"Shri Sai Satcharita"The Ocean Of Sai's Stories

[PiyaSoni]

  Sai has had all His wishes fulfilled. Sai is the adornment of all the saints. Sai is the refuge of His devotees and the destroyer of difficulties of the whirlpool of life.

“Samartha Sai” ! With this ‘mantra’, for those who serve at His Holy Feet, He moves the strings for the deliverance of His devotees from worldly existence. Sacred is His life story.

Therefore, Sai Samartha Sadguru, by becoming the ship for crossing the ocean of existence, will take us all, who have taken refuge in Him, to the other bank.

This ocean of existence is extremely insurmountable. Make Sai’s Feet your boat, which will take us across to the other bank, without fear. Observe the miracle of faith !

By observing such a vow, one does not experience the acute pain of worldly existence. There is no other gain better than this. This itself is the strength, that stands us in good stead.

The experiences, that Baba’s devotees had, when He was in body, have been published in ‘Sai Leela’. Baba got this book written, so that they could recollect them.

‘Sai Leela’ is supremely pure and holy. In it, the ‘Satcharita’ has been published in a serial form, chapter after chapter. Read this as the biography of your own Guru (Gurucharitra) ! It will awaken you and give you advice relating to this and the other world.

In the case of some Gurus, they narrate their own fame to their disciples. After they leave their bodies, an inspiration arises to write a book about them.

When Sai narrated stories of different kinds, they were deep and profound. The listeners became deeply engrossed and forgot their hunger and thirst.

Those who have seen Sai with their own eyes have had their three-fold miseries destroyed. He, Whose power was such, how can He be described in detail ?

Such a Sai, Who was famous for His magnanimity, got this biography of His fame written down for the upliftment of those who were devoted to Him.

After bathing in the holy Godavari and taking darshan of Baba’s Samadhi, listen to this Satcharita ! The three-fold afflictions will be quelled.

Just casually telling the stories about Him leads one to unknowingly embrace spirituality. But, when you glance at this book, a multitude of sins will be destroyed.

Those who desire to end the cycle of birth and death, this wearisome coming and going, should enjoin themselves to the Guru’s feet and constantly remember and chant his name with devotion.

Inadvertence is the cause of illusory knowledge. Inattention to the form of the Atman leads to the endless cycle of birth and death, and is the root cause for the ultimate destruction.

Greed means illusory knowledge. What is not Atman such as the body, mind, senses and to have pride in that, is called death by the wise, after due consideration.

If the ocean of Sai stories is churned, then the narration of Sai’s stories will be sweet and newer nuances will always surface. The downfall of the listeners will be averted.

Those who had seen Baba, but whose eyes were not satiated, for them, listening to the glories of Baba would be a purification and merito-rious.

Whoever is fortunate to have the desire to read (this book), he will have happiness, bliss and contentment.

Listening to the stories told by Baba, they will forget their bodily ailments. And if they concentrate and dwell upon them, liberation from bondage will follow naturally.

The unique presentation of His stories, as also the apt choice of words, would completely absorb the listeners in Him and all would experience perfect bliss.

Just as the ears are keen to listen to the stories, or the eyes are ready to get a ‘darshan’, similarly the mind should be eager to concentrate and get easily absorbed in divine contemplation.

Only those who have good deeds to their credit from their past births will listen to these stories. If someone feels sleepy, God will wake him up.

Those who are uncontrollably engaged in worldly pleasures and who become abject, when these are denied to them, for them the nectar of the stories of the saints will free them from these vices.

Performing yoga and sacrifices, practising meditation and concentration requires great efforts, whereas listening to these tales requires no efforts other than attentiveness.

Let the devout and virtuous listeners listen to this pure story of Sai, by which they will be benefitted; because the powerful five sins will be burnt completely.

Chained as we are to the worldly existence, which conceals from our view the Real Self, we will find that by listening to these stories, the bonds will be loosened; and we will get back the original state or Real Self.

These tales should be remembered throughout life and studied daily. They will free the listeners from worldly affairs and bring peace to all.

In brief, holy is the story of Sai. The hearts will be purified of those who recite and those who listen.

Listening to the stories with love will dispel all worldly afflictions. Sai, the cloud of mercy, will shower grace; and complete and pure knowledge will appear.

Sloth, a wandering mind, attachment to sense-objects and indulgence of the palate - these are the obstacles, which come in the way of listening. Steer clear of these and the listening will become a happy experience.

