Lighting the lamps with water:
Shirdi Sai showed us so many miracles when he was in flesh. He performed these so called miracles not to impress any one but to change our lame minds. He was always compassionate and forgiving. The story of lighting earthen lamps with water is an illustration of his nature. This is called Yatha Sankalpa Siddhi. When Paramatma wants some thing to happen it will happen.
The story from the Sai Satcharita goes as follows ;
In the early days, the great Sai was very fond of burning oil lamps. Therefore, he himself used to go to the shopkeepers and ask for oil. Carrying a tumbler-like container in his hand, he begged for oil from the shops of the grocers and oil-mongers. After bringing it he would fill the earthen oil lamps. He burnt the lamps brightly in the temples and the Masjid. This continued for sometime. Out of love for the worship of the light, he even celebrated Deepavali with illumination. He would make twisted wicks from rags and would burn the lamps in the Masjid. He brought the oil, daily, free of charge. Therefore, the oil-mongers conspired against him to put an end to this nuisance. Later, when Baba went to ask for oil as usual and when all refused, look what a wonder took place. Baba went back without a word and put the dry wicks in the earthen lamps. What could he do without the oil? The grocers watched that fun! Baba picked up a pot, which was on the parapet of the Masjid, in which there was little oil, not enough even to light the evening lamp. Then he put water into the oil and Baba drank it. Thus having offered it to Brahman, he took pure water. Then he poured the water in the lamp and soaked the dry wicks completely; struck the matchsticks and lit the lamps for all to see. Seeing the lamps burning with water, the grocers were dumbfounded. They felt disgusted with themselves that they had lied to Baba. Even though there was not a drop of oil, the lamps burnt throughout the night. People started commenting that the shopkeepers had now lost Sai’s grace. The grocers felt repentant for having harassed Baba (causing him anguish without any reason) and having committed the sin of uttering lies. They thought how great Baba’s power is! Baba never thought of this. He was never angry or hated any person. He had no friends or foes, and all creatures were equal for him.
Spiritual meaning behind this story:
We can learn the meaning behind the story from the Kaakad aarati. We all recite the following words during the aarati.
Kaakad aarati kareeto Sainatha deva
Chinmaya roop daakhavee ghewuni balak laghu seva
Chinmaya roop daakhavee ghewuni balak laghu seva
Let me do Kaakad Aarti, in the early morning hours, O Lord Sainath! Show me your pure, intelligent and handsome form, and accept this insignificant service from me, your child.
Kaam krodh mad matsar aattunee kaakada kela
Vairagyache toop ghaaluni mee to bhijaveela
Vairagyache toop ghaaluni mee to bhijaveela
I have compressed and entwined lust, anger, ego, envy and made them into a wick for the lamp; and soaked it into the ghee (clear butter) of asceticism that I have poured.
Sainath Guru bakti jwalane to mee petawila
Tad vryitti jaluni guroo ne prakash paadila
Dwaita tama naasooni milavi tatswaroopi jeewa
I have lit it with the spark of devotion for Sainath Guru (Master). After burning up the vices, the Guru has shed the light on me. Destroy the darkness of duality and merge me in thy Self.
Sainath Guru bakti jwalane to mee petawila
Tad vryitti jaluni guroo ne prakash paadila
Dwaita tama naasooni milavi tatswaroopi jeewa
I have lit it with the spark of devotion for Sainath Guru (Master). After burning up the vices, the Guru has shed the light on me. Destroy the darkness of duality and merge me in thy Self.
If we carefully examine the meaning; Sai is asking us for oil and we are all shop keepers. Oil is nothing but asceticism (Vairagya or dispassion). But we refuse to give him the faith and patience. Then he can not help us to get rid of the six enemies ( Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada & Matsarya) which are called together as Arishadvargas. We have to make these six enemies in to a wick, soak it in the oil of dispassion or vairagya and light with spark of devotion. Sai has to light our lamp, which is our Ajnana or ignorance. Then we fill our lives with light that is knowledge. Sai forgives us even we keep refusing to follow the path he showed and he is so patient with us so that we learn our lessons. Once we learn and regret, then he pushes us to walk with Shradda and Sabhuri. If we do this enough then he grants us his grace that is ultimate peace or bliss.
SADGURU SAI
Sai is the embodiment of permanent bliss; his mind is without any doubts. He is the incarnation of resignation (denial of pleasures).His regular behavior or disposition is based on the conviction of the illusory nature of pleasure and pain regarding the body. According to him these were wanderings of the mind, as in a dream. Therefore, he has warded off the illusion and reached the state of emancipation.
When he sees the worldly attachment of his disciples, his heart melts with pity; and he worries day and night how to remove those bonds.
His whole nature is one with Brahman.
Many such Gurus are there who collect a number of disciples around them and who forcefully give a mantra in the ear or some kind of upadesha (Secretly), merely to make money. They teach their disciples righteousness, but their own behavior is contrary. How will they help them to cross the worldly ocean and avoid life and death? There was no need for him to publicize himself. There was no bodily pride in him.
