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
Sai
(Lord) was originally formless. he assumed a form for the sake of
Bhaktas. With the help of the actress Maya, He played the part of the
Actor in the big drama of the universe. Let us remember and visualize
Shri Sai. Let us go to Shirdi, and see carefully the programmes, 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 and loving looks. The Bhaktas also got up with equal
fervour, clasped His Feet, and standing and staring at Him, enjoyed the
shower of Udi. Baba passed handfuls of Udi into the palms of the
devotees and marked their foreheads with Udi with His fingers. The love
He bore for them in His heart was boundless. Then He addressed the
Bhaktas as follows:- "Oh Bhau, go to take your lunch; you Anna, go to
your lodgings; you Bapu, enjoy your dishes". In this way He accosted
each and every devotee and sent them home. Even now, you can enjoy these
sights if you bring into play your imagination. You can visualize and
enjoy them. Now bringing Sai before our mental vision, let us meditate
on Him, from His Feet upwards to His face, and prostrating before Him
humbly, lovingly and respectfully, revert to the story of this Chapter.In this Chapter, Hemadpant describes, how Das Ganu's problem was solved by Kakasaheb Dixit's maid-servant.
Preliminary
Ishavasya Upanishad
Das
Ganu once started to write a Marathi commentary ont he Ishavasya
Upanishad. Let us first give a brief idea of this Upanishad, before
proceeding further. It is called a `Mantropanishad', as it is embodied
in the Mantras of the Vedic Samhita. It constitutes the last or the 40th
Chapter of the Vajasaneyi Samhita (Yajurveda) and it is, therefore,
called Vajasaneyi Samhitopanishad. Being embodied in Vedic Samhitas,
this is regarded as superior to all other Upanishads, which occur in the
Brahmanas and Aranyakas (explanatory treatises on Martras and rituals).
Not only this, other Upanishads are considered to be commentaries on
the truths mentioned briefly in the Ishavasya Upanishad. For instance,
the biggest of the Upanishads, viz, the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, is
considered by Pandit Satwalekar to be a running commentary on the
Ishavasya Upanishad.Profesor R.D. Ranade says:- "The Ishopanishad is quite a small Upanishad; and yet it contains many hints which show an extraordinarily piercing insight. Within the short compass of 18 verses, it gives a valuable mystical description of the Atman, a description of the ideal sage, who stands unruffled in the minds of temptations and sorrows; and adumbration of the doctrine of Karma-Yoga as later formulated, and finally a reconciliation of the claims of knowledge and works. The most valuable ideas, 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 Upanishad Philosophy). In another place he says that "The poetry of the Ishopanishad is a Commixture of moral, mystical and metaphysical (ibid, Page 41)".
From the brief description given above about this Upanishad, any one can see how difficult it is to translate this Upanishad in a vernacular language, and brief 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. He therefore consulted some learned men regarding his doubts and difficulties and discussed 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 quintessence 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
Ishavasya 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 mind-servant of Kaka (Kakasaheb Dixit)
will solve your doubts at Vile Parle, on your way home". The people who
went present then and heard this, thought that Baba was joking and said,
"How could an illiterate maid-servant solve the difficulties of this
nature", but Das Garu thought otherwise. He was sure, that whatever Baba
spoke, must come true, Baba's word was the decree of the Brahma
(Almighty).
Kaka's Maid-Servant
On
fully believing in Baba's words, he left Shirdi and came to Vile Parle
(a suburb of Bombay), 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 tones. The subject matter of the song was a crimson
coloured Sari, how nice it was, how fine was its embroidery, how
beautiful were its ends and 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 jovial temperament, Das Ganu felt pity for her and
when Rao Bahadur M.V.Pradhan next day gave him a pair of dhotars, 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
starving person getting luckily good dishes to eat, her joy knew to
bounds. Next day she wore the new Sari, and out of great joy and
merriment, whirled, danced round and played `Fugadi' with other girls
and excelled them all. The Day following, she kept the new Sari in her
box at home and came with the old and torn rags, but she looked as merry
as she did the previous day. On seeing this, Das Ganu's pity was
transferred 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 every thing, from
behind and before, and on 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 dance and the acceptance were all parts of the Lord and pervaded by
Him. Hence, Das Ganu got a practical demonstration of the lesson of the
Upanishad - the lesson of contentment with one's own lot in 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
Machhindragad, some to Kolhapur or Sholapur for practising sadhanas. To
some He appeared in His usual form, to some He appeared in waking or
dreaming state, 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 Vile Parle, where he got his problem solved, through the
maid-servant. To those, who say that it was not necessary to sent Das
Ganu outside and that Baba could have personally taught him, we say that
Baba followed the right or best course, or how else could Das Ganu
would have learnt 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 Ishavasya Upanishad
"One
of the main features of the Ishavasya Upanishad, is the ethical advice
it offers, and it is interesting to note that the ethics of the
Upanishad are definitely based upon the meta-physical position advanced
in it. The very opening words of the Upanishad tell us that God pervades
every thing. 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 should forbid 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, it is divinely
ordained and it is hence good for us. Another moral advice is, that man
must spend his life-time always in doing action, specially the karmas
enjoined in the Shastras, in a mood of believing 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 on 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 becomes 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 Atman 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
Chapter 21
Then, he was transferred to Junnar, where he had to go by crossing Nhane Ghat. This Ghat was very steep and impassible, and no other conveyance, than a buffalo was of use in crossing it. So he had to take a buffalo-ride through the Ghat, which inconvenienced and pained him much. Thereafter, he was transferred to Kalyan on higher post, and there he became 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 went 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 of joy 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 teaching 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 as it is very difficult". When Thakur heard these significant signs and words, which none else than 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 a 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.
