Shri Sai Satcharitra - [Ch. XLVIII]

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Shhri Sai Satcharitra - [Ch. XLVIII]

Sat, 18 May 2002 09:40:46 +0530

Om Sri Sai Ram

Shri Sai Satcharita

Chapter XLVIII

Warding off Devotee's Calamities - Stories of (1) Shevade and (2) Sapatneker

At the commencement of this Chapter, some one asked Hemadpant whether Sai Baba

was a Guru or Sadguru. In order to answer the question Hemadpant describes the

signs or marks of a Sadguru as follows: -

Signs of Sadguru

He who teaches us Veda and Vedanta or the six Shastras (systems), he who

controls the breath, or brands his body with Mudras (metallic marks of Vishnu's

weapons) or gives pleasing discourses regarding Brahma, he who gives mantras

(sacred syllables) to the disciples and orders them to chant the same a certain

number of times, but does not assure them any result in a definite time, he who

by his spacious wordy knowledge explains beautifully the Ultimate Principle,

but has himself got no experience or self-realization, is not a Sadguru. But

he, who by his discourse creates in us, a distaste for the enjoyments of this

world and the next, and gives us a taste of self-realization, who is

well-versed in both the theoretical and practical knowledge (self-realization)

deserves to be called a Sadguru. How can he, who is himself devoid of

self-realization, give it to the disciples. A Sad-guru {Sadguru} does not, even

in his dream, expect any service or profit from his disciples. On the contrary

he wishes to serve them. He does not think that he is great and the disciple

small. Not only he loves him as his son but regards him a equal to himself or

as Brahma. The main characteristic of a Sadguru is, that he is the abode of

peace. He is never restless nor ruffled. He has no pride of his learning. The

poor and the rich, the small and the great, are the same to him.

Hemadpant thinks that on account of the store or accumulation of merits in his

past births, he had the good fortune of meeting and being blessed by such a

Sadguru as Sai Baba. Even in full youth, He hoarded nothing (expect perhaps

chillim). He had no family, no friend, no home, nor any support. Since He was

eighteen, His control of mind was perfect and extra-ordinary. He lived then

fearless in a secluded place and always abided in His Self. On seeing the pure

attachment of His devotees, He always acted in their interests, and hence, He

was in a way dependent on them. What experiences He gave to His devotees, while

he was living in flesh, are even today, after His Mahasamadhi, felt now by those

who attach themselves to Him. What the devotees have to do is this-They have to

trim their heart-lamp, of faith and devotion, and burn in it wicks of love, and

when this is done, the flame of knowledge (self-realization) will be lit up and

shine brighter. Mere knowledge, without love, is dry; nobody wants such

knowledge. Without love there is no contentment; so love? How can we praise

love? Everything is insignificant before it. Without love our reading, hearing

and the study are of no avail. In the wake of love, follow devotion,

dispassion, peace and liberation with all their treasures. We do not get love

for anything, unless we feel earnestly about it. So where there is real

yearning and feeling God manifests Himself. It includes love and it is the

means of liberation.

Now let us revert to the main story of this Chapter, Let a man go to a true

Saint with a pure mind, even otherwise (fraudulently) and hold his feet;

ultimately he is sure to be saved. This is illustrated by the following

stories.

Mr. Shevade

Mr. Sapatneker of Akkalkot (Sholapur District) was studying for law. A

co-student Mr. Shevade met him. Other fellow students also gathered together

and compared notes of their study. It was found, by the question and answers

amongst themselves, that Mr. Shevade was the least prepared of all for the

examinations, and therefore, all the students derided him. But he said that

though he was not prepared, he was sure to pass the examination, as his Sai

Baba was there to get him through it, successfully. Mr. Satnekar was surprised

at this remark. He took Mr. Shevade aside and asked him, Who this Sai Baba was

Whom He extolled so high. He replied- There lives in a Masjid in Shirdi

(Ahmednagar District) A Fakir. He is a great Satpurusha. There may be other

Saints, but this is unique. Unless there is a great store of merits on one's

account, one can't see Him. I fully believe in Him, and what He says will be

never untrue. He has assured me that I will pass definitely next year and I am

confident that I will get through the final examination also with His grace.

Mr. Sapatneker laughed at his friend's confidence and jeered at him and Baba.

Sapatnekars

Mr. Sapatnekar passed his examination, settled at Akkalkot and practiced as a

pleader there. Ten years after this, i.e., in 1913 he lost his only son on

account of a throat disease. This broke his heart. He sought relief by making a

pilgrimage to Pandharpur, Gangapur and other holy places. He got no peace of

mind. Then he read Vedanta, which also did not help him. In the meanwhile, he

remembered Mr. Shevade's remarks and his faith in Baba, and he though that he

too should go to Shirdi and see Baba. He went to Shirdi with his younger

brother Panditrao and was much pleased to see Baba from a distance. When he

went near and prostrated himself and placed a coconut before Baba with pure

feeling (devotion), the latter at once cried out "Get away." Saptnekar hung

down his head, moved back and sat aside. He wanted to consult somebody, who

would advise him how to proceed. Somebody mentioned Bala Shimpi's name.