You do not need ceremonies to complete the rituals, you do not need fasting to torture the body, you do not need to visit the tirthas. It is sufficient to listen to the story.

Genuine love and awareness of the core of devotion will easily lead to the attainment of the highest good; and incorrect knowledge and the knowledge of the two-fold nature will be destroyed.

You need not make efforts for other means. Let us listen to the Saicharita ! It will exhaust all karmas, of the past and the present life, which results in rebirth. Not the least effect will remain of them.

 This being the life story of a saint, it is naturally pleasing, in all respects. The eating habits of saints, their everyday behaviour and even their casual remarks are enchanting.

This is not a life-sketch or biography. Sai Maharaj, the cloud of mercy, showered this because of His love for His devotees, as a means of remembering Him and obtaining bliss.

Such are the stories of these great saints, who talk about the worldly life, but place one on the path of salvation. The stories deal with material and spiritual life at the same time.

This must have been their underlying purpose, that one should lead a happy life; but should always be careful and thus this body should be fruitfully utilised.

Those who do listen to the stories of Sai with love, they will be effortlessly benefitted. Their devotion at Sai’s Feet will increase and they will obtain happiness and prosperity.

This collection of stories will remind those who are full of affection for Sai, of His Lotus Feet, at every step.

It describes that, which is impossible to put into words; and that, which is beyond the senses, it makes possible to enjoy. However, much you may drink this nectar in the form of these stories, it is difficult to be fully satisfied.

The deeds of saints are impossible to comprehend. Their glories are beyond description.Who is capable of fully putting them in words ?

If these stories are regularly heard, Sai’s image will perpetually remain before our eyes, our minds and our hearts; and we will remember Him and meditate upon Him day and night.

One would perceive Him while waking or dreaming, while sitting, resting or eating. Wherever one goes about, either in society or in the jungle, He would seem to be walking beside him.

If thus He is with us day and night, one would be absorbed in divine contemplation; and when this happens everyday, the mind will be one with the Supreme Energy.

One may eat the ‘shira-puri’ of faith and devotion, as much as one can, but one will never be satisfied even if one eats till one is gorged.

If you partake of this nectar in the form of the life story with patience and faith, loving devotion will spring within you and the listeners will be gratified.

The devotees will easily achieve the Supreme State of existence. The listeners will be full of devotion and freedom from attachment. For those, full of faith, they will receive happiness and peace; and for all, in general, contentment.

Listening to these stories from the mouth of the Guru will eradicate the troubles and anxieties pertaining to the world. Bliss will be born in the minds of the listeners and knowledge of the soul will dawn upon  them.

Whether the Baba’s words may or may not be uttered jokingly, they could never be meaningless; because in every word, that Baba spoke, there was a store of profound meaning.

Whatever Baba said, these were not mere words, but the seals of destiny. Not one word would ever be futile. It would accomplish its task at the proper time.

Listening to these interesting stories, makes an impression and stamps upon the mind the Guru’s words. The doership of all acts - good, bad - or non-action - will disappear. Faith will be established at the Guru’s Feet.

The fear of the worldly existence is very great. It is maya that is responsible for this insurgence. By listening to the stories, it will be annihilated and give permanent happiness.

This Saicharita is like drinking nectar. Listen to it attentively, concentrating on the Feet of the Guru ! Hear the continuation with attention !

Therefore, with full concentration, oh listeners, listen to the explanation with faith ! By listening to the Sai Satcharita, let your mind be inclined towards devotion.

Along with the narration, you will feel contented. Your wayward mind will find peace. Agitation will disappear and you will achieve happiness.

Hail, hail to Thee, Sai Sadguru ! Hail, hail to Thee, the Wish-fulfilling Tree, which grants absorption into the essence of Brahman ! Hail, hail to Thee, the Ocean of Self-knowledge ! Create in us respect for the story.

That You made us drink the nectar of Your life story and awakened us from our slumber, is due to Your grace. Isn’t this something extraordinary ?

May the devotees enjoy the nectar of Your story as the Chatak (bird) savours the rain drops from the clouds. May all Your devotees savour them and be happy always.

Let the devotees, as they hear Your pure story, break out in perspiration all over their bodies, fill their eyes with tears of love, and have their breath caught in their throats.

Let the listeners and their families be overcome with emotion, have horripilation, and cry and sob often.

Let their hostilities and their differences, small and great, vanish. Let them realise that this is a sign of the grace of the Guru dawning upon them.