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) Shravana (Hearing); (2) Kirtana (Praying); (3) Smarana (Remembering); (4) Padasevana (resorting to the feet); (5) Archana (Worship); (6) Namaskara (Bowing); (7) Dasya (Service); (8) Sakhyatva (Friendship); (9) Atmanivedana (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 Jnani, and mere formal Bhajan (worship) are of no avail. What is wanted is Loving 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 saluation, 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 then they will be easily collected. Then Baba blessed and comforted him, saying that he would attain peace and welfare. After hearing this, Patankar became overjoyed and happy.
Shirdi is about 100 Koss (Koss=3 miles) distant from Pandharpur; still Baba by His omniscience knew what transpired there in the bar-room. The intervening places -- rivers, jungles and mountains - were not a bar to His all-perceiving sight and He could see or read the hearts of all. There was nothing secret or veiled from Him. Everything, far or near, was plain 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, nor unnecessarily criticize them. This 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 profit thereby.
Sai Baba's greatness is unfathomable, so are His wonderful Leelas. His life is also such; for He is Para-Brahman (Lord God) incarnate.
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 in past births, that enables us to seek the company of Saints
and profit thereby. In illustration of this rule, Hemadpant gives his
own instance. He was a resident Magistrate of Bandra, A suburb of
Bombay, for many years. A famour Mahomedan 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 Inus pressed Hemadpant many a time, night and day, for
going to see him, but for some reason or other he was not able to see
him. After many years his turn came and he was called to Shirdi where he
was permanently enlisted in Sai Baba's Darbar. Unfortunate fellows do
not get this contact of the Saints. It is only the fortunate ones that
get it.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
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 full 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 Vadgaum near Belgaum (S.M. 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
Nischaldas (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 good luck, 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 impassible, and no other conveyance, than a buffalo was of use in crossing it. So he had to take a buffalo-ride through the Ghat, which inconvenienced and pained him much. Thereafter, he was transferred to Kalyan on higher post, and there he became 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 went 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 of joy 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 teaching 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 as it is very difficult". When Thakur heard these significant signs and words, which none else than 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 a 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 appeased, 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 Purnas, but still I have not got any peace
of mind; so I think that all my reading was useless. Simple ignorant
devout persons are better than myself. Unless the mind becomes calm, all
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
playful 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 Soudagar (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) Shravana (Hearing); (2) Kirtana (Praying); (3) Smarana (Remembering); (4) Padasevana (resorting to the feet); (5) Archana (Worship); (6) Namaskara (Bowing); (7) Dasya (Service); (8) Sakhyatva (Friendship); (9) Atmanivedana (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 Jnani, and mere formal Bhajan (worship) are of no avail. What is wanted is Loving 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 saluation, 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 then they will be easily collected. 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 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 inwardly give
abuses behind the back. Is not this wonderful?" 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 by
names). When the subjudge or munsiff of Pandharput (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 (as it ever happens in
many a bar-room). 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 have recourse to such
methods. The sub-judge was taken to task, i.e. he was ciritisied, as
also Sai Baba. I also took some part in this affair; and now Sai Baba
showed the impropriety of my conduct. This is not a rebuke to me, but a
favour, an advice that I should not indulge in any scandal or slander of
others; and not interfere unnecessarity in others' affairs".Shirdi is about 100 Koss (Koss=3 miles) distant from Pandharpur; still Baba by His omniscience knew what transpired there in the bar-room. The intervening places -- rivers, jungles and mountains - were not a bar to His all-perceiving sight and He could see or read the hearts of all. There was nothing secret or veiled from Him. Everything, far or near, was plain 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, nor unnecessarily criticize them. This 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 profit thereby.
Sai Baba's greatness is unfathomable, so are His wonderful Leelas. His life is also such; for He is Para-Brahman (Lord God) incarnate.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Chapter 22
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, nor do we get her light. 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 also she is not clearly visible. Then the people are asked to see the moon through an opening between the two branches of a tree, and when they begin to see through this aperture eagerly and after concentratedly, the distant small crescent of the moon comes, to their great delight, within their ken. Following this clue, let us try to see Baba's Light. 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 right toe are spread His two fingers-the index and middle ones. By this posture Baba means to say, as it were-if you want to see My Light, be egoless and most humble and meditate on My toe through the opening between the two branches-index and middle fingers-and then you will be able to see My Light. This is the easiest means of attaining devotion.
Now let us turn for a moment to Baba's life. Shirdi had become a place of pilgrimage on account of Baba's stay. People from all quarters began to flock there, and both the rich and the poor began to be benefited in more ways than one and in some form or other. Who can describe Baba's boundless love and His wonderful natural knowledge and His all-pervasiveness? Blessed is he, who could experience one or all of these. Sometimes Baba observed long silence which was, in a way, His dissertation on Brahman; at other times He was Consciousness-Bliss Incarnate, surrounded by His devotees. Sometimes He spoke in parables, and at other times indulged in wit and humour. At times, He was quite unambiguous (clear) and at times He seemed enraged. Sometimes He gave His teachings in a nut-shell, at other times He argued at length. Many a time He was very plain. In this way, He gave varied instructions to many, according to their requirements. His life was, therefore, inscrutable, beyond the ken of our mind, beyond our 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 count the showers of rain, encircle (tie) the wind in a leather bag, but who can gauge or measure His Leelas? Now we deal here with one aspect of them, viz. how He anticipated or forestalled the calamities of His devotees and warded them off in time.
