Sri Saisatcharita chapter 23

In this chapter Hemadpanth talks about greatness of Baba and his humble attitude towards God. He used to say “I am a slave of God”. Sai never compared himself to others or allowed anyone to do so. He did not despise anyone nor considered anyone as insignificant.  Only a store of merits in the previous life will create an interest and love for listening to the stories of saints, to obtain happiness and contentment.

In this chapter Baba teaches an important lesson through a sadhaka who was well versed in Patanjali Yoga sutras and other scriptures. He was accompanied by Nana Chandorkar and came to see Baba thinking that he can attain Samadhi sthithi in meditation. Even though he practiced all these methods, he could not reach to the level of perfection. He was disappointed. He was hoping that Baba can show him the way. When he came to Dwarakamai, Baba was about to eat Bhakri with onion. Bhakri is  like a bread which happened a dry one. Immediately in his mind he thought, how can this person can teach me anything if he is eating onion. When such a notion arose in his mind, Sai Maharaj, the Knower of All hearts said: “Nana, only those who can digest onion should eat it. One who has the capacity to digest it, he can eat onion safely”. Hearing this, the yogi was startled and, from within, completely surrendered with full faith. Then he came near Baba and asked relevant questions and all his doubts were cleared. He returned with a happy mind.

Here we will make an effort to understand what Baba was teaching. Whenever we take a task we first need to understand what we are about to do. Then we need to understand the consequences of those acts. Without proper understanding we will be clueless. Sometimes we might feel we know everything and this can be tricky. If we are not influenced by our emotions we can handle any tough situation. Even in spiritual world, one needs to have solid foundation of fundamental principles by practice not by just theory. This is what Baba saying about eating the onion. Can we absorb the passions (rajo guna) that can arise by eating that?  

Next Hemadpanth talks about how Syama was saved by Baba from snake bite. Once Shyama was bitten by a snake and the posion was spreading all over the body. He is about to die. There was one custom in the Shirdi village that they will take a person who was bitten by a snake to a temple in the village. But Shyama told the villagers that no matter what happens to him, he has to go to Baba only.   By the time they reach the Dwarakamai, poison was already spreading all over. His condition presented to be very grave. Of course Baba saved him. Shyama is a great soul and he is a perfect example of pure devotion and faith. We have to thrive for that kind of devotion.

Once there was cholera epidemic in Shirdi and the village heads decided that no fuel carts should be allowed into the village. They also imposed a rule that no goat should be killed there. If anyone disobeyed these ordinances they will be punished. Baba knew that these ordinances are superstitious and meaningless. But at that time people felt they were appropriate. Baba let a fuel cart come in to the village as everyone was short of the fuel. No one can speak against Baba's actions. Baba kept his dhuni burning all the time. People were free to take the wood as they wished. Baba never said a word. He proved another ordinance wrong by following story. 

Story of Goat slaying:             

This story illustrates the extreme devotion and faith by Dixit towards Baba.

 Once there was cholera epidemic in Shirdi area and someone brought a sick goat to Baba which is about to die. Then at that time, Bade Baba was nearby. Baba said: “Offer it as a sacrifice. Kill it with one stroke”. When that Bade Baba was the first one to be asked to kill the goat, the excuse that came from his mouth was: “Why should it be unnecessarily killed?” 

Then Baba ordered Shyama, “Shyama, you at least bring a knife. We will cut the goat. Go now”. Madhavrao was a faithful devotee. He went to Radhakrishnamai and brought a big knife and placed it before Baba. Though Shyama was troubled about bringing the big knife, Baba would not have been satisfied in seeing him without the knife. In the meanwhile, Radhakrishnamai learnt about this matter and recalled the big knife because she felt pity. Then Shyama left to get another knife. He remained in the Wada, delaying his return, so that the killing would not have to be done at his hand.