Now let’s look at Sai’s Guru Tatva (Nature):
He had great love for his disciples. Always, this was his nature. Such was Sai!
There are two types of Gurus:
1)Niyata Guru
2)Aniyata Guru.
The ‘Aniyata’ Guru stresses on the development of the divine qualities and purification of the mind. These are the only things that an Aniyata Guru can grant. He can also show the path of moksha. Where as Niyat Guru, dispels the dual nature that is two-fold nature of the self. He makes you experience the Mahavakyas, like “AHAM BRAHMASMI”.
Sai as Niyata Guru:
Sai bandhus! Understand Sai as Niyata Guru, who will guide you through out the journey and will make you experience the Satchidananda state.
He is the Real;
His greatness is imperceptible.
He is the Brahman, the great one who can take you across the worldly ocean.
Sai’s manifestation as Sadguru:
* Sai is Thrikaala Jnani; whoever goes to take darshan, Sai tells him the past, the present, and the future. Sai, without being asked, knows and narrates the motives and intentions, and everything in detail.
* Sama Dhursti (Oneness):
He who looks at everything and at all creatures as Brahman itself, who looks upon friends and foes with equality and who does not discriminate the least. He is without expectations and regards everything equally, showers nectar of blessing even on those who have done harm to him. His mind remains unperturbed in good times or bad times. He entertains no doubts.
* Free of body attachment:
Though living in this perishable body, he is not entangled in the bonds of the body. Outwardly, he looks a physical being but inwardly, he is without body. Such a person is truly liberated though with a body.
Baba was not attached, he was the Supreme Being, turned towards his Self, whose desire and anger were put to rest, who was free from desires and attachments, and who had completely achieved his mission. Such was his state of liberation that he regarded the sense objects as Brahman.
He is beyond good deeds and bad.
He is the abode of complete repose.
He is the Samardha Sadguru.
Let Sai bless all of us ! OM SAI RAM !
BABA AS SAI RAM
Baba tried to teach us about Shradda and Sabhuri. We always think that we understand this but we fail most of the time. If we have blessing of Sri Sai, we will achieve this goal. Sri Sai appeared in different divine forms for different people. Like our shastras say “Yadbhavam Thadbhavathi”, it always makes sense when it comes to Sri Sai. When he gave darshan as Sri Rama, it was an incredible feeling for Dr. Sitaram. He had shraddha and persistence in his Bhakthi. When he sees Baba as Rama sitting in Dwarakamai, his emotions were flowing like a river merging in to an ocean.
The story goes as follows:
It was year 1911 and Mr. Mankar was Kopergaon's mamlatdar at that time. He was a staunch devotee of Sai Baba. One day he met Dr. Sitaram. Dr. Sitaram only worships Sri Rama. He never bowed to any other God or Guru. Mankar, used to talk about Baba to Dr. Sitaram. He used to say, "Sai Baba is not Muslim Fakir, He is an ocean of truth, follower of preaching’s of Vedas, He incarnated in Shirdi for the benefit of the world. He requested Dr. Sitaram to go to Shirdi to have a darshan of Baba.
Doctor replied, "My head will not bow down to any God other than Lord Rama". Mankar said," Doctor! Never mind if you don’t bow to Sai Baba, it’s your wish. Baba will ask you to bow down to Him, instead Sai Baba says - as you sow, so shall you reap by coming here."
Mankar and Dr. Sitaram went to Shirdi in December during Christmas time. As soon as Dr. Sitaram climbed steps of Dwarkamai, he was surprised. He saw Lord Rama on Sai Baba's seat. He was so engrossed and surprised to see Lord Rama. He bowed to Baba with folded hands. At the time of returning to lodging, Mankar asked Doctor, "What happened? You were determined not to go to that Fakir but were the first to bow to Him as soon as you climb the steps of Dwarkamai".
Doctor, who was over flowing with emotions replied, "This is not a fakir, but My Parabrahma Lord Rama! Mankar Saheb, how can I narrate my experience to you? I think all the Punya of my past lives came together and I had darshan of my Lord Sri Rama. He decided to stay in Shirdi and not eat until his lord calls him back for Darshan. He also took a vow not to go to dwarakamai. Three days passed and on the fourth day one of his friends by name Vasant Rao came to Shirdi. They both met after nine years. In this happiness Doctor forgot his vow and along with Vasantrao went to Dwarkamai holding his hand. Both bowed to Baba and sat in front of Him. Baba asked, "Who had come to call you at your place?" Hearing these words from Baba, Doctor was surprised and felt ashamed. Dr. Sitaram took food after four days at his lodgings and had sound sleep. In early morning Baba appeared in Doctor's dream and made him experience the eternal bliss. After taking Baba's leave, Doctor left for Kopergaon and he experienced the same bliss for fifteen days.