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. Sharma 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".
In the meanwhile Balasaheb thought over again, and calling Shama asked him to accompany him. Then Shama going again to Baba and taking His leave started with Balasaheb in the tanga. They reached Chitali at 9 P.M. and encamped in the Maruti temple. The office-people had not come; so they sat quiet 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 a part of it a snake was sitting unobserved. It began to move with a rustling sound which was heard by the peon. He brought a lantern, saw the snake and raised an alarm- 'serpent, serpent'. Balasaheb was frightened and began to quiver. Shama was also amazed. Then he and others moved noiselessly and took sticks and clubs in their hands. The snake got down slowly from the waist and it moved away from Balasaheb; it was immediately done to death. Thus this calamity, which was prophesied by Baba, was averted and Balasaheb's love for Baba was deeply confirmed.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Chapter 23
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 the people the way, how to behave satisfactorily and 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 Lord in all movable and immovable things of this world, humility was the most proper thing. 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 and eat 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 on our account, we get a desire in listening to the stories and Leelas of the Saints, otherwise not. Let us now turn to the main stories of this Chapter.
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 grander than that. Once Shama was bitten by a poisonous snake. His little finger of the hand was stung and the poison began to spread into the body. The pain was also severe and Shama thought that he would pass off soon. His friends wanted to take him to the God Viroba, where such cases were often sent, but Shama ran to the Masjid -- to His Viroba (Sai Baba). When Baba saw him, He began to scold and abuse. He got enraged and said - "Oh vile Bhaturdya (Priest) do not climp 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 hope of life and kept silent. After a time Baba became normal and calm when Shama went up and sat near. Then Baba said to him - "Don't be afraid, don't care a jot, 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 anxeity". 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 in the home, but should never 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 go 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 ever the Feet of Baba in the heart.
Then Baba said to Kakaseheb, that He would Himself do the offering and killing business. It was settled that the goat should be disposed of near a place called Takkya, where fakirs used to sit. When the goat was being removed 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 middling 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 orders and making mistakes at every step.
The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence and if they and 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 above-mentioned 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 will deal with Baba's interesting wit and humour.
Chapter 22
Rescues from Serpent-bites - (1) Balasaheb Mirikar (2) Bapusaheb Booty
(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 the Almighty. Even the Vedas and the thousand-tongued Shesha are
not able to describe it fully; but the devotees cannot but know and
look at the form of the Lord, for they know that His Feet are the only
means of their happiness. 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:-(3) Amir Shakkar (4) Hemadpant - Baba's Opinion Regarding Killing of Serpents.
Preliminary
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, nor do we get her light. 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 also she is not clearly visible. Then the people are asked to see the moon through an opening between the two branches of a tree, and when they begin to see through this aperture eagerly and after concentratedly, the distant small crescent of the moon comes, to their great delight, within their ken. Following this clue, let us try to see Baba's Light. 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 right toe are spread His two fingers-the index and middle ones. By this posture Baba means to say, as it were-if you want to see My Light, be egoless and most humble and meditate on My toe through the opening between the two branches-index and middle fingers-and then you will be able to see My Light. This is the easiest means of attaining devotion.
Now let us turn for a moment to Baba's life. Shirdi had become a place of pilgrimage on account of Baba's stay. People from all quarters began to flock there, and both the rich and the poor began to be benefited in more ways than one and in some form or other. Who can describe Baba's boundless love and His wonderful natural knowledge and His all-pervasiveness? Blessed is he, who could experience one or all of these. Sometimes Baba observed long silence which was, in a way, His dissertation on Brahman; at other times He was Consciousness-Bliss Incarnate, surrounded by His devotees. Sometimes He spoke in parables, and at other times indulged in wit and humour. At times, He was quite unambiguous (clear) and at times He seemed enraged. Sometimes He gave His teachings in a nut-shell, at other times He argued at length. Many a time He was very plain. In this way, He gave varied instructions to many, according to their requirements. His life was, therefore, inscrutable, beyond the ken of our mind, beyond our 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 count the showers of rain, encircle (tie) the wind in a leather bag, but who can gauge or measure His Leelas? Now we deal here with one aspect of them, viz. how He anticipated or forestalled the calamities of His devotees and warded them off in time.
Balasaheb Mirikar
Balasaheb
Mirikar, son of Sirdar 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,
usual conversation regarding health and other matters commenced, when
Baba sounded a note of warning as follows:-"Do you know our
Dwarakamayi?" As Balasaheb did not understand he kept quiet, Baba
continued - "This is our Dwarakamayi, where you are sitting. She wards
off all dangers and anxieties of the children, who sit on her lap. This
Masjidmayi (its presiding Deity) is very merciful, she is the 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 protecting hand on
his head. When Balasaheb was about to depart, He again said- "Do you
know the "Lamba Bava" (long gentleman), Viz. serpent?" And then closing
the left arm like fist He brought it near the right elbow, and moving
His left arm like the hood of a serpent, He said- "He is so terrible,
but what can he do to the children of Dwarakamayi: When the Dwarakamayi
(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. Sharma 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".
In the meanwhile Balasaheb thought over again, and calling Shama asked him to accompany him. Then Shama going again to Baba and taking His leave started with Balasaheb in the tanga. They reached Chitali at 9 P.M. and encamped in the Maruti temple. The office-people had not come; so they sat quiet 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 a part of it a snake was sitting unobserved. It began to move with a rustling sound which was heard by the peon. He brought a lantern, saw the snake and raised an alarm- 'serpent, serpent'. Balasaheb was frightened and began to quiver. Shama was also amazed. Then he and others moved noiselessly and took sticks and clubs in their hands. The snake got down slowly from the waist and it moved away from Balasaheb; it was immediately done to death. Thus this calamity, which was prophesied by Baba, was averted and Balasaheb's love for Baba was deeply confirmed.
