Sai Satcharitra – Chapter 43 & 44

 

Value: Devotion, Surrender

Sub value: Faith, Patience

Story 1

It is the general practice amongst the Hindus that when a man is about to die, some good religious scripture is read out to him with the object that his mind should be withdrawn from worldly things and fixed in matters spiritual, so that his future progress should be natural and easy. Everybody knows that when king Parikshiti was cursed by the son of a Brahmin Rishi and was about to die after a week, the great sage Shuka expounded to him the famous Bahagwat Puran in that week. This practice is followed even now and Gita, Bhagawat and other sacred books are read out to dying persons. Baba being an incarnation of God needed no such help, but just to set an example to the people, He followed this practice. When He knew that He was to pass away soon, He ordered one Mr.Vaze to read Ramavijaya to Him. Mr.Vaze read the book once in the week. Then Baba asked him to read the same again day and night and he finished the second reading in three days. Thus eleven days passed. Then again he read for three days and was exhausted. So Baba let him go and kept Himself quiet. He abided on His Self and was waiting for the last moment.

Two or three days previous, Baba had stopped His morning peregrinations and begging rounds and sat in the Masjid. He was conscious to the last and was advising the devotees not to lose heart. He let nobody know the exact time of His departure. Kakasaheb Dixit and Shriman Booty were dining daily with Him in the Masjid. That day (15th October) after arati, He asked them to go to their residence for dining. Still a few, viz., Laxmibai Shinde, Bhagoji Shinde, Bayaji, Laxman Bala Shimpi and Nanasaheb Nimonkar remained there. Shama was sitting down on the steps. After giving Rs. 9/- to Laxmibai Shinde, Baba said that He did not feel well there (in the Masjid) and that He should be taken to the Dagadi (stone) Wada of Booty, where He would be alright. Saying these last words, He leaned on Bayaji’s body and breathed His last. Bhagoji noticed that His breathing had stopped and he immediately told this to Nanasaheb Nimonkar who was sitting below. Nanasaheb brought some water and poured it in Baba’s mouth. It came out. Then he cried out loudly ‘Oh Deva.’ Baba seemed just to open His eyes and say ‘Ah’ in a low tone. But it soon become evident that Baba had left His body for good.
The news of Baba’s passing away spread like a wild fire in the village of Shirdi and all people, men, women and children ran to the Masjid and began to mourn this loss in various ways. Some cried out loudly, some wallowed on in the streets and some fell down senseless. Tears ran down from the eyes of all and every one was smitten with sorrow.

Then the question arose – How to dispose off Baba’s body? Some (Mahomedans) said that the body should be interred in an open space and a tomb built over it. Even Khushalchand and Amir Shakkar shared this opinion. But Ramachandra Patil, the village officer said to the villagers with a firm and determined voice, “Your thought is not acceptable to us. Baba’s body should be nowhere placed except in the Wada.” Thus people were divided on this point and discussion regarding this point went on for 36 hours.

On Wednesday morning Baba appeared to Laxman Mama Joshi in his dream and drawing him by His hand said – “Get up soon; Bapusaheb thinks that I am dead and so he won’t come; you do the worship and the Kakad (morning) arati.” Laxman Mama was the village astrologer and was the maternal uncle of Shama. He was an orthodox Brahmin and daily first worshipped Baba in the morning and then all the village deities. He had full faith in Baba. After the vision he came with all the pooja materials and not minding the protests of the moulvis, did the Pooja and the Kakad arati with all due formalities and went away. Then at noon Bapusaheb Jog came with all others and went through the noon-arati ceremony as usual.

