Sai Baba’s Mode of Life – His Sleeping-plank – His
Stay in Shirdi – His Teachings – His Humility –
Nanavali –The Easiest Path
Remember Him (Sai Baba) always with love, for He
was ever 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 by minute, practise this
Sadhana. 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 sincerely, we get rid of our worldly afflictions. We need
not study any philosophy, like the Nyaya and the Mimansa. 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.
In the last chapter, Baba’s mendicancy and devotees’ experiences
and other subjects are dealt with. Let the readers now read, where and
how Baba lived, how He slept and how He taught etc.
Baba’s Wonderful Bed-stead
Let us first see where and how Baba slept, Mr. Nanasaheb Dengle
brought for Sai Baba, a wooden plank, about 4 arms 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 wonder, how they could
bear or support 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, along 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 observers kept watching the process of mounting and
dismounting, but none succeeded. As crowds began to swell, so as to
detect this wonderful feat, Baba one day broke the plank into pieces and
threw it away. Baba had all the eight Maha Siddhis (powers) at His
command. He neither practised nor craved for them. They came to Him
naturally, as a result of His spiritual perfection.
Manifestation of Brahma
Though, Sai Baba looked like a man, three cubits and a half in
length, still He dwelt in the hearts of all. Inwardly, He was unattached
and indifferent but outwardly, He longed for mass welfare. Though,
inwardly, an abode of peace, He looked outwardly restless. Inwardly,
He had the state of Brahma, outwardly he seemed engrossed in the
world. Some times He looked on all with affection and at times He
threw stones at them; some times 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 ‘satka’ was a small stick, which He always carried in His hand.
He was calm and thought-free. He never cared for wealth and fame, and
lived on alms. Such a life He led. He always uttered “Allah Malik” (God
is the real owner). 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 envelopes the whole universe
(from a stone to Brahma), incarnated in Sai Baba. The really meritorious
and fortunate people got this treasure-grove in their hands, while those
people, who not knowing the real worth of Sai Baba, took Him to be a
mere human being, were indeed unfortunate.
His Stay in Shirdi and Probable Birth-date
None knew or knows the parents and the exact date of birth 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 about twenty years old. Thence, He stayed
in Shirdi for an unbroken 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.
Baba’s Mission and Advice
Saint Ramdas (1608-1681) flourished in the 17th century, and
fulfilled to a great extent his mission of protecting cows and Brahmins
against the Yavanas (Mohammedens); but within two centuries after
him, the split between the two communities – Hindus and Mohammedens
widened up and Sai Baba came to bridge that gulf. His constant advice
to all was to this effect. “Ram (the God of the Hindus) and Rahim (the
God of the Mohammedens) were one and the same; there was not the
slightest difference between them then, why should their devotees fall
out and quarrel among themselves? You ignorant folk, 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, in vain is your birth. If anyone does any evil unto you,
do not retaliate. If you can do anything, do some good unto others.”
This in short was Sai Baba’s advice to all, and this will stand us in
good stead both in material and spiritual matters.
Sai Baba as Sadguru
There are many so-called Gurus, who go about from house to
house with cymbals and Vina in their hands, and make a show of their
spirituality. They blow Mantras into the ears of their disciples and
extract money from them. They profess to teach piety and religion to
their disciples, but are themselves impious and irreligious. Sai Baba
never thought of making the least show of His worth (piety). He had
no Body-consciousness but He had great love for His disciples. There
are two kinds of Gurus (1) ‘Niyat’ (appointed or fixed) and (2) ‘Aniyat’
(unappointed or general). The latter by their advice develop the good
qualities in us, purify our hearts and set us on the path of salvation;
but contact with the former, dispels our sense of dualities (sense of
difference), and establishes us in Unity by making us realize “Thou art
that”. There are various Gurus imparting to us various kinds of worldly
knowledge but he, who fixes us in our Nature (Self) and carries us
beyond the ocean of worldly existence, is the Sadguru. Sai Baba was
such a Sadguru. His greatness is indescribable. If anybody went to take
His darshan, He, without being asked, would give every detail of his
past, present and future. He saw Divinity in all beings. Friends and foes
were alike to Him. Disinterested and balanced, He obliged the evildoers
as well as the pious. He was the same in prosperity and adversity.
No doubt ever touched Him. Though, He acted through the body He
was, not in the least, attached to His body or house. Though, He looked
embodied, He was really unembodied, i.e., free from gross existence.
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
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 rustic language. Letters of 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 by Baba's wish some
fortunate devotee may undertake the task of compiling and publishing
these folk-songs, either in the Sai Leela magazine or separately in a
book.