It seems as if Sai Himself is playing the part of the great characters in these books; and the narrator and the listeners see Sai’s image before them, every time.

He, Who is the highest form of well-being is that Sai - the store of all attributes ! He is fortunate, who hears about Him and speaks of His glories, being an act of religious merit, his life being purifying.

Sai Himself narrates this story. He is the reader and the listener. He is the writer and the One Who gets it written. It is He, Who makes it comprehensible.

Sai Himself is the actor in this story, it is He, Who is the sweetness in the story, it is He, Who is the listener and the narrator and it is He, Who enjoys its bliss.

Then, the privilege and pleasure of listening to this story, can it not help in attaining spirituality ? Those devotees are fortunate, who appreciate and enjoy it.

Listeners are like thirsty ‘Chatak’ birds. Sai Samartha is the Cloud of Self-contentment, Who pours showers in the form of His life story to quench the thirst.

In reality, Sai Himself manifests in the form of the narration of the life story and the inspiration. But, is He different from the listeners ? Nay, the listener is also not separate from Sai !

Seemingly, it appears like a simple biography. But, this whole drama is played by Sai. He Himself becomes the actor and lovingly stages the powerful drama.

This is not a simple story, but a treasure trove of joy. It is the best, nectar like sweet meat for one’s self, which should be enjoyed with faith and devotion, by one who is exceptionally happy.

Wonderous and great is Guru’s grace. His greatness should always be remembered by us. Therefore, He has served the devotees by toiling over this book for their pleasure.

This is not a story, but ‘Somakant’, from which the stories of Sai ooze like nectar from the moon, which the thirsty devotees, like the Chakor, may drink to their fill.

The path of the Satcharita is simple. Wherever it is read, it becomes Dwarkamai and Sai definitely appears there.

There itself are the banks of the Godavari, there itself is the nearby pilgrimage place of Shirdi; there itself is Sai together with the Dhuni, Who removes all difficulties, as soon as He is remembered.

Where the Sai Charita is regularly recited, Sai resides there always. If the ‘Charita’ is repeatedly read with full faith, it pleases Him, in all respects.

Whatever is missing or additional in the stories, believe that everything is inspired by Sai and read the Sai Satcharita without finding faults !

This is not a story, but a drink of eternal bliss, which increases the thirst for more. To pacify that thirst, another story will follow.

The listeners will be pleased on hearing that, it destroys the distress of this mundane existence and grants a state of happiness.

One who is fortunate enough to desire his own well-being, he should be ready to listen with reverence to the narration of Sai’s stories.

We do not need the scriptures. Just this one religious work on Sai is enough. Irrespective of the number of sins committed, He is our protector from all the difficulties.

If it is not possible to read consistently the entire book, just concentrate and fill your heart with the chapters on devotion to the Guru ! Listen to them everyday as a rule !

Read this biography regularly at any time of the day ! Shri Hari together with your Gururaj, will certainly meet His devotee.

Goddess Lakshmi will permanently abide in the home, where it is read regularly. At least if one week’s reading of the whole book is done, poverty will be driven away.

Sai, Who is the treasure house of all virtues, is the grantor of liberation to His devotees. His stories destroy all the sins of Kaliyug. Listeners should hear them.

 The bliss of heaven is a mere trifle compared with the story of such a saint. Who would ever care to raise his head and look there, leaving aside the prompt benefit of this true story.

On hearing the Saicharita, the listeners and the narrator are both purified; the ears of the listeners are purified and so also the mouth of the narrator.

Whosoever reads this book within seven consecutive days, with love and faith, after proper ablutions, his calamities will be removed.

This book is woven with the threads of spirituality; it is full of stories of Krishna and the Brahman; it abounds with the essence or nectar of the unity of Brahman and Atman and it overflows with the unparalleled joy of non-duality.

This is Eknath’s poetry, which is as pleasing as the garden of India. It is the Vrindavan of thirty-two parts (chapters). The wise and the ignorant savour this sweet and pleasing dish made from milk.

Listening to this Satcharita or reciting it regularly will result in the Feet of Sai Samartha, removing all the difficulties without any delay.

Those who are desiring wealth will get it; those who are upright in their conduct and dealings, will have complete renown. The results will depend upon their faith. Without devotion, you will not have the experience.

Reading the book with reverence, Sai Samartha is propitiated. He destroys ignorance and poverty and grants knowledge and untold prosperity.