Bapusaheb Booty
A
great astrologer named Nanasaheb Dengale told one day Bapusaheb Booty,
who was then in Shirdi, "To-day is an inauspicious day for you, there is
a 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
boldly "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 with joy
Baba's words of fearlessness.
Amir shankar
Amir
Shankar was a native of the village Korale, in Kopergaon Taluka. he
belonged to the butcher caste. He worked as a commission agent in
Bandra, and was well-known there. He once suffered from Rheumatism,
which gave him much pain. He was then reminded of God, and so, he left
his business and went to Shirdi, and prayed to Baba to relieve him from
his malady. Baba then stationed him in the Chavadi, which was then a
damp unhealthy place, unfit for such a patient. Any other place in the
village, or Korale itself would have been better for Amir, but Baba's
word was the deciding factor and the chief medicine. Baba did not allow
him to come to the Masjid, but fixed him in the Chavadi, where he got
very great advantage. Baba passed via Chavadi every morning and evening;
and every alternate day Baba went to the Chavadi in a procession and
slept there. So Amir got Baba's contact very often easily. Amir stayed
there for full nine months, and then, somehow or other, 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. Then 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
leave, and prayed to Baba. He then determined to return to Shirdi, and
that same night he ran back, remembering and muttering Baba's name on
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 latern, examined Baba's
bed but found nothing, Baba asked him to examine carefully all the place
and began to strike ground with His satka. Seeing this Leela of Baba,
Amir thought that Baba might have suspected some serpent had come there.
Amir could know by close and long contact the meaning of Baba's 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
coil of a serpent there, moving its head up and down. Thereupon the
serpent was immediately beaten to death. Thus Baba gave timely warning
and saved Amir.
Hemadpant (Scorpion and Serpent)
(1)
At Baba's recommendation Kakasaheb Dixit was daily reading the two
works of Shri Eknath Maharaj, viz., Bhagwat and Bhawartha Ramayana and
Hemadpant had the good forturne to be one of the audience when the
reading of the works was going on. Once when a portion from the Ramayana
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 moved here or there. It seemed as if, it also enjoyed the
reading. Then by the Lord's grace, Hemadpant 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 only moved
its head up and down. Then many persons rushed there with sticks and
cudgels, but as it sat in an awakward 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 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
reffered 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 will 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
adventurous fights and killings and be patient. The Lord (God) is the
Protector of all.Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Chapter 23
Yoga and Onion - Shama Cured of Snake - Bite - Cholera Ordinance Broken - Ordeal of Guru-Bhakti.
Preliminary
Really
this Jiva (human soul) transcends the three qualities, viz. Sattwa,
Rajas and Tamas, but being deluded by Maya, he forgets his nature which
is 'Existence-knowledge-bliss', and thinks that he is the doer and
enjoyer and thus entangles himself in endless miseries and does not know
the way of deliverance. The only way of deliverance is 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).Preliminary
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 the people the way, how to behave satisfactorily and 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 Lord in all movable and immovable things of this world, humility was the most proper thing. 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 and eat 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 on our account, we get a desire 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 be pleased with him, He will show him the way
to attain samadhi for a long time. With this object in view he came to
Shirdi, and when he went to the Masjid he saw Sai Baba eating bread with
onion. On seeing this, a thought arose in 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 then 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 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 grander than that. Once Shama was bitten by a poisonous snake. His little finger of the hand was stung and the poison began to spread into the body. The pain was also severe and Shama thought that he would pass off soon. His friends wanted to take him to the God Viroba, where such cases were often sent, but Shama ran to the Masjid -- to His Viroba (Sai Baba). When Baba saw him, He began to scold and abuse. He got enraged and said - "Oh vile Bhaturdya (Priest) do not climp 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 hope of life and kept silent. After a time Baba became normal and calm when Shama went up and sat near. Then Baba said to him - "Don't be afraid, don't care a jot, 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 anxeity". 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 in the home, but should never 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 go 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 ever 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 panchas 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 panchas. Baba knew
that all this was mere supersition, and therefore, He cared two pence
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 of fuel in the village, still the people began to
drive away the fuel-cart. 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 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 Mohamad 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 hand of Sai Baba. After the chilim (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
respectfully 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 paces
whenever he was going away. 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 Radha-Krishna-Mai 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 'good
gold' no doubt, but had to be tested. Baba asked him to get a knife and
kill the goat. He went to 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, he made himself bold to kill the goat. All the people
wondered to see that Bade Baba, a Mahomedan was unwilling to kill it
while this pure 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 nectarlike 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 Kakaseheb, that He would Himself do the offering and killing business. It was settled that the goat should be disposed of near a place called Takkya, where fakirs used to sit. When the goat was being removed 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 middling 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 orders and making mistakes at every step.
The disciples should have firm faith, backed up by intelligence and if they and 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 above-mentioned 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 will deal with Baba's interesting wit and humour.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Chapter 24
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 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 accompained with gestures, it was very interesting and instructive, and the people, therefore, did not mind, if they were held up to the ridicule. Hemadpant gives his own instance below.
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 how they found an entrance and stayed there. When nobody could give any satisfactory explanation in this matter, and everybody was wondering about this mystery, Baba said as follows :-
Baba - "This fellow (Annasaheb) has got the bad habit of eating alone. Today is a bazar-day and he was here chewing grams. I know his habit and these grams are a proof of it. What wonder is there is this matter?"