Paying due respect to Baba’s words the people decided to place His body in the Wada and started digging the central portion there. In the evening of Tuesday the Sub-Inspector came from Rahata and others from other places turned up and they all agreed to the proposal. Next morning Amirbhai came from Bombay and the Mamlatdar from Kopergaon. The people seemed divided in their opinion. Some insisted on interring His body in the open field. The Mamlatdar therefore took a general plebiscite and found that the proposal to use the Wada secured double the number of votes. He, however, wanted to refer the matter to the Collector and Kakasaheb Dixit got himself ready to go to Ahmednagar. In the meanwhile, by Baba’s inspiration there was a change in the opinion of the other people and all the people unanimously voted for the proposal. On Wednesday evening Baba’s body was taken in procession and brought to the Wada and was interred there with due formalities in the garbha, i.e., the central portion reserved for Murlidhar. In fact Baba became the Murlidhar and the Wada became a temple and a holy shrine, where so many devotees went and are going now to find rest and peace. All the obsequies of Baba were duly performed by Balasaheb Bhate and Upasani, a great devotee of Baba.

Breaking of the Brick
Some days before Baba’s departure, there occurred an ominous sign foreboding the event. There was, in the Masjid an old brick on which Baba rested His hand and sat. At night time He leaned against it and had His asan. This went on for many years. One day, during Baba’s absence, a boy who was sweeping the floor, took it up in his hand, and unfortunately it slipped from thence fell down broken into two pieces. When Baba came to know about this, He bemoaned its loss, crying – “It is not the brick but My fate that has been broken into pieces. It was My life-long companion, with it I always meditated on the Self, it was as dear to Me as My life, it has left Me to-day.” Some may raise here a question – “Why should Baba express this sorrow for such an inanimate thing as a brick?” To this Hemadpant replies that saints incarnate in this world with the express mission of saving the poor helpless people, and when they embody themselves and mix and act with the people, they act like them, i.e., outwardly laugh, play and cry like all other people, but inwardly they are wide awake to their duties and mission.

72 Hours’ Samadhi
Thirty two years before this, i.e., in 1886 A.D., Baba made an attempt to cross the border line. On a Margashirsha Pournima (Full moon) day, Baba suffered from a severe attack of asthma. To get rid of it Baba decided to take His prana high up and go into samadhi. He said to Bhagat Mhalasapti – “Protect My body for three days. If I return, it will be alright; if I do not, bury My body in that open land (pointing to it) and fix two flags there as a mark.” Saying this, Baba fell down at about 10 P.M. His breathing stopped, as well as His pulse. It seemed as if His prana left the body. All the people including the villagers came there and wanted to hold an inquest and bury the body in the place pointed by Baba. But Mhalasapati prevented this. With Baba’s body on his lap he sat full three days guarding it. After three days passed, Baba showed signs of life at 3 A.M. His breathing commenced, the abdomen began to move. His eyes opened and stretching His limbs, Baba returned to consciousness (life) again.

From this and other accounts, let the readers consider whether Sai Baba was the three and a half cubits’ body that He occupied for some years and that He left thereafter or He was the Self inside. The body, composed of the five elements is perishable and transient, but the Self within is the thing – Absolute Reality which is immortal and intransient. The pure Being, Consciousness or Brahma, the Ruler and Controller of the senses and mind is the thing Sai. This pervades all things in the universe and there is no space without it. For fulfilling His mission He assumed the body and after it was fulfilled, He threw away the body (the finite aspect), and assumed His infinite aspect. Sai ever lives, as also the previous Incarnation of God Datta, Shri Narsimha Saraswati of Ganagapur. His Passing away is only an outward aspect, but really He pervades all animate and inanimate things and is their Inner Controller and Ruler. This can be, and is even now experienced by many who surrender themselves completely to Him and worship Him with whole-hearted devotion.
Though it is not possible for us to see Baba’s form now, still if we go to Shirdi, we shall find His beautiful life-like portrait adorning the masjid. This has been drawn by Shamrao Jaykar, a famous artist and well-known devotee of Baba. To an imaginative and devout spectator this portrait can give even to-day the satisfaction of taking Baba’s darshana. Though Baba has no body now, He lives there and everywhere, and will effect the welfare of the devotees even now as He was doing before when He was embodied. Saints like Baba never die, though they look like men, they are in reality God Himself.

