Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 24

Baba’s Wit and Humour – Chana Leela (1)
Hemadpant (2) Sudama (3) Anna Chinchanikar vs.
Maushibai

Preliminary

Unless we surrender our ego to the feet of our Sadguru, we will
not succeed in our undertaking. If we become egoless, then, our success
is assured.
By worshipping Sai Baba, we attain both the objects – worldly and
spiritual, and are fixed in our true nature and get peace and happiness.
Therefore, those who want to accomplish or gain their welfare, should
respectfully hear Sai Baba’s Leelas or stories, and meditate on them. If
they do this, they will easily attain the object of their life and get bliss.
Generally, all people like wit and humour but they do not like that
jokes should be cut at their expense. But Baba’s method was peculiar;
when it was accompanied with good gestures, it was very interesting
and instructive, and the people therefore did not mind, even if they were
held up to the ridicule. Hemadpant gives his own instance below.

Chana Leela

In Shirdi, a special bazaar was held every Sunday and people
from the neighbouring villages came there, erected booths and stalls in
the open street and sold their wares and commodities. Every noon the
Masjid was crowded, but on Sunday, it was crowded to suffocation. On
one such Sunday Hemadpant sat in front of Baba, shampooing His
Legs and muttering God’s name. Shama was on Baba’s left, Vamanrao
to His right. Shriman Buti and Kakasaheb Dixit and others were also
present there. Then Shama laughed and said to Annasaheb, “See that
some grains seem to have stuck to the sleeve of your coat!” So saying
he touched the sleeve and found that, there were some grains. Hemadpant
straightened his left fore-arm to see what the matter was, and to the
surprise of all, some grains of gram came rolling down and were picked
up by the people, who were sitting there.
This incident furnished a subject-matter for joke. Everybody present
began to wonder and said something or other, as to how the grains
found their way into the sleeve of the coat and lodged there so long.
Hemadpant also could not guess. When nobody could give any
satisfactory explanation in this matter, and everybody was wondering
about this mystery, Baba said as follows :
“This fellow (Annasaheb) has got the bad habit of eating alone.
Today is a bazaar-day and he came here chewing grams. I know, his
habit and these grams are a proof of it. What wonder is there, in this
matter?”
Hemadpant, “Baba, I never know of eating things alone; then,
why do You shoulder this bad habit on me? I have never yet seen Shirdi
bazaar. I never went to the bazaar today, then how could I buy grams
and how could I eat them if I had not bought them? I never eat anything
unless I share it with others present around me at the time of my
meals.”
Baba, “It is true that, you give to the persons present but if none
be near-by, what could you or I do? But do you remember Me before
eating? Am I not always with you? Then do you offer Me anything
before you eat?”

Moral

Let us mark and note carefully, what Baba has taught us by this
incident. He has advised us that, before the senses, mind and intellect
enjoy their objects, first He should be remembered, and if this be done,
it is in a way by making an offering to Him. The senses etc. can never
remain without their objects, but if those objects are first offered to the
Guru, the attachment for them will naturally vanish. In this way, all the
Vrittis (subtle thoughts) regarding desire, anger, avarice etc. should first
be offered and directed to the Guru, and if this practice be followed, the
Lord will help you in eradicating all the Vrittis. When before enjoyment
of the objects, you think that Baba is present, the question, whether the
object is fit to be enjoyed or not, will at once arise. Then the object, that
is not fit to be enjoyed, will be shunned and in this way our vicious
habits or vices will disappear, and our character will improve. Then
love for the Guru will grow and pure knowledge will sprout up. When
this knowledge grows, the bondage of body-consciousness (we are the
body) will snap and our intellect will be merged in spirit-consciousness
(we are the spirit). Then we shall get bliss and contentment. There is no
difference between Guru and God. He who sees any difference in them,
finds God nowhere. So leaving aside all ideas of difference, we should
regard Guru and God as one; and if we serve our Guru, as stated above,
God will be certainly pleased and by purifying our minds will give us
self-realization. To put the matter in a nut-shell, we should not enjoy
any object with our senses etc., without first remembering our Guru.
When the mind is trained in this way, we will be always reminded of
Baba and our meditation on Baba will grow apace. The Sagun Form of
Baba will ever be before our eyes and then, devotion, non-attachment
and salvation will all be ours. When Baba’s Form is thus fixed before
our mental vision, we forget hunger, thirst and this Sansar (world), the
consciousness of worldly pleasures will disappear and our mind shall
attain peace and happiness.

Sudama’s Story

When the above story was being narrated, Hemadpant was
reminded of a similar story of Sudama, which illustrates the same
principle and therefore, it is given here.
Shri Krishna and His elder brother, Balaram, were living with a
co-student, named Sudama, in the ashram of their Guru, Sandipani.
Once Krishna and Balaram were sent to the forest for bringing fuel.
Then the wife of Sandipani sent Sudama also for the same purpose,
with some quantity of grams for the three. When Krishna met Sudama
in the forest, he said to him, “Dada, I want water, as I am thirsty.”
Sudama replied, “No water should be drunk on an empty stomach so,
it is better to rest a while.” He did not say that he had got grams with
him and that Krishna should take some. As Krishna was tired, He lay
down for rest on the lap of Sudama and was soon snoring. On seeing
this, Sudama took out the grams and began to eat. Then Krishna suddenly
asked him, “Dada, what are you eating, what is this chitter-chatter
sound?”. He replied, “What is there to eat? I am shivering with cold
and my teeth are chattering. I can’t even repeat Vishnu-sahasra-naam.”
Hearing this, the Omniscient Krishna said, “I just had a dream, in
which I saw a man eating things of another, and when asked about
this, he said, “What dust should he eat”, meaning thereby that he had
nothing to eat? The other man said, “Let it be so.” Dada, this is only
a dream. I know that you won’t eat anything without Me, under the
influence of the dream I asked you what you were eating?” If Sudama
had known the Omniscient Shri Krishna and His Leelas, he would not
have acted as he did. Therefore, he had to suffer for what he did.
Though he was a chum of Shri Krishna, he had to pass his later life in
utter poverty. But when he later offered Krishna a handful of parched
rice, earned by his wife with her own labour, Krishna was pleased and
gave him a golden estate to enjoy. This story should be remembered by
those, who have the habit of eating things alone, without partaking
them with others.
The Shruti also emphasizes this lesson, and asks us to offer things
first to God and then enjoy them, after they are renounced by Him. Baba
also has taught us the same lesson in His inimitable and humorous
way.

Anna Chinchanikar vs. Maushibai

Hemadpant now describes another witty incident, in which Baba
played a peace-maker’s part. There was one devotee by name Damodar
Ghanashyam Babare, alias Anna Chinchanikar. He was simple, rustic
and straightforward. He cared for nobody, always spoke plainly and
carried all dealings in cash. Though he looked outwardly harsh and
uncompromising, he was goodnatured and guileless. So Sai Baba loved
him. He has willed away all his property to Shri Sai Baba Sansthan,
Shirdi. One day like others, serving Baba in their own way, this Anna
was shampooing the left arm of Baba, which rested on the Kathada
(railing). On the right side, one old widow named Venubai Koujalgi,
whom Baba called ‘mother’ and all others called Maushibai, was
serving Baba in her own way. This Maushibai was an elderly woman
of pure heart. She clasped the fingers of both her hands round the trunk
of Baba and was at this time massaging Baba’s abdomen. She did this
so forcibly that Baba’s back and abdomen became flat and Baba moved
from side to side. Anna on the other side was steady but Maushibai’s
face moved up and down with her strokes. Once it so happened that,
her face came very close to Anna’s. Being of a witty disposition she
remarked, “Oh, this Anna is a lewd fellow, he wants to kiss me. Even
being so old with grey hair, he feels no shame in kissing me.” These
words enraged Anna and he pulled up his sleeves and said, “You say
that I am an old bad fellow, am I quite a fool? It is you who has picked
up a quarrel with me.” All the persons present there were enjoying this
encounter between them. Baba Who loved both of them equally and
wanted to pacify them, managed the affair very skillfully. Lovingly He
said, “Oh Anna, why are you unnecessarily raising this hue and cry?
I do not understand what harm or impropriety is there, when the
mother is kissed?” Hearing these words of Baba, both of them were
satisfied, and all the persons laughed merrily and enjoyed Baba’s wit
to their heart’s content.

Baba’s Characteristics – His Dependency on Bhaktas

Baba allowed His devotees to serve Him in their own way and did
not like any other persons interfering in this. To quote an instance, the
same Maushibai was, on another occasion kneading Baba’s abdomen.
Seeing the force used by her, all other devotees felt nervous and anxious.
They said, “Oh mother be more considerate and moderate, otherwise
you will break Baba’s arteries and nerves.” At this Baba got up at once
from His seat and dashed His Satka on the ground. He got enraged and
His eyes became red like a live embers. None dared to stand before
Baba. Then He took hold of one end of the Satka with both hands and
pressed it in the hollow of His abdomen. The other end He fixed to the
post and began to press His abdomen against it. The Satka which was
about two or three feet in length, seemed all ready to go into the
abdomen and the people feared that, the abdomen would be ruptured
in a short time. The post was fixed and immovable and Baba began to
go closer and closer to it, and clasped the post firmly. Every moment the
rupture was expected and they were all dismayed, did not know what
to do and stood dumb with wonder and fear. The other devotees wanted
only to give a hint to the Maushibai to be moderate in her service and
not cause any trouble or pain to Baba. They were surprised to see that,
their well-intentioned effort had resulted in this crisis, and they could
do nothing but to wait and watch. Fortunately, Baba’s rage soon cooled
down. He left the Satka and resumed His seat. From this time onward
the devotees took the lesson that, they should not meddle with anybody
but allow him to serve Baba as he chooses, as He was capable to gauge
the merits and worth of the service rendered unto Him.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 23

Yoga and Onion – Shama cured of Snake-bite –
Cholera Ordinance broken – Ordeal of Guru-bhakti

Preliminary

In Reality this Jiva (human soul) transcends the three
qualities, viz. Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas; but being deluded by Maya, he
forgets his nature which is ‘Pure Consciousness-knowledge-bliss’ and
thinks that, he is the doer and thus, entangles himself in endless miseries,
and does not know the way of deliverance. The only way of deliverance
is the loving devotion towards the Guru’s feet. The great Player or
Actor, Lord Sai, has delighted His Bhaktas and transformed them into
Himself (His nature).
We regard Sai Baba as an Incarnation of God, for reasons already
stated but He always said that, He was an obedient servant of God.
Though an Incarnation, He showed people the way to behave
satisfactorily and to carry out the duties of their respective stations
(Varnas) in this life. He never emulated others in any way, nor asked
others to have something done for Him. For Him Who saw the God in
all movable and immovable things of this world, humility was the
virtue. None, He disregarded or disrespected, for He saw Narayan
(Lord) in all beings, He never said, “I am God;” but that, He was a
humble servant, and He always remembered Him and always uttered,
“Allah Malik” (God is the Sole Proprietor or Owner).
We do not know the various kinds of saints, how they behave,
what they do etc. We only know that, by God’s grace they manifest
themselves in this world, to liberate the ignorant and bound souls. If
there be any store of merits in our account, we get a desire or interest,
in listening to the stories and Leelas of the saints, otherwise not. Let us
now turn to the main stories of this chapter.

