Shirdi Sai showed us so many miracles when he was in flesh. He performed these so called miracles not to impress anyone but to change our lame minds. The omnipresent Sai continued to show miracles and personal experiences by living in our hearts. We should never forget this fact.
We usually think of Sai when face difficulties, and this is fine. But our hearts should be the abode of Sai. Then we do not even be concerned about the difficulties in our lives. Even if we face such problems, they do not bother us. We do not wish to be in that vicious whirlpool of life. But that is reality and we cannot avoid it. We have to go beyond the difficulties of life to realize the supreme God. Baba always tried to teach us this as a fact by giving us powerful mantras such as Shradda & Sabhuri.
We have to make an effort to understand the deeper meaning behind Sai's teachings. If we understand these teachings, our lives will be improved and we will walk towards the ultimate goal of human life. Baba will protect us, if we choose to travel this path. He will bless us by staying all the way with us. One of those special teachings came through the following story. The story of lighting earthen lamps with water is an illustration of his nature. This is called Yatha Sankalpa Siddhi. We cannot just look at this incident as a miracle but as a means to change our lives.
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 asked for oil as usual, the shop keepers refused, it leads to a great wonder by Baba, to enlighten us in the spiritual path. 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 realized how great the 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;
What Baba is asking us?
Sai Baba is asking us for oil and we are all shop keepers.
Oil is nothing but asceticism (Vairagya or dispassion).
If we refuse to give him the faith and patience, then he cannot 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 into a wick, soak it in the oil of dispassion or vairagya and light with spark of devotion.
Even if we do not have enough oil or have no oil, still Baba will light our lamps of life with just water.
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 (give him the oil) he showed and he is so patient with us so that we can learn our lessons.
Once we learn and realize, 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.
