Shyama Part 2

శ్యామా2 

Faith in Baba:

Madhavrao was observing Sai for several years but never had faith. He used to go to him to smoke Chilim (Cigar) and thought that he is a mad Fakir. He was unable to recognize greatness of Sai. He used to worship his God Vishnu every day. His routine was doing worship in the morning, teaching kids at school and helping others in need. He was living a pious life. While Baba was there he almost did not recognize Baba for16 years. When he was 31 years of age, few incidents made him realize this fact.

Chidambara keshav Gadgil of Ahamadnagar District came to Shirdi. He was a secretary to the District Collector. He was told by a Guru from his place that there is a great Guru in Shirdi and to have his blessings. Then he approached Shyama. Shyama told him that we do not have any such great person.  But we have a mad Fakir living in a masjid. Gadgil went to see Baba with some questions in his mind. Baba told him that he is a Mad Fakir and he should not see him. He should go and worship the guru in Bhimashankar Temple. Then Gadgil realized how Sai was and he knew everything they talked about.

Another time, Shyama and Naduram Marwadi went to meet a swami by name Ananda Swami in a nearby place. After the meeting, Swami realized that they are from Shirdi and he wanted to come with them to meet Baba. He praised Baba as the Greatest Guru. 

In a similar way, Gangaghir Baba who is adored by Shirdi village, praised Baba as a Jewel. Devidas and Janakidas always enjoyed the company of Sai. After all these incidents, Shyama started seeing Sai as person with some powers. What changed him was another incident where a devotee of Sai sent a Money order of 2 rupees. But Sai was not there to take the money, Shyama signs for this and wanted to test Baba. So he hid 2 rupees in a secret place in the Masjid. Shyama had a break in and lost about 200 rupees worth of objects. Then he goes to Baba and complains that he lost all this. Then Baba says, “You have at least me to complain about your stolen stuff, but who should I report about my 2 rupees which was stolen 6 months ago”. Then Shyama realized that Baba knows everything. He never again doubted Baba again in his entire life. There is so much to learn from Shyama’s devotion to Baba and how we need to trust Baba in every situation.

Baba calling Madhavrao “Shyama”:

 Baba called Madhavrao “Shyama” and he told him at one point that their relationship is of 72 lives. Baba made Shyama as his representative and used to love him so much. Their relationship was like Lord Shiva and Nandi. To reach Shiva you have to go through Nandi first. In a similar way, people used to request Shyama first and then were able to see Baba. 

Why Baba called him Shyama? Baba should only know the answer. Shyama means Lord Krishna. Sacred River Yamuna is called as Shyama. In Ashwamedha Yagna, the horse is named as Shyamakarna. Sri Ramanananda Maharshi interviewed Manohar Marthand (Grandson of Mhalsapati) and he told him about Shyama’s name. Baba used to call the school as Sala and Madhavrao worked as a master in school. So Baba combined the first letters of Sala and Master as Sama (Shyama). Only Baba will know the real reason why he called him Shyama. Baba used to call him as “Maza Shamya” (“My Shamya” in Marathi) with great affection. At other times He would call him just Shyama

Once Shyama had faith in Baba, he never looked back and became a staunch devotee of Baba. In every walk of life, he asked Baba for direction and never wanted to do anything without Sai’s permission. He served Baba as his God and Baba was everything for him. That’s why Baba was very close to Shyama. Shyama always felt comfortable asking some difficult questions. Now Let us look at those circumstances.

Baba’s comments about 72 hours Samadhi:

When Baba came back following 3 days of Samadhi, people rejoiced and celebrated. But Shyama was different and he asked Baba several questions. He asked Baba “Deva! Where did you go? What did you do?

Then Baba replied “I went to Allah and I did not want to come back. But Gadadhar from Bengal wanted to merge in God first. Allah asked me to take all his past good deeds and his cause. So I have to come back to follow this”.

This incident happened in 1886 and Baba comes back at 3 AM and the same night Rama Krishna Parama Hamsa leaves his body at 1.02 AM. After this incident, Baba’s miracles extended beyond Shirdi and other states. So many devotees experienced Baba’s grace.

Shyama experiencing the 3 divine worlds:

One day Shyama was sitting with Baba and asked him whether Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva’s worlds are real. Baba told him to come near him and places his hand over his head. Then Shyama could see Brahma Lok and most beautiful diamond studded throne on which Lord Brahma was sitting along with his ministers. He was holding his court. Baba told him Shyama this is Satya Lok. Then baba showed him Vaikunta and Kailasa also. Shyama was overwhelmed by seeing all these divine worlds at once. He was like Arjuna after seeing Viswarupa of Krishna. So Shyama was very blessed by our Sai Krishna. After showing the three divine worlds, Sai again emphasized “Shyama all this is not for us, our goal is quiet unusual.”

Baba was reminding us that our goal is self-realization and we should never forget this goal. The scriptures say that who ever forgets this goal, it’s like they committed suicide.

Baba’s explanation of Bridge in Ramayana:

 

Shyama asked Sai Baba, "Deva it is written in Ramayana that Lord Rama got a bridge built by 1 crore (10 million) monkeys. This bridge (is called Setu) spanned the sea, so Lord Rama and his troops could cross the sea and reach Lanka. There he waged war with Ravana and vanquished him. Deva, is this true."

Sai Baba replied, "Yes this is true. The sea is real and Lord Rama was really there."

Shyama inquired, "Deva, where did so many monkeys sit? And how did they sit?

Sai Baba replied, "They sat on the trees and clung to the branches. They looked like myriads of ants."

Then Shyama asked Sai Baba, which perhaps only he could lovingly dare, "Did you see this with your own eyes?"

Sai Baba replied, "Yes, yes I saw them with my own eyes, Shyama."

Shyama again said what only he could lovingly dare, "When I first saw You, You hardly had stubble of mustache (a popular way in India to suggest youngsters). Then how and when did you go to see 'Vanara Sena (troops of monkeys)."

Sai Baba replied, "Shamyaa (as He lovingly called Shama) you and I have been together for many generations. I remember them but you do not."

In wonders Shyama asked, "How old were you then?"

Sai Baba, "Just as you see me now."

Shyama could not grasp the immensity of this spiritual fact or truth. He persisted, "Is this really true?"

Sai Baba as always, "Have I ever lied sitting here in the Dwarkamai? What I say is true. I swear by you."

Shyama did a great favor by asking these questions and we are blessed to read these answers that were given by our Sai Samardha.

 Shyama snores Baba’s name:

G.S Kaparde wrote in his famous book (Kaparde’s Dairy; dated December 8^th, 1911, Friday) as follows; 

“I saw with my own eyes, & heard with my own ears what I only read about but never experienced that with every outgoing & in drawing breath of Madhavrao Deshpande comes the clear sound of “Sayin Nath Maharaj Sayin Nath Baba” This sound is as clear as clear can be & when Madhavrao snores, the words can be heard even at a distance. This is really wonderful & he is in deep sleep all the time.”

This is incredible and amazing to read about this. Imagine how blessed Shyama is!

He was able to recite Baba’s name even in his sleep. 

OM SAI RAM!