Doctor replied, "My head will not bow down to any God other than Lord Rama". Mankar said," Doctor! Never mind if you don’t bow to Sai Baba, it’s your wish. Baba will ask you to bow down to Him, instead Sai Baba says - as you sow, so shall you reap by coming here."
Mankar and Dr. Sitaram went to Shirdi in December during Christmas time. As soon as Dr. Sitaram climbed steps of Dwarkamai, he was surprised. He saw Lord Rama on Sai Baba's seat. He was so engrossed and surprised to see Lord Rama. He bowed to Baba with folded hands. At the time of returning to lodging, Mankar asked Doctor, "What happened? You were determined not to go to that Fakir but were the first to bow to Him as soon as you climb the steps of Dwarkamai".
Doctor, who was over flowing with emotions replied, "This is not a fakir, but My Parabrahma Lord Rama! Mankar Saheb, how can I narrate my experience to you? I think all the Punya of my past lives came together and I had darshan of my Lord Sri Rama. He decided to stay in Shirdi and not eat until his lord calls him back for Darshan. He also took a vow not to go to dwarakamai. Three days passed and on the fourth day one of his friends by name Vasant Rao came to Shirdi. They both met after nine years. In this happiness Doctor forgot his vow and along with Vasantrao went to Dwarkamai holding his hand. Both bowed to Baba and sat in front of Him. Baba asked, "Who had come to call you at your place?" Hearing these words from Baba, Doctor was surprised and felt ashamed. Dr. Sitaram took food after four days at his lodgings and had sound sleep. In early morning Baba appeared in Doctor's dream and made him experience the eternal bliss. After taking Baba's leave, Doctor left for Kopergaon and he experienced the same bliss for fifteen days.
What we can learn from this;
“Your faith in your Guru or God is essential”. You cannot think about anything else. Say some one wants to dig a well. What’s the point in digging 7 holes in different places when we are not digging deep? You have to dig only one place for several feet or until you get water. We can pray to different Gods and that is the culture we were brought under. This is only to certain extent useful. Ultimately you are not reaching the goal and it is like digging several superficial holes for water. It is commonsense that we have to believe in Baba as your Guru and dig deep until he blesses you. There is no point in running around and wasting our lives even our future janmas. This is where Baba taught us about Shradda and Sabhuri and how it is helpful in spiritual realm. He also told us through his story about finding a guru in the forest. So Sai bandhus dedicate your self to Sai and show patience for his grace. Love him like Gopikas loved SriKrishna. Through love only you can reach the Supreme.
OM SAI RAM!
Baba's Wonderful Bed-Stead (Story from Satcharita)
Let us first see where and how Baba slept, Mr. Nanasaheb Dengale brought, for Sai Baba, a wooden plank, amount 4 cubits in length and only a span in breadth, for sleeping upon. Instead of keeping the plank on the floor and then sleeping on it, Baba tied it like a swing to the rafters of the Masjid with old shreds or rags and commenced to sleep upon it. The rags were so thin and worn out that it was a problem how they could bear or support even weight of the plank itself, let alone the weight of Baba. But somehow or other-it was Baba's sheer Leela that the worn out rags did sustain the plank, with the weight of Baba on it. On the four corners of this plank, Baba lighted panatis (earthen lamps), one at each corner, and kept them burning the whole night. It was a sight for the Gods to see Baba sitting or sleeping on this plank! It was a wonder to all, how Baba got up and down the plank. Out of curiosity, many careful observers kept watching the process of mounting and dismounting, but none succeeded. As crowds began to swell so to detect this wonderful feat, Baba one day broke the plank into pieces and threw it away. Baba had all the eight Siddhis (powers) at His command. He never practiced nor craved for them. They came to Him naturally, as a result of His perfection.
Samardha Sai’s control over elements (Pancha Bhutas)
Baba sleeps on a plank
Let us first see where and how Baba slept, Mr. Nanasaheb Dengale brought, for Sai Baba, a wooden plank, amount 4 cubits in length and only a span in breadth, for sleeping upon. Instead of keeping the plank on the floor and then sleeping on it, Baba tied it like a swing to the rafters of the Masjid with old shreds or rags and commenced to sleep upon it. The rags were so thin and worn out that it was a problem how they could bear or support even weight of the plank itself, let alone the weight of Baba. But somehow or other-it was Baba's sheer Leela that the worn out rags did sustain the plank, with the weight of Baba on it. On the four corners of this plank, Baba lighted panatis (earthen lamps), one at each corner, and kept them burning the whole night. It was a sight for the Gods to see Baba sitting or sleeping on this plank! It was a wonder to all, how Baba got up and down the plank. Out of curiosity, many careful observers kept watching the process of mounting and dismounting, but none succeeded. As crowds began to swell so to detect this wonderful feat, Baba one day broke the plank into pieces and threw it away. Baba had all the eight Siddhis (powers) at His command. He never practiced nor craved for them. They came to Him naturally, as a result of His perfection.