This book was written due to an indication by Sai; and it was His secret desire. Blessed is that devotee, who is attached to His Feet.

One should make it a practice to read at least one chapter of this Satcharita everyday, with a calm and concentrated mind. It will bring immeasurable joy and happiness.

One who desires his own welfare should really read this book. He will be obliged by Sai, through all the cycles of life and he will  remember Sai with overwhelming joy in birth after birth.

The book should definitely be read at
one’s own home on Sai’s festivals, such as Gurupournima, Gokul-ashtami, Punyatithi and Ramnavami.

One’s status in the next birth is determined by the desires of the mind in this one. The shastras also support the belief that one is born again according to one’s tendencies at the time of death.

Shri Sai is the support of His devotees. Without Him the impediments in our way are not destroyed. What is the wonder in finding that the mother has tender feelings for her children ?

Yet, if one has an acute desire for liberation, then perform only virtuous deeds always. Practise the nine forms of devotion, including listening to His stories etc. and one will be purified from within.

By making Hemad the instrument He wrote His own life story for the upliftment of his innumerable devotees. Is this not an unparalleled deed ?

The book is a five-wick lamp, studded with gems to wave round the King among saints ! The chapters narrate the stories, which are wicks of oil, the light of which brings detachment and peace.

The book is maya, which entices the world. The chapters are arms, raised high, and the meaning of the stories are bracelets (worn on the upper arm) decorating the body, ready to embrace Sai, Brahman Incarnate.

The ‘Sai Satcharita’ is the universal sovereign amongst books. The chapters are pleasing, clever minstrels, narrating faith, knowledge, the Vedantic beauty and its vast glory.

The book is formidable as the span of the Ganges. The chapters are the compact ‘ghats’ of just proportions. The flow of stories is sweet as nectar and vast, by the Guru’s grace and formidable greatness.

It is not just a book, but wish-fulfilling tree, which, the people engrossed in mundane existence, find barren, but for the seekers of liberation, it gives only the actual experience of liberation.

This alone can be called a real memorial, which destroys the darkness and tribulations of the mundane existence and saves from the hell of greed and illusion. It is certainly a giver of peace.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

Source: Shirdisaibabasansthan

[PiyaSoni]

To understand the truth behind Sai Baba, we must understand who are Avatari Purushas (incarnations), what is their religion and the symbols used by them to spread their messages.

Avatar

In Shrimad Bhagwad Geeta, Bhagwan Shri Krishna says, “I take birth in every era to protect the Satjan (gentlemanly) and to destroy the Durjan (villainly).”

In reality, the Bhagwan is A-janma (not confined to birth) and the birth talked about above is only related to His appearance on this earth in a mortal form. For the sake of mortal appearance, the Bhagwan has father and mother. The word ‘Avatar’ is made up of ‘Ava’ + ‘Tru’ meaning ‘Dharana’ that is ‘‘to adopt a mortal form’’. Thus, when Bhagwan takes Avatar, He is temporarily adopting a mortal form for the well-being of the human race.

When He appears in the Sant Avatar (in the form of a Saint), He has limitations of Janana - Marana (birth and death) to which every mortal form is subject to. However, the Bhagwan Himself is beyond such limitations.

One cannot identify a Saint from his outward appearance.

The mission of any Avatar is that every deed should be for the welfare of the human beings and thereby for the good of the entire mankind.

Swadharma (adhering to one’s religion) means doing the deeds specified by the religious laws. While doing this duty, it is to be done with the intention of Brahmarpan (dedicating the result to the Brahma) and without any desire for self gains. For achieving this, all the Saints have advocated the Bhakti Marg (path of devotion). One can undertake the journey on this Marg by Nam-smaran (chanting the name of God). This Marg helps the devotee to get rid of his ego.

Sarvanbhooti Parmeshwar

Once the notion of ‘‘Sarvanbhuti Parmeshwar’’ (God is in all beings) is accepted by the devotee’s mind, then the door to Bhakti Marg opens easily.

Shri Sai Baba accepted these same principles and spread His teachings amongst the living. The notion of “Sarvanbhooti Parmeshwar” was preached by Baba. This will be evident from the following incident.

Once Mrs. Tarkhad was in Shirdi and a dog came and stood in front of her, when it was time for meals. She threw a piece of Bhakari (bread) to him. After the dog went away, a mud covered pig arrived. To him also, she gave a piece of Bhakari.

