Shri Sai Satcharitra Chapter 18-19

Chapter – 18-19

How Hemadpant was accepted and blessed - Stories of Mrs. Sathe and Mrs. Deshmukh - Encouraging good thoughts to fruition - Variety in Upadesh - Teachings regarding slander and Remuneration for labor

In the last two chapters, Hemadpant described how a rich gentleman aspiring for quick Brahma jnana was treated by Baba, and now in these two chapters, he describes how Hemadpant himself was accepted and blessed by Baba, how Baba encouraged good thoughts and fructified them, and how He gave teachings regarding Self-improvement, slander and remuneration for labor.

Preliminary

It is a well known fact that the satguru looks first to the qualifications of his disciples and then gives them suitable instructions without unsettling their minds in the least. He then leads them on toward the goal of Self-realization. In this respect, some say that what the satguru teaches or instructs should not be divulged to others. They think their instructions become useless if they are published. This view is incorrect. The satguru is like a monsoon cloud. He pours down profusely, i.e. scatters widely his nectar-like teachings. We should enjoy these and assimilate them to our heart’s content and then share them with others without any reserve. This rule should apply, not only to what the satguru teaches us in our waking state, but to the visions he gives us in our dreams. As an example, Budhakowshik Rishi composed his celebrated Ramaraksha stotra which he had seen in his dream. Like a loving mother forcing bitter, but wholesome, medicine down the throats of her children for the sake of their health, Sai Baba imparted spiritual instructions to His devotees. His method was not veiled or secret, but quite open. The devotees who followed His instructions achieved the object of their desire. Satgurus like Sai Baba expand our intellect and fulfill our tender longings of devotion as they show us the divine beauties of the Self. When this is done, our desire for sense objects vanishes, the twin fruits of viveka (discrimination) and vairagya (dispassion or non-attachment) develop, and knowledge unfolds, even while sleeping.

We develop these qualities when we come in contact with saints (satguru), serve them, and secure their love. The Lord, who fulfils the desires of His devotees, comes to our aid, removes our troubles and sufferings, and makes us happy. This progress or development is entirely due to the help of the satguru, who is regarded as the Lord Himself. We should, therefore, always seek the satguru, hear his stories, fall at his feet and serve him. Now to our main story.

Mr. Sathe

There was a gentleman named Mr. Sathe who had attained some publicity many years ago during the Crawford Regime which was deposed by Lord Reay, the Governor of Bombay at that time. Sathe suffered severe losses in trade. Other adverse circumstances gave him considerable trouble and made him sad and dejected. Being restless, he thought of leaving his home and going out to a distant place. Man does not generally think of God, but when difficulties and calamities overtake him, he turns to Him and prays for relief. If his evil actions have come to an end, God arranges his meeting with a saint, who then gives him proper directions regarding his welfare. Mr. Sathe had a similar experience. His friends advised him to go to Shirdi, where so many people flock to receive Sai Baba’s darshan to attain peace of mind and satisfaction of their desires. Sathe liked the idea and immediately traveled to Shirdi in 1917. Upon seeing Baba’s form, which was like eternal Brahma, Self-luminous, spotless and pure, Sathe’s mind lost its restlessness and became calm and composed. He thought it was the accumulated merits in his former births that brought him to the holy feet of Baba. Sathe was a man of strong will. He at once started to make a parayana (study) of Gurucharita. When the reading was finished in the saptaha (seven days), Baba gave him a vision that night. It was to this effect: Baba with Gurucharita in His hand was explaining its contents to Mr. Sathe who was sitting in front and listening carefully. When he woke up, he remembered the dream and felt very happy.

He thought it was extremely kind of Baba to awaken souls like his that are snoring in ignorance, and make them taste the nectar of Gurucharita. The next day, Sathe informed Kakasaheb Dixit of this vision and requested him to consult Sai Baba regarding its meaning or significance and to find out whether one saptaha (week’s) reading was sufficient or whether he should begin again. Kakasaheb Dixit, when a suitable opportunity arose, asked Baba, “Deva (Oh God), what did you suggest to Mr. Sathe by this vision? Should he stop his reading of Gurucharita or do another saptaha? He is a simple devotee. Please fulfill his desire and explain the vision and bless him.” Then Baba replied, “He should make one more saptaha of the book; if the work be studied carefully, the devotee will become pure and will be benefitted, the Lord will be pleased and will rescue him from the bondage of this mundane existence.” Hemadpant was present when this incident occurred. He was shampooing Baba’s legs. When he heard Baba’s words, he thought in his mind as follows, “What! Mr. Sathe read for only a week and got a reward. I am reading it for forty years with no result! His seven days’ stay here becomes fruitful, while my seven years’ stay (1910 - 1917) goes for naught. Like a chatak bird, I am ever waiting for the merciful cloud (Baba) to pour its nectar on me and bless me with His instructions.” No sooner did this thought cross his mind, than Baba knew it. It was the experience of the bhaktas that Baba read and understood all their thoughts - that He suppressed evil thoughts and encouraged good ones. Reading Hemadpant’s mind, Baba at once asked him to get up, go to Shama (Madhavarao Deshpande), get from him Rs. 15/ as dakshina, sit and chitchat with him for a while, and then return. Mercy dawned in Baba’s mind and so he issued this order and who could disobey Baba’s order?