Yoga and Onion

Once it so happened that, a Sadhak of Yoga came to Shirdi with
Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He had studied all the works on Yoga,
including the Yoga-sutras of Patanjali, but had no practical experience.
He could not concentrate his mind and attain Samadhi even for a short
time. He thought that if Sai Baba will be pleased with him, He will
show him, the way to attain Samadhi, for a longer time. With this object
in view, he came to Shirdi and when he went to the Masjid he saw Sai
Baba eating chapati with onion. On seeing this, a thought crossed his
mind : ‘How can this man, eating stale bread with raw onion, solve my
difficulties and help me?’ Sai Baba read his mind and said to Nanasaheb,
“Oh Nana, he, who has the power to digest onion, should eat it and
none else,” Hearing this remark, the yogi was wonder-struck and, he
fell at Baba’s Feet with complete surrender. With pure and open mind,
he asked his difficulties and got their solution from Baba. Thus, being
satisfied and happy, he left Shirdi with Baba’s Udi and blessings.

Shama cured of Snake-bite

Before Hemadpant begins the story, he says about the Jiva that it
can be very well compared with a parrot, and that they both are bound,
the one in the body and the other in a cage. Both think that, their present
bound state is good for them. It is only when a helper, i.e. Guru comes
and by God’s grace opens their eyes and liberates them from their
bondage, that, their eyes are opened to a greater and larger life, compared
to which, their former bound and limited life is nothing.
In the last chapter, it was shown, how Baba anticipated the
calamity, that was to befall on Mr. Mirikar and rescued him from it.
Now let the readers hear a story more interesting than this. Once Shama
was bitten by a poisonous snake. His little finger was bitten and the
poison began to spread in the body. The pain was also severe and
Shama thought that, he would pass away soon. His friends wanted to
take him to the God Vithoba, where such cases were often sent but
Shama ran to the Masjid to his Vithoba (Sai Baba). When Baba saw him,
He began to scold and abuse. He got enraged and said, “Oh vile
Bhaturdya (Priest) do not climb up. Beware if you do so!” and then,
roared, “Go, Get away, Come down!” Seeing Baba thus, red with wrath,
Shama was greatly puzzled and disappointed. He thought that the
Masjid was his home and Sai Baba his Sole Refuge, but if he was driven
away like this, where should he go? He lost all hopes of life and kept
silent. After a while, when Baba became normal and calm, Shama went
up and sat near him. Then Baba said to him, “Don’t be afriad, don’t
care a jot (a small amount), the Merciful Fakir will save you, go and sit
quiet at home, don’t go out, believe in Me and remain fearless and have
no anxiety”. Then he was sent home. Immediately afterwards, Baba sent
Tatya Patil and Kakasaheb Dixit to him with instructions to the effect,
that he should eat what he liked, should move around in the house; but
should in no case lie down and sleep. Needless to say, that these
instructions were acted upon and Shama got all right in a short time.
The only thing to be remembered in this connection is this – the words
of Baba (or the five syllabled Mantra, viz. ‘Go, Get away, Come down’)
were not addressed to Shama, as it apparently looked, but they were a
direct order to the snake and its poison not to rise up and circulate
through Shama’s body. Like others well-versed in Mantrashastra, He
had not to use any incantation, charged rice or water etc, His words
only were most efficacious in saving the life of Shama.
Any one, hearing this story and other similar ones, will beget firm
faith in the Feet of Sai Baba, and the only way to cross the ocean of
Maya is to remember the Feet of Baba, in the heart.

Cholera Epidemic

Once, cholera was raging virulently in Shirdi. The residents were
much frightened and they stopped all communication with the outside
people. The Panch of the village assembled together and decided upon
two ordinances, as a remedy to check and put down the epidemic. They
were (1) No fuel-cart should be allowed to come in the village and (2)
No goat should be killed there. If anybody disobeyed these ordinances,
they were to be fined by the village-authorities and Panch. Baba knew
that all this was mere superstition and therefore, He cared a damn for
the cholera-ordinances. While the ordinances were in force, a fuel-cart
came there and wanted to enter the village. Everybody knew that there
was dearth or scarcity of fuel in the village, still the people began to
drive away the fuelcart. Baba came to know of this. He came to the spot
and asked the cartman to take the fuel-cart to the Masjid. None dared
to raise his voice against this action of Baba. He wanted fuel for His
Dhuni and so He purchased it. Like an Agnihotri keeping his sacred
fire alive, throughout his life, Baba kept His Dhuni ever burning, all day
and night; and for this He always stocked the fuel. Baba’s home, i.e. the
Masjid was free and open to all. It had no lock and key and some poor
people removed some wood from there for their use. Baba did not
grumble about this. Baba saw that the whole universe was pervaded by
the Almighty and so, He never bore enmity or ill-will to anybody.
Though perfectly detached He behaved like an ordinary house-holder,
to set an example to the people.

Ordeal of Guru-bhakti

Let us now see, how the second cholera-ordinance fared with
Baba. While it was in force, somebody brought a goat to the Masjid. It
was weak, old and about to die. At this time Fakir Pir Mohammad of
Malegaon, alias Bade Baba, was near. Sai Baba asked him to behead it
with one stroke and offer it as an oblation. This Bade Baba was much
respected by Sai Baba. He always sat on the right side of Sai Baba. After
the chillim (pipe) was first smoked by him, it was then offered to Baba
and others. After the dishes were served, at the time of taking meals at
noon, Baba called Bade Baba and made him sit on His left side and then
all partook of food. Baba paid him also daily Rs. 50/-, out of the amount
collected as Dakshina. Baba accompanied him hundred steps, whenever
he went away from the Masjid. Such was his position with Baba. But,
when Baba asked him to behead the goat, he flatly refused, saying,
“Why it should be killed for nothing?” Then, Baba asked Shama to kill
it. He went to Radhakrishnamai and brought a knife from her and
placed it before Baba. Knowing the purpose for which the knife was
taken, she recalled it. Then Shama went to bring another knife but
stayed in the Wada and did not return soon. Then came the turn of
Kakasaheb Dixit. He was ‘gold’ not doubt but had to be tested. Baba
asked him to get a knife and kill the goat. He went to the Sathe’s Wada
and returned with a knife. He was ready to kill it at Baba’s bidding. He
was born in a pure Brahmin family and never in his life knew killing.
Though quite averse to do any act of violence, still, he made himself
bold to kill the goat. All the people wondered to see that, while Bade
Baba, a Mohammeden was unwilling to kill it but this Brahmin was
making preparations to do so. He tightened his Dhotar and with a
semicircular motion raised his hand with the knife and looked at Baba
for the final signal. Baba said, “What are you thinking of? Go on,
strike!” Then when the hand was just about to come down, Baba said,
“Stop, how cruel you are! Being a Brahmin, you are killing a goat?”
Kakasaheb obeyed and kept the knife down and said to Baba, “Your
word is law unto us, we do not know any other ordinance. We remember
You always, meditate on Your Form and obey You day and night, we
do not know or consider whether it is right or wrong to kill, we do not
want to reason or discuss things, but implicit and prompt compliance
with Guru’s orders, is our duty and Dharma.”
Then Baba said to Kakasaheb that He would Himself do the
offering and killing business. It was settled that, the goat should be
disposed off near a place called Takiya, where Fakirs used to sit. Then,
when the goat was being taken to that place, it fell dead on the way.
Hemadpant closes the chapter with a classification of disciples.
He says that they are of three kinds : (1) First or best (2) Second or
average and (3) Third or ordinary. The best kind of disciples are those,
who guess, what their Gurus want and immediately carry it out and
serve them, without waiting for an order from them. The average disciples
are those, who carry out the orders of their masters to a letter, without
any delay, and the third kind of disciples are those, who go on
postponing the carrying out of their order and make mistakes at every
step.
The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence,
and if they add patience to these, their spiritual goal will not be distant.
Control of breath-ingoing and outgoing, or Hath-Yoga or other difficult
practices, are not at all necessary. When the disciples get the abovementioned
qualities, they become ready for further instructions and the
masters then appear and lead them on, in their spiritual path to
perfection.
In the next chapter we deal with Baba’s interesting wit and humour.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 22

Rescues from Serpent-bites (1) Balasaheb Mirikar (2)
Bapusaheb Buti (3) Amir Shakkar (4) Hemadpant –
Baba’s Opinion regarding Killing of Serpents

Preliminary

How to meditate on Baba? No one has been able to fathom the
nature or the form of Almighty. Even the Vedas and the thousandtongued
Shesha are not able to describe it fully, the devotees also
cannot know but only look at the form of the Lord, for they know that,
His Feet are their only refuge. They know no other method of attaining
the supreme goal of life, except meditating on the Holy Feet. Hemadpant
suggests an easy way of devotion and meditation as follows :
As the dark fortnight of every month wears out gradually, the
moonlight also wanes in the same degree and on the newmoon day, we
do not see the moon at all. Therefore, when the bright fortnight begins,
people are very anxious to see the moon. On the first day the moon is
not seen and on the second day she emerges as a thin crescent. Then
the people are asked to see the moon through the opening, between the
two branches of a tree; and when they begin to see through this aperture
eagerly, the distant small crescent of the moon comes to their sight.
Following this instance, let us see Baba’s form. Look at Baba’s posture,
how fine it is! He is sitting with His legs folded, the right leg held across
the left knee. The fingers of His left hand are spread on the right foot.
On the toe are spread His two fingers – the index and middle ones. By
this posture Baba seems to say – if you want to see My true form, be
egoless and most humble, and meditate on My toe through the opening
between – index and middle fingers – and then you will be able to see
My Light.
Now let us turn to Baba’s life. Shirdi had become a place of
pilgrimage, on account of Baba’s stay there. People from all quarters
began to flock there and both the rich and the poor, began to be benefitted
in more ways than one. Who can describe Baba’s boundless love and
His wonderful knowledge and His all-pervasiveness? Blessed is he,
who could experience these. Some times Baba observed long silence,
which was in a way, His dissertation on Brahma; at other times, He
was Pure Consciousness – Bliss Incarnate, surrounded by His devotees.
Some times He spoke in parables and at other times, indulged in wit
and humour. At times He was quite calm and at times He seemed
enraged. Some times He gave His teachings in a nut-shell, at other
times, He argued at length. Many a time, He was very direct. In this way
He gave varied instructions to many, according to their requirements.
His life was therefore, inscrutable, beyond the ken of our mind, intellect
and speech. Our longing to see His face, to talk with Him and hear His
Leelas, was never satisfied, still we were overflowing with joy. We can
gauge the showers of rain, capture the wind in a leather bag but who
can measure His Leelas? Now, we deal here with one aspect of them,
viz. how He anticipated or forestalled the calamities of His devotees
and warned them in time.