Thereafter, in the Masjid, Baba said to her, ‘‘Aaye (Mother), in the afternoon, I was restless with hunger and you gave Me a full meal. Let it be a dog or a pig, always follow this as a regular practice.’’

People from all castes, creeds and religions used to come to Dwarkamai. His places were the abode of all types of animals. Such deeds of Baba teach us that the God is in every living being - may it be a human or an animal. When a person intentionally hurts another, he is hurting the God, contained in that person.

Baba collected food as alms and kept in the Dwarkamai in a Kolamba (a kind of vessel). The animals used to put their mouths in the Kolamba and ate whatever they wanted. Sometimes Baba mixed the same food and shared it with His devotees - who were from all walks of life. Even though the food was already touched by animals, for Baba it was good enough. The lady, who swept the Masjid, also took Bhakaris from the same Kolamba. In the eyes of Baba, this was a way of seeing God in every animate and inanimatething of the world.

Contd.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

Sarva Dharma Sama Bhava

It is the belief of the Avatars that all religions are equal. Saints are beyond castes and creeds. Once we accept that a ‘Sant’ is the incarnation of God, the question “to which religion He belongs” does not arise. As such, why there should be arguments about their religions ?

People from all faiths and castes came to Dwarkamai and Baba always welcomed them with equal warmth. The question, whether Baba Himself was a Hindu or a Muslim has been debated from those times. But, Baba never allowed any one to guess the answer.

If any one says that He was a Hindu, then He used to dress up like a Muslim, lived in the Masjid, decorated the Masjid with Sheras, partook food with fakirs, observed Namaz on the day of Id, installed Tabut during Moharrum. On occasions, He said that in one of His previous births He was Kabir (a famous poet Sant).

On the other hand, if a person claims that Baba was a Muslim, then He, like Hindus,  celebrated Ram-navami and other festivals, used Shankhanad (bellowing of conch shell), lit oil lamps, had a sack of wheat and a Tulsi-vrindavan in Sabha-mandap. Similarly, like Hindus, Baba used to allow devotees to worship His Feet. He called the Masjid as Dwarkamai (Dwarka was the capital city of Lord Shri Krishna). To several of His ardent devotees, Baba gave Darshans in the appearance of various Hindu Gods. His ears were pierced - a tradition followed by Hindus. Similarly, He was also not circumcised - a culture followed by Muslims.

He also believed in Agnihotra (burning of sacred fire) like Hindus and Parsis. He loved ringing of bells – a custom followed by Hindus and Christians.

Baba used to converse mainly in two languages - Marathi (a Hindu language) and Yavani (a Muslim language). Following the teachings of Sai Baba, the villagers of Shirdi (who included Hindus as well as Muslims), lived harmoniously crossing the borders of their religions. They shared each other’s food and celebrated each other’s religious festivals.

Dakshina

Baba used to ask for Dakshina. However, those who seek a perverted meaning in His this act are sadly ignorant of the truth. Baba had no desires of His own. Therefore, the Dakshina that He was seeking was not for Himself. It was His way of cleansing the sins of that devotee. One important factor must be remembered in this regard - Baba never asked Dakshina from all and sundry. He asked for it from only selected devotees. If any one voluntarily placed Dakshina before Him, then many times He did not even accept it. Sometimes He asked for it from those who were willing to give. But, many times He did not ask for it from such desirous persons also. Sometimes He asked for it from even ladies and children.

If, after demanding, a person did not give Dakshina, then Baba never used to get angry with such person. If someone forgot to give it, then Baba would bring the point home under some pretext or the other. Sometimes, He demanded Dakshina from the same devotee again and again. In case he did not have any money, Baba used to tell him to borrow it from someone.

There were times, when Baba asked for Dakshina - not in the form of money but in some symbolic and spiritual form. To some devotees, He explained the meaning of such symbols either in dreams or in conscious state. He used to direct some devotees to listen to Pothi at a particular place. The devotee understood the meaning of the symbols from the Pothi.

Baba did not go anywhere to ask for the Dakshina. He collected it only in the Masjid. Whatever He collected during the day, He used to spend the amount and His pockets used be empty by evening. After evening, He never accepted Dakshina.

On the contrary, there were occasions, when Baba gave money to a devotee and asked him to worship the same. Later on the devotee used to realize that he has tremendously benefited from such Pooja.

Baba never asked Dakshina for Himself.

In short, by demanding Dakshina, Baba was removing the obstacles, such as ego and inhibitions from the path towards realization of one’s self.

