any
service or profit from his disciples. On the contrary he wishes to
serve them. He does not think that he is great and the disciple
small. Not only he loves him as his son but regards him as equal
to himself or as Brahma. The main characteristic of a Sad-guru is
that he is the abode of peace. He is never restless nor ruffled.
He has no pride of his learning. The poor and the rich, the small
and the great, are the same to him.
Hemadpant thinks that on account of the store or
accumulation of merits in his past births, he had the good fortune
of meeting and being blessed by such a Sad-guru as Sai Baba. Even
in full youth He hoarded nothing (expect perhaps chillim). He had
no family, no friend, no home, nor any support. Since He was
eighteen, His control of mind was perfect and extra-ordinary. He
lived then fearless in a secluded place and always abided in His
Self. Seeing the pure attachment of His devotees He always acted
in their interests and hence He was in a way dependent on them.
What experiences He gave to His devotees while he was living in
flesh, are even to-day, after His Mahasamadhi, obtained now by
those who attach themselves to Him. What the devotees have to do
is this - They have to trim their heart-lamp of faith and
devotion, and burn in it wicks of love, and when this is done, the
flame of knowledge (self-realization) will be lit up and shine
brighter. Mere knowledge without love is dry; nobody wants such
knowledge. Without love there is no contentment; so we should have
unbroken and unbounded love. How can we praise love? Everything is
insignificant before it. Without love our reading, hearing and the
study are of no avail. In the wake of love follow devotion,
dispassion, peace and liberation with all their treasures. We do
not get love for anything unless we feel earnestly about it. So
where there is real yearning and feeling, God manifests Himself.
It includes love and is the means of liberation.
Now let us revert to the main story of this
chapter. Let a man go to a true saint with a pure mind, otherwise
(fraudulently) and hold his feet; ultimately he is sure to be
saved. This is illustrated by the following stories.
Mr.Shevade
M r. Sapatneker of Akkalkot (Sholapur
District) was studying for law. A co-student Mr.Shevade met him.
Other fellow students also gathered together and compared notes of
their study. It was found by the questions and answers amongst
themselves, that Mr.Shevade was the least prepared of all for the
examination, and therefore all the students derided him. But he
said that though he was not prepared, he was sure to pass the
examination, as his Sai Baba was there to get him through it
successfully. Mr.Sapatnekar was surprised at this remark. He took
Mr.Shevade aside and asked him who this Sai Baba was whom he
extolled so high. He replied - "There lives in a Masjid in
Shirdi (Ahmednagar District) a fakir. He is a great Sat-purusha.
There may be other saints, but this is unique. Unless there is a
great store of merits on one's account, one can't see Him. I fully
believe in Him, and what He says will be never untrue. He has
assured me that I will pass definitely next year and I am
confident that I will get through the final examination also with
His grace." Mr.Sapatneker laughed at his friend's confidence and
jeered at him and Baba.
Sapatnekars
M r.Sapatnekar passed his examination,
settled at Akkalkot and practised as a pleader there. Ten years
after this, i.e., in 1913 he lost his only son on account of a
throat disease. This broke his heart. He sought relief by making a
pilgrimage to Pandharpur, Ganagapur and other holy places. He got
no peace of mind. Then he read Vedanta, which also did not help
him. In the meanwhile he remembered Mr.Shevade's remarks and his
faith in Baba, and he thought that he too should go to Shirdi and
see Baba. He went to Shirdi with his younger brother Panditrao and
was much pleased to see Baba from a distance. When he went near
and prostrated himself and placed a coconut before Baba with pure
feeling (devotion), the latter at once cried out "Get away."
Saptnekar hung down his head, moved back and sat aside. He wanted
to consult somebody who would advise him how to proceed. Somebody
mentioned Bala Shimpi's name. Sapatnekar saw him and sought his
help. They bought Baba's photos and came with them to the Masjid.
Baba Shimpi took a photo in his hand, gave it to Baba and asked
him whose photo it was. Baba said that this photo was the 'Yara'
(Lover) of him, pointing to Sapatnekar. Saying this Baba laughed
and all others joined. Bala asked Baba the significance of the
laugh and beckoned Sapatnekar to come forward and take darshan.
When Saptnakar began to prostrate himself, Baba again cried
"Get out." Sapatnekar did not know what to do. Then they both
joined their hands and sat before Baba, praying. Baba finally
ordered sapatnekar to clear out immediately. Both were sad and
dejected. As Baba's order had to be obeyed, Sapatnekar left Shirdi
with a heavy heart praying that he should be allowed to take
darshan next time.
