Sri SaiSatcharita Chapter - 10

Sai is the embodiment of permanent bliss; his mind is without any doubts. He is the incarnation of resignation (denial of pleasures).His regular behavior or disposition is based on the conviction of the illusory nature of pleasure and pain regarding the body. According to him these were wanderings of the mind, as in a dream. Therefore, he has warded off the illusion and reached the state of emancipation. When he sees the worldly attachment of his disciples, his heart melts with pity; and he worries day and night how to remove those bonds. His whole nature is one with Brahman. He is the Real; His greatness is imperceptible. He is the Brahman, the great one who can take you across the worldly ocean. Though living in this perishable body, he is not entangled in the bonds of the body. Outwardly, he looks a physical being but inwardly, he is without body. Such a person is truly liberated though with a body.

 Baba's Wonderful Bed-Stead
Next Hemadpanth describes how Baba used a plank to sleep. Mr. Nanasaheb Dengale gave a wooden plank to Baba so that he can sleep on it. This plank was about 4 cubits in length and only a span in breadth. Instead of keeping the plank on the floor, Baba tied it like a swing to the rafters of the Masjid with old shreds or rags and commenced to sleep upon it. The rags were so thin and worn out that it was a problem how they could bear or support even weight of the plank itself, let alone the weight of Baba. But somehow or other-it was Baba's sheer Leela that the worn out rags did sustain the plank, with the weight of Baba on it. On the four corners of this plank, Baba lighted earthen lamps, one at

each corner, and kept them burning the whole night. It was a sight for the Gods to see Baba sitting or sleeping on this plank! It was a wonder to all, how Baba got up and down the plank. Out of curiosity, many careful observers kept watching the process of mounting and dismounting, but none succeeded. As crowds began to swell, Baba one day broke the plank into pieces and threw it away. Baba had all the eight Siddhis (powers) at His command. He never practiced nor craved for them. They came to Him naturally, as a result of his perfection. 

Sri Sai Baba is addressed as Yogiraja. So nothing is impossible to him. Patanjali yoga sutras described all kinds of siddhis in Vibhudhi Pada. There are Ashta (8) Mahasiddhis which are as follows; Anima, Garima, Laghima, Prapti, Prakamya, Eesitva, Vasitva and kamavasayata. Of these “Laghima” means having the lightest form. You do not carry any weight and you are almost like cotton. Baba also showed “Anima” sometimes he took the smallest forms. Shirdi Sai showed his leelas to help the devotees either to get rid of past karmas or to advance them in spiritual path.

Nana Saheb Dengale was very fortunate that Baba used the plank that was given by him. If we all remember Satcharita, Baba used to rub some coins to get rid of some karmas of his devotees. In a similar way, Dengale was blessed that Baba was sleeping on the plank. This leela could have helped Dengale by several ways.  When guru’s feet can provide Jnana, imagine the whole body being on the plank. Baba also put earthen lamps on 4 sides which eradicate Ajnana.

Baba never talked about his birth or his parents. Satcharita writes that he was 16 years old when he first came to Shirdi and stayed there for 3 years. He reappears as a 20 year old. He stayed in Shirdi for 60 years until his Mahasamadhi.  They kind of estimated that he probably was born in 1838. But Baba took manifestation as Sagun Brahman and he did not have any feeling of body, mind and birth &death. Hemadpanth Writes that the gap between Muslims and Hindus was widening at that time and one of the Baba’s missions was to fill this gap. He always said “Ram and Rahim are one and the same”.  

There are two types of Gurus:  

1)Niyata Guru  2)Aniyata Guru.

The ‘Aniyata’ Guru stresses on the development of the divine qualities and purification of the mind. These are the only things that an Aniyata Guru can grant. He can also show the path of moksha. Whereas Niyat Guru, dispels the dual nature that is two-fold nature of the self. He makes you experience the Mahavakyas, like “AHAM BRAHMASMI”. Understand Sai as Niyata Guru, who can take you across the worldly ocean.

 Whatever qualities we describe for divinity, Baba had all those 6 qualities. He was so humble and once he said “I am slave of slaves; I am your debtor; I am satisfied with your darshan. I am an insect in your excreta”. Baba was not attached, he was the Supreme Being, turned towards his Self, whose desire and anger were put to rest, who was free from desires and attachments, and who had completely achieved his mission. Such was his state of liberation that he regarded the sense objects as Brahman. He is beyond good deeds and bad. He is the abode of complete repose. He is the Samardha Sadguru. Baba showed his humbleness through an incident when Nanavali asks him to get up from the seat he was sitting. He gets up and let Nanvali sit. After that Nanavali gets up and falls on Baba’s feet. This incident also reiterates Baba’s divineness and humility.  

At the end of this chapter Baba talks about the importance of Satsangh. Holding on to the good company of the Guru and the virtuous is the most important thing. Simple by saying “Sai, Sai” we will be able to cross the worldly ocean. We should have no doubts. These are the profound words of Sai. Bad company is absolutely harmful. Because of ‘Satsang’ bodily attachment is destroyed. It is ‘Satsang’ that breaks the cycle of birth and death. It is ‘Satsang’ that gains the treasure of supreme energy and separates one from the worldly ties immediately.

Sri Sadguru Sainatharpanamasthu!