Hemadpant - "Baba, I never know of eating things alone; then why do you thrust this bad habit on me? I have never yet seen Shirdi bazar. I never went to the bazar 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 near me".
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?"
Shri Krishna and His elder brother, Balarama, were living with a co-student, named Sudama, in the ashram of their Guru, Sandipani. Once Krishna and Balarama were sent to the forest for bringing fuel. Then the wife of Sandipani sent also Sudama 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 He should take some. As Krishna was tired, He lay down for rest on the lap of Sudama and was snoring. Seeing this, Sudama took out the grams and began to eat. Then Krishna suddenly asked him - "Dada, what are you eating, whence is the sound?". He replied - "What is there to eat? I am shivering with cold and my teeth are chattering. I can't even repeat distinctly Vishnu-Sahastra-Nama". Hearing this, the Omniscient Krishna said - "I just dreamt a dream, in which I saw a man, eating things of another, and when asked about this, he said - "What earth (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 a bit of 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 city 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.
Chapter 24
Baba's Wit and I lumour - Chanak Leela - (1) Hemadpant (2) Sudama
(3) Anna Chinchanikar vs. Mavsibai.
Preliminary
To
say that, we shall state such and such in the next or this Chapter, is a
sort of egoism. Unless, we surrender our ego to the feet of our
Sad-guru, we will not succeed in our undertaking. If we become egoless,
then our success is assured.(3) Anna Chinchanikar vs. Mavsibai.
Preliminary
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 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 accompained with gestures, it was very interesting and instructive, and the people, therefore, did not mind, if they were held up to the ridicule. Hemadpant gives his own instance below.
Chanak-Leela
In
Shirdi, bazar was held every Sunday, and people from the neighbouring
villages came there, erected booths and stalls on the street, and sold
their wares and commodities. Every noon, the Masjid was crowded more or
less; 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 Booty
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 sleve and found
that there were some grains. Hemadpant straightened his left fore-arm to
see what the matter was, when to the the surprise of all, some grains
of gram come 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 how they found an entrance and stayed there. When nobody could give any satisfactory explanation in this matter, and everybody was wondering about this mystery, Baba said as follows :-
Baba - "This fellow (Annasaheb) has got the bad habit of eating alone. Today is a bazar-day and he was here chewing grams. I know his habit and these grams are a proof of it. What wonder is there is this matter?"
Hemadpant - "Baba, I never know of eating things alone; then why do you thrust this bad habit on me? I have never yet seen Shirdi bazar. I never went to the bazar 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 near me".
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, he should first be remembered, and if this be done, it is in a
way 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
(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 close by, 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,
sees 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,
Lord (God) will be certainly pleased and purifying our minds He will
give us self-realisation. 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 samsar; 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 similar
story of Sudama, which illustrates the same priciple and, therefore, it
is given here.Shri Krishna and His elder brother, Balarama, were living with a co-student, named Sudama, in the ashram of their Guru, Sandipani. Once Krishna and Balarama were sent to the forest for bringing fuel. Then the wife of Sandipani sent also Sudama 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 He should take some. As Krishna was tired, He lay down for rest on the lap of Sudama and was snoring. Seeing this, Sudama took out the grams and began to eat. Then Krishna suddenly asked him - "Dada, what are you eating, whence is the sound?". He replied - "What is there to eat? I am shivering with cold and my teeth are chattering. I can't even repeat distinctly Vishnu-Sahastra-Nama". Hearing this, the Omniscient Krishna said - "I just dreamt a dream, in which I saw a man, eating things of another, and when asked about this, he said - "What earth (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 a bit of 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 city 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. Mavsibai
Hemadpant,
now describes another witty incident, in which Baba played a
peace-maker's part. There was one devotee by name Damodar Ghanashyama
Babare alias Anna Chinchanikar. He was simple, rough and
straightforward. He cared for nobody, always spoke plainly and carried
all dealings in cash. Though he looked outwardly harsh and
uncompromising, he was good natured and guileless. So Sai Baba loved
him. One day, like others serving Baba in their own way, this Anna was,
one noon standing prone and 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 Mavsibai, was
serving Baba in her own way. This Mavsibai 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 kneading Baba's abdomen. She did this so forcibly
that Baba's back and abdomen became flat (one) and Baba moved from side
to side. Anna on the other side was steady, but Mavsibai'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 (bad) 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 that have picked up a quarrel and
are quarreling 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
Mavsibai was on another occasion, kneading Baba's abdomen. Seeing the
fury and force used by her, all the 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, dashed His satka on the ground. He got enraged
and His eyes became red like a live charcoal. None dared to stand
before or face 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 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. Baba suffered this ordeal for the sake
of His Bhakta. The other devotees wanted only to give a hint to the
Mavsibai to be moderate in her service and not cause any trouble or pain
to Baba. This they did with good intention, but Baba did not brook even
this. They were surprised to see that their well-intentioned effort had
resulted in this catastrophe; and they could do nothing but to wait and
see. 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
the 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
Chapter 25
Sai Baba is always full of mercy. What is wanted on our part is whole-hearted devotion to Him. When a devotee has got firm faith and devotion, his wishes are soon fulfilled. When the desire arose in the mind of Hemadpant to write the life and Leelas of Sai Baba, He immediately got it written by him. When the order 'to keep the memos' was given, Hemadpant was inspired and his intellect got strength and boldness to undertake and finish the work. He was not, he say, qualified to write the work, but the gracious blessings of Baba enabled him to complete the undertaking; and thus you have this Satcharita which is a Somakant jewel, from which nectar in the form of Sai Leelas oozes out for the readers to drink to their hearts' content.