Mrs.Saptnekar
O ne year elapsed. Still his mind was not at
peace. He went to Gangapur, where he felt more restless. Then he
went to Madhegaon for rest and finally decided to go to Kashi. Two
days before starting, his wife got a vision. In her dream she was
going with a pitcher to Lakadsha's well. There a fakir with a
piece of cloth round his head, who was sitting at the foot of the
Neem tree, came close to her and said - "My dear lassie, why
get exhausted for nothing? I get your pitcher filled with pure
water." She was afraid of the fakir and hastened back with the
empty pitcher. The fakir followed her. At this she was awakened
and opened her eyes. She told this vision to her husband. They
thought that this was an auspicious sign and they both left for
Shirdi. When they reached the Masjid, Baba was absent. He had gone
to Lendi. They waited till His return. When He returned, she was
surprised to see that the fakir she saw in her vision, resembled
exactly Baba. She reverentially prostrated herself before Baba and
sat looking at him. Seeing her humility Baba was much pleased and
began to tell a story in his peculiar characteristic fashion to a
third party. He said - "My arms, abdomen and waist are paining
for a long time. I took many medicines, the pains did not abate. I
got sick of the medicines as they gave me no relief, but I am
surprised to see now that all the pains have disappeared at once."
Though no name was mentioned it was the story of Mrs.Sapatnekar
herself. Her pains, as described by Baba, left her soon and she
was happy.
Then Mr.Sapatnekar went ahead to take darshan. He
was again welcomed with the former "Get out." This time he was
more penitent and persevering. He said that Baba's displeasure was
due to his past deeds and resolved to make amends for the same. He
determined to see Baba alone and ask his pardon for his past
actions. This he did. He placed his head on Baba's feet and Baba
placed His hand on it and Sapatnekar sat stroking Baba's leg. Then
a shepherdess came and sat massaging Baba's waist. Baba in his
characteristic way began to tell the story of a bania. He related
the various vicissitudes of all his life, including the death of
his only son. Sapatnekar was surprised to see that the story which
Baba related was his own, and he wondered how Baba knew every
detail of it. He came to know that He was omniscient and knew the
hearts of all. When this thought crossed hismind, Baba still
addressing the shepherdess and pointing to Sapatnekar said -
"This fellow blames Me and charges Me with killing his son. Do
I kill people's children? Why does this fellow come to the Masjid
and cry? Now I will do this I will again bring that very child
back in his wife's womb." WIth these words He placed His blessing
and 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.
Then he made preparations of worship and naivedya
and came with his wife to the Masjid. He offered all this to Baba
daily and accepted prasad from Him. There was a crowd in the
Masjid and Sapatnekar went there and saluted Baba again and again.
Seeing heads clashing against heads Baba said to Sapatnekar -
"Oh, why do you prostrate yourself now and then? The one
Namaskar offered with love and humility is enough." Then
Sapatnekar witnessed that night the chavadi procession described
before. In that procession Baba looked like a veritable Pandurang
(Vithal).
At parting next day, Sapatnekar thought that he
should first pay one rupee as dakshina and if Baba asked again,
instead of saying no, he should pay one more, reserving with him
sufficient amount as expenses for the journey. When he went to the
Masjid and offered one rupee, Baba asked for another as per his
intention and when it was paid, Baba blessed him him saying -
"Take the coconut, put it in your wife's oti (upper fold of
her sari), and go away at ease without the least anxiety." He did
so, and within a year a son was born to him and with an infant of
8 months the pair came to Shirdi, placed it at Baba's feet and
prayed thus - "Oh, Sainath, we do not know how to redeem Your
obligations, therefore we prostrate ourselves before You, bless us
poor helpless fellows, henceforth let Your holy feet be our sole
refuge. Many thoughts and ideas trouble us in waking and dream
states, so turn away our minds from them to Your bhajan and bless
us."
The son was named Murlidhar. Two others (Bhaskar
and Dinkar) were born afterwards. The Sapatnekar pair thus
realized that Baba's words were never untrue and unfulfilled, but
turned out literally true.
Bow to Shri sai - Peace be to all
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Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter XLIX
S tories of (1) Hari Kanoba - (2) Somadeva
Swami - (3) Nanasaheb Chandorkar.
