DIXIT'S SADGATI (1)

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SADGATI TO DIXIT (1)

 

In securing a good end to one's present life, Baba pays naturally due

regard to the previous ideas of the bhaktas, especially when they are

based upon traditions or words of the scriptures. It is commonly

believed that death on the Ekadasi Day carries a man to Heaven. Kaka

Dixit had that belief, and he mentions it in his preface to Sai

Satcharitra, which preface was published in Sai Lila Masik over

Dixit's signature in 1923. See page No. 4 of Sai Lila Masik

containing the earliest part of Sai Sat Charitra, Volume 1 No, 1,

where he says, `It is fitting that the death of Hari bhaktas should

be on Hari's own day, that is, `Ekadasi' (because Ekadasi should be

devoted to Hari bhajans).

 

Dixit notes that Baba gave this Ekadasi death to Kasiram, Appah Bhil,

and other bhaktas. We may also note here that Mahlsapathy died on an

Ekadasi day as also Chandorkar, Tatya Patel, etc., Therefore, it is

most fitting that Dixit should die on an Ekadasi day according to

current belief of the virtues of death on that day.

 

About Ekadasi, it should be remembered by all readers that it is

considered a very special day for the purpose of intense

concentration of God, and fasting is prescribed for that day in the

verse: -

 

Ekadascyam Ahoratram

Kartavyam Bho Jana Dwayam

Ratrow Jagaranam Kuryat

Divacha Hari Kirtanam

 

With the study of and upon the holy works with bhajan. In the case of

Kaka Dixit, all these were available; especially, the bhajan and the

study were peculiarly suitable. He had excellent company in Anna

Saheb Dabolkar, the author of Sai Sat Charitra and Tendulkar, the

composer (along with his wife) of innumerable songs on Sai Baba

(found in Sai Bhajanamala) both of whom were very deeply attached to

Sai Baba and prized Dixit's company on that account.

 

The 4-7-1926 were Gajendra Moksha, that is, the giving of Moksha to

an Elephant by God, which is contained in Sunderakanda, 21st Adhyaya

of Eknath Bhavartha Ramayana. The book was studied by Dixit every

night, and on the night preceding his death (i.e., 4-7-1926) he had a

dream. In that dream he had a vision of Sai Baba and noticed that

Baba came up and got into the upper cover of Anna Saheb, and Anna

Saheb was holding Baba in a fast embrace with great love. This dream

he communicated early morning after waking to Anna Saheb, Deshpande,

Legate and others.

 

His parayana of Eknath Bhagavatha also on the very day of his

departure was of the portion which dealt with the Ashta Maha siddhis

in chapter XV of Ekadasa Skanda, especially verse 23, which says : -

 

Parakayam Viscan Sidhah

Atmanam Tatra Bhavayet

Pindam hitva Viscet pranah

Vayu bhutah shadanghrivat

 

This means, `When a siddha wishes to enter into the body of another

creature, he has only to mentally carry himself into the body of that

other creature, giving up mentally his own body, carrying himself in

an astral body, just as a bee leaves one flower and flies into

another'. The commentary of Eknath's stanza is extremely brilliant

and Kaka Saheb read that with overflowing heart and as described in

that stanza, he himself like a bee flew from his body to some other

body arranged for him by Baba's Grace at the time of death in

accordance with Baba's promise.

 

Written by: HH Pujyasri B. V. Narasimha Swamiji in Life of Sai Baba

 

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