Balasaheb Mirikar

Balasaheb Mirikar, son of Sardar Kakasaheb Mirikar, was
Mamlatdar of Kopergaon. He was going on tour to Chitali. On the way
he came to Shirdi, to see Sai Baba. When he went to the Masjid and
prostrated himself before Baba, the usual conversation, regarding health
and other matters commenced, when Baba sounded a note of warning,
“Do you know our Dwarakamai?” As Balasaheb did not understand,
he kept quiet Baba continued, “This is our Dwarakamai, where you are
sitting. She wards off all dangers and anxieties of the children, who sit
on her lap. This Masjidmai (its presiding Deity) is very merciful, she is
the merciful mother of the simple devotees, whom she will save in
calamities. Once a person sits on her lap, all his troubles are over. He
who rests in her shade, gets Bliss.” Then Baba gave him Udi and placed
His hand on his head. When Balasaheb was about to depart, He again
said, “Do you know the ‘Lamba Baba’ (long gentleman), viz. serpent?”
And then, closing the left fist He brought it under the right elbow and
moving His left arm like the hood of a serpent, said, “He is so terrible,
but what can he do to the children of Dwarakamai! When the
Dwarakamai (its presiding Deity) protects, what can the serpent do?”
All who were present there, were curious to know the meaning of
all this and its reference to Mirikar, but none had the courage to ask
Baba about this. Then Balasaheb saluted Baba and left the Masjid with
Shama. Baba called Shama back, and asked him to accompany Balasaheb
and enjoy the Chitali trip. Shama came to Balasaheb and told him that
he would go with him, according to Baba’s wish. Balasaheb replied that
he need not come, as it would be inconvenient. Shama returned to Baba
and told Him what Balasaheb said to him. Baba said, “Alright, do not
go. We should mean well and do well. Whatever is destined to happen,
will happen.”
1. According to the Hinduism, the earth rests on the head of the Serpent Sheshnag,
Who has 1000 heads.
In the meanwhile, Balasaheb thought it over again and calling
Shama, asked him to accompany him. Then Shama went again to Baba
and after taking His leave started with Balasaheb in the tonga. They
reached Chitali at 9 P.M. and encamped in the Maruti temple. The
office-people had not come so they sat in the temple, talking and
chitchating. Balasaheb was sitting on a mat, reading a newspaper. His
Uparani (upper Dhotar) was spread across his waist and on it a snake
was sitting unnoticed. It began to move with a hissing sound, which
was heard by the peon. He brougt a lantern, saw the snake and raised
an alarm, “serpent, serpent.” Balasaheb was frightened and began to
quiver. Shama was also stunned. Then, he and others moved quietly
and took sticks and clubs in their hands. The snake slowly came down
the waist and moved away from Balasaheb and it was immediately
done to death. Thus this calamity, which was prophesied by Baba, was
averted and Balasaheb’s devotion in Baba was confirmed.

Bapusaheb Buti

A great astrologer, named Nanasaheb Dengle, told Bapusaheb
Buti, who was then in Shirdi, “Today is an inauspicious day for you,
there is danger to your life.” This made Bapusaheb restless. When they
as usual came to Masjid, Baba said to Bapusaheb, “What does this
Nana say? He foretells death for you. Well, you need not be afraid. Tell
him, “Let us see, how death kills.” Then, later in the evening Bapusaheb
went to his privy, for easing himself, where he saw a snake. His servant
saw it and lifted a stone to strike at it. Bapusaheb asked him to get a
big stick, but before the servant returned with the stick, the snake was
seen moving away and soon disappeared. Bapusaheb remembered
Baba’s words of fearlessness.

Amir Shakkar

Amir Shakkar was a native of the village Korhale, in Kopergaon
Taluka. He belonged to the butcher caste. He worked as a commission
agent in Bandra (Mumbai) and was well-known there. He once suffered
from rheumatism, which gave him much pain. He then remembered
Allah (God), left his business and went to Shirdi and prayed to Baba
to relieve him from his malady. Baba then stationed him in the Chavadi.
The Chavadi was then a damp unhealthy place, unfit for such a patient.
Any other place in the village or Korhale itself would have been better
for Amir, but Baba’s word was the command the chief medicine. Baba
did not allow him to come to the Masjid, but fixed him in the Chavadi
every morning and evening; every alternate day Baba went to the
Chavadi in a procession and slept there, so, Amir got Baba’s contact
very often. Amir stayed there for full nine months and then, he got a
disgust for the place. So one night he stealthily left the place and came
to Kopergaon and stayed in a dharmashala. There he saw an old dying
Fakir, who asked him for water. Amir brought it and gave it to him. As
soon as he drank it, he passed away. Now Amir was in a fix. He
thought that, if he went and informed the authorities, he would be held
responsible for the death, as he was the first and sole informant and
knew something about it. He repented for his action, viz. leaving Shirdi
without Baba’s permission and prayed to Baba. He then determined to
return to Shirdi and same night he retreated, remembering and muttering
Baba’s name all the way and reached Shirdi before day-break, and
became free from anxiety. Then he lived in the Chavadi in perfect
accordance with Baba’s wishes and orders, and got himself cured. One
night it so happened that, Baba cried at midnight. “Oh Abdul, some
devilish creature is dashing against the side of my bed.” Abdul came
with a lantern, examined Baba’s bed but found nothing. Baba asked
him to examine carefully all the place and began to strike the ground
with His Satka. Seeing this Leela of Baba, Amir thought that, Baba
might have suspected some serpent there. Amir could know by close
contact with Baba, the meaning of His words and actions. Baba then
saw near Amir’s cushion, something moving. He asked Abdul to bring
in the light and when he brought it, he saw the serpent coiled up there,
moving its head up and down. Thereupon, the serpent was immediately
beaten to death. Thus, Baba gave timely warning and saved Amir’s life.

Hemadpant (Scorpion and Serpent)

(1) At Baba’s recommendation Kaksaheb Dixit was daily reading
the two works of Shri Eknath Maharaj, viz. Bhagwat and Bhavartha
Ramayan and Hemadpant had the good fortune to be one of the
audience, when the reading of the works was going on. Once, when a
portion from the Ramayan relating to Hanuman’s testing Rama’s
greatness according to his mother’s instructions, was being read, all the
listeners were spell-bound. Hemadpant was one of them. A big scorpion
(none knew, where it came from), jumped and sat on the right shoulder
of Hemadpant, on his Uparani (upper Dhotar). First it was not noticed,
but as the Lord protects those who are intent on hearing His stories, he
casually cast a glance over his right shoulder and noticed it. It was
dead silence not a bit moving here or there. It seemed as if, it also
enjoyed the reading. Then by the Lord’s grace, Hemandpant, without
disturbing the audience, took the two ends of his Dhotar, folded them
and brought them together enclosing the scorpion within. Then he went
out and threw it in the garden. (2) On another occasion, some persons
were sitting in the upper floor of Kakasaheb’s Wada, just before nightfall,
when a serpent crept through a hole in the window-frame and sat
coiled up. A light was brought. Though it was first dazzled, yet it sat
still and moved its head up and down. Then many persons rushed
there with sticks and cudgels, but as it sat in an awkward place, no
blow could be dealt. But hearing the noises of men, the serpent went out
hastily through the same hole. Then all the persons present there felt
relieved.

Baba’s Opinion

One devotee, named Muktaram, then said that it was good that the
poor creature escaped. Hemadpant challenged him, saying that serpents
should better be killed. There was a hot discussion between them – the
former contending that serpents and such creatures, should not be
killed, the latter that they should be. As night came on, the discussion
came to an end without any decision being arrived at. Next day, the
question was referred to Baba, Who gave His settled opinion as follows,
“God lives in all beings and creatures, whether they be serpents or
scorpions. He is the Great Wirepuller of the world, and all beings,
serpents, scorpions etc. obey His command! Unless He wills it nobody
can do any harm to others. The world is all dependent on Him and no
one is independent. So we should take pity and love all creatures, leave
off killings and be patient. The Lord (God) is the Protector of all.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 21

Stories of (1) V.H. Thakur (2) Anantrao Patankar
and (3) Pandharpur Pleader

In this chapter, Hemadpant relates the stories of
Vinayak Harishchandra Thakur, B.A., Anantrao
Patankar of Poona and a pleader from Pandharpur. All
these stories are very interesting, which, if very carefully read and
grasped, will lead the readers on to the spiritual path.

Preliminary

It is a general rule that, it is our good luck in the form of
accumulation of merits of past births, that enables us to seek the company
of saints and benefit thereby. As an illustration of this rule, Hemadpant
gives his own instance. He was a resident magistrate of Bandra, a
suburb of Mumbai, for many years. A famous Mohammeden saint,
named Pir Moulana, was living there and many Hindus, Parsis and
many others, who followed different religion used to go to him and take
his darshan. His Mujavar (priest), by name Yunus, pressed Hemadpant
many a time, for going to see him; but for one reason or the other, he
was not able to see him. After many years, his turn came and he was
called to Shirdi, where he was permanently enrolled in Sai Baba’s
Darbar. Unfortunate fellows do not get such contact of the saints. It is
only the fortunate ones that get it.