Whenever, a devotee had complete and whole-hearted devotion to Sai Baba, all his calamities and dangers were warded off and his welfare attended to by Baba. The story of Damodar Savalaram Resane, Kasar of Ahmednagar (now of Poona) alias Damu Anna illustrating the above statement, is given below.
His Speculations :
(1) Cotton
A Bombay friend of Damu Anna wrote to him, that they should do some cotton-speculation business in partnership which would bring them about two lacs of rupees as profit. (Damu Anna says in his statement made about the year 1936 to Mr. B.V.Narasimha Swami that the proposal about speculating at Bombay in cotton was from a broker who was not to be a partner, and that he (Damu Anna) was to be the sole adventurer: - vide P.75 of the Devotees' Experiences Part II). The broker wrote that the business was good and involved no risks and that the opportunity should not be lost. Damu Anna was oscillating in his mind. He could not at once determine to venture in the speculation. He thought about this and as he was a devotee of Baba, he wrote a detailed letter to Shama giving all the facts and requested him to consult Baba and take His advice in the matter. Shama got the letter next day and when he came with it at noon to the Masjid and placed it before Baba. He asked Shama what the matter was, and what the paper (letter) was about. He replied that Damu Anna of Nagar wanted to consult Him about something. Then Baba said - "What does he write, and what does he plan? It seems that he wants to catch the sky and that he is not content with what God has given him; read his letter". Shama than said, "The letter contains what you have just said now. Oh, Deva you sit here calm and composed and agitate the devotees and when they get restless, you draw them here, some in person and others through letters. If you know the contents of the latter, why do you then press me to read it?" Baba said - "Oh Shama, read it please. I speak at random and who believes Me."
Then Shama read the letter and Baba heard it attentively and said feelingly - "The Shet (Damu Anna) has gone mad; write to him in reply that nothing is wanting in his house. Let him be content with the half loaf (bread) he has now and let him not bother himself about lacs." Shama sent the reply which Damu Anna was anxiously waiting for. Reading it, he found that all his hopes and prospects about lacs of rupees as profit were dashed to the ground. He thought that he had done a mistake in consulting Baba. But as Shama had hinted in the reply that there was always much difference in seeing and hearing and that, therefore, he should come to Shirdi personally and see Baba. He thought it advisable to go to Shirdi and consult Baba personally about the affair. So he went to Shirdi, saw Baba, prostrated himself before Him and sat shampooing His legs. He had no courage to ask Baba openly about the speculation, but he thought in his mind, that it would be better if some share in the business should be assigned to Baba and said in his mind, that if Baba were to help him in this transaction, he would surrender some share of profits to Him. Damu Anna was thus thinking secretly in his mind, but nothing was veiled from Baba; everything past, present and future were clear to Him as an Amalaka fruit in hand. A child wants sweets, but its mother gives bitter pills; the former spoil its health, while the latter improve it. So the mother looking to the welfare of her infant, coaxes it and gives it bitter pills. Baba, kind mother as He was, knew the present and future prospects of His devotees, and therefore reading Damu Anna's mind, He openly spoke to him - "Bapu, I do not want to be entangled in any such wordly things (sharing profits)." Seeing Baba's disapproval Damu Anna dropped the enterprise.
(2) Grain-Dealing
Then he thought of trading in grain, rice, wheat and other groceries. Baba read also this thought and said to him, "You will be buying at five seers and selling at seven seers a rupee". So this business was also given up. The rice in the prices of grains was kept up for some time, and Baba's prophecy seemed to be falsified, but in a month or two there was abundant rain everywhere and the prices suddenly fell down; and, therefore, those who stored grains suffered a severe loss. Damu Anna was saved from this fate. Needless to say that the cotton speculation which was conducted by the broker with the help of another merchant also collapsed with a severe loss to the adventurers. After seeing that Baba had saved him from two severe losses in cotton and grain speculations, Damu Anna's faith in Baba grew strong and he remained a true devotee of Baba till His passing away and even now.
This Damu Anna had three wives. According to his statement mentioned above, he had not three but two wives only. He had no issue. He consulted many astrologers and himself studied astrology to some extent and found that as there was a 'papi' (inauspicious) planet in his horoscope, there was no prospect of any issue to him in this life. But he had great faith in Baba. When he went to Shirdi, two hours after the receipt of the mango parcel, for worshipping Baba, He said, "Though other people are looking for the mangoes, they are Dammya's. He whose they are, should 'eat and die'." Damu Anna on hearing these words was first shocked, but on Mhalsapati (a prominent Shirdi devotees) explaining to him that death meant the death of the little self or egos, and to have it at Baba's Feet was a blessing, he said that he would accept the fruits and eat them. But Baba said to him. "Do not eat yourself, but give them to your junior wife. This Amra-Leela (mango miracle of 4 mangoes) will give her four sons and four daughters. This was done and ultimately in due course it was found Baba's words turned out true and not those of the astrologers.
Baba's speech established its efficacy or greatness while He was living in the flesh, but wonder of wonders! It did the same even after His passing away. Baba said - "Believe Me, though I pass away, My bones in My tomb will give you hope and confidence. Not only Myself but My tomb would be speaking, moving and communicating with those who would surrender themselves whole-heartedly to Me. Do not be anxious that I would be absent from you. You will hear My bones speaking and discussing your welfare. But remember Me always, believe in Me heart and soul and then you will be most benefited.