Story 2

Bapusaheb Jog’s Sannyas
Hemadpant closes this chapter with the account of Jog’s sannyas. Sakharam Hari alias Bapusaheb Jog was the uncle of the famous Varkari Vishnubuva Jog of Poona. After his retirement from Govt. Service (He was a Supervisor in the P.W. Department) in 1909 A.D., he came and lived in Shirdi with his wife. He had no issue. Both husband and wife loved Baba and spent all their time in worshipping and serving Baba. After Megha’s death, Bapusaheb daily did the arati ceremony in the Masjid and Chavadi till Baba’s maha-samadhi. He was also entrusted with the work of reading and explaining Jnaneshwari and Ekanathi Bhagawat in Sathe’s Wada to the audience. After serving for many years, Jog asked Baba – “I have served you so long, my mind is not yet calm and composed, how is it that my contact with Saints has not improved me? When will You bless me?” – Hearing the Bhakta’s prayer Baba replied – “In due time your bad actions (their fruit or result) will be destroyed, your merits and demerits will be reduced to ashes, and I shall consider you blessed, when you will renounce all attachments, conquer lust and palate, and getting rid of all impediments, serve God whole-heartedly and resort to the begging bowl (accept sannyas).” After some time, Baba’s words came true. His wife predeceased him and as he had no other attachment, he became free and accepted sannyas before his death and realized the goal of his life.

Baba’s Nectar-like words
The kind and merciful Sai Baba, said many a time the following sweet words in the Masjid – “He who loves Me most, always sees Me. The whole world is desolate to him without Me, he tells no stories but Mine. He ceaselessly meditates upon Me and always chants My name. I feel indebted to him who surrenders himself completely to Me and ever remembers Me. I shall repay his debt by giving him salvation (self-realization). I am dependent on him who thinks and hungers after Me and who does not eat anything without first offering it to Me. He who thus comes to Me, becomes one with Me, just as a river gets to the sea and becomes merged (one) with it. So leaving out pride and egoism and with no trace of them, you should surrender yourself to Me Who am seated in your heart.”

Who is this ME?
Sai Baba expounded many a time Who this ME (or I) is. He said “You need not go far or anywhere in search of Me. Barring your name and form, there exists in you, as well as in all beings, a sense of Being or Consciousness of Existence. That is Myself. Knowing this, you see Me inside yourself, as well as in all beings. If you practise this, you will realize all-pervasiveness, and thus attain oneness with Me.”
Hemadpant, therefore, makes a bow to the readers and requests them humbly and lovingly that they should love and respect all Gods, saints and devotees. Has not Baba often said “He who carps and cavils at others, pierces Me in the heart and injures Me, but he that suffers and endures, pleases Me most.” Baba thus pervades all beings and creatures and besets them on all sides. He likes nothing but love to all beings. Such nectar, pure auspicious ambrosia always flowed from Baba’s lips. He therefore, concludes – Those who lovingly sing Baba’s fame and those who hear the same with devotion, both become one with Sai.

Essence:

Baba pervades all animate and inanimate things and is their Inner Controller and Ruler. This can be, and is even now experienced by many who surrender themselves completely to Him and worship Him with whole-hearted devotion.
When one practices devotion and surrender to God he becomes one with God.

For Children:

Let us make it a practice to offer our prayer to God daily which gradually develops into devotion to God, and also helps us to surrender to God without any expectation. Thereby helping us accept the outcome with grace.

The story below beautifully explains the above values:

https://saibalsanskaar.wordpress.com/2018/06/02/the-cow-and-the-tiger-the-surrendered-souls-confidence/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Story of a song bird

 

Value: Wisdom/Sacrifice

Sub value: Introspection, Freedom

There was once a successful businessman who had everything – a beautiful wife, adorable children and a big house in which they all lived happily.

The pride of his life though was his exotic songbird which he kept in a cage and fed delicious titbits when it entertained his guests.

One day the man had to go on a journey far to the south and he asked his wife and children what presents they would like from abroad – they asked for fine silks, honeycomb and clockwork toys. Finally he asked his songbird if he would like him to bring anything back.

“I wish only for one small favour.” The songbird replied.

“Anything!” his master declared.

“Just this – when you see my cousins in the trees in the place you’re going to, please tell them about my conditions here.”

“Are you sure? I could bring you back a fine jewel-encrusted mirror or dried tropical fruit?”

