In this chapter Hemadpanth describes the
characteristics of a “Sadguru”. At the same time he talks about who should not
be called as sadguru. Our scriptures say that whoever can give lectures on
Brahman eloquently without self-experience should not be called a sadguru. Some
might give mantras to disciples, some will be proficient in kriya yoga and
attain Samadhi, even then without the experience of the Self they should not be
addressed as Sadguru.
So who is Sadguru?
He, who
is the abode of supreme peace, has no pride of learning, does not distinguish
between the young and the old and the rich and the poor, is the embodiment of
the Sadguru. A Guru
who has experienced self can only be called
as Sadguru. Sadgauru is one who can
guide the devotees in the path of self-realization and make them experience this
bliss.
Sadguru
is one who believes that the disciple is ‘Purna
Brahma’ and treats him as his own son. He does not
expect anything from him for his maintenance. Such a Sadguru is the best in the world.
Next Heamdpanth
prays to his Sadguru “Sai” as follows.
Hail,
Eternal Parabrahma! Hail, Helper of the Destitute and
Blissful
Countenance! Hail, Supreme Consciousness and One at the Service of the
Devotees! Hail, hail to one who is beyond duality! Hail, hail to one who is
beyond attributes and with attributes! One who witnesses everything and is
transcendental. One who is beyond the understanding of all? Hail, hail to the
remover of the distress of worldly existence! Hail, hail to the destroyer of
difficulties of those who seek refuge and have come full of love, Sadgururaya! You have
become invisible merging with the formless, but you act for the welfare of your
devotees even after leaving the body. Those who are devoted to you still have
the same experiences as they did when you were in body, though you are now invisible.
With this
introduction Hemadpanth next talks about the main story of this chapter. This
is the experience of Sapatnekar when he was studying law. He had a classmate by
name Shevade. Some of the classmates met and started discussing the topics that
they studied. Then they realized that Shevade did not prepare well for the
exam. But he was confident that he will pass the exam. Sapatnekar takes him a
side and asks him about this issue. Then he tells him
about Sai and how he felt
that Sai can help him get through this. Looking at his faith in Sai, Sapatnekar
was surprised. Later on Shevade passed the exams. Ten years passed and
sapatnekar got caught with misfortune and he became dejected. In 1913 his son
died due to diphtheria and he lost interest in life. He visited different
places for peace, and read Vedanta also. But there was no peace. Finally he
realized what Shevade talked about regarding Sai. He decided to go to Shirdi.
He goes there with his brother. They had Baba’s darshan from far and felt
better. They approached Baba, prostrated to him and offered a coconut. Then
immediately Baba told Sapatnekar “Get Away”. He felt terrible and disappointed.
He wanted to talk to someone to understand why Baba reacted like that. Then he
took the help of Bala Shimpe. Bala made him buy a picture of Baba and went for
Baba’s darshan. Again Baba uttered the words “Get Away”. Sapatnekar became
depressed and left Shirdi. After a year his wife saw a fakir in her dream. She
was carrying a water pot and was going to get water from a well in the dream. She
sees a fakir under a neem tree, with a cloth tied around his head, and he comes
near her. Then that Fakir says “Why do you unnecessarily take this trouble
child?” The fakir said in a sweet and tender voice. “I will fill up your whole
pot with pure water”. She was frightened of the fakir. She took the way back
home carrying the empty pot. The fakir followed her. She got frightened and
woke up from the dream. Hearing this dream Sapatnekar decided to go back to
Shirdi.
When he
and his wife Parvati reached Shirdi, Baba was at Lendi and they sat near
Dwarakamai waiting for Baba. Parvati was greatly surprised when she saw Baba
and he was the fakir who appeared in her dream. She prostrated at Sai feet and
Sainath was pleased with her humility. Then Baba started telling a story to a
third person. It was her story and she was experiencing pains in her hands, stomach
and waist. Baba was saying that he was having this pain in his body
and he also
mentioned that he was tired of taking medications for this pain. He later said
that this pain will soon get better. When Sapatnekar greeted Baba, it was the
same response “Get away”. He got dejected and started thinking that his past
sins probably not letting Baba bless him. He decided to stay in Shirdi until
Baba is pleased. No sooner than Sapatnekar took this decision that his determination
bore fruit. Becoming emotional, he fell at Baba’s feet and held them. When he
placed his head on the feet, Baba rested his hand on his head. Then Sapatnekar
began pressing his feet, when a shepherd woman (Dhangar) came there. As soon as
the woman came there, she began pressing Baba’s
Waist;
and Baba according to his usual practice started talking to her. Baba was
telling his story and how he went through the difficulties and the death of his
son.
Then
Baba Pointing his finger at him, spoke these words in a tone of surprise: “He
says that I have killed his son. He blames me for it. Do I kill people’s
children? Why does he come and weep in the Masjid? Very well, I will do this now. I will bring back his son through his
wife’s womb. Then Baba placed his hand on Sapatnekar’s head and reassured him.
He served Baba and his emotions had no boundaries. He alter went back to wada
and came with naivedya and offered to Baba. He enjoyed Chavadi procession that night.
Sapatnekar
returned home with his wife Paravathi. They had a son and when he was 8 months
old they all came for Baba’s blessings. It was mentioned that he later had 8
sons and a daughter.
This
was the Sai’s grace towards his devotees. All we have to do is have faith in
him.
Om Sri Sainatharpanamasthu!
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