అహంకారం 2 (భయ్యాజి పాటిల్)
Baba putting down pride of physical strength:
Baba
blessed so many people and brought so many changes in their lives. These
changes were according to their past deeds, circumstances and karma. Only a
Samardha Sadguru can bless us like this. Bayyaji appa kote patil was so
fortunate that he was able to serve Baba starting from 11 years of age. Baba
used to visit 5 houses for Bhiksha (alms). Bayyaji’s house happened to be one
of the houses. Baba used to give rupees 4 every day and made him a land lord.
He used to own almost 84 acres of land. Sai even told him what crops should be
grown each time. This is the extent of involvement that Sai can help us and he
will protect us in every action. He brought inner changes in Bayyaji’s psyche.
Bayyaji
served Baba by giving massage to Sai. After the massage he used to life Baba in
his hands and keep him in front of the Dhuni (fire). This was the routine for
Bayyaji. Every one used to praise him for lifting Baba just like that.
Everybody used to call him Bhima. Bayyaji also boasted of having Bhima's
strength. One day he tried to lift Baba but could not. Baba looked at him and
laughed. That laughter was a homily against pride. Even though Bayyaji was a
humble person but Baba felt that he has to help him from this illusion. Bayyaji
was surprised and tried harder to lift Baba. But all the efforts were in vain.
This reminds a story from Kenopanishad.
In our Puranas (Indian
scriptures) the fights between God’s and demons were described. In one of those
battles, God’s were losing the battle, and then supreme God helps the Gods in a
subtle way. The Gods do not realize this and became engulfed with pride. They
felt that they were invincible. Then Supreme God (Paramatma) comes in the form
of Yaksha (special form). The Gods could not identify this creature and became
fearful. The story goes as follows.
Brahman, according to the
story, obtained a victory for the gods; and by that victory of Brahman the gods
became elated. They said to themselves: "Verily, this victory is ours;
verily, this glory is ours only." Brahman, to be sure, understood it all
and appeared before them. But they did not know who that adorable Spirit was.
They said to Agni (Fire): "O Agni! Find out who this Great Spirit
is." "Yes," he said and hastened to It.
Brahman asked him: "Who are you?" He replied: "I am
known as Agni; I am also called Jataveda." Brahman said: "What power
is in you, who are so well known?" Fire replied: "I can burn all—
whatever there is on earth." Brahman put a straw before him and said:
"Burn this." He rushed toward it with his entire ardor but could not
burn it. Then he returned from the Spirit and said to the gods: "I could
not find out who this Spirit is,"
Then they said to Vayu (Air): "O Vayu!
Find out who this Great Spirit is." "Yes," he said and hastened
to It. Brahman asked him: "Who are you?" He replied "I am known
as Vayu; I am also called Matarisva." Brahman said: "What power is in
you, who are so well known?" Vayu replied: "I can carry off all—
whatever there is on earth." Brahman put a straw before him and said:
"Carry this." He rushed toward it with all his ardour but could not
move it. Then he returned from the Spirit and said to the gods: "I could
not find out who this Spirit is,"
Then the gods said to Indra: "O
Maghavan! Find out who this Great Spirit is." "Yes," he said and
hastened to it. But the Spirit disappeared from him. Then Indra beheld in that
very region of the sky a Woman highly adorned. She was Uma, the daughter of the
Himalayas. He approached her and said: "Who is this great
Spirit?" She replied: "It is, indeed, Brahman. Through the
victory of Brahman alone have you attained glory?" After that Indra
understood that it was Brahman.
Since they approached very near
Brahman and were the first to know that it was Brahman, these devas, namely,
Agni, Vayu and Indra, excelled the other gods. Since Indra
approached Brahman nearest and since he was the first to know that it was
Brahman, Indra excelled the other gods. This is the instruction about
Brahman with regard to the gods: It is like a flash of lightning; It is like a
wink of the eye. Now the instruction about Brahman with regard to the
individual self: The mind, as it were, goes to Brahman. The seeker, by means of
the mind, communes with it intimately again and again. This should be the
volition of his mind.
Baba ignites some kind of
enthusiasm so that we can proceed towards spiritual path. We have to show faith
and patience. Bayyaji also failed like Vayu and Agni. Most of the people in
this world become entangled in worldly issues. Only a few will walk the walk
towards God. We need to be aware of this force that is beyond all the
characters, and worldly intelligence. To have this kind of inclination, we need
his blessings too. Without which we cannot even comprehend who he really is?
We can achieve so many
victories in our lives. But we have to learn to be humble. We have to make sure
that this ego does not come near us. The reason we are breathing or living is
due to the mercy of Supreme. We cannot forget this truth and become engulfed
with pride. Kenopanishad describes this beautifully. We listen through our
ears, see through eyes, and talk with the help of tongue and mouth. Mind
understands this. Our breathing continues and mind thinks. All these functions
are going on no matter what until we die. So what is the energy behind these
functions? The Almighty force is behind all this. God lives in us in the form
of this life force. The intelligent will understand the futility of all these
sense organs and can separate the illusion from the truth. He will cross this
entangled path and attains the supreme.
One can assume, this
task could be very difficult to practice in day to day life. But there are no other
options except to follow this path. We need to remind ourselves when we are in
tough situations. This so called feeling of “I” dominates and cripples us. If
we can come out of this complicated web, all the problems of life appear to be
meaningless. We will find that solution is nearby and easy. We should stop
digging our own grave and live with wisdom. God’s blessings are essential to
succeed in this endeavor. Sai will stay with us until we achieve the ultimate
goal.
Kenopanishad ends with a peace verse like this.
Om. May Brahman protect us both (the
preceptor and the disciple)! May Brahman bestow upon us both the fruit of
Knowledge! May we both obtain the energy to acquire Knowledge! May what we both
study reveal the Truth! May we cherish no ill feeling toward each other!
Om. Peace! Peace! Peace!
OM SAI RAM!
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