Preliminary
T he Vedas and the Puranas cannot
sufficiently praise (describe) Brahma or Sad-guru; then how can
we, who are ignorant, describe our Sad-guru Shri Sai Baba? We
think that it is better for us to keep quiet in this matter. In
reality the observance of the vow of silence is the best way of
praising the Sad-guru; but the good qualities of Sai Baba make us
forget our vow of silence and inspire us to open our mouth. Good
dishes taste flat if there be no company of friends and relations
to partake of the dishes with us, but when they join us, the
dishes acquire additional flavour. The same is the case with the
Sai Leelamrit - the nectar in the form of Sai's leelas. This
nectar we cannot partake alone. Friends and brothers have to join
us - the more the better.
It is Sai Baba Himself that inspires these stories
and gets them written as He desires. Our duty is to surrender
completely to Him and meditate on Him. Practising penance is
better than pilgrimage, vow, sacrifice, and charity. Worshipping
Hari (Lord) is better than penance, and meditation on the Sad-guru
is the best of all. We have, therefore, to chant Sai's name by
mouth, think over His sayings in our mind, meditate on His form,
feel real love for Him in our heart and do all our actions for His
sake. There is no better means than this for snapping the bondage
of samsar. If we can do our duty on our part as stated above, Sai
is bound to help and liberate us. Now we revert to the stories of
this chapter.
Hari Kanoba
A gentleman of Bombay named Hari Kanoba
heard from his friends and relations many Leelas of Baba. He did
not believe in them as he was a doutbing Thomas. He wanted to test
Baba himself. So he came to Shirdi with some Bombay friends. He
wore a lace-bordered turban on his head and a new pair of sandals
on his feet. Seeing Baba from a distance he thought of going to
Him and prostrating himself before Him. He did not know what to do
with his new sandals. Still going to some corner outside in the
open courtyard, he placed them there and went in the Masjid and
took Baba's darshan. He made a reverential bow to Baba, took udi
and prasad from Baba and returned. When he reached the corner he
found that his sandals had disappeared. He searched for them in
vain and returned to his lodging very much dejected.
He bathed, offered worship and naivedya and sat
for meals, but all the while he was thinking about nothing but his
sandals. After finishing his meals, he came out to wash his hands
when he saw a Maratha boy coming towards him. He had in his hand a
stick, on the top of which was suspended a pair of new sandals. He
said to the men who had come out to wash their hands that Baba
sent him with this stick in hand and asked him to go on the
streets crying - "Hari Ka Beta. Jari Ka Pheta" and told him
that "If anybody claims these sandals, first assure yourself
that his name is Hari and that he is the son of Ka, i.e., Kanoba,
and that he wears a lace-bordered turban and then give them to
him." Hearing this, Hari Kanoba was pleasantly surprised. He went
ahead to the boy and claimed the sandals as his own. He said to
the boy that his name was Hari and that he was the son of Ka
(Kanoba) and showed him his lace-bordered turban. The boy was
satisfied and returned the sandals to him. Hari Kanoba wondered in
his mind saying that his lace-bordered turban was visible to all
and Baba might have seen it, but how could he know his name Hari
and that he was the son of Kanoba, as this was his first trip to
Shirdi. He came there with the sole object of testing Baba and
with no other motive. He came to know by this incident that Baba
was a great Satpurush. He got what he wanted and returned home
well-pleased.
Somadeva Swami
N ow hear the story of another man who came
to try Baba. Bhaiji, brother of Kakasaheb Dixit was staying at
Nagpur. When he had gone to the Himalayas in 1906 A.D., he made an
acquaintance with one Somadeva Swami of Haradwar at Uttarkashi
down the Gangotri valley. Both took down each other's names in
their diaries. Five years afterwards Somadeva Swami came to Nagpur
and was Bhaiji's guest. There he was pleased to hear the Leelas of
Baba and a strong desire arose in his mind to go to Shirdi and see
Him. He got a letter of introduction from Bhaiji and left for
Shirdi. After passing Manmad and Kopergaon, he took a tanga and
drove to Shirdi. As he came near Shirdi he saw two high flags
floating over the Masjid in Shirdi. Generally we find different
ways of behaviour, different modes of living and different outward
paraphernalia with different saints. But these outward signs
should never be our standards to judge the worth of the saints.