Note :- In this connection the following extract from Damu Anna's statement mentioned above, is worth perusal, (Page 76).
"Once when I sat at His Feet along with many others, I had two questions in my mind and He gave answers to both.
(1) There are so many crowding to Sai Baba. Do they all get benefit from Him?
To this, He replied orally - "Look at the mango tree in blossom. If all the flowers brought fruit, what a splendid crop it would be. But do they? Most fall off (either as flowers or as unripe fruits) by wind etc. Very few remain".
(2) The second question was about myself. If Baba were to pass away, how hopelessly adrift I would be and how am I to fare then?
To this Baba answered that He would be with me when and wherever I thought of Him. That promise He had kept up before 1918 and has been keeping up after 1918. He is still with me. He is still guiding me. This was about 1910-11, when brothers separated from me and my sister died, and there was a theft and police enquiry, all of which incidents upset me very much.
When my sister died, my mind was much upset. I did not care for life and enjoyments. When I went to Baba, He pacified me with His Upadesh and made me eat a feast of Pooran Poli at Appa Kulkarni's house and get pasted with sandal.
There was a theft in my house. A thirty year's friend of mine stole my wife's jewel-box, including her auspicious Nathi (nose-ring). I wept before Baba's photo. The next day, the man returned the jewel-box and prayed for pardon.
Chapter 25
Damu Anna Kasar of Ahmednagar - (1) Speculations - (2) Amra-Leela
Preliminary
We
begin this Chapter with a bow with all our eight limbs to Sai Baba, Who
is an ocean of mercy, the God incarnate, who is Para-Brahman and the
great Yogeshwara (Lord of Yoga). Victory be unto Sai Baba, Who is the
crest-jewel of the Saints, who is the home of all auspicious things, who
is our Atmaram (Dear Self), and who is the able refuge of the devotees.
We prostrate ourselves before Him, Who has attained the aim and end of
life.Preliminary
Sai Baba is always full of mercy. What is wanted on our part is whole-hearted devotion to Him. When a devotee has got firm faith and devotion, his wishes are soon fulfilled. When the desire arose in the mind of Hemadpant to write the life and Leelas of Sai Baba, He immediately got it written by him. When the order 'to keep the memos' was given, Hemadpant was inspired and his intellect got strength and boldness to undertake and finish the work. He was not, he say, qualified to write the work, but the gracious blessings of Baba enabled him to complete the undertaking; and thus you have this Satcharita which is a Somakant jewel, from which nectar in the form of Sai Leelas oozes out for the readers to drink to their hearts' content.
Whenever, a devotee had complete and whole-hearted devotion to Sai Baba, all his calamities and dangers were warded off and his welfare attended to by Baba. The story of Damodar Savalaram Resane, Kasar of Ahmednagar (now of Poona) alias Damu Anna illustrating the above statement, is given below.
Damu Anna
The
readers are aware that a mention of this gentleman was made in the 6th
Chapter, regarding the celebration of Rama-Navami festival in Shirdi. He
went to Shirdi about the year 1895, when the Rama-Navami
Utsava-celebration began and from that time he has been providing an
ornamental flag for that occasion every year. He also feeds the poor and
the fakirs that come there for the festival.His Speculations :
(1) Cotton
A Bombay friend of Damu Anna wrote to him, that they should do some cotton-speculation business in partnership which would bring them about two lacs of rupees as profit. (Damu Anna says in his statement made about the year 1936 to Mr. B.V.Narasimha Swami that the proposal about speculating at Bombay in cotton was from a broker who was not to be a partner, and that he (Damu Anna) was to be the sole adventurer: - vide P.75 of the Devotees' Experiences Part II). The broker wrote that the business was good and involved no risks and that the opportunity should not be lost. Damu Anna was oscillating in his mind. He could not at once determine to venture in the speculation. He thought about this and as he was a devotee of Baba, he wrote a detailed letter to Shama giving all the facts and requested him to consult Baba and take His advice in the matter. Shama got the letter next day and when he came with it at noon to the Masjid and placed it before Baba. He asked Shama what the matter was, and what the paper (letter) was about. He replied that Damu Anna of Nagar wanted to consult Him about something. Then Baba said - "What does he write, and what does he plan? It seems that he wants to catch the sky and that he is not content with what God has given him; read his letter". Shama than said, "The letter contains what you have just said now. Oh, Deva you sit here calm and composed and agitate the devotees and when they get restless, you draw them here, some in person and others through letters. If you know the contents of the latter, why do you then press me to read it?" Baba said - "Oh Shama, read it please. I speak at random and who believes Me."
Then Shama read the letter and Baba heard it attentively and said feelingly - "The Shet (Damu Anna) has gone mad; write to him in reply that nothing is wanting in his house. Let him be content with the half loaf (bread) he has now and let him not bother himself about lacs." Shama sent the reply which Damu Anna was anxiously waiting for. Reading it, he found that all his hopes and prospects about lacs of rupees as profit were dashed to the ground. He thought that he had done a mistake in consulting Baba. But as Shama had hinted in the reply that there was always much difference in seeing and hearing and that, therefore, he should come to Shirdi personally and see Baba. He thought it advisable to go to Shirdi and consult Baba personally about the affair. So he went to Shirdi, saw Baba, prostrated himself before Him and sat shampooing His legs. He had no courage to ask Baba openly about the speculation, but he thought in his mind, that it would be better if some share in the business should be assigned to Baba and said in his mind, that if Baba were to help him in this transaction, he would surrender some share of profits to Him. Damu Anna was thus thinking secretly in his mind, but nothing was veiled from Baba; everything past, present and future were clear to Him as an Amalaka fruit in hand. A child wants sweets, but its mother gives bitter pills; the former spoil its health, while the latter improve it. So the mother looking to the welfare of her infant, coaxes it and gives it bitter pills. Baba, kind mother as He was, knew the present and future prospects of His devotees, and therefore reading Damu Anna's mind, He openly spoke to him - "Bapu, I do not want to be entangled in any such wordly things (sharing profits)." Seeing Baba's disapproval Damu Anna dropped the enterprise.