“No, just this, thank you.” The songbird replied and the man went away feeling a little disconcerted but resolved to carry out his pet’s wishes.

The man made his trip safely and carried out his business to satisfaction and spent his remaining time there buying the presents his family had requested.

Finally, he went to a park and saw some birds in the trees that bore a remarkable resemblance to his own songbird. He called up to one of them and told them about how his own bird lived in cage and sang for him.

But no sooner had he finished speaking than one of these exotic birds trembled on its perch and tumbled to the ground and ceased to move. The man held his head in grief and the incident quite spoiled his trip.

He returned home and greeted his wife and family who were delighted at their presents but he couldn’t share their pleasure as long as the forthcoming encounter with his songbird remained on his conscience. Finally he found the courage to go down to the garden.

“Well?” his songbird asked and, hesitantly, the man told him exactly what had happened. The song bird listened intently, then trembled on his perch and fell to the bottom of his cage, ceased to move, as if dead.

The man was now beside himself with grief and confusion. Weeping openly, he opened the door of the cage and carried out his beloved songbird in his hands. No sooner had he done so, however, the songbird returned to life and flew up to the branches of the nearest tree and let out a shrill of joy at finding its freedom.

 

The man scratched his head in wonder and eventually asked: “Okay, you win. But tell me please, what was in the message that contained this trick?”

The songbird looked down at him with pity and said: “My cousin in Africa showed me that it was my beauty that kept me in the cage. Were it not for the delight of my singing voice you would have lost interest long ago. So I had to give up that life in order to become free.”

Sacrifice is giving up on something good for something better.

Sometimes you have to die a little inside in order to be Reborn and Rise again as a Stronger and Wiser version of you.

Learning:

In any situation if we think wisely and take a decision, whatever maybe the outcome we will have peace of mind and also experience freedom.

Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice, and is never the result of selfishness. – Napolean Hill

Master’s messages- Vol 1- Chapter 19- The Moon And The Mind

Sathya Sai speaks- Vol 1- Chapter 19

Salient points-

1. What is the truth related to origin of Sivarathri ?

• When Siva consumed the death-dealing poison that emanated from the ocean of milk, in response to the prayers of the worlds, which it threatened to destroy, the heat of the fumes was unbearable, even for Him. So, it is said, Ganga river was poured uninterruptedly on His matted locks — this is the explanation for the abhisheka ,which is offered to Siva linga for hours on end in the temples. Then , Ganga was placed on the matted locks ; which was of great help.  After this, Siva danced the cosmic dance with all the gods. That is the story, but all this did not happen on a particular day, so Sivarathri cannot be said to commemorate that day.
• Some say that Siva was born on this day, as if Siva has birth and death like any mortal!

The Shiv Puran relates a story of Maha Shivaratri’s glory.

 In ancient times, a Bheel (forest inhabitant) named Gurudruha trudged through a forest to hunt deer. At night, without having sighted a single animal, he unknowingly climbed a bili tree on the banks of a lake. Later at night, a doe arrived to drink water. Gurudruha aimed his bow and arrow at her. While aiming, he unknowingly dropped some bili leaves and his drinking water below on a Shivaling. The deer then requested him to allow her to entrust her fawns to her husband, after which she would return. After much haggling he agreed. While awaiting her return, he stayed awake by aimlessly plucking leaves and dropping them below. Again they fell on the Shivaling. Thus he unknowingly performed its puja while remaining awake all night.

Finally the doe returned with her family, She informed him that along with her, he’d have to kill her family too. As he aimed, some more leaves fluttered down on the Shivaling. The collective punya (spiritual merit) accrued from the puja performed unknowingly, eradicated all his sins. This purified his heart. Repenting his flawed life of sin, he set the deer free. As he sat repenting, Lord Shiv manifested in front of him and granted a boon, “You shall be born in a town known as Shrungver, as a man named Gruha. Lord Vishnu will grace your home as Lord Rama and redeem you.”

Shivji also blessed the deer which attained a better destiny.

 The Garud and Skand Puranas cite similar versions, about a king named Sundersenak and an evil hunter named Chand, respectively.