Sapatnekar saw him and sought his help. They bought Baba's photos and came with

them to the Masjid. Bala Shimpi too, a photo in his hand, gave it to Baba and

asked him whose photo it was. Baba said that this photo was the 'Yara' (Lover)

of him, pointing to Sapatnekar. Saying this Baba laughed and all other joined.

Bala asked Baba the significance of the laugh and beckoned Sapatnekar to come

forward and take darshan. When Saptnakar began to prostrate himself, Baba again

cried "Get out". Sapatnekar did not know what to do. Then they both joined their

hands and sat before Baba, praying. Baba finally ordered Sapatnekar, to clear

out immediately. Both were sad and dejected. As Baba's order had to be obeyed,

Sapatnekar left Shirdi with a heavy heart praying that he should be allowed to

take Darshan, next time.

Mrs. Sapatnekar

One year lapsed. Still his mind was not a peace. He went to Gangapur, where he

felt more restless. Then he went to Madhegaon for rest; and finally decided to

go to Kashi. Two days before starting, his wife got a vision. In her dream she

was going with a pitcher to Lakadsha's well. There a fakir with a piece of

cloth round his head, who was sitting at the foot of the Neem tree, came close

to her and said -My dear lassie, why get exhausted for nothing? I get your

pitcher filled with pure water. She was afraid of the fakir and hastened back

with the empty pitcher. The fakir followed her. At this, she was awakened and

opened her eyes. She told this vision to her husband. They thought, that this

was an auspicious sign; and they both left for Shirdi. When they reached the

Masjid, Baba was absent. He had gone to Lendi. They waited, till His return.

When he returned, she was surprised to see that the fakir she saw in her

vision, resembled exactly Baba. She reverentially prostrated herself before

Baba and sat looking at him. On seeing her humility Baba was much pleased and

began to tell a story in his peculiar characteristic fashion to a third party.

He said- My arms, abdomen and waist are paining for a long time. I took many

medicines, the pains did not abate. I got sick of the medicines as they gave Me

no relief, but I am surprised to see now that all the pains have disappeared at

once.' Though no name was mentioned it was the story of Mrs. Sapatnekar

herself. Her pains, as described by Baba, left her soon, and she was happy.

Then Mr. Sapatnekar went ahead to take Darshan. He was again welcomed with the

former "Get out". This time, he was more penitent and persevering. He said that

Baba's displeasure was due to his past deeds and resolved to make amends for the

same. He determined to see Baba alone and ask his pardon for his past actions.

This he did. He placed his head on Baba's Feet, and Baba placed His hand on it,

and Sapatnekar sat stroking Baba's Leg. Then a shepherdess came and sat

massaging Baba's waist. Baba in His characteristic way began to tell the story

of a bania. He related the various vicissitudes of all his life, including the

death of his only son. Sapatnekar was surprised to see that the story, which

Baba related, was his own, and he wondered how Baba knew every detail of it. He

came to know, that He was Omniscient; and knew the hearts of all. When this

thought crossed his mind, Baba still addressing the shepherdess and pointing to

Sapatnekar said-This fellow blames Me and charges Me with the killing of the

son. Do I kill people's children? Why does this fellow come to the Masjid and

cry? Now I will do this, I will again bring, that very child back in his wife's

womb. With these words, He placed His blessing hand on is head and comforted him

saying-These feet are old and holy, you are care-free now; place entire faith in

Me and you will soon get your object. Sapatnekar was much moved with emotion, he

bathed Baba's Feet with his tears; and then returned to his residence.

Then he made preparations for worship and naiveidya and came with his wife to

the Masjid. He offered all this to Baba daily and accepted prasad from Him.

There was a crowd in the Masjid and Sapatnekar went there, and saluted Babu

again and again. On seeing heads clashing against heads Baba said to

Sapatnekar- "Oh, why do you prostrate yourself now and then? The one Namaskar

offered with love and humility is enough". Then Sapatnekar witnessed that night

the Chavadi procession described before. In that procession Baba looked like a

veritable Pandurang (Vithal).

At the parting next day, Sapatnekar thought that he should first pay one rupee

as dakshina and if Baba asked again, instead of saying no, he should pay one

more, reserving with him sufficient amount as expenses for the journey. When he

went to the Masjid and offered one rupee, Baba asked for another as per his

intention and when it was paid, Baba blessed him saying- Take the coconut, put

it in your wife's oti (upper fold of her sari), and go away at ease without the

least anxiety. He did so, and within a year, a son was born to him and with a

infant of 8 months the party came to Shirdi, placed it at Baba's Feet and

prayed thus- "Oh, Sainath, we do not know how to redeem Your obligations,

therefore, we prostrate ourselves before You, bless us poor helpless fellows,

henceforth, let Your holy Feet be our sole refuge. Many thoughts and ideas

trouble us in waking and dream states, so turn away our minds from them to Your

Bhajan and bless us".

The son was named Muralidhar. Two other (Bhaskar and Dinkar) were born

afterwards. The Sapatnekar pair thus realized that Baba's words were never

untrue and unfulfilled, but turned out literally true.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all