(2) Grain-Dealing
Then he thought of trading in grain, rice, wheat and other groceries. Baba read also this thought and said to him, "You will be buying at five seers and selling at seven seers a rupee". So this business was also given up. The rice in the prices of grains was kept up for some time, and Baba's prophecy seemed to be falsified, but in a month or two there was abundant rain everywhere and the prices suddenly fell down; and, therefore, those who stored grains suffered a severe loss. Damu Anna was saved from this fate. Needless to say that the cotton speculation which was conducted by the broker with the help of another merchant also collapsed with a severe loss to the adventurers. After seeing that Baba had saved him from two severe losses in cotton and grain speculations, Damu Anna's faith in Baba grew strong and he remained a true devotee of Baba till His passing away and even now.
Amra-Leela (Mango miracle)
Once
a parcel of about 300 good mangoes was received at Shirdi. It was sent
from Goa by one Mamlatdar named Rale to Sai Baba in the name of Shama.
When it was opened, all the mangoes were found to be in a good
condition. They were given in Shama's charge and only four were retained
and placed in the kolamba (pot) by Baba. He said that, "These four
fruits are for Damu Anna, let them lie there".This Damu Anna had three wives. According to his statement mentioned above, he had not three but two wives only. He had no issue. He consulted many astrologers and himself studied astrology to some extent and found that as there was a 'papi' (inauspicious) planet in his horoscope, there was no prospect of any issue to him in this life. But he had great faith in Baba. When he went to Shirdi, two hours after the receipt of the mango parcel, for worshipping Baba, He said, "Though other people are looking for the mangoes, they are Dammya's. He whose they are, should 'eat and die'." Damu Anna on hearing these words was first shocked, but on Mhalsapati (a prominent Shirdi devotees) explaining to him that death meant the death of the little self or egos, and to have it at Baba's Feet was a blessing, he said that he would accept the fruits and eat them. But Baba said to him. "Do not eat yourself, but give them to your junior wife. This Amra-Leela (mango miracle of 4 mangoes) will give her four sons and four daughters. This was done and ultimately in due course it was found Baba's words turned out true and not those of the astrologers.
Baba's speech established its efficacy or greatness while He was living in the flesh, but wonder of wonders! It did the same even after His passing away. Baba said - "Believe Me, though I pass away, My bones in My tomb will give you hope and confidence. Not only Myself but My tomb would be speaking, moving and communicating with those who would surrender themselves whole-heartedly to Me. Do not be anxious that I would be absent from you. You will hear My bones speaking and discussing your welfare. But remember Me always, believe in Me heart and soul and then you will be most benefited.
Prayer
Hemadpant
closes this Chapter with a prayer. "Oh Sai Sad-guru, the wish
fulfilling tree of the Bhaktas, Let us never forget and lose sight of
Your Feet; we have been troubled with the ins and outs (births and
deaths) in this samsar; now free us from this cycle of births and
deaths. Restrain us from the outgoing of our senses to their objects and
introvert us and bring us face to face with the Atma (Self). As long as
this outgoing tendency of the senses and the mind is not checked, there
is no prospect of self-realisation. Neither son, nor wife nor friend
will be of any use in the end. It is only You, Who will give us
salvation and happiness. Destroy completely our tendency for discussions
and other evil matters, let out tongue get a passion for chanting Your
name. Drive out our thoughts, good or otherwise and make us forget our
bodies and houses, and do away with our egoism. Make us ever remember
Your name and forget all other things. Remove the restlessness of our
mind, and make it steady and calm. If you just clasp us, the darkness of
night of our ignorance will vanish and we shall live happily in Your
light. That You made us drink the nectar of Your Leelas and awakened us
from our slumber is due to Your grace and our store of merits in past
births".Note :- In this connection the following extract from Damu Anna's statement mentioned above, is worth perusal, (Page 76).
"Once when I sat at His Feet along with many others, I had two questions in my mind and He gave answers to both.
(1) There are so many crowding to Sai Baba. Do they all get benefit from Him?
To this, He replied orally - "Look at the mango tree in blossom. If all the flowers brought fruit, what a splendid crop it would be. But do they? Most fall off (either as flowers or as unripe fruits) by wind etc. Very few remain".
(2) The second question was about myself. If Baba were to pass away, how hopelessly adrift I would be and how am I to fare then?
To this Baba answered that He would be with me when and wherever I thought of Him. That promise He had kept up before 1918 and has been keeping up after 1918. He is still with me. He is still guiding me. This was about 1910-11, when brothers separated from me and my sister died, and there was a theft and police enquiry, all of which incidents upset me very much.
When my sister died, my mind was much upset. I did not care for life and enjoyments. When I went to Baba, He pacified me with His Upadesh and made me eat a feast of Pooran Poli at Appa Kulkarni's house and get pasted with sandal.
There was a theft in my house. A thirty year's friend of mine stole my wife's jewel-box, including her auspicious Nathi (nose-ring). I wept before Baba's photo. The next day, the man returned the jewel-box and prayed for pardon.
Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