Institution of Saints

There have been institutions of saints in this world, from time
immemorial. Various saints appear (incarnate) themselves in various
places to carry out the missions allotted to them, but though they work
in different places they are, as it were one. They work in unison under
the common authority of the Almighty Lord, and know fully well, what
each of them is doing in his place and supplement his work where
necessary. An instance illustrating this is given below.

Mr. Thakur

Mr. V.H. Thakur, B.A., was a clerk in the Revenue Department
and he once came to a town, named Vadgaon, near Belgaon (South
Mysore country) along with a survey party. There he saw a Kanarese
saint (Appa) and bowed before him. The saint was explaining a portion
from the book ‘Vichar Sagar’ of Nischal Das (a standard work on
Vedanta) to the audience. When Thakur was taking his leave to go he
said to him, “You should study this book and if you do so, your desires
will be fulfilled and when you go to the north in the discharge of your
duties in future, you will come across a great Saint by your fortune,
and then he will show you the future path and give rest to your mind
and make you happy.”
Then he was transferred to Junnar, where he had to go by crossing
Nhane Ghat. This Ghat was very steep and difficult, and no other
conveyance, other than a buffalo, was of use in crossing it. So he had
to take a buffalo-ride through the Ghat, which was much inconvenient
to him. Thence he was transferred on promotion to Kalyan and there,
he got acquainted with Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He heard much about
Sai Baba from him and wished to see Him. Next day, Nanasaheb had
to go to Shirdi and he asked Thakur to accompany him. He could not
do so, as he had to attend the Thana Civil Court for a civil case. So
Nanasaheb went alone. Thakur went to Thana, but there the case was
postponed. Then he repented for not accompanying Nanasaheb. Still
he left for Shirdi and when he reached there, he found that Nanasaheb
had left the place the previous day. Some of his other friends, whom
he met there, took him to Baba. He saw Baba, fell at His Feet and was
overjoyed. His eyes were full of tears and his hair stood on end. Then
after a while, the omniscient Baba said to him, “The path of this place
is not so easy as the teachings of the Kanarese saint Appa, or even as
the buffalo-ride in the Nhane Ghat. In this spiritual path you have to
put in your best exertion, it is very difficult.” When Thakur heard these
significant words, which only he knew, he was overwhelmed with joy.
He came to know that, the word of the Kanarese saint had turned true.
Then joining both hands and placing his head on Baba’s Feet, he
prayed that, he should be accepted and blessed. Then, Baba said,
“What Appa told you was all right but these things have to be practised
and lived. Mere reading won’t do. You have to think and carry out
what you read, otherwise it is of no use. Mere book-learning, without
the grace of the Guru and self-realization is of no avail.” The theoretical
portion was read from the work ‘Vichar Sagar’ by Thakur but the
practical way was shown to him at Shirdi. Another story given below,
will bring out this truth more forcibly.

Anantrao Patankar

One gentleman from Poona by name Anantrao Patankar, wished
to see Baba. He came to Shirdi and took Baba’s darshan. His eyes were
satisfied and he was much pleased. He fell at Baba’s Feet and after
performing proper worship said to Baba, “I have read a lot, studied
Vedas, Vedants and Upanishads, and heard all the Puranas but still,
I have not got any peace of mind so I think all my reading was useless.
Simple ignorant devout persons are better than myself. Unless the mind
becomes calm, book learning is of no avail. I have heard from many
people that, You easily give peace of mind to so many people by Your
mere glance and potent word so I have come here, please take pity on
me and bless me.” Then Baba told him a parable, which was as follows :

Parable of Nine Balls of Stool (Nava-vidha Bhakti)

‘Once a merchant came here. Before him a mare passed her stool
(nine balls of stool). The merchant intent on his quest, spread the end
of his Dhotar and gathered all the nine balls in it, and thus he got
concentration (peace) of mind.’
Mr. Patankar could not make out the meaning of this story so, he
asked Ganesh Damodar alias Dada Kelkar, “What does Baba mean by
this?” He replied, “I too do not know all that Baba says and means but
at His inspiration I say what I come to know. The mare is God’s grace
and the nine balls excreted are the nine forms or types of Bhakti, viz.
(1) Shravan (hearing); (2) Kirtan (praying); (3) Smaran (remembering);
(4) Padasevan (resorting to the feet); (5) Archan (worship); (6) Namaskar
(bowing); (7) Dasya (service); (8) Sakhyam (friendship); (9) Atmanivedan
(surrender of the self). These are the nine types of Bhakti. If any of these
is faithfully followed, Lord Hari will be pleased and manifest Himself
in the home of the devotee. All the Sadhanas, viz. Japa (vocal worship),
Tapa (penance), Yoga practice and studying the scriptures and
expounding them are quite useless, unless they are accompanied by
Bhakti, i.e. devotion. Knowledge of the Vedas or fame as a great Dnyani
and mere formal Bhajan (worship) are of no avail. What is wanted is
full devotion. Consider yourself as the merchant or seeker after the
truth, and be anxious and eager like him to collect or cultivate the nine
types of devotion. Then, you will attain stability and peace of mind.”
Next day when Patankar went to Baba for salutation, he was
asked whether he collected the ‘nine balls of stool.’ Then he said that
he being a poor fellow, should first be graced by Baba and he would
be able to collect them. Then Baba blessed and comforted him, saying
that he would attain peace and welfare. After hearing this, Patankar
became overjoyed and happy.

The Pandharpur Pleader

We shall close this chapter with a short story showing Baba’s
omniscience and His using it for correcting people and setting them on
the right path. Once a pleader from Pandharpur came to Shirdi, went
to the Masjid, saw Sai Baba, fell at His Feet and without being asked
offered some Dakshina and sat in a corner, eager to hear the talk, that
was going on. Then Baba turned His face towards him and said, “How
cunning the people are! They fall at the Feet, offer Dakshina, but abuse
behind me. Is it not amazing?” This cap (remark) fitted the pleader and
he had to wear (take) it. None understood the remark. The pleader
grasped it but kept silent. When they returned to the Wada, the pleader
said to Kakasaheb Dixit,. “What Baba remarked was perfectly right. The
dart (remark) was aimed at me, it was a hint to me, that I should not
indulge in reviling or scandalizing others (calling names). When the
sub-judge or munsiff of Pandharpur (Mr. Noolkar) came and stayed
here for the improvement of his health, a discussion about this matter
was going on in the bar-room at Pandharpur. It was said or discussed
there, whether the ailments from which the sub-judge suffered were,
ever likely to be got rid of without medicines, by merely going after Sai
Baba, and whether it was proper for an educated man like the sub-judge
to take recourse to such methods. The sub-judge was taken to task, i.e.
he was criticised, as also Sai Baba. I also took part in this affair and
now, Sai Baba showed the impropriety of my conduct. This is not a
rebuke to me but a favour, a lesson, that I should not indulge in any
scandal or slander of others, and not interfere unnecessarily in others’
affairs.”
Shirdi is about 50 Kos (Kos = 3 miles = 4.8 km) from Pandharpur
still Baba, by His omniscience, knew what transpired there in the barroom.
The intervening places – rivers, jungles and mountains – were no
bar to His all-perceiving sight and He could see or read the hearts of
all, and there was nothing secret or veiled from Him. Everything, far or
near, was open and clear to Him as broad as daylight. Let a man be far
or near, he cannot avoid the all-pervading gaze of Sai Baba. From this
incident, the pleader took the lesson that, he should never speak ill of
others or unnecessarly criticise. Thus, his evil tendency was completely
got rid of and he was set on the right path.
Though, the story refers to a pleader, still it is applicable to all. All
should therefore, take this lesson to heart and benefit thereby.
Sai Baba’s greatness is unfathomable, so are His wonderful Leelas.
His life is also such, for He is Para-Brahma (Almighty God) Incarnate.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to All

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 20

Das Ganu’s Problem solved by Kaka’s Maid-servant
In this chapter, Hemadpant describes, how Das Ganu’s
problem was solved by Kakasaheb Dixit’s maid-servant.

Preliminary

God was originally formless. He assumed a form for the sake of
Bhaktas. With the help of Maya, He played the part of an Actor in the
big drama of the universe. Let us remember and visualize Shri Sai. Let
us go to Shirdi and see carefully the programme after the noon-Arati.
After the Arati ceremony was over, Sai used to come out of the Masjid
and standing on its edge, distribute Udi to the devotees with very kind,
gracious and loving looks. The Bhaktas also got up with equal fervour,
clasped His Feet and had the bliss of Udi. Baba passed handfuls of Udi
into the palms of the devotees and marked their foreheads with Udi
with His own hands. The love He bore for them in His heart, was
boundless. Then He addressed the Bhaktas, “Oh Bhau, go home to take
your lunch, you Anna, go to your lodgings, you Bapu, enjoy your meal”.
In this way, He accosted each and every devotee and sent them home.
Even now you can have the pleasure of these sights, if you bring into
play your imagination. Now, bringing Sai in our mental vision, let us
meditate on Him, from His Feet upwards to His face, prostrating before
Him humbly, lovingly and reverentially.

Isha Upanishad

Das Ganu once started to write a Marathi commentary on the Isha
Upanishad. Let us first give a brief idea of this Upanishad, before
proceeding further. It is called ‘Mantropanishad’, as it is embodied in
the Mantras of the Vedic Sanhita. It constitutes the last or the 40th
chapter of the Vajasaneyi Sanhita (Yajurveda) and it is therefore, called
Vajasaneyi Sanhitopanishad. Being embodied in Vedic Sanhitas, this is
regarded as superior to all other Upanishads, which are in the
Brahmanyaks and Aranyakas (explanatory treaties on Mantras and
rituals). Not only this, other Upanishads are considered to be
commentaries on the truths, mentioned briefly in the Isha Upanishad.
For instance, the biggest of the Upanishads, viz. the Brihadaranyaka
Upanishad, is considered by Pandit Satawalekar to be a running
commentary on the Isha Upanishad.
Professor R.D. Ranade says, “The Ishopanishad is quite a small
Upanishad and yet it contains many facts, which show an
extraordinarily piercing insight. Within the short compass of 18 verses
it gives a valuable mystical description of the Atma, a description of the
ideal sage who stands unruffled in the midst of temptations and sorrows,
an adumbration of the doctrine or Karma Yoga, as later formulated. The
most valuable idea, that lies at the root of the Upanishad, is that of a
logical synthesis between the two opposites of knowledge and work,
which are both required according to the Upanishad to be annulled in
a higher synthesis.” (Page 24 of the Constructive Survey of the
Upanishadic Philosophy). In another place he says that “The poetry of
the Ishopanishad is a co-mixture of moral, mystical and metaphysical
knowledge (ibid, page 41).”
From the brief description given above, about this Upanishad, one
can see how difficult it is to translate this Upanishad in a vernacular
language and bring out its exact meaning. Das Ganu translated it in
Marathi ‘Ovi’ metre, verse by verse; but as he did not comprehend the
gist or essence of the Upanishad, he was not satisfied with his
performance. On being dis-satisfied he consulted some learned men,
regarding his doubts and difficulties, and discussed it with them at
great length. They did not solve them nor did they give him any rational
and satisfactory explanation. So Das Ganu was a little restless over this
matter.