But with Somadeva Swami it was different. As soon as he saw the
flags flying, he thought - "Why should a saint take a liking
for the flags, does this denote sainthood? It implies the saint's
hankering after fame." Thinking thus he wished to cancel his
Shirdi trip and said to his fellow travellers that he would go
back. They said to him - "Then why did you come so long? If
your mind gets restless by the sight of the flags, how much more
agitated would you be on seeing in Shirdi the Ratha (car), the
palanquin, the horse and all other paraphernalia?" The Swami got
more confounded and said - "Not a few such Sadhus, with
horses, palanquins and tom-toms have I seen and it is better for
me to return than see such Sadhus." Saying this he started to
return. The fellow-travellers pressed him not to do so, but to
proceed. They asked him to stop his crooked way of thinking
and told him that the Sadhu, i.e., Baba did not care a bit for the
flags and other paraphernalia, nor for fame. It was the people,
His devotees that kept up all this paraphernalia out of love and
devotion to Him. Finally he was persuaded to continue his journey,
go to Shirdi and see Baba. When he went and saw Baba from the
courtyard, he was melted inside, his eyes were full of tears, his
throat was choked and all his evil and crooked thoughts vanished.
He remembered his Guru's saying that - 'that is our abode and
place of rest where the mind is most pleased and charmed.' He
wished to roll himself in the dust of Baba's Feet and when he
approached Baba, the latter got wild and cried aloud - "Let
all our humbug (paraphernalia) be with us, you go back to your
home, beware if you come back to this Masjid. Why take the darshan
of one who flies a flag over his Masjid? Is this a sign of
sainthood? Remain here not a moment." The Swami was taken aback by
surprise. He realized that Baba read his heart and spoke it out.
How omniscient He was! He knew that he was least intelligent and
that Baba was noble and pure. He saw Baba embracing somebody,
touching someone with his hand, comforting others, staring kindly
at some, laughing at others, giving udi prasad to some and thus
pleasing and satisfying all. Why should he alone be dealt with so
harshly? Thinking seriously he came to realize that Baba's conduct
responded exactly to his inner thought and that he should take a
lesson from this and improve; and that Baba's wrath was a blessing
in disguise. It is needless to say that later on, his faith in
Baba was confirmed and he became a staunch devotee of Baba.
Nanasaheb Chandorkar
H emadpant concludes this chapter with a
story of Nanasaheb Chandorkar. When Nanasaheb was once sitting in
the Masjid with Mhalasapati and others, a Mahomedan gentlemen from
Bijapur came with his family to see Baba. Seeing gosha (veiled)
ladies with him, Nanasaheb wanted to go away, but Baba prevented
him from doing so. The ladies came and took the darshan of Baba.
When one of the ladies removed her veil in saluting Baba's feet
and then resumed it again, Nanasaheb, who saw her face, was so
much smitten with her rare beauty that he wished to see her face
again. Knowing Nana's restlessness of mind, Baba spoke to him
after the lady had left the place as follows - "Nana, why are
you getting agitated in vain? Let the senses do their allotted
work, or duty, we should not meddle with their work. God has
created this beautiful world and it is our duty to appreciate its
beauty. The mind will get steady and calm slowly and gradually.
When the front door was open, why go by the back one? When the
heart is pure, there is no difficulty, whatsoever. Why should one
be afraid of any one if there be no evil thought in us? The eyes
may do their work, why should you feel shy and tottering?"
Shama was there and he could not follow the
meaning of what Baba said. So he asked Nana about this on their
way home. Nana told him about his restlessness at the sight of the
beautiful lady, how Baba knew it and advised him about it. Nana
explained Baba's meaning as follows - "That our mind is fickle
by nature, it should not be allowed to get wild. The senses may
get restless, the body, however, should be held in check and not
allowed to be impatient. Senses run after objects, but we should
not follow them and crave for their objects. By slow and gradual
practice retlessness can be conquered. We should not be swayed by
the senses, but they cannot be completely controlled. We should
curb them rightly and properly according to the need of the
occasion. Beauty is the subject of sight; we should fearlessly
look at the beauty of objects. There is no room for shyness or
fear. Only we should never entertain evil thoughts. Making the
mind desireless, observe God's works of beauty. In this way the
senses will be easily and naturally controlled and even in
enjoying objects you will be reminded of God. If the outer senses
are not held in check and if the mind be allowed to run after
objects and be attached to them, our cycle of births and deaths
will not come to an end. Objects of sense are things harmful. With
Viveka (discrimination) as our charioteer, we will control the
mind and will not allow the senses to go astray. With such a
charioteer we reach the Vishnu-pada, the final abode, our real
Home from which there is no return."