Hemadpant immediately left the masjid and went to Shama’s house. Shama had just bathed and was wearing a dhotar. He came out and asked Hemadpant, “Why is it you are here now? It seems you have come from the masjid? Why do you look restless and dejected and why are you alone? Please sit and rest awhile. I shall just finish my worship and return, in the meanwhile, please have some pan-vida (leaves and betel nuts etc.) and then we will have a pleasant chat.” Saying this, he went inside and Hemadpant sat on the front verandah. In the window, Hemadpant saw a well known Marathi book named Nath- Bhagwat, which is a commentary by Saint Ekanath on the eleventh skandha (chapter) of the bigger sanskrit work, Bhagwat.

At the suggestion or recommendation of Sai Baba, Messrs. Bapusaheb Jog and Kakasaheb Dixit would read daily from Bhagavad Gita with its Marathi commentary named Bhawartha Deepika or Jnaneshwari ( a dialogue between Krishna and His friend devotee Arjuna), Nath Bhagwat (a dialogue between Krishna and His servant devotee Uddhava), and Ekanath’s other extensive work, viz. Bhawartha Ramayana. When devotees came to Baba and asked Him certain questions, He sometimes answered them only partially and would ask them to go and listen to the readings of the above mentioned works which are the main treatises of Bhagwat Dharma. When the devotees went and listened, they received full and satisfactory replies to their questions.

Hemadpant also used to read daily some portions of the book Nath Bhagwat. That day he did not complete the daily portion of his reading, but left it unfinished in order to accompany certain devotees who were going to the masjid. When he picked up the book lying in Shama’s window and casually opened it, he found, to his surprise, the unfinished portion turned up. He thought that Baba had sent him very kindly to Shama’s house for enabling him to complete his daily reading, so he read through the unfinished portion and completed it. As soon as the reading was completed, Shama, after finishing his worship, came out and the following conversation took place between them.

Hemadpant: “I have come with a message from Baba. He has asked me to obtain Rs.15/ as dakshina from you. He also asked me to sit with you for a while and have a pleasant chitchat, then return to the masjid with you.”

Shama (with surprise): “I have no money to give. Take my 15 namaskaras (bows) in lieu of rupees as dakshina to Baba.”

Hemadpant: “Alright, your namaskaras are accepted. Now let us have chitchat. Tell me some stories and leelas of Baba which will destroy our sins.” Shama: “Fine, now sit here for a while. Wonderful indeed are the leelas of this God (Baba). You already know this. I am a village rustic, while you are an enlightened citizen. You have seen even more leelas since coming here. How should I describe them to you? Very well, take these leaves, betel nut and chunam, and eat the pan-vida while I go in, dress myself and return.” In a few minutes, Shama came out and sat talking with Hemadpant. He said, “The leelas of this God (Baba) are inscrutable. There is no end to His leelas. Who can see them? Although He plays or sports with His leelas, still, He is outside of (unaffected by) them. What do we rustics know? Why doesn’t Baba Himself tell His stories? Why does He send learned men like you to fools like me? His ways are inconceivable. I can only say that they are not human.” After this preface, Shama added, “I now remember a story which I shall relate to you. I know it personally. As a devotee is resolute and determined, so is Baba’s immediate response. Sometimes Baba puts the devotees to a severe test, and then gives them ‘upadesh’ (instructions).”

As soon as Hemadpant heard the word ‘upadesh’, a flash of lightning crossed, as it were, through his mind. He immediately remembered the story of Mr. Sathe’s Gurucharita reading and thought Baba might have sent him to Shama in order to give peace to his restless mind. Hemadpant, however, curbed this feeling and began to listen to Shama’s stories which described how kind and affectionate Baba was to His devotees. Hemadpant began to feel a sort of joy while hearing them. Then Shama began to tell the following story.