THE HOOKS ON THE CEILING
These hooks are on the ceiling in front of the Nimbar. Nana Saheb Dengle brought a wooden plank of about 8” wide and 5' in length and gave it to Baba for sleeping. He thought that Baba could sleep on it instead of sleeping on the floor.
Dasganu says, "The plank hung so close to the ceiling that no one could sit upright. One could only sit on it bending one's body like an arch. Yet this great Yogi slept on it"! (Refer Bhakta Leelamrita, Chapter 31).
Sri Sai Baba is addressed as Yogiraja. So nothing is impossible to him. Patanjali yoga sutras described all kinds of siddhis in Vibhudhi Pada. What powers are acquired by what means. There are Ashta (8) Mahasiddhis which are as follows; Anima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Eesitva, Vasitva and kamavasayata. Of these “Laghima” means having the lightest form. You do not carry any weight and you are almost like cotton. Baba also showed “Anima” some times that is the smallest form. We can also see this in Ramayana, where Hanuman takes different forms. Shirdi Sai showed his leelas to help the devotees either to get rid of past karmas or to advance them in spiritual path.
Nana Saheb Dengale was very fortunate that Baba used the plank that was given by him. If we all remember Satcharita, Baba used to rub some coins to get rid of some karmas of his devotees. In a similar way, Dengale was blessed that Baba was sleeping on the plank. This leela could have helped Dengale by several ways. When guru’s feet can provide Jnana, imagine the whole body being on the plank. Baba also put earthen lamps on 4 sides which eradicate Ajnana.
Later on he broke the plank into pieces and threw it away. Baba was once describing the greatness or importance of this plank to Kakasaheb. Hearing this kakasaheb said to Baba - "If You still love the wooden plank, I will again suspend or hang up one in the Masjid again for You to sleep at ease." Baba replied - "I won't like to sleep up, leaving Mhalasapati down on the ground." Then Kakasaheb said - "I will provide another plank for Mhalasapati." Baba - "How can he sleep on the plank? It is not easy to sleep up on the plank. He who has many good qualities in him can do so. He who can sleep 'with his eyes wide open' can affect that. When I go to sleep, I ask often Mhalasapati to sit by My side, place his hand on My heart and watch the 'chanting of the Lord's name' there, and if he finds Me sleepy, wake Me up. He can't do even this. He himself gets drowsy and begins to nod his head. When I feel his hand heavy as a stone on My heart and cry out - 'Oh Bhagat', he moves and opens his eyes. How can he, who can't sit and sleep well on the ground and whose asana (posture) is not steady and who is a slave to sleep, sleep high up on a plank? On many other occasions Baba said, out of love for His devotees - "What (whether good or bad) is ours, is with us, and what is another's is with him."
These are the words from Sai Satcharita (Original);
Even a tiny particle pricks the eye. But a person who has mastered the Siddhi of ‘anima’ (to become as small as an atom) can hide with ease. Baba was able to freely move about in the form of a fly or a worm or an ant. One who has ‘anima’ Siddhi at his service, does it take time for him to take the form of a fly? He can stay hanging in the sky without support. What can he care for a plank? When the eightfold Siddhis, like the nine-treasures, are standing beside him with folded arms, (i.e. at his service), for him the plank is only a pretext.
Om Sai Ram!
Let Sai bless all of us.
Samardha Sai’s control over elements (Pancha Bhutas)
Baba’s Control over Fire:
Shirdi Sai had control over the fire. One afternoon the dhuni blazed uncontrollably. The flames billowed. Who could stay near it? The flames of the fire increased fiercely and reached the roof of wooden beams. It appeared that the Masjid would quickly be reduced to ashes. Nevertheless, Baba showed his resolve while all the people became apprehensive. All the people were amazed at the ruination Baba was facing. One asked: “Shall we bring some water?” Another said: “Who will pour it? Who will go near there to receive the blow of the satka on the head? ” Though everybody was restless, none had the courage to ask. At that moment, Baba made a movement and placed his hand on the satka. Seeing the blazing flames, he took the satka in his hand and started forcefully striking, blow after blow, saying “Get back”. An arm’s length from the dhuni, he was forcefully striking the pillar, while looking at the flames and saying: “Calm down, calm down”. With every stroke, the flames lessened and subsided. The dhuni became calm and the fear disappeared completely.
This entire universe is Dwaraka Mai and dhuni that was lit by Sai is to help preserve the Dharma. When bad karmas taking their worst form, the papas (Bad deeds) are blazing in the Dhuni, trying to engulf this world, we become helpless. Then we need Sai in our lives. We have to decide whether we become victims to that fire or be saved.
Such was Sai, the doyen of the Saints, God incarnate! On placing your head at his feet, he will lay the boon-giving hand on your head. Whosoever reads this chapter in Satcharita regularly, with faith and devotion, all the problems will be resolved after the completion of reading with concentration. What more can we say! After purifying the mind, scrupulously do the Sai ‘pãrãyan’! You will attain eternal Brahman. Attain the unattainable! Ultimately become desire less! Attain the difficult four-fold mukti and uninterrupted peace. So be it. Those devotees who desire to enjoy the bliss of ‘parmartha’ and perfect knowledge should read this chapter repeatedly, with great respect. The minds will be purified. Savoring the stories will develop an attitude of spiritual inclinations. They will attain whatever is desired and whatever is not auspicious or desirable will be destroyed. Personally experience Baba.