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
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Shri Sai Satcharitra
Chapter L
S tories of (1) Kakasaheb Dixit (2) Shri
Tembye Swami (3)Balaram Dhurandhar.
Chapter 50 of the original Satcharita has been
incorporated in Chapter 39, as it dealt with the same subject
matter. Now, Chapter 51 of the Satcharita has been treated here as
Chapter 50. This Chapter gives the stories of (1) Kakasaheb Dixit
(2) Shri Tembye Swami (3) Balaram Dhurandhar.
Preliminary
V ictory be unto Sai Who is the main-stay of
the Bhaktas, Who is our Sadguru, Who expounds the meaning of the
Gita and Who gives us all powers. Oh Sai, look favourably on us
and bless us all.
The sandal-wood trees, grow on the Malaya
mountains and ward off heat. The clouds, pour their rain-water and
thereby, cool and refresh all the people. The flowers, blossom in
the spring and, enable us to worship God, therewith. So the
stories of Sai Baba come forth, in order to give solace and
comfort to the readers. Both, those, who tell; and those who hear
the stories of Baba, are blessed and holy, as also the mouths of
the former and the ears of the latter.
It is well-established fact, that though we try
hundreds of means or sadhanas, we do not attain the spiritual goal
of life, unless a Sadguru blesses us with his grace. Hear the
following story in illustration of this statement
Kakasaheb Dixit (1864-1926)
Mr. Hari Sitaram alias Kakasaheb Dixit was born in
1864 A.D., in a Vadnagara Nagar - Brahmin-family, at Khandwa(C.P).
His primary education was done at Khandwa, Hinganghat, and
secondary education at Nagpur. He came to Bombay for higher
eduaction and studied first in the Wilson College and then in the
Elphinstone College. After graduation in 1883 A.D., he passed his
LL.B. and solicitor's examination; and then served in the firm of
the Govt. Solicitors, Messrs Little and Co., and then, after
sometime started a solicitors' firm of his own.
Before 1909 A.D., Sai Baba's name was not familiar
to Kakasaheb, but after that he soon becomes His great devotees.
While he was staying at Lonavla, he happened to see his old
friend. Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar. Both spent some time, in talking
about many things. Kakasaheb described to him, how when he was
boarding a train in London, he met with an accident, in which his
foot slipped and was injured. Hundreds of remedies gave him no
relief. Nanasaheb then told him that if he wished to get rid of
the pain and lameness of his leg, he should go to his Sadguru-Sai
Baba. He also gave him all the particulars of Sai Baba and
mentioned to him Sai Baba's dictum "I draw to Me My man fram far
off, or even across the seven seas, like a sparrow with a string
fastened to its feet." He also made it clear to him that if he be
not Baba's man, he would not be attracted to Him and given a
darshan. Kakasaheb was pleased to hear all this, and said to
Nanasaheb that he would go to Baba, see Him and pray to Him to
cure not so much his lame leg, but bring round his lame, fickle
mind and give him eternal Bliss.
Some time after, Kakasaheb went to Ahmednagar; and
stayed with sirdar Kakasaheb Mirikar in connection with securing
votes for a seat, in the Bombay Legislative Council. Mr. Balasaheb
Mirikar, son of Kakasaheb Mirikar, who was a Mamalatdar of
Kopergaon, also came at that time to Ahmendnagar in connection
with a Horse-Exhibition there. After the election business was
over, Kakasaheb Dixit wanted to go to Shirdi and both the
Mirikars, father and son were also thinking in their house about a
fit and proper person, as a guide, with whom he should be sent
there. There Sai Baba was arranging things for his reception.
Shama got a telegram from his father-in-law at Ahemdnagar, stating
that his wife was seriously ill, and that he should come to see
her with his wife. Shama with Baba's permission went there, and
saw his mother-in-law and found her improving and better.
Nanasaheb Panshe and Appasaheb Gadre happened to see Shama, on
their way to the Exhibition Dixit there and take him to Shirdi
along with him. Kakasaheb Dixit and the Mirikars were also
informed of Shama's arrival. In the evening Shama came to
Mirikars, who introduced him to Kakasaheb. They arranged that
Shama should leave for Kopergaon with Kakasaheb by the 10 O'Clock
night train. After this was settled, a curious thing happened.
