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

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(1) Vijayanand

A Madrasi Sannyasi named Vijayanand started on a pilgrimage to Manasa-Sarovar.

En route, hearing Baba's fame, he halted at Shirdi. There he met one Somadevaji

Swami of Hardwar and enquired of him about the particulars of the Manasa-Sarovar

trip. The Swami told him that the Sarovar was 500 miles above the Gangotri and

described to him the difficulties of the journey, viz. plenty of snow and the

change of dialect every 50 koss and the suspicious nature of the people of

Bhutan who give a lost of trouble to the pilgrims on the way. Hearing this, the

Sannyasi was dejected and cancelled the trip. Then when he went to Baba and

prostrated himself before Him, Baba got enraged and said, "Drive out this

useless Sannyasi, his company is of no use". The Sannyasi did not know Baba's

nature. He felt discomforted, but sat there watching things that were going on.

It was the morning Darbar and the Masjid was

overcrowded. Baba was being worshipped in various ways. Some were washing His

Feet, some taking the Tirth (holy water) from His toe and drinking it heartily

and some touching their eyes with it, some were applying sandal-paste, and some

scents to His body. And all were doing these things forgetting the distinction

of caste and creed. Though Baba got enraged with him, he was filled with

affection for Baba and he did not like to leave the place.

He stayed in Shirdi for two days when he got a letter from Madras stating that

his mother was very ill. He felt very dejected and wanted to be by his mother's

side; but he could not leave without Baba's permission. So he saw Baba with the

letter in hand and asked for His permission to return home. The omniscient Baba

knowing the future said to him - "If you so loved your mother, why did you take

Sannayasa? Fondness or attachment ill becomes an ochre garb. Go and sit quiet

at your lodging, wait with patience for a few days. In the Wada there are many

robbers, bolt your doors, be very vigilant, the thieves will carry everything.

Wealth and prosperity are transient and the body is subject to decay and death.

Knowing this, do your duty, leaving all attachment to the things of this world

and next. He who does this and surrenders himself to the Feet of Hari (Lord)

will get free from all troubles and attain bliss. The Lord runs and helps him

who

remembers and meditates on Him with love and affection. Your store of past

merits is considerable, so you have come here. Now attend to what I say and

realise the end of your life. Being desireless, begin from tomorrow the study

of Bhagwat. Do three 'saptahas' i.e. three reading during three weeks,

conscientiously. The Lord will be pleased with you and destroy your sorrows,

your illusions will vanish and you will get peace." Seeing that his end was

approaching, Baba prescribed that remedy and made him read 'Ramavijaya' which

pleases the God of death. Next morning after bathing and other purifying rites

he commenced to read Bhagwat in a secluded part in the Lendi garden. He

completed two readings and thereafter felt much exhausted. He returned to the

Wada and stayed in his lodging for two days and on the third day he breathed

his last on Fakir (Bade) Baba's lap. Baba asked the people to preserve the body

for a day for a good reason. The police afterwards came and on making proper

enquiries gave permission for the disposal of the body. It was buried in a

proper place with due rites. In this way Baba helped the Sannyasi and ensured

him Sadgati (salvation)."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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