H.S. Dixit Part 2

ధీక్షిత్-2

Sai protecting Dixit during difficult times:

Dixit experienced some inner changes since he met Sai Maharaj. He felt like staying in Shirdi it self and serve Sai. He started having a feeling of detachment from his work as an attorney. He started going to Shirdi frequently and his income dropped significantly. All his partners separated from him. Then Dixit starts a firm by himself and takes Purushottam Markad as his new partner. This also did not last long. After 1911, his job related income completely went down. Once he goes to Baba and says “Baba I can not practice this profession any more and I have to tell lies most of the time. I would not continue”. Then Baba told him that he can have practice truthfully and he does not have to lie. He asks him to go to Bombay and practice. After some time, in 1912 he completely closes his practice. Then people started saying that he was hypnotized by a fakir and he became infatuated with Sai. Dixit did not mind these kinds of criticisms and started having complete faith in Baba. During these circumstances any body will be depressed but Dixit reduced his needs to a minimum. He was able to curtail unnecessary expenditures and use his money wisely. With all these adjustments he was able to stay more time in Shirdi with out having to work. This is like a Vanaprastha Ashrama (Monastic life). It was reported that he had the practice and married life for almost 25 years.

Dixit mastering Shradda (faith):

Once Dixit fell ill and had fever, while he was in Shirdi. Baba tells him to go to Bombay and take rest in his house. He also says that the fever will go away in few days. Don’t stay in bed and eat sira (Sweet). Dixit goes to Villeparle and tried to relax in his building. His fever gets worse and his family was very much concerned. They call a doctor by name Dr. Demante. He concludes that it is 9 day fever; he has to take rest in bed and has to use medicines. But Dixit follows Baba’s instructions. Then on the ninth day fever subsides and he gets better with out any treatment. This way he proved that he had complete faith in Baba’s words.

Baba protecting Dixit’s family:

Baba not only protects his devotees but also their family members. We have seen this with other devotees also. Once Dixit’s gets a letter that his brother was ill. He then goes to Baba and expresses his inability to help him. Then Baba says “I am here”. At the same time, a saintly person came to his brother and cures him of his illness. Then Dixit gets the information that his brother was healthy and every one was amazed with Baba’s omnipresence.

Baba protects Dixit’s daughter Vatsali in a similar way. She was playing in her house and climbs up a closet. Then that cabinet falls on her but she escapes with out any injury. Baba tells people around him that he just saved Kaka’s daughter.

In 1913 Dixit was in Shirdi and his son became sick at his house. Then he gets a letter from his family to come home quickly. He goes and asks Sai permission and Sai says “Let him come here to Shirdi”. He tells the family to send him to Shirdi but family was worried about his examinations. They were trying to think and his trip to Shirdi was delayed. Then Dixit convinces them to send him as per Baba’s word. When his son

came to Shirdi, he became healthy. Then Dixit asks Baba for permission to send him back in time for the examinations. Then Baba did not give permission. The examinations were supposed to start on November 2,1913 but they were postponed. Baba did not give permission second time also. The examinations were postponed again. Then Baba lets him go. He goes home and passed in the examinations. Here Dixit showed Sabhuri (Patience) and taught us how to be faithful regarding Baba. Baba saved Dixit’s family time and time again.

Baba’s word is Veda (scripture):

One time Dixit felt that he was unable to sit in meditation, so he decided to fast in the evenings. He goes to Dwarakamai to see Sai and prostrates with devotion. Then Baba says “Kaka what are you coking for dinner tonight? Make Roti and curry, and give me an offering then eat”. Dixit understands Baba’s words and realizes that Baba does not want him to fast. He took every word of Baba as God’s word and that’s why Baba also adored him so much. Baba used to tell Hemadpant and Purandhare to be in company of Dixit as much as possible. He used to say that he is the best seeker in spiritual world.

Story of Goat slaying:             

   

 In essence, man is beyond the three ‘gunas’, but deluded by ‘maya’ he forgets his truth – pure consciousness – bliss state, and considers himself to be the body. Then because of the pride of the body, he believes in doer ship and enjoyer ship. He gets entangled in miseries, one after the other, and finds no way to escape. A loving and devoted attachment to the Guru’s feet is the only way to ward off the endless miseries. Sai, Sree Rang, is a great actor and dyes the devotees in his own hues. This story illustrates the extreme devotion and faith by Dixit towards Baba.

Once there was cholera epidemic in Shirdi area and some one brought a sick goat to Baba.  Somebody brought a goat, which looked feeble and on the point of death. People came to see it. Then at that time, Bade Baba was near by. Baba said: “Offer it as a sacrifice. Kill it with one stroke”. When that Bade Baba was the first one to be asked to kill the goat, the excuse that came from his mouth was: “Why should it be unnecessarily killed?”

Then Baba ordered Shyama, “Shyama, you at least bring a knife. We will cut the goat. Go now”. Madhavrao was a faithful devotee. He went to Radhakrishna Bai and brought a big knife and placed it before Baba. Though Shyama was troubled about bringing the big knife, Baba would not have been satisfied in seeing him without the knife. In the meanwhile, Radhakrishna Bai learnt about this matter and recalled the big knife because she felt pity. Then Shyama left to get another knife. He remained in the Wada, delaying his return, so that the killing would not have to be done at his hand.

