Sai Shankar

[SS91]

Sai Shanker

Megha was already a Shankar devotee. When he got attached to Sai's feet, he looked on Sainath as Shankar! He was his Umanath.

Megha continuously chanted "Sai-Shankar" day and night, and his inner-self was merged in this form. His mind was pure and free of sin.

He became dedicated devotee of Sai. He felt that Sai was Shankar himself. His chant of "Shankar-Shankar' reverberated. He did not believe in any other deity.

Worship of Sai was worship of God to him. Sai was his Girija Raman. With this idea firmly rooted in his mind, Megha remained always happy.

Shankar likes 'bel' leaves; but there were no 'bel' trees in Shirdi. Therefore, Megha walked for koss-and-a-balf to fulfill his desire of offering these leaves.

For him a koss or two was nothing. He was ready even to cross a mountain for 'bel', for he would have fulfilled his desire to do puja as he wanted it to be done.

He would bring the 'bel' from long distances, get together all the Puja paraphernalia completely, and then worship all the village deities, one by one. He would offer to all according to the proper rituals.

After that he would come immediately to the Masjid, loving bow to Baba's seat, wash his feet etc. and then drink the water as 'tirth'.

Further stories about Megha will be delightful to listen. They will show Sai's all pervasiveness and reverence for the village deities.

On one Makar-sankranti day, he felt like anointing Baba's whole body with sandalwood paste and then giving him a bath with Godavari water.

He pestered Baba for permission, so Baba Said : "Go and do as you desire." So, immediately Megha took a copper vessel and set out for the water.

Early in the, morning, before sunrise, Megha took the empty copper vessel and without an umbrella or chappals, set out to get water from the Godavari.

The entire distance, for coming and going, was about eight koss. It did not even occur to him to think of the exertion and strenuous efforts he would have to make.

Megha was not at all worried about this. He set out on getting the permission. When there is a strong determination there is a great joy in performing the task.

When he thought of giving a bath to Sai with the Godavari water, he was not bothered about the strenuous efforts or the exhaustion. His firm faith was his support.

So be it. He brought the water and poured it into a wide-mouthed copper pot. He began to persuade Baba to get up for the bath, but he did not agree.

"The noon arati is over and the people have gone to their homes. All the preparation for the bath have been made and it is afternoon", said Megha.

Seeing Megha's great insistence, then Sai in sport and as if in a mock fight, took Megha's hand in his hands and said: "I do not wish to bathe in the Godavari waters? What is it to me?"

But Megha was not prepared to listen at all, since he believed that Baba was his Shankar. He only knew that Shankar is pleased with Ganges water.

He said : "Baba, today is the, festival of Makar-sankranti. When Shankar is given bath with the waters of the Ganges, he is propitiated."

Then, considering his love and his adamant resolution, Baba said: "Fulfill your wish," as Megha was pure of heart.

After saying that he got up and sat down on the low stool made ready for the bath. He bent forward his head and said : "Pour just a little water. Out of all the limbs the head is the most important. Pour a little water on it. It is as good as having a full bath. At least listen to that much."

Agreeing to do so, Megha picked up the pot. He was so overwhelmed with love while pouring it on the head that he emptied it completely while shouting "Har Ganga", and poured it on the whole body.

Megha was greatly joyful. "My Shankar has bathed with his clothes on" he said, as he put down the empty pot. When he looked he was greatly surprised.

Though he had poured the water on the whole body, only the head was wet. All the other limbs were absolutely dry. There was not even a drop of water on the clothes.

Megha's pride was crushed. Those who were around were surprised! Shri Sai thus gratifies the fond fancies of his devotees!

There is another story of Megha, which will please the listeners very much. Seeing Sai's love for his devotees, the listeners will be pleased.

A big picture of Baba, which Nana (Chandorkar) had newly given, was placed in the wada by Megha and he worshipped it regularly.

The real image at the Masjid and the exact replica in the wada, were worslupped with Aarti, at both the places, day and night. When about twelve months had passed in doing this divine service, when Megha was awake early one morning, he saw a vision.

Megha was lying in bed and though he had his eyes close he was fully awake and he saw Baba distinctly.
Baba, too, was aware that he was awake. He threw consecrated rice on the bed and said : "Megha, draw a trident", and then disappeared there and then .

Listening to these words of Baba, Megha opened his eyes with great enthusiasm. He was very surprised to find that Baba had disappeared.

Then Megha looked all around. There were grains of rice scattered everywhere on the bed. The doors of the wada were closed, as earlier. Hence he was confused. He went to the Masjid immediately. While taking Baba's Darshan, Megha told him the story of the trident and asked permission to draw it.

Megha related the vision with all details. Baba said: "How can it be a vision? Did you not hear my words? I told you to draw the trident.

Are you trying to test my words by calling it a vision? My words are always very profound and not a syllable is empty."

"I too felt this at first that you had woken me. But not a single door was open. That's why I felt differently", replied Megha.

Listen to Baba's answer : "I do not need a door to enter. I have no form or dimension. I am always everywhere. For the one who places his burdens on me and has become one with me, I manipulate all his actions like the actions of a marionette."

So be it. The subsequent marvelous narration about the purpose of the trident should he heard with great attention. The connection will become evident.

On one hand, Megha returned and began to draw the trident on the wall, near the picture in the wada. He outlined the trident in red colour. The next day, a Ramdasi devotee from Pune came to the Masjid. He did obeisance to Baba with love and presented him with a 'Lingam'.

Just then Megha too arrived there, and an eight-fold obeisance to Baba. Baba said : "Here Shankar has come! Now, you look after him.

Upon getting the 'Lingan' in this manner, immediately after the vision of the trident, Megha kept on gazing at the 'Lingam' overcome with emotion.

Kaka Saheb Dixit too had another marvelous experience of the 'Lingam'. Listen with reverence to everything. Your faith in Baba will become firmer.

While Megha set off from the Masjid with the 'Lingam', Dixit was engrossed in chanting the Lord's name, after his bath in the wada.

Wiping his body with a clean, washed cloth, a towel covering his head, he stood on a stone concentrating on Sai. He was chanting the Lord's name, as per his usual practice with his head covered. He then had a vision of the 'Lingam'.

Dixit thought : 'Why did I today get the darshan of the 'Lingam' when I was chanting the Lord's name?' There was Megha, in front of him, looking very gratified.

Megha said : "Look, Kaka! Look at the 'Lingam' that Baba has given". Kaka was surprised and pleased to see this particular 'Lingam'.

It was of the same shape, size and markings like the one that had appeared in his meditation, just a little earlier Dixit was delighted.

Be it so. Later, after the drawing, of the trident was complete, Sai got Megha to establish the 'Lingam' near the picture.

Since Megha liked to worship Shankar, by presenting him with the Shankar 'Lingam', Sai strengthened his devotion. Such are the marvelous narrations about Sai !
 
   
courtesy SAI LEELA MAGAZINE

OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI!!!