Let Sai bless all of us and his blissful looks be upon us.
Om Sai Ram !
Baba controlling the storm:
It was a very frightful time. The entire sky was black and overcast. Birds and beasts were frightened. A hurricane-like wind began to blow. The sun set and it was evening. Suddenly the whirlwind arose. Strong gusty winds blew. There was horrifying commotion, accompanied by peals (ringing) of thunder, crackling of lightening, shrieking winds and torrential rains. It rained cats and dogs, hailstones noisily descended, the village folk and the cattle had a fearful anticipation and cried and bellowed, creating a loud commotion.
Destitute beggars came for shelter under the eaves of the Masjid and were joined by the cattle and the calves. The Masjid was crowded. There was water in all the quarters. The hay was completely washed away. The harvest was totally wet in the threshing ground. People were struck aghast. The whole village was frightened and worried. They came in and filled the courtyard of the Masjid and some stayed under the roof space. They put forth their grievance to Baba. Shirdi abounded in temples of Jogai, Jakhai, Mariai, Shani, Shankar, Ambabai, Maruti, Khandoba. Yet, at any critical juncture, no one was of any service to the villagers except the one and only, prompt and quick Sai, who helped in all difficulties. He did not need sacrifices of goats and cocks, or offerings of money. All that he desired was true devotion to sweep away all difficulties.
Sai Maharaj was greatly moved by seeing the panic of the people. He left his seat and came forward and stood near the plinth of the Masjid. The sky was reverberating with the sound of thunder and the crackling lightening set the sky ablaze with light. In the midst of all this stood Sai Maharaj, shouting at the top of his voice. Gods love their devotees and their Saints and Sages more than themselves. Gods heed their words and take human birth for their sake. Gods have to espouse the cause of the devotees on hearing their appeals. They uphold all requests as soon as they are made, recalling the faith of the devotees. Loud bawls followed one after another, resounding in the sky. The Masjid seemed to shake. Everyone was deafened. The Masjid and the temples resounded with that earth-shaking voice. Then the clouds stopped their own thunder and even the rains stopped pouring. Baba’s loud bawling was so profuse that the whole courtyard full of people got rooted to the spot, whispering amongst itself. Baba’s skill and powers were inconceivable. It had an effect on the rains. The wind also was immediately controlled and the darkness caused by the fog was dissipated. Slowly, slowly the rain decreased. The wind also lessened. The constellations became visible. The darkness was dispelled by that time. Later the rains completely stopped. The gailng winds quieted.
The moon appeared in the sky. Everyone was cheered. Indra melted at the plight and upheld the words of the Saint. The clouds were dispersed in all directions. The whirlwind calmed down. The rains totally abated. The wind blew gently. The sound of thunder subsided.
The birds and beasts regained their courage. Leaving the shelter of the eaves, the cattle and calves came out and roamed again without fear. The birds also flew into the sky. Having earlier experienced the terrifying incident, all the people returned to their homes after expressing their gratitude to Baba. The cattle also peacefully dispersed.
Such was Sai, the embodiment of mercy! He had great love for the devotees. His concern was like that of a mother for the children. How can we describe that loving nature!
Baba one more time became Govardhana Giri Dhari, when he rescued literally whole Shirdi village like Krishna rescued every one when Indra showed his wrath. Let us explore the spiritual meaning of this incident; who is Indra? He is the king of all the Indriyas (Whole human body). When all the Arishad vargas are showing their powers, we become powerless. If we don’t have Baba in our lives, we have to wither the storm and suffer. Such is the power of Sai.
So
what to say about Sai and why he chose this place to do his work and his
leelas? He talked about his Gurusthan under the neem tree. He also talked about
Dwarakamai being the holy place to so many God men. So with all this greatness
and purity it enshrines, people are blessed to even put their feet in Shirdi.
Baba predicted that hundreds and thousands of people will flock to this small
village and big buildings will rise. At that time, it felt like a Herculean
task but when Baba says so, it has to happen. So let us look at how Shirdi was
in 1800 and early 1900’s.