Then to test Kaka’s mind, Baba ordered him: “Go, you bring a big knife to cut. Let the goat be freed from its misery”. Then he went to Sathe’s Wada and brought the instrument (to kill) as per the order. He got himself ready to kill the goat without the least hesitation. Inspiration for heroism (bravery) is derived from obedience of the Guru’s order. Hardening his heart he took hold of the weapon. He was born in a pious Brahmin family, for whom Ahimsa was one of life’s vows since birth. He was placed in this kind of a situation. How would his hand proceed? He determined to undauntedly obey the Guru’s order. But his heart was palpitating and his body was soaked in perspiration. Then tucking in his dhoti with one hand and holding up the knife in the other, he folded up the sleeve of the hand that held the knife. He came forward where the goat was. Then, he tightened his grip on the big knife, raised his hand and said: “Baba, shall I kill it? Just tell me once.” Truly speaking, a weapon is held only to protect the weak; and yet it was now raised above an innocent

goat! But he had dedicated his life to serve the Guru. Therefore, he had no hesitation. He wanted to kill it quickly. But pity arose in his heart and the big knife wavered. The hand would not descend. “Come on, kill now, what are you waiting for? Hearing this final order, he made a semi-circular turn for an effective strike. He lifted his hand with the big knife. Now he would certainly strike! Seeing this, Mother Sai, knowing that it would be a calamity said: “Oh let it be. Oh, Kaka, stop this. How cruel you are! Though you are a Brahmin, you are ready to kill! Have you no thought about this? ” Hearing this, he threw aside the big knife. The young and the old were surprised. The goat’s life was spared. Devotion to the Guru had scaled the peak!

Then, Kaka, after throwing away the large knife said what? Pay attention: “Baba, your nectar-like words are the only ‘dharma’ and laws in our life. We have no other dharma. We have no shame. Obeying the Guru’s order is our only creed. It is our Veda(Scripture) and Shastra. To completely obey the Guru’s order, that is the meaning of discipleship for a disciple. That is our jewel. Disobedience is the greatest sin. We never consider the consequences of these actions whether they give pleasure or pain. Whatever is our fate will happen. God alone takes care. We know only one thing. We should remember your name always, see nothing but your form with our eyes, and follow your every command, day and night. Virtues or sin of killing or non-killing are meaningless to us. Our salvation is at the Sadguru’s feet. Why should we think of the reason behind the order? It is our duty to obey.

Later, Baba said to Kaka: “Take this tin container of water in your hand. Now I will slaughter it myself, and give it Sadgati”.

The goat was half dead as it is. Fakir Baba had a timely thought that the ‘takiya’ was near by. He asked Baba for his opinion if the goat should be killed at the ‘takiya’. Under this pretext, when the goat was being taken there, it died on the way. 

Everyone knew that the goat’s death was imminent, but at the opportune time Baba enacted this drama.

Spiritual meaning behind the story:

This was a difficult test and Kaka was pure gold. Though Baba knew this fully, unless he had tested him in public, it would not be believed. Baba promised him that he will take him in “Vimana” that is providing him sadgati (Salvation). This is the kind of devotee who is eligible for Brahma-Jnana (Self-Realization).

If one had doubts about the words of a saint, his efforts for achievement are unsuccessful. His words become meaningless, futile, fruitless chatter. Not even a bit of spiritual growth is gained. One who respects the words of the Guru will achieve his welfare and the supreme goal of his life. But he who finds fault with them and thinks them vile, he is ruined. One who is always ready to serve the Guru, respects and obeys the Guru’s orders; he makes the Guru responsible for what is correct or incorrect in all respects. He is the servant of the Guru’s orders. He does not think independently. Always, obeying the orders of the Guru, he does not distinguish what is good or bad. Mind should be engrossed in remembering Sai’s name; the eyes should be fixed at the feet of Sai; the attitude should be of meditation on Sai – the whole being should be dedicated to Sai. Even if a moment is lost between receiving the orders and executing them, that time also cannot be tolerated. This is a strange level of awareness!

Dixit was a man of pure heart. He was truthful, courageous, and unshakable as a rock in his determination. It did not even occur to him to question the righteousness of killing the goat. The innocent goat would die; its soul would be in turmoil; his own reputation would be besmirched; and he would have committed a great sin. These thoughts had no place in his mind. Disobedience of the order was a sin there. There was no greater merit than the fostering and protection of the order. Complete obedience to the Guru is the greatest ornament amongst all adornments – a true sign of the good disciple. The mind should be always at the Guru’s feet, whether I live or die. We obey the order of the Guru. He alone knows the consequence or the end result.

Once you surrender to Guru and place full faith at his feet, then he worries about the disciple and the disciple has to make no effort. There is no place for fear for him, once he has totally surrendered. That self-confidence alone would ferry him across life.