Sadguru only Competent and Qualified to Explain

As we have seen this Upanishad is the quint-essence of the Vedas.
It is the science of self-realization, it is the scythe or weapon which can
rend asunder the bondage of life and death and make us free. Therefore,
he thought that, he, who has himself attained self-realization, can only
give him the true or correct interpretation of the Upanishad. When
nobody could satisfy Das Ganu, he resolved to consult Sai Baba about
this. When he got an opportunity to go to Shirdi, he saw Sai Baba,
prostrated himself before Him, and mentioned his difficulties about the
Isha Upanishad, and requested Him to give the correct solution. Sai
Baba blessed him and said, “You need not be anxious, there is no
difficulty about the matter, the maid-servant of Kaka (Kakasaheb Dixit)
will solve your doubts at Ville Parle on your way home.” The people
who were present there and heard this, thought that Baba was joking,
and said, “How could an illiterate maid-servant solve difficulties of this
mystic nature;” but Das Ganu thought otherswise. He was sure that,
whatever Baba spoke must come true, as Baba’s word was the decree
of Brahma (Almighty).

Kaka’s Maid-servant

Fully believing Baba’s words, he left Shirdi and came to Ville Parle
(a suburb of Mumbai), and stayed with Kakasaheb Dixit. There the next
day, when Das Ganu was enjoying his morning nap (some say, when
he was engaged in worship), he heard a poor girl singing a beautiful
song in clear and melodious tone. The theme of the song was a crimson
coloured Sari, how nice it was, how fine was its embroidery, how
beautiful were its borders etc. He liked the song so much that he came
out and saw that, it was being sung by a young girl, the sister of
Namya, who was a servant of Kakasaheb. The girl was cleaning vessels
and had only a torn rag on her person. On seeing her impoverished
condition and her happy temperament, Das Ganu felt pity for her; and
when Rao Bahadur M.V. Pradhan, gave him a pair of Dhotars the next
day, he requested him to give a Sari to the poor little girl also. Rao
Bahadur bought a good Chirdi (small Sari) and presented it to her. Like
a starved person getting delicious dishes to eat, her joy knew no bounds.
Next day she wore the new Sari and out of great joy and merriment,
whirled and danced around and played ‘Fugadi’ with other girls. The
following day she kept the new Sari in her box at home and came in
the old and torn rags but she looked as merry as she was the previous
day. On seeing this Das Ganu’s pity transformed into admiration. He
thought that the girl being poor, had to wear a torn rag but now she
had a new Sari, which she kept in reserve and putting on the old rag,
strutted herself, showing no trace of sorrow or dejection. Thus, he
realized that, all our feelings of pain and pleasure depend upon the
attitude of our mind. On thinking deeply over this incident he realized
that, a man ought to enjoy whatever God has bestowed on him in the
firm conviction that, He besets everything from all sides; and that,
whatever is bestowed on him by God must be for his good. In this
particular case, the impoverished condition of the poor girl, her torn rag
and the new Sari, the donor, the donee and the deal were all parts of
the Lord and pervaded by Him. Here, Das Ganu got a practical
demonstration of the lesson of the Upanishad – the lesson of contentment
with one’s own lot with the belief that whatever happens, is ordained
by God, and is ultimately good for us.

Unique Method of Teaching

From the above incident the reader will see that, Baba’s method
was unique and varied. Though Baba never left Shirdi, He sent some
to Machchindragad, some to Kolhapur or Solapur, for practising
Sadhanas. To some He appeared in His usual form, to some He appeared
in waking or dream states, day or night, and satisfied their desires. It
is impossible to describe all the methods, that Baba used in imparting
instructions to His Bhaktas. In this particular case, He sent Das Ganu
to Ville Parle, where he got his problem solved, through the maidservant.
To those who say that it was not necessary to send away Das
Ganu and that, Baba could have personally taught him; we say that
Baba followed the right or best course, or how else could Das Ganu
learn a great lesson, that the poor maid-servant and her sari were
pervaded by the Lord.
Now we close the chapter with another beautiful extract about
this Upanishad.

The Ethics of the Isha

“One of the main features of the Isha Upanishad, is the ethical
advice it offers and it is interesting to note that, the ethics of the
Upanishad are definitely based upon the metaphysical position, given
in it. The very opening words of the Upanishad tell us that, God
pervades everything. As a corollary, from this metaphysical position the
ethical advice it offers is that, a man ought to enjoy whatever God
bestows on him in the firm belief, that, as He pervades everything,
whatever is bestowed on him by God, must be good. It follows naturally
that, the Upanishad forbids us from coveting another man’s property.
In fact, we are fittingly taught here a lesson of contentment with one’s
own lot in the belief that, whatever happens, is divinely ordained and
hence, it is good for us. Another moral advice is that, man must spend
his life-time always in doing action, specifically the Karmas enjoined in
the Shastras, with resignation to His will. Inactivity, according to this
Upanishad, would be the canker of the soul. It is only when a man
spends his life-time in doing actions in this manner, that, he can hope
to attain the ideal of Naishkarmya. Finally, the text goes on to say that
a man, who sees all beings in the self and sees the self as existing in
all beings in fact, for whom all beings and everything that exists have
become the Self – how can such a man suffer infatuation? What ground
would such a man have for grief? Loathfulness, infatuation and grief
verily proceed from our not being able to see the Atma in all things. But,
a man who realizes the oneness of all things, for whom everything has
become the Self must ipso facto, cease to be affected by the common
foibles of humanity.” (Page 169-170 of The Creative Period by Messrs.
Belvalkar and Ranade).

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

Shri Sai Satchartra -- Chapter 18 & Chapter 19

How Hemadpant was accepted and blessed –
Stories of Mr. Sathe and Mrs. Deshmukh –
Encouraging Good Thoughts to Fruition – Variety in
Upadesh – Teachings regarding Slander and
remuneration for Labour

In the last two chapters Hemadpant described how a rich
gentleman, aspiring for quick Brahma-gnyan, was treated by Baba and
now in these two chapters, he describes how Hemadpant, himself, was
accepted and blessed by Baba, how Baba encouraged good thoughts
and fructified them, and His teachings regarding self-improvement,
slander and remuneration for labour.

Preliminary

It is a well-known fact that, the Sadguru looks first to the
qualification of his disciples and then gives them suitable instructions,
without unsettling their minds in the least, and leads them on towards
the goal of self-realization. In this respect some say that, what the
Sadguru teaches or instructs should not be divulged to others. They
think that their instructions, become useless if they are published. This
view is not correct. The Sadguru is like a monsoon cloud. He pours
down profusely, i.e. scatters widely his nectar-like teachings. These we
should enjoy and assimilate to our heart’s content and then, serve
others with them without any reservation. This rule should apply, not
only to what he teaches in our waking state but to the visions he gives
us in our dreams. To quote an instance, Budhakaushik Rishi published
his celebrated Ram-raksha Stotra, which he had seen in his dream.
Like a loving mother forcing bitter, but beneficial medicines down
the throats of her children for the sake of their health, Sai Baba imparted
spiritual instructions to His devotees. His method was not veiled or
secret but quite open. The devotees who followed His instructions, got
their object. Sadgurus, like Sai Baba open our (eyes of the) intellect
and show us the divine beauty of the self, and fulfil our tender
longings of devotion. When this is done our desire for sense-objects
vanishes, twin fruits of Vivek (discrimination) and Vairagya (dispassion
or non-attachment) come to our hands and knowledge sprouts up even
in the sleep. All this we get when we come in contact with saints
(Sadguru), serve them and secure their love. The Lord, Who fulfils the
desires of His devotees comes to our aid, removes our troubles and
sufferings, and makes us happy. This progress or development is entirely
due to the help of the Sadguru, who is regarded as the Lord Himself.
Therefore, we should always be after the Sadguru, hear His stories, fall
at His Feet and serve Him. Now, we come to our main story.