• The story that a hunter sat on a bilva tree on the lookout for animals to kill and, without intending any worship, unknowingly, dropped the leaves of that tree, which happened to be a bilva, upon a lingam beneath, and so attained salvation, explains only the importance of this day. It does not explain the origin!
• Besides we have not only the great Sivarathri (Mahasivarathri). We have a Sivarathri every month, dedicated to Siva worship. Then , what is the significance of the rathri (night)?

2. Purpose of Shivratri – the Mind should be reduced to nothing

• The moon has 16 fractions, and each day when it wanes, a fraction is reduced, until it is annihilated on new-moon night(Amavasya). After that, each day a fraction is added, until it completes itself on full moon night.(Pournami).
• ‘ Chandrama manaso jathah’ – The moon was born out of the mind of the Godhead; it being the presiding deity of the mind.
• Both the Mind and the Moon are subject to decline and progress. The waning of the moon is the symbol for the waning of the mind, for the mind has to be controlled, reduced, and finally destroyed. Spiritual exercises are done with the main aim of killing the mind ; to overcome illusion( Maya) and let reality reveal .
• Every day during the dark half of the month, the moon, and symbolically its counterpart in man, the mind, wane, and a fraction is diminished; its power declines. Finally, on the fourteenth night, there is just a wee bit left, that is all. If a little extra effort is made that day by the spiritual aspirant, even that bit can be wiped off and mastery of the mind completed.
• The fourteenth night of the dark half is called Sivarathri, for that night should be spent in the repetition of the Name of and meditation on Siva, without any other thought either of food or sleep. Then success is assured. Once a year, on Mahasivarathri night, a special spurt of spiritual activity is recommended, so that; what is the corpse (savam) can become God (Sivam) by the removal of this dross called mind. This is the true purpose of Shivratari – and not mere observance of sleeplessness by indulging in non-spiritual activities.

3. What does Lingam represent?

• Lingam means that in which the world attains nothingness
• The three gunas(primordial qualities) are represented by the three-tiered platform of the Linga ; symbolising the goal of life.

• It is the “symbol”, the symbol of creation; the result of the activity of three qualities and the Brahman(Supreme Reality), which permeates it and gives it meaning and value.
• Worship of Lingam should be done so with faith in this symbolic significance.

4. How to pray to Lingam by understanding the symbolic meaning of words used in spiritual texts

• Prapancha – used to indicate ‘created world’ , means, “that which is composed of the pancha-bhutas (elements of fire,earth, water,wind and ether)
• Hrdayam – used for ‘the heart’ ;Hridi( in the heart) and ayam( He), meaning the place where the Supreme God is seated and wisdom is lit.
• Siva’s vehicles – The Bull ; symbolises Dharma , standing on the four legs of Truth, Righteousness, Peace and Love (Sathya, Dharma, Shanthi and Prema)
• The three eyes of Siva are the eyes that reveal the past, present and future. Siva alone has all three.
• Elephant skin ,that forms his cloak represents the bestial primitive traits in us that he deskins an destroys.
• His four faces symbolise peace, fierceness, auspiciousness and determination.
• Just like Om is the verbal symbol of God, the lingam is the symbolic form of Godhead.

5. Sivarathri -the night when the individual soul must master the inner world first

• Everything is Maya(delusion);Maya binds and limits you and all spiritual exercises is to conquer this delusion. Beat the mind and make it hollow ,so that it will only float on the sea of worldly life.
• Learn to discriminate and detach.
• Grow not only physically,but also spiritually. Understand the eternal truth.

6. Meditation helps Man attain bliss

• Meditation on Sivarathri is indicated to gain control of the senses; by self control , root cause of delusion can be destroyed. Then every night is Shivaratri, in the constant presence of the Lord.
• Sarva- Antaryami ; not just Sarva -butha-atharathma

He is the Inner ruler of All , not just the Inmost soul of All Beings. All are in Him.

• Contemplation of the Highest Self will bestow one with peace, consolation, strength and joy.

 

 

Be happy with the way you are

 

Value: Contentment, optimism

Sub value: gratitude, positive attitude

A Parrot came home upset and confused.

