ధీక్షిత్-3
Progress in Spiritual world:
Sainath is an ocean of mercy. He will
protect his devotees and make them walk towards the goal of human life. He is
always with us. Dixit was no exception. Until now Dixit proved his faith
(Shradda) and devotion towards Baba. He did not even care about his own ego so
called image when Baba asked him to kill the goat. If a seeker has to reach new
heights in spiritual realm, he or she has to understand death also. Baba is
trying to teach all of us that death is not a scary and monstrous thing. Here
in the next story Baba is using Dixit to teach us this reality.
Death of an old lady’s son:
Once there was a lady whose son was
bitten by a snake and he is about to die. She brings him to Baba and asks him
to save him by giving some Udi (Sacred ash). But Baba refuses to give. She
starts crying and leaves Dwarakamai. As soon as she leaves the premises her son
dies. She brings the dead body and starts weeping with a heavy heart. Watching
all this Dixit says, “Baba can you please do some justice to her and save her
son”. Then Baba says, “Kaka don’t get entangled in this and whatever happened
is good for her son. He is going to do amazing and great things in his new
body, which he can not do in this body”. These were enthralling words that Baba
spoke about death.
Death of Dixit’s daughter:
We
all know that Baba saved his daughter
(Vatsali) once in the past. But this story is an eye opener. Once Vatsali was
in Shirdi with her father and had a fever. Fever was not subsiding and her
situation became critical. Baba appears in her dream and says, “ Why are you
here, come and sleep under neem tree”. Next day Baba asks Shyama whether
Dixit’s daughter is dead or not. Then Shyama says, “Deva why you say those kind
of
words”. Then the word comes out that his daughter did die. Dixit comes to
Baba with Bhavartha Ramayana in his hand. Baba takes this book and opens a page
and asks Dixit to read. That chapter is about a discourse Rama gives to Tara
after Wali was killed. Baba exactly takes this page so that Dixit can
understand this teaching about death and life. Dixit knows that he can trust
Baba and he did not even talk about his daughter’s death.
Here Baba told Vatsali in her dream to
come and sleep under neem tree, which means to come and join him. Baba later
told Dixit about Vatsali that she was a special soul. She had to finish her
remaining karma as a child and that’s why she died early. She attained
salvation. For her to leave this body is a good thing. Baba taught so many
intricacies and made Dixit experience the reality of life that is death. This
helps any seeker to progress in their quest for higher meaning in their lives.
Baba guiding Dixit’s penance:
If our mind can not withdraw from
worldly distractions and we do not have love towards God; what could be
worse? We can say that we have real
devotion when all organs of action, senses and other human aspects of life converging
as one and be able to love god. What is the use if this devotion does not exist
and still we do sit in front of Sai? A real devotee should not tolerate the
separation from Sai even for a minute. If we can not get rid of intense passion
towards worldly objects, how can we increase our love towards God? Parents might
love their children, progeny will expect your material belongings, and wife
wants the stability in life and in her family. But no one helps you in the
quest for salvation. Then who can help us? If we can not help ourselves no body
will. We have to cut down the expectations from other people, and start showing
self confidence. We need to examine ourselves and this is the only path to
freedom. We are in bondage and we have to realize the intensity of this maze.
Guru is the ultimate answer and by reciting Guru’s name we will achieve this
goal. We will be able to see God in all creatures.
Once Dixit was reading about Navanatha’s
devotion in Bhagavat Puran and expressed to the people there that their mindset
and will power is hard to fathom. He also says, “How difficult is this Bhakti
(Devotion path) marga and for ignorant people like us it is even more
difficult. This could not be achieved even in multiple lives. We are all
sinners and these Navanathas are special souls. Then Shyama did not like the
melancholy expressed
9 months Penance:
After 1912, Dixit almost gave up his
worldly activities and spent most of the time in Shirdi. Once Baba asked him to
stay in Dixit wada and start special penance. He told him to not come near
Dwarakamai also. He said there are crowds and there is no solitude so stay in
wada itself. Dixit was worried that he will not be able to see Sai and participate
in his arathi. Then Shyama intervenes
and gets permission to attend Afternoon and Shej arathis. In Dixit wada, Baba
never allowed any females in upstairs quarters. Dixit’s wife visits him during
this 9 months penance. Baba would not give permission to her also. Baba
reassures his wife and sends her back home. Dixit’s daily routine was as
follows; he read Eknath Bhagavat during day time and Bhavartha Ramayana in the
night. Most of the time, he was doing meditation on Sai. Baba guided him time
and time again to read different chapters and through his meditation. Dixit
followed strict celibacy and followed Sai for 9 months. With this penance Dixit
was able to attain new heights in spiritual world and progressed well in this
path.
Here we can think that Dixit was so
blessed to be guided by Sai. But lot of devotees had this opportunity but only
Dixit came forward to forego his worldly activities and really wanted to
change. If we can desire with same intensity, Baba will definitely guide us. If
we have Shradda and Sabhuri (Faith & Patience), nothing is impossible.
Spiritual experiences and visions:
Vision of Siva Linga:
Once a Ramadasi Bhakta came to
Shirdi and gave Baba a Siva Linga. At the same time, Megha came there and
prostrated in front of Baba. Then Baba said “Megha look Shankara came and you
have to take care of him from now on”. Megha was so excited and became
ecstatic. Exactly at the same time Dixit had an extraordinary experience. He
took shower and started doing Hari Nama Smarana (Praying Lord Vishnu). Then he
started doing Sai chanting and sees a vision of Siva Linga. He wonders why he
saw Siva Linga while doing Hari Nama smarana. Then Megha comes and shows him
the Siva Linga that was given by Baba. That was the same Siva Linga that Dixit
just saw in his vision. Later after Megha’s death, this Siva Linga was placed
at Guru Sthan under Neem tree.
Vittal Darshan (vision):
Once Dixit took a shower and sat for
meditation. He then sees Lord Vittal in his meditation. After that he went to
see Baba. Baba immediately says, “Vittal Patil came to you. Did you meet him?
But be careful, don’t let him go. He is very fluid and slips away easily”. Then
Dixit goes to his wada. There comes a person selling Lord Vittal’s photo
frames. One of the pictures resembled exactly the same as he saw in his vision.
He remembers Baba’s words, immediately buys that picture. He keeps that in his
pooja mandir (Altar).
Baba gave so many experiences to Dixit and advanced him in the spiritual path. Sai will always protect us if we show faith and patience.
OM SAI RAM!
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