Warding off Devotee’s Calamities
Story of (1) Shevade (2) Sapatneker
At the commencement of this chapter, someone asked
Hemadpant, whether Sai Baba was a Guru or Sadguru.
In order to answer the question Hemadpant describes the signs or
marks of a Sadguru as follows :
Signs of Sadguru
He, who teaches us Ved 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 lengthy gross
knowledge, explains beautifully the Ultimate Principle; but has himself
got no experience or self-realization, is not a Sadguru. 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 Sadguru. How can he, who is himself devoid of selfrealization,
give it to the disciples? A Sadguru does not, ever 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 Sadguru 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 Sadguru as Sai Baba. Even in full youth, He
hoarded nothing (except Chillim perhaps). 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 fearlessly in secluded places
and always abided in His Self. On seeing the pure attachment of His
devotees, He always acted in their interests, and hence, He was in a
way dependent on them. What experience He gave to His devotees,
while he was living in flesh, are felt even to-day, after His Mahasamadhi,
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 bright. 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
come 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 God manifests Himself. It includes love
and it is the means of liberation.
Now, let us revert to the main story of this chapter. A man should
go to a true saint with a pure mind or even otherwise (fraudulently),
and hold his feet; ultimately, he is sure to be saved. This is illustrated
by the following stories.
Mr. Shevade
Mr. Sapatnekar of Akkalkot (Solapur district) was studying law.
A co-student Mr. Shevade met him. Other fellow students also got
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 is whom he
extolled so high.” He replied, “There lives in a masjid in Shirdi
(Ahmednagar district) a Fakir. He is a great Satpurush. There may be
other saints, but this one 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 never be untrue. He has assured me that, I will pass
definitely next year and I am confident that I will get through the final
examination by His grace.” Mr. Sapatnekar laughed at his friend’s
confidence and jeered at him and Baba. Later when Shevade passed his
exams successfully, it made Sapatnekar quite surprised.
Sapatnekars
Mr. 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, Gangapur 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 feeling
of devotion, the latter at once, cried out “Get away!” Sapatnekar 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. Bala Shimpi
took a photo in his hand, gave it to Baba and asked him, whose photo
it was. Baba said that this photo was of the ‘Yaar’ (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 Sapatnekar 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. Sapatnekar
One 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 Lakkad
Shah’s well. There, a Fakir, with a piece of cloth tied around his head,
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 woke up 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, exactly resembled Baba. She reverentially prostrated
herself before Baba and sat down looking at him. On seeing her humility,
Baba was much pleased and began to tell a story in His peculiar
characteristic manner to a third party. He said, “My arms, abdomen
and waist have been 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. He placed his head
on Baba’s Feet, and Baba placed His hand on him, and Sapatnekar sat
stroking Baba’s Leg. Then, a shepherdess came and sat massaging
Baba’s back. 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 understand that He was Omniscient, and
knew the hearts of all. When this thought crossed his mind, Baba still
addressing the shepherdess and pointing to Sapatnekar said, “This
fellow blames Me and charges Me with the killing of 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 hand on his head
and comforted him saying, “These Feet are old and holy, you are carefree
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 for worship and Naivaidya and came
with his wife to the Masjid. He offered all this to Baba and accepted
Prasad from Him. There was a crowd in the Masjid and Sapatnekar
went there and saluted Baba again and again. On seeing heads clashing
against heads, Baba said to Sapatnekar, “Oh, why do you prostrate
yourself now and then? One Namaskar offered with love and humility
is enough.” Then, Sapatnekar witnessed that night the Chavadi
procession, described earlier. In that procession Baba looked like veritable
Pandurang (Vitthal).
At the 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 saying, “Take the coconut, put it in your wife’s
Oti (upper fold of her sari), and go away 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 couple came to Shirdi, placed him at Baba’s Feet and
prayed thus, “Oh, Sainath, we do not know, how to repay 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 couple thus realized that, Baba’s
words were never untrue and unfulfilled.
Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all