Mrs. Radhabai Deshmukh

“There was once an old woman named Radhabai. She was the mother of Khashaba Deshmukh. Hearing of Baba’s fame, she came to Shirdi with the people of Sangamner. She took Baba’s darshan and was very satisfied. She loved Baba intimately and resolved in her mind that she should accept Baba as her guru and take some upadesh from Him. She would accept nothing else. She determined to fast herself unto death so long as Baba did not accept her and give her any upadesh or mantra. She stayed in her lodging and would not take any food or water for three days. I was frightened by the old woman’s ordeal and interceded with Baba on her behalf. I said, “Deva, what is this you have started? You drag so many people here. You know that old lady. She is very obstinate and depends entirely on you. She has resolved to fast unto death if you don’t accept and instruct her. If anything bad happens, people will blame You and say that Baba did not instruct her and consequently she met her death. So have mercy on her, bless and instruct her.”

“Seeing her determination, Baba sent for her and changed the state of her mind by addressing her as follows: “Oh mother, why are you subjecting yourself to unnecessary tortures and hastening your death? You are really My mother and I am your child. Take pity on Me and hear Me through. I shall tell you My own story, which if you listen carefully, will do you good.”

“I had a guru. He was a great saint and most merciful. I served him, long, very long, still, he would not recite any mantra into My ears. I had a keen desire never to leave him, to serve and stay with him at all costs and to receive instructions from him, but he had his own way. First, he had My head shaved and asked of Me two pice as dakshina. I gave it at once. If you say, that as My guru was perfect, why should he ask for money and how should he be called desireless? I shall reply plainly that he never cared for coins. Why would he need them? His two pice were (1) firm faith and (2) patience or perseverance. I gave these two pice to him and he was pleased.” “I resided with my guru for twelve years. He brought me up. There was no dearth of food and clothing. He was full of love, nay, he was love incarnate. How can I describe it? He loved Me the most. Rare is a guru like him. When I looked at him, he seemed deep in meditation and then we were both filled with bliss. Night and day I gazed at him with no thought of hunger and thirst. Without him, I felt restless. I had no other object on which to meditate, nor anything other than My guru to attend to. He was My sole refuge. My mind was always fixed on him, thus, My firm faith was one pice as dakshina. Saburi (patience or perseverance) was the other pice. I served my guru for a very long time and waited patiently. Saburi will ferry you across the sea of this mundane existence. Saburi (patience or perseverance) removes all sins and afflictions, gets rid of calamities in various ways and casts aside all fear, ultimately creating success. Saburi is the mine of virtues, consort of good thought. Nishtha (faith) and saburi (patience) are like twin sisters, loving each other very intimately.”

“My guru never expected anything else from Me. He never neglected Me, but protected Me at all times. Although I lived with him, I was sometimes away from him, but still, I never felt want or absence of his love. He always protected Me by his glance, just as the mother tortoise comforts her young ones by her tender gaze, whether they are near or away from her. Oh mother, my guru never taught Me any mantra, so how shall I recite a mantra in your ear? Just remember that the guru’s loving glance gives us happiness. Do not try to get a mantra or upadesh from anyone. Make Me the sole object of your thoughts and actions and you will, no doubt, attain paramartha (the spiritual goal of life). Look at Me wholeheartedly, and I, in turn, will look at you similarly. Sitting in this masjid, I speak the truth, only the truth. No sadhanas, nor proficiency in the six shastras are necessary. Have faith and confidence in your guru. Believe fully that the guru is the sole actor or doer. Blessed is he who knows the greatness of his guru and thinks him to be Hari, Hara and Brahma (Trimurti) incarnate”. Instructed in this wise, the old lady was convinced. She bowed to Baba and gave up her fast.

Hearing this story carefully and attentively, and marking its significance and appropriateness, Hemadpant was most agreeably surprised. He was so moved that he was overflowing with joy, his throat was choked and he was unable to utter a single word. Shama, upon seeing him in that condition, asked him, “What is the matter with you? Why are you silent? How many innumerable leelas of Baba shall I describe?” Just at that moment, the bell in the masjid began to ring, proclaiming that the noon worship and arati ceremony had begun. Shama and Hemadpant then hurried to the masjid. Bapusaheb Jog had just started the worship. The women were inside the masjid and the men were standing below in the open courtyard. All were loudly singing the arati in chorus to the accompaniment of drums. Shama went up to the front, pulling Hemadpant with him. He sat to the right and Hemadpant sat in front of Baba. Seeing them, Baba asked Hemadpant to give Him the dakshina brought from Shama. Hemadpant replied that Shama gave namaskaras in lieu of rupees and that he was here in person. Baba then said, “Alright, now let Me know whether you both had a chitchat, and if so, tell Me everything you talked about.” Not minding the sound of the bell, the drum and chorus songs, Hemadpant was eager to tell what they had talked about and started to narrate it. Baba was also anxious to hear about it and so He left His bolster and leaned forward. Hemadpant said everything he and Shama had talked about was very pleasant and the story of the old lady was quite special.