Pujyasri B.V Narasimha
Swamy narrated this beautifully in his writings. Shirdi was an obscure hamlet
of the Ahmednagar district in the Bombay Presidency that even in the district;
Shirdi’s name was not well known. It was in those days a mere group of about 80
or 100 mud houses interspersed with narrow lanes between them and surrounded on
all sides by an abundance of babul, prickly
pear, and other wild growth. There was hardly a single respectable building fit
for occupation by any gentleman visiting it from the town. There were no shops
except the tiny village shops where grains or oil were sold, and there was no
respectable temple barring perhaps the Maruti temple which also was a tiny
dilapidated structure next to the Mosque dilapidated. Its rafters were coming
off one after another and falling down. That was the condition in the middle of
the last century. The villagers led a quiet life absorbed in their usual
agricultural operations, and as for shows and conveyances, these were seldom
had there, and a weekly village fair was the grandest sight and comfort for the
villagers. If once a tonga came into the village, the village
children and elders would stare at it as a rarity. This was because it was but
a hamlet of the main village Rahata, which is three miles away. Even Rahata is
a place of very little importance known only to those who are accustomed to the
road map or to constant travel on roads. But the distance of three miles from
Rahata was sufficient to keep the Shirdi people humble and contented with their
lot, and the place was so wretchedly poor that with very little income or none,
one could pull on with his life there. Some hermits or fakirs would occasionally visit the village and kept the
people in touch with the lofty thoughts or modes or life dimly perceived by
them.
We
are referring, of course, to the main mass of the villagers who were Hindus.
There were just a few Mohammadan houses and the Mohammadan population was very
poor, wretched, and not prospering. They were artisans or labourers and were
hardly possessed of anything like property. Some of them chiselled images.
Others built houses. At the head of the village society, were the Hindu village
headmen. They were Patils (Ganapat Rao Patil Kothe and his brothers or
cousins). All were styled Patils and the head of them was actually performing
the function of the village Patil.
There
were no roads, no street lighting and no public comforts. They had only one
village well and the water had to be drawn up, each one bringing his or her
vessel. There were one or two mud built Chavadis
used as schools for the few children, with furnished accommodation for
visiting strangers. There were so called temples, three petty, fragile
structures one for Sani, one
for Ganapati, and one for Siva. So petty indeed that they had
hardly any doors to preserve and safeguard the images. For instance during the
early years of this century, a half crazy man entered into each of these
temples and broke the images; whether by iconoclastic zeal or simply by a freak
of madness; people could not make out. He also broke the marble Padam of Baba placed under the neem tree into two by hitting it with
some heavy stone or other object. Thus there were hardly any religious
buildings. The Maruti temple next to the Mosque was about a dozen feet square.
The Khandoba temple just outside the village was about 8 or 10 square feet, a
structure of brick and clay; and a mud and brick temple of Vittal
Baba’s
words came true and millions of people visit Shirdi and big buildings all over.
At that time when Baba told people around him this fact, they might have felt
otherwise. The soil that Baba walked,
the garden that he took care of and the areas that he roamed around, the air
that he was breathing at that time are very precious and divine. When we visit
Shirdi can we think about these holy things and touch the soil, feel the garden
and breathe the same air. This will certainly purify our mind and we will get
that ultimate peace that we lack. Baba is everywhere and his presence is felt
allover. He himself said where ever you are and think about me, I am there and
will address all your concerns not only for this life but for the next lives
too.
Shirdi Sai on Atma Vichara
119. (Q): Baba, who are you? Whence?
A: (S.B. in the mood of Absolute). I have no residence. I am the attribute less Absolute-Nirguna, (again, in the mood of Duality). By the action of Karma I got embroiled and came to a body. My name is "The embodied-Dehi". The world is my abode. Brahman is my father, and Maya my mother. By their interlocking I got this body. The world is mutable, evanescent.
(To Appa K) Allah or The Nirguna (Parabrahma) became saguna Parabrahma (known as) Mohiniraja at Nivas. Go and bow before him. God manifests all his powers for the benefit of his devotees, (cf.145)
B: Who am I? Who are we?
120. Baba often said, "Who are we? Night and day think on this."
About 1915 R.A Tarkhad, Managing Director of a mill, got into a compartment at Manmad in the dark and was fighting for a seat with a police constable, who was there. When R.A.T. arrived at Shirdi.
Baba: With whom were you persisting in contest this morning? Bhav (brother), we should not engage in contest with such people! "Who are We?" This we must enquire into.
R.A.T saw first, Baba's reference to the social inequality of the disputing parties, and later on, the Vedantic meaning of the words, i.e., the unity of those parties in Brahman.
C Baba (to Bala Bhav i.e., Sitaram Dev): We have only to see (i.e., know) our self.
D
121. In October 1917? Baba spoke to a Bombay Lady.
Baba: Mother, what do you want? Ask for it.
Lady: Let me be free from the whirl of births and deaths.
Baba (laughing): Is this all you want? What! Have you come to die?
Lady (shocked): Baba, I do not at all understand you
Baba: Think who you are.
Lady: I do not understand.
Baba (pointing to her husband): He will tell you.
Then the lady went with her husband to her lodgings and asked him what Baba meant.
Husband: Baba's words are mysterious. I cannot be sure I have made out his meaning. Probably he means something like this. The Jiva goes on reincarnating any number of times till it gets Sakshatkar i.e., sees or realizes God. Baba is God. But people seeing him do not get full faith and do not see him i.e., feel him to be God; and hence they do not get Mukti.