“What’s wrong?” his mother asked.

“I hate my stupid beak!” Parrot blurted.

“Why do you hate your beak? I think it’s beautiful,” his mother said reassuringly.

“All of the other birds have much cooler beaks. Spoonbill, Pelican, Hawk, Finch, all of them!”

Parrot’s mother sat silently for a moment. “He may be right,” she thought to herself, “they do have very cool beaks.

“You should go and see Major Macaw, he’ll know what to do. He’s the wisest of the parrots and lives in the tallest tree in the forest. Yes, he’ll know what to do,” responded Parrot’s mother.

So Parrot flew to the tallest tree in the forest and found Major Macaw.

“Excuse me Major, I have a problem,” said Parrot.

“Oh dear, what can it be?” asked the venerable Macaw.

“I have a stupid beak. Why can’t I have a cool beak like Spoonbill, Pelican, Hawk or Finch?”

“You’re right.” said the Macaw, “They do have cool beaks. Tell me Parrot, do you like eating worms and crustaceans?”

“Yuck! That would be disgusting!” responded Parrot.

“Well, that’s what the spoonbill’s beak is designed for. So it wouldn’t work.   What about fish?”

“I couldn’t think of anything worse,” said Parrot.

“So, the Pelican’s beak would not work either. What about rabbits and mice?”

“Eeeks. No”

“OK, so maybe you shouldn’t aspire to have a Hawk’s beak. Small seeds?”

“They’re not so bad, but my favourite is Brazil nuts.” exclaimed Parrot, salivating at the thought.

“That’s lucky, I think I have a few here. Would you like one?” asked Major.

Parrot’s eyes lit up. ”Yes, please.”

“Tell me Parrot, if you had the beak of a spoonbill, pelican, hawk or finch, do you think that you could eat that Brazil nut?”

“I guess not,” said Parrot with his mouth full.

“You see, young parrot, you have been designed a certain way, with certain skills, attributes and tastes. Don’t waste your life being envious of the capacities of others, just make sure that you know what you’re good at and why you’re here.”

Learning:

We must be happy with whatever talents we are blessed with. We must also strive to bring out the hidden talents and excel rather than wasting our time comparing ourselves with others.

Don’t waste time envying others. Be happy about what you are good at.

 

A Determined Spirit

 

Value: Determination, duty

Sub value: Courage, compassion

This beautiful story is from a popular parable that originated with the Quechua (Incan) Indians of South America.

Once upon a time, a small bird named Tasoo lived in a vast jungle.

One hot summer day, a terrible wildfire erupted and the flames devoured many trees and animals living in the jungle.

Other birds flew high into the sky and far away to safety, but Tasoo couldn’t bear to leave her precious jungle home to burn.

Day and night, she flew with all her might back and forth to the river, filling her tiny beak with water to drop on the raging fires.

Tasoo’s rare heart of courage and unshakable determination moved the heavenly gods to shed tears, and a great rain poured down upon the jungle, extinguishing the flames.

And so it is that even the smallest actions of a determined spirit can change the world.

Learning:

When a problem arises or in an emergency, we must quickly analyse the situation and the consequences thereof and then wisely move forward in solving the problem with determination, courage and positive attitude.

If you have the courage and determination to pursue your dreams in the face of adversity……….. You are already a champion and a winner.

 

Sai Satcharitra – Chapter 42

 

 

Value: Love

Sub value: Omniscience

Story 1

Averting Death of Ramachandra and Tatya Patil

Sometime after this, Ramachandra Patil became seriously ill. He suffered a lot. He tried all remedies, but finding no relief, despaired of his life and was waiting for the last moment. The one midnight Baba suddenly stood near his pillow. Patil held His Feet and said – “I have lost all hopes of life, please tell me definitely when I shall die.” Merciful Baba said – “Don’t be anxious, your hundi (death-warrant) has been withdrawn and you will soon recover, but I am afraid of Tatya Patil. He will pass away on Vijayadashami of Shaka 1840 (1918 A.D.). Do not divulge this to anybody, nor to him, for he will be terribly frightened.” Ramachandra Dada got well, but he felt nervous about Tatya’s life, for he knew that Baba’s word was unalterable, and that Tatya would breathe his last within two years. He kept this hint secret, told it to none but one Bala Shimpi (a tailor). Only these two persons – Ramachandra Dada and Bala Shimpi were in fear and suspense regarding Tatya’s life.