On hearing it, Hemadpant thought Sai Baba’s leela was inexplicable and that under the guise of that story, He had really blessed him. Baba then said, “The story is wonderful indeed. How were you blessed? I would like to know everything in detail from you, so tell Me all about it.” Hemadpant then related in full the story which he had heard a little while before and which had made a lasting impression on his mind. Hearing this, Baba was very pleased and asked him, “Did the story strike you and did you catch its significance?” Hemadpant replied, “Yes, Baba, the restlessness of my mind has vanished and I feel truly at peace and have now come to know the true path.” Then Baba spoke as follows: “My method is quite unique. Remember well this one story and it will be very useful. To get knowledge of the Self (realization), dhyana (meditation) is necessary. If you practice it continuously, the vrittis (thoughts) will be pacified. Being quite desireless, you should meditate on the Lord, who is in all creatures, and when the mind is concentrated, the goal will be achieved. Always meditate on My formless nature which is knowledge incarnate, consciousness and bliss. If you cannot do this, meditate night and day on My form as you see it here. As you go on doing this, your vrittis will concentrate at one point and the distinction between the dysata (meditator), dhyana (act of meditation), dhyeya (thing meditated upon) will be lost and the meditator will be one with Brahma consciousness. The mother tortoise is on one bank of the river and her young ones are on the other side. She gives neither milk nor warmth to them, but her mere glance gives them sustenance. The young ones do nothing but remember (meditate upon) their mother. The tortoise glance is to the young ones a downpour of nectar, their only source of sustenance and happiness. Similar to this is the relation between the guru and the disciple.” When Baba uttered these last words, the chorus of the arati songs stopped and all cried out loudly in one voice: “Victory be to our satguru Sai Maharaj, who is existence, knowledge and bliss.”

Dear readers, let us imagine we are now standing amongst the crowd in the masjid and let us join them in this jayajayakar. After the arati ceremony was finished, prasad was distributed. Bapusaheb Jog came forward as usual and, after saluting Baba, put a handful of sugar candy in Baba’s hand which Baba then pushed into the hands of Hemadpant, saying to him, “If you take this story to heart and remember it well, your state will be sweet as this sugar candy, all your desires will be fulfilled, and you will be happy.” Hemadpant bowed before Baba and implored, “Please always favor me like this, bless me, and ever protect me.” Baba replied, “Hear this story, meditate on it, and assimilate its spirit. Then you will always remember and meditate on the Lord who will manifest Himself to you.”

Dear readers! Hemadpant got prasad of sugar candy from Baba and we now get the prasad of sugar candy or nectar from this story. Let us drink it to our heart’s content, meditate on it and assimilate it. Let us be strong and happy by Baba’s grace. Amen!

Baba’s Advice Regarding Our Behavior

The following words of Baba are general and invaluable. If they are kept in mind and acted upon, they will always do us good. “Unless there is some relationship or connection, nobody goes anywhere. If any men or creatures come to you, do not discourteously drive them away, but receive them well and treat them with due respect. Shri Hari (God) will certainly be pleased if you give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the needy and hospitality to strangers. If anyone wants any money from you and you are not inclined to give, then do not give, but do not be discourteous. Let anyone speak hundreds of words against you; do not be resentful and give a bitter reply. If you always tolerate such things, you will certainly be happy. Let the world spin topsy-turvy, you remain at peace where you are. Standing or staying in your own place, look on calmly at the show of all things passing before you. Demolish the wall of difference that separates you from Me, and then the road for our meeting will be clear and open. The sense of differentiation, as I and Thou, is the barrier that keeps the disciple away from his master, and unless that is destroyed, the state of union or atonement is not possible. “Allah Malik”, i.e. God is the sole proprietor, nobody else is our protector. His method of work is extraordinary, invaluable and inscrutable. His will shall be done and He will show us the way and satisfy our heart’s desires. It is on account of rinanubandh (former relationship) that we have come together. Let us love and serve each other and be happy. He who attains the supreme goal of life is immortal and happy; all others merely exist, i.e. live so long as they breathe.