Mr. Sathe

There was a gentleman, named Mr. Sathe, who had attained some
publicity many years ago during Crawford Regime, which was put
down by Lord Reay, the Governor of Mumbai. He suffered severe losses
in trade. Other adverse circumstances gave him much trouble and made
him sad and dejected. Being restless, he thought of leaving home and
going out to a distant place. Man does not generally think of God, but
when difficulties and calamities overtake him, he turns to Him and
prays for relief. If his demerits have come to an end, God arranges his
meeting with a saint, who gives him proper directions regarding his
welfare. Mr. Sathe had similar experience. His friends advised him to
go to Shirdi, where so many people were flocking to get Sai Baba’s
darshan, for getting peace of mind and the satisfaction of their wants.
He liked the idea and at once came to Shirdi in 1917. Seeing Baba’s
form, which was like Eternal Brahma, Self-luminous, Peerless and Pure,
his mind lost its restlessness and became calm and composed. He
thought that it was the accumulation of merits in his former births, that
brought him to the Holy Feet of Baba. He was a man of strong will. He
at once, started to make a Parayan (study) of Guru Charitra. When the
reading was finished in the Saptah (seven days), Baba gave him a
vision that night. It was to this effect : Baba, with Guru Charitra in His
hand was explaining its contents to Mr. Sathe, who was sitting in front
and listening carefully. When he woke up he remembered the dream
and felt very happy. He thought that, it was extremely kind of Baba,
Who awakens souls, like his, that are snoring in ignorance and makes
them taste the nectar of Guru Charitra. Next day, he informed Kakasaheb
Dixit of this vision and requested him to consult Sai Baba, regarding its
meaning or significance – whether one Saptah (week’s) reading was
sufficient or whether he should begin again. Kakasaheb Dixit, when got
a suitable opportunity, asked Baba, “Deva, what did you suggest to Mr.
Sathe by this vision? Whether he should stop or continue the Saptah?
He is a simple devotee, his desire should be fulfilled” Then Baba
replied, “He should make one more Saptah of the book, if the work be
studied carefully the devotee will become pure and will be benefitted,
the Lord will be pleased and will rescue him from the bondage of the
mundane existence.”
At this time Hemadpant was present there. He was shampooing
Baba’s Legs. When he heard Baba’s word he thought in his mind,
“What! Mr. Sathe read for a week only and got a reward and I am
reading it for forty years with no result! His seven days’ stay here
becomes fruitful, while my seven years’ stay (1910 to 1917) goes for
nothing. Like a Chatak bird I am ever waiting for the Merciful cloud
(Baba) to pour its nectar on me and bless me with His instruction.” No
sooner did this thought cross his mind, Baba knew it then and there.
It was the experience of the Bhaktas that Baba understood all their
thoughts, and that He suppressed the evil thoughts and encouraged the
good ones. Reading Hemadpant’s mind, Baba at once asked him to get
up, go to Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande), get from him Rs. 15/- as
Dakshina, sit and chitchat with him for a while and then return. Mercy
dawned in Baba’s mind and so he issued this order. And who could
disobey Baba’s order?
Hemadpant immediately left the Masjid and came to Shama’s
house. He had just bathed and was wearing a Dhotar. He came out and
asked Hemadpant, “How is it that you are here now? It seems that you
have come from the Masjid. Why do you look restless and dejected?
Why are you alone? Please sit and rest, while I shall do my worship
and return. In the meanwhile you please take Paan-Bida(leaves and
betal nuts etc.), let us then, have a pleasant chat.” After saying this he
went inside and Hemadpant sat alone in the verandah. He saw in the
window a well-known Marathi book, named ‘Nath Bhagwat.’ This is
a commentary by the saint Eknath on the eleventh Skandha (chapter)
of the bigger Sanskrit work, the Bhagwat. At the suggestion or
recommendation of Sai Baba, Messrs. Bapusaheb Jog and Kakasaheb
Dixit read Bhagwad Gita daily, with its Marathi commentary named
Bhavartha Deepika or Dnyaneshwari (A dialogue between Krishna and
His friend-devotee Arjun) and Nath Bhagwat (A dalogue between
Krishna and His servant devotee Uddhav) and also Eknath’s other big
work, viz., Bhavartha Ramayan. When devotees came to Baba and
asked Him certain questions, He some times answered them in part and
asked them to go and listen to the readings of the above-mentioned
works, which are the main treatises of Bhagwat Dharma. When the
devotees went and listened, they got full and satisfactory replies to their
questions. Hemadpant also used to read daily some portions of Nath
Bhagwat.
That day he did not complete the daily portion of his reading, but
had left it unfinished in order to accompany certain devotees who were
going to the Masjid. When he took up the book from Shama’s window
and casually opened it, he found to his surprise, that the unfinished
portion opened up. He thought that Baba sent him very kindly to
Shama’s house for enabling him to complete his daily reading. So, he
went through the unfinished portion and completed it. As soon as this
was over, Shama, after doing his worship came out and the following
conversation took place between them.
Hemadpant : I have come with a message from Baba. He has
asked me to return with Rs. 15/- as Dakshina from you, also to sit with
you for a while and have a pleasant chitchat and then, return to the
Masjid with you.
Shama (with surprise) : I have no money to give. Take my 15
Namaskars (prostrations) in lieu of rupees as Dakshina to Baba.
Hemadpant : Alright, your Namaskars are accepted. Now let us
have some chitchat. Tell me some stories and Leelas of Baba, which will
destroy our sins.
Shama : Then sit here for a while! Wonderful is the sport (Leela)
of this God (Baba). You know it already. I am a village rustic, while you
are an enlightened citizen. You have seen some more Leelas, since your
coming over here. How should I describe them before you? Well, take
these leaves, betel nut and chuna and have the Paan-Bida, while I go
in, dress myself and come out.
In a few minutes Shama came out and sat talking with Hemadpant.
He said, “The Leela of this God (Baba) is inscrutable; there is no end
to His Leelas. Who can see them? He plays or sports with His Leelas,
still He is beyond (unaffected by) them. What do we rustics know? Why
does not Baba Himself tell stories? Why does He send learned men like
you to fools like me? His ways are inconceivable. I can only say that
they are not human.” With this preface Shama added, “I now remember
a story, which I shall relate to you. I know it personally. As a devotee
is resolute and determined, so, is Baba’s immediate response. Some
times Baba puts the devotees to severe test and then, gives them
‘Upadesh’ (instructions)”.
As soon as Hemadpant heard the word ‘Upadesh’, a flash of
lightning crossed through his mind. He at once, remembered the story
of Mr. Sathe’s Guru Charitra reading and thought that, Baba might
have sent him to Shama in order to give peace to his restless mind.
However, he curbed this feeling and began to listen to Shama’s stories.
They all showed, how kind and affectionate Baba was to His devotees.
Hemadpant began to feel joy, on hearing all these. Then, Shama began
to tell the following story :

Mrs. Radhabai Deshmukh

There was an old woman, by the name Radhabai. She was the
mother of one Khashaba Deshmukh. Hearing Baba’s fame she came to
Shirdi with the people of Sangamner. She took Baba’s darshan and was
much satisfied. She loved Baba intimately and resolved in her mind
that, she should accept Baba as her Guru and take some Upadesh from
Him. She determined to fast herself unto death, so long as Baba did not
accept her and give her any Upadesh or Mantra. She stayed in her
lodging and stopped taking any food or water for three days. I was
frightened by this ordeal of the old woman and interceded with Baba
on her behalf. I said, “Deva, what is this You have started? You drag
so many persons here. You know that old lady. She is very obstinate
and depends on You. She has resolved to fast unto death, if You don’t
accept and instruct her. If anything worse happens, people will blame
You and say that Baba did not instruct her and as a consequence, she
met her death. So take some mercy on her, bless her and instruct her.”
On seeing her determination Baba sent for her, and made her change
her mind, by addressing as follows :
“Oh Mother, why do you have to subject yourself to unnecessary
tortures? You are My mother and I am your child. Take pity on Me and
hear Me through. I tell you My own story, which if you listen carefully,
will do you good. I had a Guru. He was a great saint and most merciful.
I served him long, very long, still he would not blow any Mantra into
My ears. I had keen desire, never to leave him, but to stay with and serve
him, and at all costs receive some instructions from him. But he had his
own way. He first got my head shaved and asked Me for two paise as
Dakshina. I gave the same at once. You may say that, as My Guru was
perfect, why should he ask for money and how should he be called
desireless? The reply is that, he never cared for coins. What had he to
do with them? His two paise were (1) Firm faith and (2) Patience or
perseverance. I gave these two paise to him and he was pleased.”
“I resorted to My Guru for 12 years. He brought Me up. There was
no dearth of food and clothing. He was full of love or say, he was love
incarnate. How can I describe it? He loved Me most. Rare is a Guru like
him. When I looked at him, he seemed as if he was in deep meditation
and then, we both were filled with bliss. Night and day, I gazed at him,
with no thought of hunger and thirst. Without him, I felt restless. I had
no other subject to meditate upon, nor any other thing than My Guru
to attend. He was My sole refuge. My mind was always fixed on him.
This Nishtha (firm faith) is one paisa of Dakshina. Saburi (Patience or
perseverance) is the other paisa. I waited patiently and served My Guru.
This Saburi will ferry you across the sea of this mundane existence.
Saburi removes all sins and afflictions, gets rid of calamities in various
ways, and casts aside all fear, and ultimately, gives you success.
Saburi is the mine of virtues, consort of good thought”. Nishtha (faith)
and Saburi (patience) are like twin sisters, loving each other very
intimately.
“My Guru never expected any other thing from Me. He never
neglected Me, but protected Me at all times. I lived with him and was
some times away from him still I never felt the absence of his love. He
always protected Me by his glance, just as the tortoise feeds her young
ones, whether they are near her or away from her on the other side of
the bank, by her loving glances. Oh mother, My Guru never taught Me
any Mantra then, how shall I blow any Mantra in your ears? Just
remember that Guru’s tortoise-like loving glance gives us happiness.
Do not try to get Mantra or Upadesh from anybody. Make Me the sole
object of your thoughts and actions and you will, no doubt, attain
Paramartha (the spiritual goal of life). Look at Me whole-heartedly
and I, in turn, look at you. Sitting in this Masjid, I speak the truth,
nothing but the truth. No Sadhana or proficiency in the six Shastras,
is necessary. Have faith and confidence in your Guru. Believe that,
Guru is the sole Actor or Doer. Blessed is he, who knows the greatness
of his Guru and thinks him to be Hari, Hara and Brahma (Trimurti)
Incarnate”.
Instructed in this way, the old lady was convinced she bowed to
Baba and gave up her fast.