Ramachandra Dada soon left his bed and was on his legs. Time passed quickly. The month of Bhadrapad of Shaka 1840 (1918 A.D.) was ending and Ashwin was in sight. True to Baba’s word, Tatya fell sick and was bed-ridden; and so he could not come for Baba’s darshana. Baba was also down with fever. Tatya had full faith in Baba and Baba in Lord Hari, who was His Protector. Tatya’s illness began to grow from bad to worse and he could not move at all but always remembered Baba. The predicament of Baba began to grow equally worse. The day predicted, i.e., Vijayadashami was impending and both Ramachandra Dada and Bala Shimpi were terribly frightened about Tatya and with their bodies trembling and perspiring with fear, thought that as predicted by Baba, Tatya’s end was nigh. Vijayadashami dawned and Tatya’s pulse began to beat very slow and he was expected to pass away shortly. But a curious thing happened. Tatya remained, his death was averted and Baba passed away in his stead. It seemed as if there was an exchange. People said that Baba gave up His life for Tatya; why He did so? He alone knows as His ways are inscrutable. It seems, however, that in this incident, Baba gave a hint of His passing away, substituting Tatya’s name for His.

Next morning (16th October) Baba appeared to Das Ganu at Pandharpur in his dream and said to him – “The Masjid collapsed, all the oilmen and grocers of Shirdi teased me a lot, so I leave the place. I therefore came to inform you here, please go there quickly and cover me with ‘Bhakkal’ flowers.” Das Ganu got the information also from Shirdi letters. So he came to Shirdi with his disciples and started bhajan and kirtan and sang the Lord’s name, all through the day before Baba’s samadhi. Himself weaving a beautiful garland of flowers studded with Lord Hari’s name he placed it on Baba’s samadhi and gave a mass-feeding in Baba’s name.

Story 2

Charity to Laxmibai
Dasara or Vijayadashami is regarded by all the Hindus as the most auspicious time and it is befitting that Baba should choose this time for His crossing the border-line. He was ailing some days before this, but He was ever conscious internally. Just before the last movement He sat up erect without anybody’s aid, and looked better. People thought that the danger had passed off and He was geeting well. He knew that He was to pass away soon and therefore, He wanted to give some money as charity to Laxmibai Shinde.

Story 3

Baba Pervading All Creatures
This Laxmibai Shinde was a good and well-to-do woman. She was working in the Masjid day and night. Except Bhagat Mhalasapati, Tatya and Laxmibai, none was allowed to step in the Masjid at night. Once while Baba was sitting in the Masjid with Tatya in the evening, Laxmibai came and saluted Baba. The latter said to her – “Oh Laxmi, Iam very hungry.” Off she went saying – “Baba, wait a bit, I return immediately with bread.” She did return with bread and vegetables and placed the same before Baba. He took it up and gave it to a dog. Laxmibai then asked – “What is this, Baba, I ran in haste, prepared bread with my own hands for You and You threw it to a dog without eating a morsel of it; You gave me trouble unnecessarily.” Baba replied – “Why do you grieve for nothing? The appeasement of the dog’s hunger is the same as Mine. The dog has got a soul; the creatures may be different, but the hunger of all is the same, though some speak and others are dumb. Know for certain, that he who feeds the hungry, really serves Me with food. Regard this as an exiomatic Truth.” This is a ordinary incident but Baba thereby propounded a great spiritual truth and showed its practical application in daily life without hurting anybody’s feelings. From this time onward Laxmibai began to offer Him daily bread and milk with love and devotion. Baba accepted and ate it appreciatingly. He took a part of this and sent the remainder with Laxmibai to Radha-Krishna-Mai who always relished and ate Baba’s remnant prasad. This bread-story should not be considered as a digression; it shows, how Sai Baba pervaded all the creatures and transcended them. He is omnipresent, birthless, deathless and immortal.