Balasaheb Mirikar threw aside the veil or covering on Baba's big
portrait and showed the same to Kakasaheb. He was surprised to see
that He, Whom he was going to meet at Shirdi, was already there in
the form of His portrait to greet him, at this juncture. He was
much moved and made his prostration before the portarit. This
portrait belonged to Megha. The glass over it was broken and it
was sent to Mirikars for repairs. The necessary repairs had been
already made; and it was decided to return the portarit with
Kakasaheb and Shama.
Before ten O'Clock, they went to the station and
booked their passage; but when the train arrived, they found that
the second class was overcrowded; and then there was no room for
them. Fortunately, the guard of the train turned out to be an
acquaintance of Kakasaheb; and he put them up in the first class.
Thus they travelled comfortably and alighted at Kopergaon. Their
joy knew no bounds when they saw there Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who
was also bound for Shirdi. Kakasaheb and Nanasaheb embraced each
other, and then after bathing in the sacred Godavari river they
started for Shirdi. After coming there and getting Baba's darshan,
Kakasaheb's mind was melted, his eyes were full of tears and he
was overflowing with joy. Baba said to him, that he also was
waiting for him; and had sent Shama ahead to receive him.
Kakasaheb then passed many happy years in Baba's
company. He buit a Wada in Shirdi which he made as his, more or
less, permanent home. The experiences he got from Baba are so
manifold, that it is not possible to relate them all here. The
readers are advised to read a special (Kakasaheb Dixit) No. of
'Shri Sai Leela' magazine, Vol 12, No. 6-9. we close this account
with the mention of one fact only. Baba had comforted hi by saying
that in the end "He will take him in air coach (Viman)", (i.e.,
secure him a happy death). This came out true. On the 5th of July
1926 A.D., he was travelling in the train with Hemadpant and
talking about Sai Baba. He seemed deeply engrossed in Sai Baba.
All of a sudden he threw his neck on Hemadpant's shoulder, and
breathed his last with no trace of pain and uneasiness.
Shri Tembye Swami
We come to the next story, which shows how Saints
love aech other with fraternal affection. Once Shri Vasudevanand
Saraswati, known as Shri Tembye Swami encamped, at Rajamahendri
(Andhra Country), on the banks of Godavari. He was a devout,
orthodox, Jnani and Yogi Bhakta of the God Dattatreya. One, Mr.
Pundalikrao, pleader of Nanded (Nizam State) went to see him, with
some friends. While they were talking with him, the names of
Shirdi and Sai Baba were casually mentioned. Hearing Baba's name,
the Swami bowed with his hands; and taking a coconut gave it to
Pundalikrao, and said to him, "Offer this to my brother Sai, with
my pranam and request Him not to forget me, but ever love me." He
also added that the Swamis do not generally bow to others, but in
this case an exception had to be made. Mr. Pundalikrao consented
to take the fruit and his message to Baba. The Swami was right in
calling Baba a brother, for as he maintained an Agnihotra (Sacred
fire) day and night, in his orthodox fashion; Baba too kept His
Agnihotra, i.e., Dhuni ever burning in the Masjid.
After one month Pundalikrao and others left for
Shirdi with the coconut, and reached Manmad, and as they felt
thirsty they went to a rivulet for drinking water. As water should
not be drunk on an empty stomach, they took out some refreshments,
i.e., Chivda (flattened rice mixed with spice). The Chivda tasted
pungent and in order to soften it, some one suggested and broke
the coconut and mixed its scrapings with it. Thusthey made the
Chivda mare tasty and palatable. Unfortunately the fruit broken,
turned out to be the same, that was entrusted to Pundalikrao. As
they neared Shirdi, Pundalikrao remembered the trust, i.e., the
coconut and was very sorry to learn that it was broken and
utilized. Fearing and trembling, he came to Shirdi and saw Baba.
Baba had already received a wireless message, regarding the
coconut, from the Tembye Swami, ad Himself asked Pundalikrao first
to give the things sent by His brother. He held fast Baba's Feet,
confessed his guilt and negligence, repented and asked for Baba's
pardon. He offered to give another fruit as a substitute, but Baba
refused to accept it saying that the worth of that coconut was by
far, many times more, than an ordinary one and that it could not
be replaced by another one. Baba also added- "Now you need not
worry yourself any more about the matter. It was on account of my
wish that the coconut was entrusted to you, and ultimately broken
on the way; why should you take the responsibility of the actions
on you? Do not entertain the sense of doership in doing good, as
well as for bad deeds; be entirely prideless and egoless in all
things and thus your spiritual progress will be rapid." What a
beautiful spiritual instruction Baba gave!