Sastras indicate that essentially Jiva and Siva are one. You think yourself to be a Jiva is it not?
Lady: Yes.
Husband: Baba and the Sastras want you to regard yourself as Siva or God.
Lady: No. No. I am a petty sinner-a Jiva and not the great God Siva.
Husband: No doubt that is your feeling. But Baba means that by constantly regarding yourself as God, your deeply ingrained belief that you are only a finite Jiva will be removed. This process continued, may be through numerous births and strengthened and helped by contact with saints will give you the firm belief that you are Brahman. That must be Baba’s meaning.
(The pair again returned to Dwaraka Mai)
Baba: Mother, I have listened (from here) to all that your husband told you. Keep that in mind.
Path to happiness
I want to be happy all the time; I don't want to be unhappy at all". This is the common perception as human organism, we all have. How I can be happy? Why I am unhappy even though I have money, fame and every thing in life? Does more wealth will make me happy for ever? These questions are lingering frequently in our daily lives. Who can not have these kinds of questions in their minds at one time or the other? We might think that "If I can get this job, or meet my soul mate or marrying one, if I can win a lottery, inherit or earn lots of money. This could be a common thinking in human minds. Is there any thing wrong with this kind of thinking?
Let us say that we have all the answers. Some one was able to acquire all these so called perfect things in the life but still there is some thing lacking, which makes you unhappy, apathetic, anhedonic and indifferent to all the materialistic things that you already have at that time. If we talk to people who supposedly have everything, they say that they are also unhappy and they say that money is not everything. So what should we do and this is very confusing.
Understand unhappiness
Before we talk about happiness, we should really understand what unhappiness is. Is unhappiness, not being happy, being sad or feeling pain, sorrow and just what ever makes us feel uncomfortable. This could be defined differently and it is different for different people. Unhappiness is a derivative of happiness and happiness is the root cause of unhappiness. Because our mind accepted certain experiences which were acquired through our senses, mind, ego and intellect. The society plays a major role in reinforcing these so called experiences. Society told us about good, bad, poor, wealthy, truth, untruth and lots of dualistic attitudes. The environment around us puts so much pressure on the mind and creates conflict more times than not. Since the birth of the child, until the death we are bounded by these societal norms and perceptions. We are caught in this vicious cycle of likes and dislikes with out much relief. Some people are more conscious of society than others. Some might say that they don't care about the society but they are still unhappy. There is no simple answer to these questions. Even when we want to choose between two good things, there is conflict and this leads to excitement, which leads us into unhappiness. This is sad that we are unhappy even in the mist of happiness. Do we really love happiness or we want to be victims and like playing this role as a victim. Do we want to feel sorry for ourselves and we want others feel sorry for us?
Psychology of unhappiness
When a child is born, the parents go through so much of emotion. Mother goes through nine months of patience carrying the child and when baby is delivered you can imagine what she goes through. Even though there is so much pain involved in the process, the ultimate truth is happiness. Why is this different, did we learn to look at this whole process differently? If we think crying is a sign of unhappiness, when the newborn cries, we rejoice. This event can teach us so much of insight in to the science of happiness. Everything thing in this universe, including happiness and unhappiness, have a beginning and an end. We always want unhappiness to end but not the happiness. This is the reality of life. If we do not realize this, we will be unhappy all the time. Once we are happy, we worry about loosing it, instead of enjoying it. This is the psychological quality one's own mind goes through all the time. This is one of the real causes of unhappiness.
We take our lives granted with out realizing that darkness will set in as soon as the day ends. Where there is day, there should be night also. We can not just worry about the oncoming darkness and stop enjoying the day. When we look at the solar system, what is night? Why we are able to see the darkness? This is because of the existence of Sun only. Otherwise every thing will be pitch-black and you won't be able to see even the darkness. If we can consider Sun as happiness and darkness as unhappiness, we are able to recognize the unhappiness because we had the experience of happiness that is the "Day". So this concept can educate us to understand certain principles behind this duality. There is a difference between the darkness out side and in a room where there is no Sun light, it is pitch black. You can not see anything. This could be the situation in people who are depressed. For them the happiness also does not matter and this is called anhedonia. This is where you need professional help to come out of the clutches of severe depression. This is where people do not see the light at the end of tunnel and there is no silver lining to these dark clouds. But this state is easily treatable than addressing just unhappiness alone.
Our attitudes and personalities could complicate this journey to happiness. We need intense training and knowledge about ourselves in training the mind to be in this path and to sustain in this state. It is so difficult to unwind the erroneous concepts, notions and impressions that are strongly imprinted in our minds. Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy.
Reasons for unhappiness
The scriptures emphasize that there are only three reasons for all the difficulties of life. We were given Vedas to understand this. For every thing we use in our daily life, we have a manual and we refer to these manuals when any appliance, television or computer does not work. We learned to ignore these manuals. Christianity emphasizes the Bible and the followers try to find answers from the Bible for daily problems. Vedas are of course difficult to understand, but we have simplified versions of these rules through Bagavad Gita, Upanishads and Puranas. The three reasons are as follows; Adhi-daivica, Adhi-bowthica and Adhi-atmica.