Shraddha and Saburi were the two coins, Baba asked as Dakshina. He said, “These were the coins that My Guru asked from Me and I gave them promptly to him. And I got his blessings.”

If one has unquestioned faith and the courage required to continue the unflinching devotion to one’sSadguru, then it is easy to cross the ocean of one’s destiny. Baba said, ‘‘As a mother tortoise looks after her children, I will look after you. You look at Me with steadfast devotion, I will look after you and take your boat to the other bank.

Contd.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

Wonderful ways of Baba’s teachings

Baba’s ways of teachings may appear to be queer to the uninitiated.

There are instances of how He taught by appearing in dreams.

He appeared in the garb of a school teacher in the dream of Bhimaji Patil and thrashed his back with a cane. And in another dream that Bhimaji had, one person took a grinding stone and crushed Bhimaji’s chest with it. When he awoke, he found that he had been cured of blood TB.

Once, when Megha was fast asleep at the time of day break, Baba appeared near his bed and asked him to draw a Trishul (trident) on the wall. Hearing this, Megha suddenly woke up. He found that Akshata (holy grains of rice) were lying on his bed. He believed it to be a dream. When he went to Baba, Baba said to him, “Don’t treat My words as a mere dream. My words are fully true and not a word is futile.” Then, Megha drew a Trishul on the wall and the very next day, a man came there with a Shivling. He placed it before Baba and Baba gave it to Megha for worshipping.

On the other hand, there are also instances of Baba imparting His teachings not in dreams but in Jagrit Avastha (conscious state).

Mrs. Tarkhad and her son were in Shirdi. In their house in Bandra, Mr. Tarkhad forgot to offer Prasad to the photograph of Baba as per his son’s regular practice. Just then, in Shirdi, Baba said to Mrs. Tarkhad, ‘‘Mother, I don’t know, what I should do. As usual I went to Bandra; but I did not get anything to eat. I felt the pangs of hunger and returned on empty stomach.’’ Hearing this, Tarkhad’s son sent a letter narrating the incident to his father. At the same time, Mr. Tarkhad had also sent a letter to his son asking forgiveness for his lapse.

Udi

No one can say exactly, when Baba first lit the Dhuni (sacred fire). However, it has been incessantly burning since then till even today. The devotees place their offerings of coconuts, sandalwood, Ood (a type of incense) in the Dhuni as a mark of respect and help it keep burning. Udi is the holy ash from this Dhuni.

Baba distributed Udi with His own hands to some. To others, He gave it at the hands of Bhagoji Shinde. To still others, He only said, ‘‘Take Udi and sit in the Wada.’’ Devotees took Udi while going out or going to another village. They also took Udi before embarking on any important work or while visiting an ailing person. The devotees believed that Udi helped them in accomplishing their work.

Many times if Baba knew that the end of a person is near, then He did not give Udi. On the other hand, Sometimes He Himself gave Udi to a devotee and asked him to visit the patient. If a person stood before him with dishonest intention or with an aim of testing Baba, then He avoided such person while giving Udi or directly told him to go and sit at a distance.

Baba Himself applied Udi to some of the devotees. He applied it on the forehead, between two brows, applied it with a little pressure of His thumb, the other four fingers were rested on the devotees crest.

The pressure He applied made many devotees, like Balasaheb Bhate, loose their balance or even their consciousness. However, when they regained their balance or wakefulness, they realized that they had gone into a trance for sometime. Thereafter, their spiritual progress was rapid.

Baba’s Udi cured many devotees of their illnesses. Some were saved from serious calamities or unexpected disasters were avoided. There are several examples of this in Shri Sai Satcharita. Even today the Udi is performing such miracles.

Vivek and Vairagya

Udi and Dakshina are symbols of combination of Vivek (self-balance) and Vairagya (selflessness). The body is mortal. The Sansar is going to end in ashes (Udi). Therefore, a person must observe self-balance in his behaviour and use his body for the welfare of mankind. It is possible to carry on family life and still achieve Vairagya. Therefore, Baba gave fistful of Udi to the devotees and sent them on their way. If the devotees had Udi with them, they felt that Baba was near them.

Karunya, Krupaluta and Paropakarita are the guiding principles of the lives of Saints. It may be noted that Bhagwant destroys the Durjan (evil persons). But, Saints convert the Durjans in to Sat-jans.

Baba saved the son of an iron-smith from a burning oven. He also saved the son of Dadasaheb Khaparde by taking the glands of plague on His own body.