Encouraging Good Thoughts to Fruition

It is interesting to note how Sai Baba encouraged good thoughts. One must surrender completely to Him with love and devotion, and then one sees how He helps at various times in so many things. A saint once said that when you have a good thought immediately upon awakening from sleep and if you develop the same afterward during the day, your intellect will be concentrated and your mind will attain calmness. Hemadpant wanted to try this. One Wednesday night before going to bed he thought, “Tomorrow is Thursday, an auspicious day and as this place, Shirdi, is very holy, let me pass the whole day in remembering and chanting the Rama-nama”. He then went to sleep. The next morning when he got up, he remembered without any effort the name of Rama and was very pleased. He then, after finishing his morning duties, went to see Baba and brought flowers. As he left Dixit’s Wada and was just passing Booty’s Wada (present Samadhi mandir), he heard a beautiful song that was being nicely sung by Aurangabadkar in the masjid before Baba. The song was “Guru kripanjan payo mere bhai” etc. by Ekanath in which he says that he got collyrium in the form of his guru’s grace which opened his vision and made him see Rama everywhere - in sleep, in dreams, and in his waking state. There are so many songs. Why was this particular song chosen by Aurangabadkar, a devotee of Baba? This was not just a coincidence. It was arranged by Baba to encourage Hemadpant’s determination to sing unceasingly Rama-nama during the day. All the saints agree and emphasize the importance and efficacy of uttering Rama’s (God’s) name which purifies bhaktas and protects and saves them from all calamities.

Variety in Upadesh - Slanderer Condemned

Sai Baba required no special place, nor any special time for giving instructions. Whenever any occasion demanded such, He gave them freely. Once it so happened, a bhakta of Baba reviled another behind his back before other people. Leaving aside the merits of his brother, the slanderer dwelt on his faults and spoke so sarcastically that the hearers were disgusted. Generally, people who have a tendency to scandalize others unnecessarily cause hatred and ill will. Saints see scandal in another light. They say there are various ways of cleansing or removing dirt, viz. by means of earth, water and soap, etc., but a scandal monger has a way of his own. He removes the dirt (faults) of others with his tongue, so in a way, he obliges the person whom he reviles and for this he is to be thanked. Sai Baba had his own method of correcting this scandal monger. He knew by His omniscience what the slanderer had done and when he met him at noon near the Lendi, Baba pointed to a pig that was eating filth near the fence and said to the slanderer, “Behold, how with what relish it is gorging dung. Your conduct is similar! You have reviled your own brethren to your heart’s content. After performing many deeds of merit, you were born a man, yet, when you act like this, will Shirdi help you in any way?” Needless to say, the bhakta took the lesson to heart and repented. In this way, Baba went on giving instructions whenever necessary. If these are borne in mind and acted upon, the spiritual goal of Self-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 to food and clothing, but if anyone trusting in this, merely sits back 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 endeavors, the better for him. Baba said that He was omnipresent, occupying land, air, sea, world, light and heaven, and that He was not limited to His body - three cubits and a half in length. He incarnated in this form to save His devotees. If any devotee meditated on Sai Baba day and night with complete self surrender, he would experience complete union (without any difference) with Him, like waves and the sea. He, who wants to be rid of the cycles of birth and death, should lead a righteous life with his mind calm and composed. He should not speak cuttingly to anyone, so as to hurt him to the quick. He should always engage himself in good actions, do his duties, and surrender himself heart and soul to the Lord. He then need not 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’ inquiry), 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, and 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, some He advised the chanting of the thousand names of Vishnu, and to others, the study of the Chhandogya Upanishad and the Bhagavad Gita. There was no limit, no restriction to his instructions. To some, He gave instructions in person, and others, by visions or 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. To some, He explained mantras like ‘Guru Brahma’ in dreams. To a devotee who was practicing hatha yoga, He sent word that he should leave off hatha yoga practices, sit quiet, and wait (saburi). It is impossible to describe all Baba’s ways and methods. In ordinary worldly dealings, He set examples by His actions, one of which is given below.

Remuneration for Labor

One day at noon, Baba went by Radha Krishna Mai’s home and said, “Bring me a ladder.” Some men then brought a ladder which they set against a house as directed by Baba. Baba then climbed up on the roof of Vaman Gondkar’s house, crossed over to the roof of Radha Krishna Mai’s house, and climbed down the other side. What object Baba had, none knew. At that time, Radha Krishna Mai was shivering with malaria. Perhaps Baba went there to drive off her fever. Immediately after stepping down from the ladder, Baba paid two rupees to the men who brought the ladder. Someone asked Baba why He paid so much for this. Baba replied that no one should take the labor of others for granted. The workers should be paid promptly and liberally.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all