Balaram Dhurandhar (1878-1925)
Mr. Balaram Dhurandhar belonged to the Pathare
Prabhu community, of Santacruz, Bombay. He was an advocate of the
Bombay High Court and sometime Principal of the Governament Law
School, Bombay. The whole Dhurandhar family was pious and
religious. Mr. Balaram served his community, and wrote and
published an account of it. He then turned his attention to
spiritual and religious matters. He studied carefully Gita, and
its commentary Jnaneshwari; and other philosiphical and other
metaphysical works. He was a devotee of Vithoba of Pandharpur. he
came in contact with Sai Baba in 1912 A.D.. Six months previous,
his brothers Babulji and Vamanrao came to Shirdi and took Baba's
darshan. They returned home, and mentioned their sweet experiences
to Balaram and other members. Then they all decided to see Sai
Baba. Before they came to Shirdi, Baba declared openly that -
"To-day many of my Darbar people are coming." The Dhurandhar
brothers were astonished to hear this remark of Baba, from others;
as they had not given any previous intimation of their trip. All
the other people prostrated themselves before Baba, and sat
talking to Him. Baba said to them- "These are my Darbar people to
whom I referred before" and said to the Dhurandhar brothers- "We
are acquainted with each other for the last sixty generations."
All the brothers were meek and modest, they stood with joined
hands, staring at Baba's Feet. All the Sattwic emotions such as
tears, horripilation, choking, etc., moved them and they were all
happy. Then they went to their lodging, took their meals and after
taking a little rest again came to the Masjid. Balaram sat near
Baba, messaging His Legs. Baba Who was smoking a chillam advanced
it towards him and beckoned him to smoke it. Balaram was not
accustomed to smoking, still he accepted the pipe, smoked it with
great difficulty; and returned it reverentially with a bow. This
was the most auspicious moment for Balaram. He was suffering from
Asthma for six years. This smoke completely cured him of the
disease, which never troubled him again. Some six years later, on
a particular day, he again got an attack of Asthma. This was
precisely the time when Baba took his Mahasamadhi.
The day of this visit was a Thursday; and the
Dhurandhar brothers had the good fortune of witnessing the
Chavadi, Balaram saw the lusture of pandurang on Baba's face and
next morning at the Kakad-Arti time, the same phenomenon - the
same lusture of his Beloved Deity- Pandurang was visible again on
Baba's face.
Mr. Balaram Dhurandhar wrote, in Marathi, the life
of the Maharashtra Saint Tukaram, but did not survive to see its
publication. It was published, later on, by his brothers in 1928.
In a short note on Balaram's life given in the beginning of the
book, the above account of Balaram's visit has been fully
corroborated therein (Vide page 6 of the book).
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Back to Index
Epilogue
W e have done with Chapter 51 and now we
come to the last Chapter (No. 52 in the original). In this
Hemadpant gave his concluding remarks and promised to give an
index, giving the contents of all the Chapters in verse as is
given in Marathi sacred books, but unfortunately that index was
not found in Hemabdpant's papers. It was therefore, composed and
supplied by an able and worthy devotee of Sai Baba, Mr. B.V. Deo
(Retired Mamlatdar) of Thana. As we give in English books an index
in the beginning and contents of each Chapter at its top, we need
not consider the last index Chapter here; and so we consider this
Chapter as the Epilogue. Unfortunately Hemadpant did not survive
to revise the manuscript of this Chapter and made it ready for the
press. When it was sent to the press Mr. Deo found it to be
incomplete and unintelligible in certain places; but it had to be
published as it was found. The chief topics dealt therein are
briefly given below.
Greatness of Sad-guru Sai
W e prostrate ourselves before and take
refuge in that Sai Samarth Who besets all animate and inanimate
things in the universe-from a post to God Brahma, pots, houses,
mansions and even sky, Who pervades all creatures equally without
any differentiation, to Whom all devotees are alike; and Who knows
not honour and dishonour, like or dislike. If we remember Him and
surrender to Him, He fulfills all our desires and makes us attain
the goal of life.
This ocean of mundane existence is very hard to
cross. Waves of infatuation beat high there against the bank of
bad thoughts and break down trees of fortitude. The breeze of
egoism blows forcibly and makes the ocean rough and agitated.
Crocodiles in the form of anger and hatred move there fearlessly.