This is the greatness of Saints.

Even today, one can experience the presence of Sai Baba as He is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscience. It gives unimaginable joy to the devotees. This shows that basic virtues are same in any times. We ourselves have to find the eternal God within us. This will lead to ‘perfect happiness’ – temporal and spiritual.

By following His teachings, we fulfil the mission of Sai Baba’s Avatar.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!

[PiyaSoni]

When the oil of the span of life finished, the flame of life dimmed. The body found rest on the lap of Bayaji (Appa Kote).

He did not fall on the ground nor did He lie on His bed; but sitting quietly on His seat, doing charity with His own hands, He threw off the mortal coil.

Nobody knew Samartha’s mind or heart’s secret. He left the body in no time and became one with the Supreme Spirit.
Wearing the cloak of the body, from Maya, the saints manifest in the world. Soon after their work of upliftment is completed, they merge with the formless.

An actor plays many roles; but fully knows his own identity. Those who manifest themselves, resume their own identity after their work is done. What is death to them ?

He Who manifested for the benefit of the people, ended the Avatar as soon as His mission was complete.Could He be bound by life and death, Who takes a form by His own divine sport ?

How can there be a possibility of death for Him Whose glory is the Supreme Spirit ? He Who is the embodiment of detachment, how can existence or non-existence have any effect on Him ?

Though ostensibly He appears to be engaged in action, He hardly ever performs any. Being without any ego, when doing any action He believes that it is not He Who is doing anything.

“Action does not end without experiencing its fruit.” This is the essence of action as implied in the Smritis. There is no delusion in case of the knower of Brahman, since He sees Brahman in every entity.

This is the fruit achieved on account of a collection of deeds. Such a duality is well- known; but here, too, the knower of Brahman believes it to be Brahman, as a silver sheen on the oyster.

How could Baba, like a loving mother, fall prey to death ? It was as if the day was eclipsed by a dark night.

By kindling their own lustre, saints extinguish their own bodies. Baba did the same with His own hands.

What should never have happened, had happened ! Maharaj became one with the Supreme Spirit. The people were dispirited, sobbed and whimpered.

Sai Samartha, the Cloud of Bliss, Who did not know about the birth of His body, how could His body experience death ? He does not know about the body’s existece.

How could there be birth or death for Sai, Who is Parabrahma Himself ? Knowing that Brahma is Truth and the world a mirage, how could He have body consciousness ?

Taking on life or abandoning it, or roaming the space formlessly, is done at will by the power of Yoga, for the benefit of the devotees.

“The sun has been eclipsed and has disappeared completely,” say the people. But, it is merely the fault of the sense perception. The death of saints is likewise.

The body is merely a burden. How can they have pain or suffering ? If they have any, it is because of the bonds of fate. But, they are not concerned.

He Who manifested because of the past meritorious deeds of the devotees and was filled with devotion invisibly, He appeared for the welfare of the devotees. It was then that He was perceived in Shirdi.

It was said that now the work of the welfare of the devotees was completed, and, therefore, He abandoned the body. Who will place faith in these words ? What is life and death for a Yogi ?

Sai Samartha abandoned His body as per His own will and burnt the body in the ‘Yoga Agni’ (fire). He became one with the unseen, but remained eternally in the hearts of the devotees.

How can He die, the remembrance of whose name breaks the cycle of life and death for others ? He attained His earlier Invisible Self.

Going beyond the gross state, Baba became one with the unseen, where He enjoyed being one with God. But, always He keeps the devotees alert.

He Who throbs with the Supreme Spirit and is permanently engraved in the hearts of the devotees, then how could His body be said to have ceased to be. Such words are unacceptable.

Therefore, this Sai Who is without a beginning or an end will ever be there until the ‘Pralay’ (deluge) of the world.

‘One has experiences commensurate with one’s faith’; even to-day. When the power of this axiom exists for Him, how can there be death for such a one !

He, Who espoused the causes of the devotees, has abandoned His body in Shirdi and is all-pervasive with the movable and the immovable. He is capable of taking Avatar again.

‘Now what is there in Shirdi, as the Samartha has mingled with Brahman ?’ Have no such doubts, as Shri Sai is beyond death.

Saints are not born (from the womb). They manifest themselves for obliging others. They are the embodiment of Brahman. Only the fortunate ones so manifest.

Those Who are incarnate are never born and They never die. As soon as Their mission is completed, they merge with Brahman and become one with the unseen.

