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 throughts and
fructified them; and gives His teachings regarding
Self-improvement, slander and remuneration for labour.
Preliminary
It is a well-known fact, that the Sadguru looks first to
the qualifications of his disciples; and then gives them
suitable instructions, without unsettling their minds in
the least, and leads them on towards the goal of
self-realization. In this respect, some say that what
the Sadguru teaches or instructs, should not be divulged
to others. They think that their instructions, become
useless, if they are published. This view is not
correct. The Sadguru is like a monsoon cloud. He pours
down profusely, i.e., scatters widely his nectar-like
teachings. These, we should enjoy and assimilate to our
heart's content; and then serve others with them,
without any reserve. This rule should apply, not only to
what he teaches in our waking state, but to the visions
he gives us in our dreams. To quote an instance:
Budhakowshik Rishi composed his celebrated Ram-raksha
stotra, which he had seen in his dream.
Like a loving mother forcing bitter but wholesome
medicines 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 got their object. Sad-gurus like Sai Baba
open our (eyes of the) intellect and show us the divine
beauties of the Self, and fulfill our tender longings of
devotion. When this is done, our desire for
sense-objects vanishes, twin fruits of Viveka
(discrimination) and Vairagya (dispassion or
non-attachment) come to our hands; and knowledge sprouts
up even in the sleep. All this we get, when we come in
contact with Saints (Sad-guru), serve them and secure
their love. The Lord, who fulfills 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 Sadguru,
who is regarded as the Lord Himself. Therefore, we
should always be after the Sad-guru, hear His stories,
fall at His Feet and serve Him. Now we come to our main
story.
Mr. Sathe
There was a gentleman named Mr. Sathe, who had attained
some publicity many year ago during Crowford Regime,
which was put down by Lord Reay, the then Governor of
Bombay. He suffered servere losses in trade. Other
adverse circumstances gave him much trouble, and made
him sad and dejected. Being restless, he thought of
leaving 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 gives him proper
directions regarding his welfare. Mr. Sathe had similar
experience. His friends advised him to go to Shirdi,
where so many people were flocking to get Sai Baba's
darshan, for getting peace of mind and the satisfaction
of their wants. He liked the idea, and at once came to
Shirdi in 1917. Seeing Baba's Form, which was like
Eternal Brahma, Self-luminous, Spotless and Pure, his
mind lost its restlessness and became calm and composed.
He thought, that it was the accumulation of merits in
his former births, that brought him to the Holy Feet of
Baba. He was a man of strong will. He at once started to
make a parayana (study) of Guru-charitra. When the
reading was finished in the saptaha (seven days), Baba
gave him a vision that night. It was to this effect:
Baba with Guru-charitra 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 that it was
extremely kind of Baba. Who awakens souls like his that
are snoring in ignorance, and makes them taste the
nectar of Guru-charitra. Next day, he informed Kakasaheb
Dixit of this vision, and requested him to consult Sai
Baba regarding its meaning or significance -- whether
one saptah (week's) reading was sufficient or whether he
should begin again. Kakasaheb Dixit, when got a suitable
opportunity, asked Baba - "Deva (Oh God), what did you
suggest to Mr. Sathe by this vision? Whether he should
stop or continue the saptaha? He is a simple devotee,
his desire should be fulfilled and the vision explained
to him, and he should be blessed." Then Baba replied -
"He should make one more saptah of the book; if the work
be studied carefully, the devotee will become pure and
will be benefited, the Lord will be pleased and will
rescue him from the bondage of the mundane existence."
At this time, Hemadpant was present there. He was
shampooing Baba's Legs. When he heard Baba's words, he
thought in his mind as follows - "What! Mr. Sathe read
for a week only and got a reward; and I am reading it
for forty years with no result! His seven days' stay
here becomes fruitful while my seven years' stay (1910
to m1917) goes for nothing. 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, Baba knew it then and
there. It was the experience of the Bhaktas that Baba
read and understood all their thoughts, and that He
suppressed the evil thoughts and encouraged the good
ones. Reading Hemadpant's mind Baba at once asked him to
get up, go to Shama (Madhavrao 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 came to
Shama's house. He had just bathed, and was wearing a
dhotar. He came out and asked Hemadpant - "How is it
that you are here now? It seems that you have come from
the Masjid. Why do you look restless and dejected? Why
are you alone? Please sit and rest, while I shall just
do my worship and return: in the meanwhile you please
take pan-vida (leaves and betel nuts etc.) let us then
have a pleasant chat." After saying his, he went inside
and Hemadpant sat alone in the front varandah. He saw in
the window a wellknown Marathi book named 'Nath-Bhagwat.'
This is a commentary by the Saint Ekanath, on the
eleventh Skandha (chapter) of the bigger Sanskrit work,
the Bhagwat. At the suggestion or recommendation of Sai
Baba, Messrs. Bapusaheb Jog and Kakasaheb Dixit read
daily in Shirdi, BhagwadGeeta with its Marathi
commentary named Bhawartha-Deepika or Jnaneshwari (A
dialogue between Krishna and His friend devotee Arjuna)
and Nath Bhagwat (A dialogue between Krishna and His
servant devotee Uddhava) and also Ekanath's othe big
work, viz. Bhawartha Ramayana. When devotees came to
Baba and asked Him certain questions. He sometimes
answered them in part, and asked them to go and listen
to the readings of the above-mentioned works, which are
the main treatises of Bhagwat Dharma. When the devotes
went and listened, they got 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 had left it unfinished in order to
accompany certain devotees, who were going to the Masjid.