Eddies in the form of the idea "I and Mine" and other doubts whirl
there inecessantly and innumerable fishes in the form of censure,
hate and jealousy play there, Though this ocean is so fierce and
terrible, Sad-guru Sai is its Agasti (Destroyer) and the devotees
of Sai have not the least to fear of it. Our Sadguru is the boat,
which will safety take us across this ocean.
Prayer
N ow are fall flat before Sai Baba and
holding His Feet make the following prayer for the public:- Let
not our mind wander and desire anything except Thee. Let this work
(Satcharita) be in every house and let it be studied daily. Ward
off the calamities of those who study it regularly.
Fala-Shruti (Reward of Study)
N ow a few words about the reward you get,
from a study of this work. After bathing in the sacred Godavari
and after taking the darshan of the Samadhi in the Samadhi-mandir
in Shirdi, you should read or hear the Satcharita. If you do this
all your threefold afflictions will vanish. Casually thinking
about the stories of Sai, you will get unconsciously interested in
spiritual life and if you then go on through the work with love,
all your sins will be destroyed. If you wish to get rid of the
cycle of births and deaths, read Sai's stories and remember Him
always; and get yourself attached (devoted) to His Feet. If you
dive into the sea of Sai's stories, and then give them out to
others, you will get an ever-new flavour of them and save the
hearers from perdition. If you go on meditating on Sai's Form, it
will in course of time disappear and lead you into
self-realization. It is very hard to know or realize the nature of
Self or Brahma, but if you approach through the Sugun Brahma
(Sai's Form) your progress will be easy. If the devotee completely
surrenders himself to Him, he will lose his individuality and be
merged in Him and be one with Him, as the river in the sea. If you
thus become merged with Him in any of the three states, viz.,
waking, dream and sleep, you get rid of the bond of samsara. If
anybody after bathing reads this with love and faith,and completes
it within a week, his calamities will disappear; or if he hears or
reads it daily and regularly all his dangers will be warded off.
By its study, a man wishing for wealth will get it and a pure
trader, success in his life. He will get the reward according to
his faith and devotion. Without these, there will be no experience
of any kind. If you read this respectfully, Sai will be pleased,
and removing you ignorance and poverty, He will give you
knowledge, wealth and prosperity. With concentrated mind, if you
read a Chapter daily, it will give you unbounded happiness. One
who has his welfare at heart, should study it carefully and then
he will ever remember Sai gratefully and joyfully in birth after
birth. This work should be read at home specially on Guru-Pournima
(Ashadha full-moon day), Gokul-Ashtami, Rama-Navami and Dasara
(Baba's anniversary day). If you study this one book carefully,
all your desires will be satisfied and if you always remember
Sai's Feet in your heart, you will easily cross the Bhava (Samsar)
sagar. By its study, the diseased and sick will get health, the
poor wealth, the mean and afflicted prosperity, and the mind will
get rid of all ideas and get steadiness.
Dear good and devoted readers and listeners, we
also make our bow to you all, and make you a special request.
Never forget Him whose stories you have read day by day or month
by month. The more fervently you read or listen to these stories,
the more encouragement Sai gives us to serve you and be of use to
you. Both the author and the readers must co-operate in this work,
help each other and be happy.
Prasad-Yachana
W e close the with prayer to the Almighty
for the following Prasad of favour:- May the readers and devotees
get complete and whole-hearted devotion to Sai's Feet. May His
Form be ever fixed in their eyes and may they see Sai (the Lord)
in all beings. amen!
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Arati to Shri Sai Baba
O h Sai
Baba, we wave lights before You, the
bestower of happiness to the Jivas.
Give us - Your
servants and devotees rest under the dust of Your
feet. Burning (destroying) desire,
You remain absorbed in Your
Self and show the Lord
(God) to the aspirants. As one feels
intently, You give him experiences or
realizations accordingly. Oh kind-hearted,
Your power is such! Meditation
on Your name removes our fear of the samsar.
Your method of work is really unfathomable
as You always help the poor and helpless. In
this Kali age, You -
the all-pervasive Datta, have really
incarnated as Saguna Brahma.
Ward off the fear of samsar of the devotees
who come to You every Thursday
so as to enable them to see the feet of the Lord.
Oh! God of Gods, I
pray that let my treasure be the service of Your
feet. Feed Madhav and
(you should utter your name here) with happiness as the cloud
feeds the Chatak bird with pure water and
thus keep up Your Word.
Amen !
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all |