A body is of a three-and-a-half hands’ length. Could Baba be said to be contained in that ? It is improper to say that He was of a particular size, shape or colour.

Even otherwise, for Him Who is a store of knowledge and is always one with the Supreme Spirit, to take care of the body or to leave it is the same.

Are you confident that our Sai is this gross skeletal body of three and a half arms length and the senses ? Remove this doubt forever.

If one is to call that body Sai, then there is no name for the one who is free from all bodily and earthly enjoyments and pursuits. There is no form for it. Shri Sai is beyond a form.

The body is perishable. Brahman on its own is indestructible. The body is included in the five elements; but Brahman is without beginning or end.

Observe the Pure, Excellent Self, the Supreme Being, the Life Spirit, which animates the gross senses. Sai is the name for that.

He transcends the senses. The senses are gross and do not know That. It is That which animates the senses and activates them with ‘Prana’.

The name of that power is Sai. There is no place without it. All the ten directions are desolate without it. It fills the movable and the immovable.

It is this that has taken Avatar. Earlier it was unmanifest. Taking a name and form and becoming an individuality, it became manifest. After accomplishing its mission, it merged into the unmanifest.

After achieving the work of the Avatar, the body taken for the Avatar is abandoned and enters the abode of the Knower and the Known. Sai acted in this manner.

Sai fills the movable and the immovable. Sai is within us and outside us too. Sai is in your and my heart. He stays there permanently.

Actually, it is nothing to be surprised about. This Sai is beyond birth and death, and has only left the body. He remains without form, as earlier.

The body has gone and the form has gone. The spirit lives as before. The Leelas, after He left the body, continue to occur. Everyone knows that.

While meditating, there should be intense concentration. There is no better means than meditation. He who practises this himself will undoubtedly uplift himself.

How can there be life or death for him who has forgotten the desires of life and the world ? He achieves bliss by being engrossed in the Atman.

The great souls who transcend time and space, can their life span be exactly calculated ? It is a formidable task.

The great souls are existing in their own orbit. They are neither born nor do they die. How can the sun rise or set when in reality it is steady and immovable.

“I am omnipresent. There is nothing else besides me in this world. I exist not only in this world, but in all the three.”

It is that Self which is complete and is without birth and death, and about whom the sages always say that you cannot achieve permanent good without its attainment.

Parabrahma is knowable. Apar Brahma is attainable. Aum, their sign is their symbol to be meditated upon always, and to be worshipped for ever.

That is the Aum - a word, a sentence, a letter which is the essence of all Tapas. By the very utterance the meaning is revealed, and constant repetition gives enlightenment.

It is that all-pervading consciousness. It neither grows nor decays; because it is immutable. Rare is that ardent devotee of his Sadguru who understands his  Atman to be such.

The Atman is unique. It is separate from the body, the sense organs, the mind and Prana. It is self-illumined, pure consciousness, not subject to change and without form.

That which is devoid of the cognition of ‘Sat’ and ‘Asat’ etc. from any idea of gender and is bereft of all attributes is verily the all-encompassing Nature of the Preceptor expressed in the form of different words.

Atman is without any attributes, beyond old age, birth or death. It is ancient and eternal, indestructible and beyond decay.

It is perpetual, unborn, ancient, all-pervading like the sky, unending, and indivisible, ungrowing and unchangeable.
Then who can describe that which is beyond words, without form, without beginning or end, unfathomable, imperishable, without smell, without taste and untainted.

Thus, this Atman which is attributeless and invisible and is not known because of ignorance. Then remove this ignorance by knowledge. But, do not ever call that Atman non-existent.

Beginning from Brahman (the permanent and immovable) and ending with all immovable objects, Sai Himself is manifest everywhere. Sai, being kind, imprinted (on all minds) that God exists in all creatures.

Though (Sai,) Your corporal form is invisible to us at present, yet if there is faith and devotion, the devotees get living experiences. The spirit in the Samadhi is awakened and becomes instantaneously visible.

In the same way, indeed, that throbbing of reality which goes beyond the three aspects viz. Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas, is really the form of the One embedded in the heart.

That state of being without names and forms which remains as the essence of your own is really the indication of that One, embedded in the heart. Knowing this seek refuge in Him.

He Who breaks the ties of previous birth and death, snapping them angrily, to Him I, the dull-witted and the ignorant, bow with eight-fold prostrations.

OM SAI RAM, SRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM!!