When he took up the book from Shama's window and
casually opened, it, he found, to his surprise, that the
unfinished portion turned up. He thought that Baba sent
him very kindly to Shama's house for enabling him to
complete his daily reading. So he went throught the
unfinished portion and completed it. As soon as this was
over, Shama, after doing 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 return with Rs. 15/- as Dakshina from
you, also to sit with you for a while and have a
pleasant chitchat and 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 some chitchat. tell me some stories and
Leelas of Baba, which will destroy our sins.
Shama:- Then sit here for a while. Wonderful is the
sport (Leela) of this God (Baba). You know it already. I
am a village rustic, while you are an enlightened
citizen. You have seen some more Leelas since your
coming here. How should I describe them before you?
Well, take these leaves, betel nut and chunam and eat
the pan-vida; while I go in, dress myself and come out.
In a few minutes Shama come out and sat talking with
Hemadpant. He said - "The Leela of this God (Baba) is
inscrutable; there is no end to His Leelas. Who can see
them? He plays or sports with His Leelas, still He is
outside of (unaffected by) them. What do we rustics
know? Why does not Baba Himself tell 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." With 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 sereve test; and then gives them 'Upadesh'
(instructions).
As soon as Hemadpant heard the word 'Upadesh', a flash
of lightning crossed, through his mind. He at once
remembered the story of Mr. Sathe's Guru-charitra
reading and thought that Baba might have sent him to
Shama, in order to give peace to his restless mind.
However, he curbed this feeling, and began to listen to
Shama's stories. They all showed 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 an old woman by name Radhabai, She was the
mother of one Khashaba Deshmukh. Hearing Baba's fame,
she came to Shirdi with the people of Sangamner. She
took Baba's darshan and was much 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 knew 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 left off taking any food or water for three
days. I was frightened by this ordeal of the old woman,
and interceded with Baba on her behalf. I said, "Deva,
what is this You have started? You drag so many persons
here. You know that old lady. She is very obstinate and
depends on You entirely, She has resolved to fast unto
death, if You don't accept and instruct her. If any
thing worse happens, people will blame You, and say that
Baba did not instruct her, and consequently she met her
death. So take some mercy on her, bless her and instruct
her." On seeing her determination, Baba sent for her,
changed the turn 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 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 blow any Mantra into My
ears. I had a keen desire, never to leave him but to
stay with and serve him; and at all costs receive some
instructions from him. But he had his own way. He first
got my head shaved and asked Me two pice as Dakshina. I
gave the same 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 replied plainly that he never
cared for coins. What had he to do with them? His two
pice were (1) Firm Faith and (2) Patience or
perseverance. I gave these two pice or things to him,
and he was pleased.
"I resorted to My Guru for 12 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 most. Rare is a Guru like him. When I looked
at him, he seemed as if he was in deep meditation, and
then we both were 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 to
meditate, nor any other thing than My Guru to attend. He
was My sole refuge. My mind was always fixed on him.
This is one pice Dakshina. Saburi (Patience or
perseverance) is the other pice. I waited patiently and
very long on My Guru and served him. This Saburi will
ferry you across the sea of this mundane existence.
Saburi is manliness in man, it removes all sins and
afflictions, gets rid of calamities in various ways, and
casts aside all fear, and ultimately gives you 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 any other thing from Me. He
never neglected Me, but protected Me at all times. I
lived with him, and was sometimes away from him; still I
never felt the want or absence of his love. He always
protected Me by his glance, just as the tortoise feeds
her young ones, whether they are near her or away from
her on the other side of the river bank, by her loving
looks. Oh mother, My Guru never taught Me any Mantra,
then how shall I blow any Mantra in your ears? Just
remember that Guru's tortoise-like loving glance gives
us happiness. Do not try to get Mantra or Upadesh from
anybody. 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 whole-heartedly, and
I in turn look at you similarly. Sitting in this Masjid,
I speak the truth, nothing but the truth. No Sadhanas,
nor proficiency in the six Shastras, are necessary. Have
faith and confidence in your Guru. Believe fully, that
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 way, 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. Seeing this wonderful
Leela of Baba, he was moved from top to toe, he was
overflowing with joy, his throat was choked, and he was
not able to utter a single word. Shama, on seeing him in
this 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 time the bell in the Masjid began to ring,
proclaiming that the noon-worship and Arati ceremony had
begun. Therefore, Shama and Hemadpant hurried to the
Masjid. Bapusaheb Jog had just started the worship.
Women were up in the Masjid, and men were standing below
in the open courtyard and they were all loudly singing
the Arati in chorus to the accompaniment of drums. Shama
went up, pulling Hemadpant with him. He sat to the right
and Hemadpant in front of Baba. On seeing them, Baba
asked Hemadpant to give the Dakshina brought from Shama.