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)
Liberality. Baba had all these in Him. He incarnated in flesh, for the
sake of Bhaktas. Wonderful was His grace and kindness, for He drew
the devotees to Him, or how else could one have known Him. For the
sake of His Bhaktas Baba spoke such words, the Goddess of Speech
could 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 favour that I saw your feet. I am an insect in your excreta. I
consider Myself blessed thereby.” What humility is this!
Though, outwardly Baba seemed 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, envy and other feelings.
In short, He was disinterested, free and perfect. A striking instance may
be cited in illustration of this statement.
Nanavali
There was in Shirdi, a very quaint and queer fellow, by name
Nanavali. 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 had occupied. After sitting there a while Nanavali got up, and
asked Baba to resume His seat. Then, Baba sat down and Nanavali fell
at His feet. Baba did not show the slightest displeasure in being dictated
to or ousted.
This Nanavali loved Baba so much that, he breathed his last, on
the thirteenth day of Baba’s Maha-samadhi.
The Easiest Path : Hearing the stories of the saints and being in their
company
Though, Sai Baba acted outwardly like an ordinary man, His
action showed extraordinary wisdom 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”. If you did that, He said, all your
shackles would be removed and you would be free. Sitting through
five fires, sacrifices, chantings, eight-fold Yoga are possible for the
Brahmins only, they are of no use to the other classes. The function of
the mind is to think, it cannot remain without thinking for a minute. If
you give it a sense-object, it will think about it. If you give it Guru, it
will think about Guru. You have heard most attentively the grandeur
of Sai. This is the natural rememberance 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 Sansar (worldly existence) and take
you on to the spiritual path. So, listen to these stories, meditate on them
and assimilate them. You may attend to your worldly 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 the saints is very great. It removes our bodyconsciousness
and egoism, destroys completely the chain of our birth
and death, cuts asunder all the knots of the mind 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 onward 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
safely 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 Saint. It is on account of the
store of merit in past births that we have attained the feet of Sai Baba.
We conclude this chapter with meditation on Sai’s Form. He, the
graceful and handsome Sai, standing on the edge of the Masjid and
distributing Udi to each and every Bhakta, with a view to his welfare,
He, Who thinks of the world as an illusion and Who is ever engrossed
in Supreme Bliss – before Him, we humbly prostrate ourselves.
Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all
Stay in Shirdi – His Teachings – His Humility –
Nanavali –The Easiest Path
Remember Him (Sai Baba) always with love, for He
was ever 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 by minute, practise this
Sadhana. 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 sincerely, we get rid of our worldly afflictions. We need
not study any philosophy, like the Nyaya and the Mimansa. 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.
In the last chapter, Baba’s mendicancy and devotees’ experiences
and other subjects are dealt with. Let the readers now read, where and
how Baba lived, how He slept and how He taught etc.
Baba’s Wonderful Bed-stead
Let us first see where and how Baba slept, Mr. Nanasaheb Dengle
brought for Sai Baba, a wooden plank, about 4 arms 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 wonder, how they could
bear or support 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, along 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 observers kept watching the process of mounting and
dismounting, but none succeeded. As crowds began to swell, so as to
detect this wonderful feat, Baba one day broke the plank into pieces and
threw it away. Baba had all the eight Maha Siddhis (powers) at His
command. He neither practised nor craved for them. They came to Him
naturally, as a result of His spiritual perfection.
Manifestation of Brahma
Though, Sai Baba looked like a man, three cubits and a half in
length, still He dwelt in the hearts of all. Inwardly, He was unattached
and indifferent but outwardly, He longed for mass welfare. Though,
inwardly, an abode of peace, He looked outwardly restless. Inwardly,
He had the state of Brahma, outwardly he seemed engrossed in the
world. Some times He looked on all with affection and at times He
threw stones at them; some times 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 ‘satka’ was a small stick, which He always carried in His hand.
He was calm and thought-free. He never cared for wealth and fame, and
lived on alms. Such a life He led. He always uttered “Allah Malik” (God
is the real owner). 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 envelopes the whole universe
(from a stone to Brahma), incarnated in Sai Baba. The really meritorious
and fortunate people got this treasure-grove in their hands, while those
people, who not knowing the real worth of Sai Baba, took Him to be a
mere human being, were indeed unfortunate.
His Stay in Shirdi and Probable Birth-date
None knew or knows the parents and the exact date of birth 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 about twenty years old. Thence, He stayed
in Shirdi for an unbroken 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.