Hearing this story carefully and attentively, and marking its
significance and appropriateness, Hemadpant was most agreeably
surprised. On seeing this wonderful Leela of Baba, he was moved from
top to toe, he was overflowing with joy, his throat was choked and he
was not able to utter a single word. Shama, on seeing him in this
condition, asked him, “What is the matter with you, why are you silent?
How shall I describe the innumerable leelas of Baba?"
Just at this time the bell in the Masjid began to ring, proclaiming
that, the noon-worship and Arati ceremony had begun. Therefore, Shama
and Hemadpant hurried to the Masjid. Bapusaheb Jog had just started
the worship. Women were up in the Masjid and men were standing
below in the open courtyard, and they were all singing the Arati in
chorus to the accompaniment of drums. Shama went up, pulling
Hemadpant with him. He sat to the right and Hemadpant in front of
Baba. On seeing them, Baba asked Hemadpant to give the Dakshina
brought from Shama. He replied that Shama gave Namaskars in lieu of
Rupees, and that he was there in person. Baba said, “Alright, now let
Me know whether you both had a chitchat, and if so, tell Me all that
you talked about.” Not minding the sounds of the bell, the drum and
the chorus songs, Hemadpant was eager to tell Baba what they had
talked about and started to narrate it. Baba was also anxious to hear
and so, He left the bolster and leaned forward. Hemadpant said all that
they talked about, was very pleasant specially, the story of the old lady
was most wonderful and that, on hearing it, he thought that, His Leela
was inexplicable and under the guise of that story, He really blessed
him. Baba then said, “Wonderful is the story. How were you blessed?
I would like to know everything in detail from you, so, tell Me all about
it!” Then, Hemadpant related in full, the story, which he had heard a
little while before and which had made a lasting impression on his
mind. Hearing this, Baba was much pleased and asked him, “Did the
story strike you and did you catch its significance?” He replied, “Yes
Baba, the restlessness of my mind has vanished and I have got true
peace and rest, and come to know the true path.”
Then Baba spoke as follows , “My method is quite unique.
Remember well, this one story and it will be very useful. To get the
knowledge (realization) of the self, Dhyan (meditation) is necessary. If
you practise it continuously, the Vrittis (subtle thoughts) will be pacified.
Being quite desireless, you should meditate on God, who is in all the
creatures and when the mind is concentrated, the goal will be achieved.
Meditate always on My Formless Nature, which is knowledge incarnate,
consciousness and bliss. If you cannot do this, meditate on My Form
from top to toe, as you see here night and day. As you go on doing this,
your Vrittis will be single-pointed, and the distinction between the
Dhyata (meditator), Dhyana (act of meditation), Dhyeya (thing meditated
upon) will be lost, and the meditator will be one with the consciousness
and be merged in the Brahma. The (mother) tortoise is on one bank of
the river and her young ones are on the other. She gives neither milk,
nor warmth to them. Her mere loving glance gives them nutrition. The
young ones do nothing but remember (meditate upon) their mother. The
tortoise glance is to the young ones, the only source of sustenance and
happiness. Similar is the relation between the Guru and disciples.”
When Baba uttered these words, the chorus of the Arati songs was
over and all cried out loudly in unison, “Victory be to our Sadguru Sai
Maharaj, Who is Pure Consciousness, Knowledge and Bliss.” Dear
readers let us imagine that we are at this time standing amongst the
crowd in the Masjid and let us join them in this Jai Jai Kaar.
After the Arati ceremony was over Prasad was distributed.
Bapusaheb Jog came forward as usual and after saluting Baba, gave
into His palm a handful of sugar-candy. Baba pushed all this into the
hands of Hemadpant and said to him, “If you take this story to heart
and remember it well, your state will be sweet as the sugar-candy, all
your desires will be fulfilled and you will be happy.” Hemadpant
bowed down to Baba, and implored, “Do favour me like this, bless and
protect me always!” Baba replied, “Hear this story, meditate on it and
assimilate its spirit. Then you will always remember and meditate on
the Lord, Who will manifest Himself to you.”
Dear readers! Hemadpant got Prasad of sugar-candy, and we now
get the Prasad of sugar-candy or nectar of this story. Let us drink it to
our heart’s content, meditate on it and assimilate it, and be strong and
happy by Baba’s grace. Amen!
Towards the end of the 19th chapter Hemadpant had dealt with
some other matters, which are given below.

Baba’s Advice regarding our Behaviour

The following words of Baba are of general welfare and invaluable.
If they are kept in mind and acted upon, they will always do you good.
“Unless there is some relationship or connection, nobody goes anywhere.
If any men or creatures come to you, do not discourteously drive them
away but receive them well, and treat them with due respect. Shri Hari
(God) will be certainly pleased, if you give water to the thirsty, bread
to the hungry, clothes to the naked and your Verandah to strangers for
resting. If anybody wants any money from you and you are not inclined
to give, do not give but do not bark at him like a dog. Let anybody speak
hundreds of things against you, do not resent by giving any bitter reply.
If you tolerate such things you will certainly be happy. Let the world
go topsy-turvy, you remain where you are. Standing in your own place
look on calmly at the show of all things passing before you. Demolish
the wall of differnce that separates you from Me, and then the road for
our meeting will be clear and open. The sense of differentiation as I and
thou, is the barrier, that keeps away the disciple from his Master and
unless that is destroyed the state of union is not possible, “Allah
Malik”, i.e. God is the sole Proprietor, nobody else is our Protector. His
method of work is extra-ordinary, invaluable and inscrutable. His Will
be done and He will show us the way, and satisfy our heart’s desires.
It is on account of Rinanubandh (former relationship) that we have
come together, let us love and serve each other and be happy. He who
attains the supreme goal of life is immortal and happy, all others merely
exist, i.e. live so long as they breathe.”

Encouraging Good Thoughts to Fruition

It is interesting to note how Sai Baba encouraged good thoughts.
You have to surrender yourself completely to Him with love and devotion
and then you will see how He helps you, through out. Some saint has
said that, when you get a good thought, immediately after awakening
from sleep, and if you develop the same afterwards during the day, your
intellect will be unfolded and your mind will attain calmness.
Hemadpant wanted to try this. One Wednesday night before going to
bed, he thought “Tomorrow is Thursday – an auspicious day and the
place, viz. Shirdi is so holy; so, let me pass the whole day in remembering
and celebrating Ram-naam”, and then, he slept off. Next morning when
he got up he remembered without any effort, the name of Ram and was
much pleased. After finishing his morning duties, he went to see Baba
with flowers. When he left Dixit Wada and was passing by Buti Wada
(present Samadhi Mandir) he heard a beautiful song, that was being
sung nicely by one Aurangabadkar in the Masjid, before Baba. The song
was “Guru-kripanjan payo mere bhai” etc. by Eknath, in which he says
that ‘he got collyrium in the form of his Guru’s grace which opened his
vision and made him see Ram, in and out, in sleep, dream and waking
state and everywhere’. There were so many songs but why was this
song particularly chosen by Aurangabadkar, a devotee of Baba? Is this
not a curious coincidence arranged by Baba to amplify the determination
of Hemadpant to sing unceasingly Ram-naam during the day?
All saints agree and lay stress upon the efficacy of uttering Ram’s
(God’s) name, in fulfilling the ambitions of the Bhaktas and in protecting
and saving them from all calamities.

Variety in Upadesh – Slanderer Condemned

Sai Baba required no special place nor any special time for giving
instructions. Whenever any occasion demanded, He gave them freely.
Once it so happened that, a Bhakta of Baba, reviled someone behind his
back before other people. On leaving aside merits he dwelt on the faults
of his brother and spoke so sarcastically that, the hearers were disgusted.
Generally we see that, people have a tendency to scandalize others unnecessarily
and this brings on ill-feelings. Saints see scandal in another
light. They say that there are various ways of cleansing or removing
dirt, viz. by means of water and soap etc. but a scandal-monger has got
a way of his own. He removes the dirt (faults) of others by his tongue,
so in a way, he obliges the person, whom he reviles and for this he is
to be thanked. Sai Baba had His own method of correcting the scandalmonger.
He knew by His omniscience what the slanderer had done and
when He met him at noon, near the Lendi, Baba pointed out to him a
pig, that was eating filth near the fence and said to him, “Behold, how,
with what relish it is gulping filth. Your conduct is similar. You go on
reviling your own brethren to your heart’s content. After performing
many deeds of merit you are born as a human and if you act like this,
how can Shirdi help you in any way?” Needless to say that the Bhakta
took the lesson to his heart and went away.
In this way Baba went on giving instructions, whenever necessary.
If these are borne in our minds and acted upon, the spiritual goal
(realization) is not far off. There is a proverb, which says, “If there be
my Hari (Lord), He will feed me on my cot.” This proverb is only true
in respect of food and clothing, but if anyone believing this, sits idle and
does nothing in spiritual matters, he will be ruined. One has to exert
himself to his utmost for attaining self-realization. The more he
endeavours, the better for him.
Baba said that He was Omnipresent, transcending land, air,
world, light and heaven, and that He was not localised. To remove the
misunderstanding of those who thought that, Baba was only His body
– three cubits and a half in length, He Incarnated Himself in this Form,
and if any devotee meditated on Him, day and night, with complete
self-surrender, he experienced complete union with Him, like
sweetness and sugar, waves and sea, eye and its sight. He who wants
to get rid of the cycle of births and deaths, should lead a righteous life
with his mind calm and composed. He should not speak harshly to
anyone, so as to hurt him. He should always engage himself in good
actions, should do his duties and surrender himself, heart and soul, to
Him. He need not then be afraid of anything. He, who trusts Him
entirely, hears and expounds His Leelas and does not think of anything
else, is sure to attain self-realization. Baba asked many to remember His
name and to surrender to Him but to those, who wanted to know, who
they were (“Who am I”), He advised Shravan (study) and Manan
(contemplation). To some, He advised remembering God’s name, to
others, hearing His Leelas; to some, worship of His Feet to others,
reading and studying Adhyatma Ramayan, Dnyaneshwari and other
sacred scriptures. Some, He made sit near His Feet; some, He sent to
Khandoba’s temple and some, He advised the repetition of the thousand
names of Vishnu, and some, the study of Chhandogya Upanishad and
Gita. There was neither any limit, nor any restriction to His instructions.
He gave in person or by visions and dreams. To someone addicted to
drink, He appeared in his dream, sat on his chest, pressed it and left
him after he gave a promise, not to touch liquor anymore. To some He
explained some Mantras, like “Gurur Brahma” in dreams. To some
devotee, who was practising Hath Yoga, He sent word that, he should
leave off Hath Yoga practices, sit quiet and wait (Saburi)! It is impossible
to describe all His ways and methods. In ordinary worldly dealings, He
set examples by His actions, one of which is given below.

Remuneration for Labour

One day at noon, Baba came near Radhakrishnamai’s house and
said, “Bring Me a ladder!” Some men brought it and set it against the
wall of a house, as directed by Baba. He climbed up on the roof of
Vaman Gondkar’s house, passed over the roof of Radhakrishnamai’s
house and then, got down from the other corner. What object Baba had
none could know. Radhakrishnamai was at that time, shivering with
malaria. It may be to drive off that fever, that He may have gone up
there. Immediately after getting down, Baba paid two Rupees to the
persons who brought the ladder. Somebody asked Baba, why he paid
so much for this. He replied that, nobody should take the labour of
others in vain. The worker should be paid his dues promptly and
liberally. If the principle taught by Baba, be followed, i.e. if the
remuneration for labour be paid promptly and satisfactorily, the
labourers will turn out better and both the labourers and their employers
will be profited.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to All

Shri Sai Satcharitra -- Chapter 16 & Chapter 17

Quick Brahma-gnyan
These two chapters relate the story of a rich gentleman,
who wanted Brahma-gnyan, quickly from Sai Baba.