Baba remembered Laxmibai’s service. How could He forget her? Just before leaving the body, He put His hand in His pocket and gave her once Rs.5/- and again Rs.4/-, in all Rs.9/-. This figure (9) is indicative of the nine types of devotion described in chapter 21 or it may be the Dakshina offered at the time of Seemollanghan. Laxmibai was a well-to-do woman and so she was not in want of any money. So Baba might have suggested to her and brought prominently to her notice the nine characteristics of a good disciple mentioned in the 6th verse of chapter ten, skandha eleven of the Bhagwat, wherein first five and then four characteristics are mentioned in the first and second couplets.* Baba followed the order, first paid Rs.5/- and then Rs.4/- in all Rs.9/-. Not only nine, but many times nine rupees passed through Laxmibai’s hand, but Baba’s this gift of Nine, she will ever remember.

Being so watchful and conscious, Baba also took other precautions in His last moment. In order that He should not be embroiled or entangled with love and affection for His devotees, He ordered them all to clear off. Kakasaheb Dixit, Bapusaheb Booty and others were in the Masjid anxiously waiting upon Baba, but He asked them to go to the Wada and return after meals. They could not leave Baba’s presence, nor could they disobey Him. So with heavy hearts and heavy feet they went to the Wada. They knew that Baba’s case was very serious and that they could not forget Him. They sat for meals, but their mind was elsewhere, it was with Baba. Before they finished, news came to them of Baba’s leaving the mortal coil. Leaving their dishes, they ran to the Masjid and found that Baba rested finally on Bayaji’s lap. He did not fall down on the ground nor did He lie on His bed, but sitting quietly on His seat and doing charity with His own hand threw off the mortal coil. Saints embody themselves and come into this world with a definite mission and after that is fulfilled they pass away as quietly and easily as they came.

Essence

Guru’s grace removes out fear of the mundane existence, opens the path of salvation and turns our misery into happiness. If we always remember the feet of the Sad-guru, our troubles come to an end. Therefore those who care for their welfare should carefully listen to these stories of Sai Samarth, which will purify their minds.

For Children

Let us have faith that God is with us every moment and he is watching us too. So let us pray and have faith, then we can experience his unseen hands guiding us. Let us do our best and God will do the rest.

A story which depicts the above value

https://saibalsanskaar.wordpress.com/2017/02/08/lord-and-his-devotee/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to see God

 

Value: good conduct

Sub value: introspection,

A Short story of a Sufi Master who was asked can you help me to see God?

On the top of the mountain, lived a Sufi Master. Once every month he used to visit the village at the foot of the mountain. On one such visit, a man approached him and asked, How come I cannot have sight of the God? Can you help me to see God?

“Sure”, was the reply of the Sufi Master, but for that you will have to help me.

“What help do you need Master?”

“You will have to pick up five stones of equal size and weight. Carry them to the top of the mountain, so that I can use them to build a platform outside my hut.”

The seeker agreed. Both started their journey way up on the mountain. Soon the man got tired and walking became a very difficult task for him.

“Discard one of the stones”, the Sufi Master told, “then it will be easier for you.”

The man discarded one of the stone and walking became easier.

Once again the man got tired. Walking towards the mountain top was becoming very tough. The master again asked him to discard one of the stone.

Likewise all five stones were discarded on the way to the top of the mountain.

The Sufi Master then said to the man, “Now I have shown you the way to God.”

The man was perplexed. He said, “I cannot see God.”

The Master explained, “The five stones symbolize our major weaknesses to see God. They are Lust, Anger, Greed, Desires and Ego. Learn to discard these. Let me be the first one to warn you, it will not be easy. Strive hard, I shall help you. When you succeed in throwing away all these stones which are but curtains between you and God, then effortlessly you will have sight of your beloved God.”

Thus the man began his journey on the Sufi Path under a Sufi Master.

Learning:

We must try to introspect into our own faults such as anger, ego, greed and so on. And then when we give up these vices we can realise the transformation happening from within and peace dawning on us.

Throw away all these stones which are curtains between you and God: Anger, lust, ego desire, greed