Baba’s Mission and Advice
Saint Ramdas (1608-1681) flourished in the 17th century, and
fulfilled to a great extent his mission of protecting cows and Brahmins
against the Yavanas (Mohammedens); but within two centuries after
him, the split between the two communities – Hindus and Mohammedens
widened up and Sai Baba came to bridge that gulf. His constant advice
to all was to this effect. “Ram (the God of the Hindus) and Rahim (the
God of the Mohammedens) were one and the same; there was not the
slightest difference between them then, why should their devotees fall
out and quarrel among themselves? You ignorant folk, 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, in vain is your birth. If anyone does any evil unto you,
do not retaliate. If you can do anything, do some good unto others.”
This in short was Sai Baba’s advice to all, and this will stand us in
good stead both in material and spiritual matters.
Sai Baba as Sadguru
There are many so-called Gurus, who go about from house to
house with cymbals and Vina in their hands, and make a show of their
spirituality. They blow Mantras into the ears of their disciples and
extract money from them. They profess to teach piety and religion to
their disciples, but are themselves impious and irreligious. Sai Baba
never thought of making the least show of His worth (piety). He had
no Body-consciousness but He had great love for His disciples. There
are two kinds of Gurus (1) ‘Niyat’ (appointed or fixed) and (2) ‘Aniyat’
(unappointed or general). The latter by their advice develop the good
qualities in us, purify our hearts and set us on the path of salvation;
but contact with the former, dispels our sense of dualities (sense of
difference), and establishes us in Unity by making us realize “Thou art
that”. There are various Gurus imparting to us various kinds of worldly
knowledge but he, who fixes us in our Nature (Self) and carries us
beyond the ocean of worldly existence, is the Sadguru. Sai Baba was
such a Sadguru. His greatness is indescribable. If anybody went to take
His darshan, He, without being asked, would give every detail of his
past, present and future. He saw Divinity in all beings. Friends and foes
were alike to Him. Disinterested and balanced, He obliged the evildoers
as well as the pious. He was the same in prosperity and adversity.
No doubt ever touched Him. Though, He acted through the body He
was, not in the least, attached to His body or house. Though, He looked
embodied, He was really unembodied, i.e., free from gross existence.
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
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 rustic language. Letters of 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 by Baba's wish some
fortunate devotee may undertake the task of compiling and publishing
these folk-songs, either in the Sai Leela magazine or separately in a
book.
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)
Liberality. Baba had all these in Him. He incarnated in flesh, for the
sake of Bhaktas. Wonderful was His grace and kindness, for He drew
the devotees to Him, or how else could one have known Him. For the
sake of His Bhaktas Baba spoke such words, the Goddess of Speech
could 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 favour that I saw your feet. I am an insect in your excreta. I
consider Myself blessed thereby.” What humility is this!
Though, outwardly Baba seemed 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, envy and other feelings.
In short, He was disinterested, free and perfect. A striking instance may
be cited in illustration of this statement.
Nanavali
There was in Shirdi, a very quaint and queer fellow, by name
Nanavali. 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 had occupied. After sitting there a while Nanavali got up, and
asked Baba to resume His seat. Then, Baba sat down and Nanavali fell
at His feet. Baba did not show the slightest displeasure in being dictated
to or ousted.
This Nanavali loved Baba so much that, he breathed his last, on
the thirteenth day of Baba’s Maha-samadhi.
The Easiest Path : Hearing the stories of the saints and being in their
company
Though, Sai Baba acted outwardly like an ordinary man, His
action showed extraordinary wisdom 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”. If you did that, He said, all your
shackles would be removed and you would be free. Sitting through
five fires, sacrifices, chantings, eight-fold Yoga are possible for the
Brahmins only, they are of no use to the other classes. The function of
the mind is to think, it cannot remain without thinking for a minute. If
you give it a sense-object, it will think about it. If you give it Guru, it
will think about Guru. You have heard most attentively the grandeur
of Sai. This is the natural rememberance 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 Sansar (worldly existence) and take
you on to the spiritual path. So, listen to these stories, meditate on them
and assimilate them. You may attend to your worldly 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 the saints is very great. It removes our bodyconsciousness
and egoism, destroys completely the chain of our birth
and death, cuts asunder all the knots of the mind 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 onward 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
safely 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 Saint. It is on account of the
store of merit in past births that we have attained the feet of Sai Baba.
We conclude this chapter with meditation on Sai’s Form. He, the
graceful and handsome Sai, standing on the edge of the Masjid and
distributing Udi to each and every Bhakta, with a view to his welfare,
He, Who thinks of the world as an illusion and Who is ever engrossed
in Supreme Bliss – before Him, we humbly prostrate ourselves.
Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all
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