He replied that Shama gave Namaskaras in lieu of Rupees
and that he was there in person. Baba said, "Alright,
now let Me know whether you both had a chitchat, and if
so, tell Me all that you talked about." Not minding the
sounds of the bell, the drum and the chorus songs,
Hemadpant was eager to tell what they had talked and
started to narrate it. Baba was also anxious to hear,
and so He left the bolster and leaned forward. Hemadpant
said all that they talked about was very pleasant, and
that specially the story of the old lady was most
wonderful and that on hearing it, he thought that His
Leela was inexplicable, and under the guise of that
story, He really blessed him. Baba then said -
"Wonderful is the story. How were you blessed? I would
like to know everything in detail from you, so tell Me
all about it." Then Hemadpant 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 much pleased and asked him - "Did the story strike
you and did you catch its significance?" He replied -
"Yes, Baba the restlessness of my mind has vanished and
I have got true peace and rest, and 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 the knowledge (realization) of the Self,
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 the creatures, and when the mind is
concentrated, the goal will be achieved. Meditate always
on My formless nature, which is knowledge incarnate,
consciousness and bliss. If you cannot do this, meditate
on My Form from top to toe as you see here night and
day. As you go on doing this, your Vrittis will
concentrate on one point and the distinction between the
Dhyata (meditator), Dhyana (act of meditation), Dhyeya
(this meditated upon) will be lost and the meditator
will be one with the Consciousness and be merged in the
Brahman. 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. Her mere glance
gives them nutrition. The young ones do nothing, but
remember (meditate upon) their mother. The tortoise
glance is, to the young ones, a down-pour of nectar, the
only source of sustenance and happiness. Similar is the
relation, between the Guru and disciples."
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 Sadguru Sai Maharaj, Who is
Existence, Knowledge and Bliss." Dear readers, let us
imagine, that we are at this time, standing amongst the
crowd in the Masjid; and let us join them in this
Jayajayakar.
After the Arati ceremony was over, Prasad was
distributed. Bapusaheb Jog advanced as usual, and after
saluting Baba, gave into His hand a handful of
sugar-candy. Baba pushed all this quantity into the
hands of Hemadpant and said to him, "If you take this
story to heart and remember it well, your state will be
sweet as the sugar-candy, all your desires will be
fulfilled and you will be happy." Hemadpant bowed before
Baba and implored, "Do favour me like this, bless and
protect me always." 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 then;
and we now get the Prasad of sugar-candy or nectar of
this story. Let us drink it to out heart's content,
meditate on it, and assimilate it, and be strong and
happy by Baba's grace. Amen!
Towards the end of the 19th Chapter Hemapter Hemadpant
had dealt with some other matters which are given below.
Baba's Advice Regarding our Behaviour
The following words of Baba are general and invaluable.
If they are kept in mind and acted upon, they will
always do you 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 be certainly pleased, if
you give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry,
clothes to the naked, and your verandah to strangers for
sitting and resting. If anybody wants any money from
you, and you are not inclined to give, do not give, but
do not bark at him, like a dog. Let anybody speak
hundreds of things against you, do not resent by giving
any bitter reply. If you always tolerate such things,
you will certainly be happy. Let the world go
topsy-turvy, you remain 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 away the disciple 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
extra-ordinary, invaluable, and inscrutable. His will
will be done and He will show us the way, and satisfy
our heart's desires. It is on account of Rinaubandh
(former relationship) that we have come together, let us
love and serve each other and be happy. He, who attain
the supreme goal of life, is immortal and happy; all
others merely exist, i.e., live so long as they
breathe".
Encouraging Good Thoughts of Fruition
It is interesting to note how Sai Baba encouraged good
thoughts. You have to surrender yourself completely to
Him with love, and devotion, and they you will see how,
He helps you, off and on, in so many things. Some Saint
has said, that when you get a good thought, immediately
after awakening from sleep, and if you develop the same
afterwards during the day, your intellect will be
unfolded and your mind will attain calmness. Hemadpant
wanted to try this. On one Wednesday night before going
to bed, be thought - "To-morrow is Thursday - an
auspicious day and the place, viz. Shirdi, is so holy;
so let me pass the whole day in remembering and chanting
the Rama-nama, and then he slept. Next morning when he
got up he remembered without any effort the name of Rama
and was much pleased. He then, after finishing his
morning duties, went to see Baba with flowers. When he
left Dixit's Wada, and was just passing Booty's Wada
(present Samadhi-mandir) he heard a beautiful song that
was being sung nicely by one 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 Guru's grace which opened his
vision and made him see Rama, in and out, in sleep,
dream, and waking state and everywhere. There were so
many songs; and why was this song particularly chosen by
Aurangabadkar, a devotee of Baba? Is this not a curious
coincidence arranged by Baba to feed the determination
of Hemadpant to sing unceasingly Rama-nama, during the
day?
All Saints agree on and lay stress upon the efficacy of
uttering Rama's (God's) name, in fulfilling the
ambitions of the Bhaktas and in protecting and saving
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,
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.
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