Bayyaji appa kote patil

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!