Preliminary

The last chapter described, how Mr. Cholkar’s vow of small
offering was completed and accepted. In that story Sai Baba showed
that, He would accept with appreciation any small thing, offered with
love and devotion but if the same thing was offered with pride and
haughtiness, He would reject it. Being Himself full of Sat Chit Anand
(Pure Consciousness, Knowledge and Bliss) He did not care much for
mere outward formalities, but if an offering was made in a humble
spirit, the same was welcome and He accepted it with pleasure and
avidity. In fact, there is no person more generous and benevolent than
a Sadguru, like Sai Baba. He cannot be compared to the Chintamani
jewel, the Kalpataru (the celestial tree which fulfils our desires) or the
Kamadhenu (the celestial cow which yields, what we desire ), they give
us only what we desire, but the Sadguru gives us the most precious
thing, that is inconceivable and inscrutable the reality. Now let us hear,
how Sai Baba disposed of a rich man, who came to Him and implored
Him to give him Brahma-gnyan.
There was a rich gentleman (unfortunately his name and
whereabouts are not mentioned), who was very prosperous in his life.
He had amassed a large quantity of wealth, houses, and lands, and had
many servants and dependents. When Baba’s fame reached his ears he
said to a friend of his that he was not in want of anything, and so, he
would go to Shirdi and ask Baba to give him Brahma-gnyan, which if
he got, would certainly make him more happy. His friend dissuaded
him, saying, “It is not easy to know Brahma and especially so for an
avaricious man like you, who is always engrossed in wealth, wife and
children. Who will in your quest of Brahma-gnyan satisfy you, who
does not give away even a paisa in charity?”
Not minding his friend’s advice, the fellow engaged a return
journey Tonga and came to Shirdi. He went to the Masjid, saw Sai
Baba, fell at His Feet and said, “Baba, hearing that, You show Brahma
to all who come to you, I too have come here all the way from my distant
place. I am much fatigued by the journey and if I get Brahma-gnyan
from You, my troubles will be well-paid and rewarded.” Baba, then,
replied, “Oh, My dear friend do not be anxious, I shall show you
Brahma. Many people come to Me and ask for wealth, health, power,
honour, position, cure of diseases and other temporal matters. Rare is
the person who comes to Me and asks for Brahma-gnyan. There is no
dearth of people asking for worldly things but people interested in
spiritual matters are very rare, I think, it is a fortunate and auspicious
moment, when persons like you, come and ask Me for Brahma-gnyan.
So forthwith, I show to you with pleasure, Brahma, with all its
accompaniments and complexities.”
Saying this, Baba started to show him Brahma. He made him sit
there and engaged him in some other talk and thus, made him forget
his question for the time-being. Then He called a boy and told him to
go to one Nandu Marwadi and get from him a loan of Rs. five. The boy
left and returned immediately, saying that Nandu was absent and his
house was locked. Then, Baba asked him to go to Bala grocer and get
from him the said loan. This time also the boy was unsuccessful. This
experiment was repeated again twice or thrice, with the same result.
Sai Baba was, as we know, the living and moving Brahma
Incarnate. Then, some-one may ask, “Why did He want the paltry sum
of five rupees, and why did He try hard to get it? In reality He did not
want this sum at all. He must have known fully that Nandu and Bala
were absent, and He seemed to have adopted this procedure as a test
for the seeker of Brahma. That gentleman had a roll or bundle of
currency notes in his pocket and if he was really earnest, he would not
have sat quiet and be a mere onlooker when Baba was frantically trying
to get a paltry sum of Rs. five. He knew that Baba would keep His word
and repay the debt, and that the sum wanted was insignificant. Still he
could not make up his mind and advance the sum. Such a man wanted
from Baba, the greatest thing in the world, viz. the Brahma-gnyan! Any
other man who really loved Baba would have given to him Rs. five at
once, instead of being a mere onlooker. It was otherwise with this man.
He advanced no money nor did he sit silent but began to be impatient,
as he was in a haste to return and implored Baba, saying. “Oh Baba,
please, give me Brahma-gnyan soon!” Baba replied, “Oh my dear friend
did you not understand all the procedure that I went through,  sitting
in this place, for enabling you to see Brahma? It is in short this : For
seeing Brahma, one has to give five things, i.e., surrender five things,
viz. (1) five Pranas (vital forces), (2) five senses, (3) mind, (4) intellect
and (5) ego. This path of Brahma-gnyan or self-realization is as hard
as treading on the edge of a razor.
Sai Baba then gave a rather long discourse on the subject, the
purport of which, is given below :

Qualifications for Brahma-gnyan or Self-realization

All persons do not see or realize the Brahma in their life-time.
Certain qualifications are absolutely necessary.
1. Mumukshu or intense desire to get free. He who thinks that, he
is bound and that, he should get free from bondage and works earnestly
and resolutely to that end and does not care for any other thing, is
qualified for the spiritual life.
2. Virakti or a feeling of non-attactment with the things of this world
and the next. Unless a man feels disgusted with the things, emoluments
and honours, which his actions would bring in this world and the next,
he has no right to enter into the spiritual realm.
3. Antarmukha (introversion) Our senses have been created by God
with a tendency to move outward and so, man always looks outward
and not inward. He, who wants self-realization and immortal life, must
turn his gaze inwards and look to his inner self.
4. Catharsis – (eliminating all base ideas and emotions) – Unless a
man has turned away from wickedness and stopped from doing wrong,
and has entirely composed himself, and unless his mind is at rest, he
cannot gain self-realization even by means of knowledge.
5. Right conduct – Unless a man leads a life of truth, penance and
insight, a life of celibacy, he cannot get God-realization.
6. Prefering Shreyas (the good), to Preyas (the pleasant) – There are
two sorts of things, viz. the good and the pleasant; the former deals with
spiritual affairs, and the latter with mundane matters. Both these are
open to man for acceptance. He has to think and choose one of them.
The wise man prefers the good to the pleasant, but the unwise, through
greed and attachment chooses the pleasant.
7. Control of the mind and the senses – The body is the chariot and
the self is its master, intellect is the charioteer and the mind is the reins,
the senses are the horses and sense-objects are their paths. He who has
no understanding and whose mind is unrestrained, has his senses
unmanageable, like the stray horse of a charioteer, does not reach his
destination (get self realization), but goes through the round of births
and deaths; but he who has understanding and whose mind is
restrained, has his senses under control, like the good obedient horse
of a charioteer, reaches the destination, i.e. the state of self-realization,
whence he is not born again. The man, who has understanding as his
charioteer (guide) and is able to rein his mind, reaches the end of the
journey, which is the supreme abode of the all-pervading, Vishnu (Lord).
8. Purification of the mind – Unless a man discharges satisfactorily
and dis-interestedly the duties of his station in life, his mind will not
be purified and unless his mind is purified, he cannot get self-realizaiton.
It is only in the purified mind that, Vivek (dis-attachment to the unreal)
crop up and lead on to self-realization. Unless egoism is dropped,
avarice got rid of and the mind made desireless (pure), self-realization
is not possible. The idea that “I am the body” is a great delusion and
attachment to this idea is the cause of bondage. Leave off this idea and
attachment therefore, if you want to reach the goal of self-realization.
9. The necessity of a Guru – The knowledge of the self is so subtle
and mystic that, no one can, by his own individual effort ever hope to
attain it. So the help of another person – teacher, who has himself got
self-realization, is absolutely necessary. What others cannot give with
great effort and pains, can be easily gained with the help of such a
teacher; for he has walked on the path himself and can easily take the
disciple, step by step on the ladder of spiritual progress.
10. And lastly, grace of the Lord is the most essential thing. When the
Lord is pleased with any body, He gives him Viveka and Vairagya and
takes him safe beyond the ocean of mundane existence, “The Self cannot
be gained by the study of Vedas, nor by intellect, nor by learning. He
whom the Self chooses, gains it. To him the Self reveals its nature,” says
the Katha Upanishad.
After the dissertation was over, Baba turned to the gentleman and
said, “Well sir, there is in your pocket the Brahma in form of fifty-times
of five (Rs. 250/-) rupees, please, take that out.” The gentleman took out
from his pocket the bundle of currency notes, and to his great surprise,
found on counting them, that, there were 25 notes of 10 rupees each.
Seeing this omniscience of Baba, he was moved and fell at Baba’s Feet
and craved for His blessings. Then Baba said to him, “Roll up your
bundle of Brahma, viz. currency notes. Unless, you completely get rid
of your avarice or greed you will not get the real Brahma. How can he
whose mind is engrossed in wealth, progeny and prosperity, expect to
know the Brahma without removing his attachment for them? The
illusion of attachment or the love for money is a deep eddy (whirlpool)
of pain, full of crocodiles in the form of conceit and jealousy. He who
is desireless, can alone cross this whirlpool. Greed and Brahma are
asunder as poles, they are eternally opposed to each other. Where there
is greed there is no room for thought or meditation of the Brahma. Then
how can a greedy man, get dispassion and salvation? For a greedy man
there is no peace, neither contentment, nor steadiness. If there be even
a little trace of greed in mind, all the Sadhanas (spiritual endeavours)
are of no avail. Even the knowledge of a well-read man, who is not free
from the desire of the fruit or reward of his actions, is futile and can’t
help him in getting self-realization. The teachings of a Guru are of no
use to a man who is full of egoism and who always thinks about the
sense-objects. Purification of mind is absolutely necessary, without it all
our spiritual endeavours are nothing, but useless show and pomp. It is
therefore, better for one to take only what he can digest and assimilate.
My treasury is full and I can give anyone, what he wants, but I have
to see, whether he is qualified to receive My gift. If you listen to Me
carefully, you will be certainly benefitted. While sitting in this Masjid
I never speak any untruth.”
When a guest is invited to a house all the members of the household
and other friends and relations, that happen to be present are entertained
along with the guest. So all those, that were present in the Masjid at that
time could partake of the spiritual feast, that was served by Baba for the
rich gentleman. After getting Baba’s blessings, one and all, including
the gentleman, left the place quite happy and contented.

Special Characteristics of Baba

There are many saints, who leaving their houses, stay in forest,
caves or hermitages and in solitude, in order to get liberation or salvation
for themselves. They do not care for other people and are always selfabsorbed.
Sai Baba was not of such a type. He had no home, no wife,
no progeny, nor any relations, near or distant. Still He lived in the
world (society). He begged His bread from four or five houses, always
lived at the foot of the (Neem) tree, carried on worldly dealings and
taught all the people how to act and behave living in this world. Rare
are the sadhus and saints, who, after attaining God-vision, strive for the
welfare of the people. Sai Baba was the foremost of these and, therefore,
says Hemadpant :
“Blessed is the country, blessed is the family and blessed are the
chaste parents, where this Extraordinary, Transcendent, Precious and
Pure Jewel (Sai Baba) was born.”

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all