Shri Baba and Vedic Religion (contd....)

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Deva Yagna

We next take up Deva Yagna - the offering to Gods. Instances abound in

Shri Baba's life and teachings, where he emphasized the importance

of offering to Gods. Shri Baba Himself whenever " He cooked food, first

offered it to God before distributing it to others. When Nana bypassed

Datta's temple to avoid an offering of Rs. 500/-, which he had vowed,

Shri Baba chided him and refused to talk to him and Nana realised his

mistake. Shri Baba advised all His devotees not to neglect the worship

and offerings to their family deities. Shama had to offer silver breasts

to the Goddess Saptashringi to fulfill the long standing vow of his late

mother. When he approached Shri Baba with the silver offerings, He

refused to accept them (although He identified Himself with Lakshmi) and

directed him to make a pilgrimage to the temple of the Goddess and make

the offering there.

 

Bhoota Yagna

Bhoota Yagna comes next. This is the offering to beings. Shri Baba used

to beg for His food and on His return to Dwarakamai he used to deposit

the food in a kundi. Dogs, cats and crows ate the food from the kundi

freely. Once when Mrs. Tarkhad was carrying specially made dishes for

Shri Baba, a hungry dog turned up. Mrs. Tarkhad threw some food for the

dog. When she reached Dwarkamai Shri Baba told her, " Mother! Take pity

on Me like this. First give food to the hungry and then eat yourself " .

Shri Baba added further, " The dog which you saw before meals and to whom

you gave the piece of bread is one with me, so also other creatures. He,

who sees Me in all these creatures is my beloved " .

 

Manushya or Atithi Yagna

Lastly comes the Manushya or Atithi Yagna or the offering to men or

uninvited guests. Shri Baba always said that without " Rinanubandh "

nobody comes to any one. To quote the words of Shri Baba, " Unless there

is some relationship or connection nobody goes anywhere. If any man or

creature comes to you, do not discourteously drive him away but receive

him well and treat him well. Lord Hari will be certainly pleased if you

give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked and

your verandah to the strangers for sitting and resting " . By numerous

incidents, Shri Baba encouraged those who followed this advice and

scolded those who behaved rudely to beggars and strangers; the

compassion which Shri Baba himself showed to the poor and needy

cannot be described in words.

 

All the above examples show that Shri Baba was the greatest exponent of

the Vedic and Upanishadic teachings by His words and more than that by

His deeds. As devotees of Shri Baba, it is our duty to meditate on His

teachings and lead our lives accordingly. That is the surest way of

pleasing Baba and getting his ever lasting blessings.

Sai Rag

(Source Shri Sai Leela Feb 1979)