Then to test Kaka’s mind, Baba ordered him: “Go, you bring a big knife to cut. Let the goat be freed from its misery”. Then he went to Sathe’s Wada and brought the instrument (to kill) as per the order. He got himself ready to kill the goat without the least hesitation. He was determined to undauntedly obey the Guru’s order. But his heart was palpitating and his body was soaked in perspiration. Then tucking in his dhoti with one hand and holding up the knife in the other, he folded up the sleeve of the hand that held the knife. He came forward where the goat was. Then, he tightened his grip on the big knife, raised his hand and said: “Baba, shall I kill it? Just tell me once.” Truly speaking, a weapon is held only to protect the weak; and yet it was now raised above an innocent goat! But he had dedicated his life to serve the Guru. Therefore, he had no hesitation. He wanted to kill it quickly. But pity arose in his heart and the big knife wavered. The hand would not descend. “Come on, kill now, what are you waiting for? Hearing this final order, he made a semi-circular turn for an effective strike. He lifted his hand with the big knife. Now he would certainly strike! Seeing this, Mother Sai, knowing that it would be a calamity said: “Oh let it be. Oh, Kaka, stop this. How cruel you are! Though you are a Brahmin, you are ready to kill! Have you no thought about this? ” Hearing this, he threw aside the big knife. The young and the old were surprised. The goat’s life was spared. Devotion to the Guru had scaled the peak!

 Then, Kaka, after throwing away the large knife said what? Pay attention: “Baba, your nectar-like words are the only ‘dharma’ and laws in our life. We have no other dharma. We have no shame. Obeying the Guru’s order is our only creed. It is our Veda(Scripture) and Shastra. To completely obey the Guru’s order, that is the meaning of discipleship for a disciple. That is our jewel. Disobedience is the greatest sin. We never consider the consequences of these actions whether they give pleasure or pain. Whatever is our fate will happen.  Our salvation is at the Sadguru’s feet. Why should we think of the reason behind the order? It is our duty to obey.

Then Baba wanted to take care of the business himself to give sadgati to that goat. Then Bade Baba wanted to avoid this and take it to Takiya. When they were taking the goat, it died on the way. Everyone knew that the goat’s death was imminent, but at the opportune time Baba enacted this drama.

Spiritual meaning behind the story:

This was a difficult test and Kaka was pure gold. Though Baba knew this fully, unless he had tested him in public, it would not be believed. Baba promised him that he will take him in “Vimana” that is providing him sadgati (Salvation). This is the kind of devotee who is eligible for Brahma-Jnana (Self-Realization).

If one had doubts about the words of a saint, his efforts for achievement are unsuccessful. His words become meaningless, futile, fruitless chatter. Not even a bit of spiritual growth is gained. One who respects the words of the Guru will achieve his welfare and the supreme goal of his life. But he who finds fault with them and thinks them vile, he is ruined. One who is always ready to serve the Guru, respects and obeys the Guru’s orders; he makes the Guru responsible for what is correct or incorrect in all respects. He is the servant of the Guru’s orders. He does not think independently. Always, obeying the orders of the Guru, he does not distinguish what is good or bad. Mind should be engrossed in remembering Sai’s name; the eyes should be fixed at the feet of Sai; the attitude should be of meditation on Sai – the whole being should be dedicated to Sai. Even if a moment is lost between receiving the orders and executing them, that time also cannot be tolerated. This is a strange level of awareness! 

Dixit was a man of pure heart. He was truthful, courageous, and unshakable as a rock in his determination. It did not even occur to him to question the righteousness of killing the goat. The mind should be always at the Guru’s feet, whether I live or die. We obey the order of the Guru. He alone knows the consequence or the end result.

  Hemadpanth talks about best disciples who will guess what Guru needs and does it even before the Guru asks them. The  average disciple will do things when Guru asks them to do. Where as the ordinary disciples will postpone the service to Guru or make mistakes even if they do it. The devotes should have firm faith in their Guru backed up by intelligence and patience.   

Om Sri Sainatharpanamasthu!