God appears on earth to protect the virtuous and to annihilate the evil. Saints however are different. For the Saints, the virtuous and the evil are the same. They do not know the difference between the great and the lowly. For them, both are the same. Saints are greater than God. They set the evil-doers on the right path. Their hearts ache with love and compassion for the suffering. Sai is one such! He has manifested for the sake of his devotees – the embodiment of knowledge, in whom the luster of divinity is firmly established. He had great love for all living creatures, yet he was totally detached. Though he had powers he cared nothing for them. He had no animosity towards anyone and treated all alike.
Nobody will leave or enter Shirdi without Baba's will. On one occasion, Kaka Mahajani went to Shirdi from Bombay. He intended to stay for one week at Shirdi and then return. Kaka arrived at Shirdi at the opportune time of the Gokul Ashtami festivities, desiring to enjoy and witness the festival. The moment he saw Baba, he was asked “ When are you returning to your home? ” Kaka then says Whenever you want me to go. Then Baba says "Go tomorrow". When he returned to his office, he found that his employer was eagerly waiting for him. This is how Baba helped him to go back quickly so that he can go back to work.
On the other extreme, Baba Saheb Dhumal wanted to come to Shirdi, have darshan of Baba and leave quickly. On his way back, Dhumal had to stop at Niphad. It was necessary for him to go there, for the hearing of a case. But Sai keeps him there for a week. Later he finds out that the Judge was sick and hearing was postponed.
Onetime Nana Saheb Nimonkar was staying with his wife in Shirdi and his son fell ill in Belapur. His wife wanted to go there to see his son and other relatives. But Nimonkar tells her to come back to Shirdi next day. She did not want to travel as next day is Amavaasya day. She was worried about travelling on that day. She was disappointed but kept quiet. While leaving Shirdi, she came to see Baba and he was near Sathe wada with Nimonkar and others. Baba then said "Go, go quickly, be calm and unperturbed. Stay in Belapur for 4 days! see all your relatives and come back to Shirdi". Baba was able to rescue her and granted her wish.
On one occasion, An Agnihotri Brahmin, named Muley Shastri from Nashik came to Shirdi. He is well versed in astrology and palmistry. He actually came to Shirdi to see Bapusaheb Booty. In reality, he came to Shirdi because of his past spiritual merits. At that time Baba was giving mangoes and plantains to people around him. This Shastri wanted to read Baba’s hand as he knows the palmistry. But Baba would not allow him to do that. Baba gave him 4 plantains. Then everyone returned to the Wada and Muley Shastri took bath and wore sacred clothes. Baba started going to Lendi and told him to wear Saffron colored
There was another doctor who is a friend of a Mamlatadar came to Shirdi. He told this friend that he is will not bow to Baba because he is a Muslim and this doctor is devotee of Lord Rama. He does not want to bow to anyone other than his Rama. Then Mamlatadar told him Baba would never ask anyone to bow down and touch his feet. But, the moment they arrived in Shirdi and went to the Masjid for darshan, right at the beginning he himself prostrated. His friend then asked how come you prostrated before a Muslim. Then the Doctor said “I saw the image of Rama sitting there and immediately I bowed”. When his friend asked him to see Baba sitting there still and talking to everybody, he was surprised to see Baba there. Then he understood the greatness of Baba and felt that Baba has punished his ego. The next day he took a vow that unless Baba grants his grace he won’t put a foot in Masjid. He stayed fasting in Shirdi. Three days passed like this and on the fourth day one of his friends came from Khandesh. With all of them he goes to Masjid. As soon as he arrives there, Baba asks him “Oh Doctor, did anyone come to call you? Why have you come? Answer me”. The doctor understood what Baba meant. That night he experienced heavenly bliss in his sleep. His devotion to Sai intensified and he continued to worship Sai later on.
This chapter teaches us to have firm faith in our own Guru; and, it should not be anywhere else. We also need to understand that Guru knows what is best for us and we need not wish for anything. In this chapter Baba also taught us through Mule Sastri, how important to stay with our own Guru no matter what. But at the same time we have to see our Guru in everybody. Baba gave 4 plantains which represent Darma, Ardha, Kaama and Moksha. But to reach the moksha, we have to get rid of the ego. We can be proud of our good qualities, ritualistic behaviors but they can be an obstruction sometimes. Baba taught Doctor Pandit by giving darshan as Sri Rama that Guru is the God. Once we have Guru in our life we do not need anything and we should learn to stay with utmost faith and patience.
OM SRI SAINATHARPANAMASTHU!
No comments:
Post a Comment