ADHI DAIVICA:
This is where your problems are related to past karma. You can not change the past karma most of the time except with the help of a Guru or through some divine help. So what do you do when you are hit with a major disease or unforeseen circumstances, you have to accept what ever you acquired at that time. But you have to fight it with the help of a calm, collective mind and do what a reasonable and wise person would do in a similar situation.
ADHI- BOWTHICA:
These are the problems caused by the external factors where you do not have control over. Mother Nature can cause havoc some times with various calamities.
ADHI ATMICA:
This is related to intellectual errors and these factors are generated when we make mistakes in our daily life. Some of them are irreversible and some of them are correctable.
In any case most of the problems kind of fall in to these 3 categories. People also have to understand that death is a reality not a bargain. Who ever can understand the death, will admit that one day every one has to die and they do not even take any thing with them. Even this body of our own, that we all adore and take care with such a great admiration has to be left here in this mortal world. One should not say that “So it does not matter and I don’t care about any thing”. Like we adore life, we have to love death also. What’s wrong talking about it and thinking about it? People always say that to be successful in life, you have to have the end in the mind for any project you start. So why can not we have a plan about how we want to lead our lives. This is where the whole problem is, because we are not sure about what we want in our life and we just drift in the currents of societal obligations. We ignored the commandments of life and we live for others. We buy things for others sake, in fact we do lot of things for the society even though that does not make us happy.We keep acquiring objects thinking that these objects will make us happy. But they never make you happy. You have to learn to understand your mind and really see what makes you happy.
People also have to understand the following factors which are major culprits of this Happy- Unhappiness cycle.
Kama (lust)
Krodha (anger)
Lobha (greed)
Moha (delusion – mislead the mind)
Mada (euphoria)
Matsarya (competition)
Practical Solutions
If some body can monitor above factors with caution and use their wisdom in their lives, they can first understand their emotions. Some times our level of thinking is not enough to understand where we are.
Albert Einstein said, The problems that exist in the world today cannot be solved by the level of thinking that created them.
Every religion or philosophy is based on their scriptures or concepts and they give you fundamentals of life. When you follow them you have less of a conflict and this could be the only way to happiness some times. It may be happiness in another life or world... but none the less it is happiness. The faith plays a major role in this happy- unhappiness cycle. You will have to face the music of your mind unconsciously or consciously. All of these believe that there are certain rules or behaviors that must be observed and kept, before you can be happy.
Bhagavad-Gita teaches us to follow the Dharma. Dharma is about expressing and acting according to one's core nature. This eliminates potential conflicts in the mind and leads to happiness. When ever you run away from your core beliefs, your mind will play tricks on you. This leads to different reactions depending on the type of action you performed. So virtuous thinking, honesty, tolerance, giving up greed and anger will lead you in to your inner world. The Soul is originally in a happy, liberated and blissful state. We tainted it through our mind, ego and intellect. This is like dirty water thinking “I am not water but I am dirt”. There is no transparency there and you need to be calm with out many waves in the river of life.
Buddha says that every problem arises out of desire,
Kama or lust. Ultimate happiness is only achieved by overcoming craving in all forms.
The Buddha practiced the following code of conduct in his own life:
1. Respect life 2. Earn all that you have 3. Control your desire, rather than allow desire to control you. Buddha gave eight fold path for happiness.
1. Right View 2. Right thought. 3. Right Speech. 4. Right Action 5. Right Livelihood. 6. Right Effort. 7. Right mindfulness. 8. Right Concentration.
If we are able to recognize that our own desires have brought us this pain and suffering, and understand that letting go of this desire can bring us peace.
If we try to understand the human nervous system physiologically, all of our emotions are in a way related to autonomic nervous system that is adrenaline in your blood. When this is released in your blood, it causes damage to the lining of the blood vessels there by causing plaques. These plaques will ultimately cause strokes and heart attacks. Is it worth putting your body through this stress every time you go through different emotions? By controlling your senses by various means, you can control this. When you are able to control the adrenaline that is released (when you get emotional), your blood pressure and heart rate will not elevate and you handle things very calmly. So by right understanding and by practice you can master this. This is possible by doing meditation or prayers.
So know your true nature. Understand where you came from and where this cycle of life and death takes you. Understand that you have the same energy as animate and inanimate objects in this universe. If you are a Christian, think that you are all created by only one God, we are all one family and came from one source. When we feel this reality, experience the truth and immerse ourselves in this infinite bliss, there is no unhappiness. Every thing is at a balance. Start enjoying the present, stop thinking about what will happen tomorrow but perform your actions as things come along. Use past as an experience which will help you climb to new heights.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
Let the whole world be happy…………
OHM!!! SANTHI.SANTHI..SANTHI...
No comments:
Post a Comment