Sai Satcharitra-Let us all read it together, a little everyday

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Variety in Upadesh -- Slanderer Condemned

Sai Baba required no special place, nor any special time for giving

instructions. Whenever any occasion demanded, He gave them freely. Once it so

happened that a Bhakta of Baba, reviled another behind his back, before other

people. On leaving aside merits, he dwelt on the faults of his brother, and

spoke so sarcastically, that the hearers were disgusted. Generally, we see that

people have a tendency to scandalize others, un-necessarily; and this brings on

hatred and ill-will. Saints see scandal, in another light. They say that there

are various ways of cleansing or removing dirt, viz. by means of earth, water

and soap etc., but a scandal-monger has got a way of his own. He removes the

dirt (faults) of others by his tongue; so in a way of obliges the person, whom

he reviles and for this he is to be thanked. Sai Baba had his own method of

correcting the scandal-monger. He knew by his omniscience

what the slanderer had done and when He met him at noon near the Lendi, Baba

pointed out to him a pig that was eating filth near the fence and said to him -

"Behold how, with what relish it is gorging dung. Your conduct is similar. You

go on reviling your own brethren to your heart's content. After performing many

deeds of merit, you are born a man, and if you act like this, will Shirdi help

you in any way?" Needless to say, that the Bhakta took the lesson to his heart,

and went away.

In this way Baba went on giving instructions whenever necessary. If these are

borne in our minds and acted upon, the spiritual goal (realization) is not far

off. There is a proverb which says - "If there be my Hari (Lord), He will feed

me on my cot." This proverb is only true in respect of food and clothing, but

if anyone trusting in this, sits quiet and does nothing in spiritual matters,

he will be ruined. One has to exert himself to his utmost for attaining

self-realization. The more he endeavours, the better for him.

Baba said that He was omnipresent, occupying land, air, country, world, light

and heaven, and that He was not limited. To remove the misunderstanding of

those, who thought that Baba was only His body - three cubits and a half in

length, He incarnated Himself in this form and if any devotee meditated on Him

day and night with complete self-surrender, he experienced complete union

(without any difference) with Him like sweetness and sugar, waves and sea, eye

and its luster. He, who wants to get rid of the cycle of births and deaths,

should lead a righteous life, with his mind calm and composed. He should always

engage himself in good actions, should do his duties and surrender himself,

heart and soul to Him. He need not then be afraid of anything. He who trusts

Him entirely, hears and expounds His Leelas and does not think of anything

else, is sure to attain Self-realization. Baba asked many to remember His name

and to surrender to Him, but to

those, who wanted to know who they were ('Who am I' enquiry), He advised

Shravanam (study) and Mananam (meditation). To some, He advised remembering

God's name, to others hearing His Leelas, to some worship of His Feet, to

others reading and studying Adhyatma Ramayan, Jnaneshwari and other sacred

scriptures. Some He made sit near His Feet, some He sent to Khandoba's temple,

and some He advised the repetition of the thousands names of Vishnu and some

the study of Chhandogya Upanishad and Geeta. There were no limit, nor

restriction to His instructions. To some, He gave them in person. To others by

visions in dreams. To one addicted to drink, He appeared in his dream, sat on

his chest, pressed it and left him, after he gave a promise not to touch liquor

anymore. To some, He explained some Mantras like `Gurur Brahma' in dreams. To

some devotee, who was practising Hath-Yoga, He sent word that he should leave

off Hath-Yoga practices, sit quiet and wait (Saburi). It is impossible to

describe all His ways and methods. In ordinary wordly dealings, He set examples

by His actions, one of which is given below.

Remuneration for Labour

One day at noon, Baba came near Radha-Krishna-Mai's house and said - "Bring Me a

ladder." Some men brought it and set it against a house as directed by Baba. He

climbed up on the roof of Vaman Gondkar's house, passed the roof of

Radha-Krishna-Mai's house and then got down from the other corner. What object

Baba had, none could know. Radha-Krishna-Mai was, at that time, shivering with

Malaria. It may be to drive off that fever, that He may have gone there.

Immediately after getting down, Baba paid Rupees two to the persons who brought

the ladder. Somebody asked Baba, why he paid so much for this. He replied that

nobody should take the labour of others, in vain. The worker should be paid,

his dues promptly and liberally.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all"Gurur Brahma Gurur VishnuGurur Devoh

Maheshwar;Gurur Shakshat ParambramhaTashmai Shri Gurur Veh Namah"May the

Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and remove

our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength , goodluck, success and

happiness with peace of mind.Sai bhakt,Deepa Hdebu7366

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