THE NECTAR IN Sai Sat Charitra

[SS91]

OM SAI RAM ~~

"Baba did not ask Dakshina from all. If some gave Dakshina without being asked, He sometimes accepted it; and at other times He refused it. He asked it from certain devotees only. He never demanded it, from those devotees, who thought in their minds that Baba should ask them for it, and then they should pay it. If anybody offered it against His wish, He never touched it, and if he kept it there, He asked him to take it away. He asked for small or big amounts from devotees, according to their wish, devotion and convenience. He asked it, even from women and children. He never asked all the rich for it, nor from all the poor."

"Baba never got angry with those from whom He asked Dakshina, and who did not give it. If any Dakshina was sent, through some friend, who forgot to hand over the same to Baba, He reminded him somehow of it and made him pay it. On some occasons, Baba used to return some sum from the amount tendered as Dakshina, and ask the donor to guard it or keep it in his shrine for worship. This procedure benefited the donor or devotee immensely. If anybody offered more than he originally intended to give, He returned the extra amount. Sometimes, He asked more Dakshina from some, than what they originally intended to give and, if they had no money, asked them to get or borrow from others. From some, He demanded Dakshina three or four times a day."

JaiSaiRam ~~

[SS91]

OM SAI RAM ~~~

Sai knows fully the desire of His devotees and fulfills the same. Hence they get what they want and are grateful. So we invoke Him and prostrate ourselves before Him. Forgetting all our faults let Him free us from all anxieties. He who being overcome with calamities remembers and prays Sai thus, will get his mind calmed and pacified through His grace.

This Sai - the ocean of mercy, says Hemadpant, favoured him and the result of this, is the present work - Sai-Satcharia. Otherwise what qualifications had he and who would undertake this enterprise? But as Sai took all the responsibility, Hemadpant felt no burden, nor any care about this. When the powerful Light of knowledge was there to inspire his speech and pen, why should he entertain any doubt or feel any anxiety? Sai got the service in the form of this book done by him; this is due to the accumulation of his merits in the past births and, therefore, he thinks himself fortunate and blessed.

JaiSairam ~~~

[SS91]

 OM SAI RAM ~~~

SADGURU SAI:

Sadguru Sai! Blessed are Your divine feet! How comforting is the remembrance of those lotus feet! Blessed is the darshan of Your divine form, which destroys the fear of this mundane world. It is because of You that all our bondages due to Karma are cut to pieces! Although we are not able to see Your Saguna form, even then if the devotees focus their attention at Your divine feet, You grant them a living experience. By an invisible attractive force, You pull the devotees, whether they are near or far off, to Your presence and embrace them like a new mother. Hey Sai! Devotees do not know where You reside, but You inspire them with such dexterity that because of it they feel that Your protective hand is always on their head and it is only because of Your Kripa-Dhrishti that they are always getting help from unknown sources. Engulfed by egoism, even people of highest level of intelligence and cleverness get sucked into the whirlpool of this Bhavasagara. But hey Sai! You, with only Your power, can pull out the helpless and dedicated devotees from this whirlpool and protect them. Being behind the screen, You are doing justice to all. Even then, You act as though You are not connected at all. Nobody could understand Your life. So, it is beneficial to us that we should surrender totally at Your divine feet, and to rid us of our sins, keep chanting only Your Nama smarana. You fulfill all the desires of Your desireless devotees and give them bliss. Reciting Your name alone is the easiest path for the devotees. By this method, the Rajas and Tamas qualities in them will decline and Satva and Dharmik qualities will enhance. Simultaneously with this, Viveka, Vairagya and Jnana will come one after the other. Then, Self-realization will dawn and they will feel oneness with the Guru, which also implies surrendering to the Guru completely. A conclusive proof of this is that then our mind will become steady and calm. The importance of this surrender, devotion and Jnana is unparalleled because along with this the attainment of tranquillity, detachment, fame, liberation etc, will naturally follow.

When Baba blesses His devotees, then He will always be near them. Wherever the devotee may go, somehow or other, Baba will always reach that place earlier than the devotee.


JAI SAI RAM ~~~

[SS91]

OM SAI RAM ~~~

Sai Baba is always full of mercy. What is wanted on our part is whole-hearted devotion to Him. When a devotee has got firm faith and devotion, his wishes are soon fulfilled. When the desire arose in the mind of Hemadpant to write the life and Leelas of Sai Baba, He immediately got it written by him. When the order 'to keep the memos' was given, Hemadpant was inspired and his intellect got strength and boldness to undertake and finish the work. He was not, he say, qualified to write the work, but the gracious blessings of Baba enabled him to complete the undertaking; and thus you have this Satcharita which is a Somakant jewel, from which nectar in the form of Sai Leelas oozes out for the readers to drink to their hearts' content.

Whenever, a devotee had complete and whole-hearted devotion to Sai Baba, all his calamities and dangers were warded off and his welfare attended to by Baba.

JAI SAI RAM ~~~

[SS91]

Baba's Characteristics -- His Dependency on Bhaktas

Baba allowed His devotees to serve Him in their own way, and did not like any other persons interfering in this. To quote an instance, the same Mavsibai was on another occasion, kneading Baba's abdomen. Seeing the fury and force used by her, all the other devotees felt nervous and anxious. They said, "Oh mother, be more considerate and moderate, otherwise you will break Baba's arteries and nerves". At this Baba got up at once from His seat, dashed His satka on the ground. He got enraged and His eyes became red like a live charcoal. None dared to stand before or face Baba. Then He took hold of one end of the Satka with both hands and pressed it in the hollow of his abdomen. The other end He fixed to the post and began to press His abdomen against it. The satka which was about two or three feet in length seemed all to go into the abdomen and the people feared that the abdomen would be ruptured in a short time. The post was fixed and immovable and Baba began to go closer and closer to it and clasped the post firmly. Every moment the rupture was expected, and they were all dismayed, did not know what to do, and stood dumb with wonder and fear. Baba suffered this ordeal for the sake of His Bhakta. The other devotees wanted only to give a hint to the Mavsibai to be moderate in her service and not cause any trouble or pain to Baba. This they did with good intention, but Baba did not brook even this. They were surprised to see that their well-intentioned effort had resulted in this catastrophe; and they could do nothing but to wait and see. Fortunately, Baba's rage soon cooled down. He left the satka and resumed His seat. From this time onward, the devotees took the lesson that they should not meddle with anybody but allow him to serve Baba as the chooses, as He was capable to gauge the merits and worth of the service rendered unto Him.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all

[SS91]

Baba never got angry with those from whom He asked Dakshina, and who did not give it. If any Dakshina was sent, through some friend, who forgot to hand over the same to Baba, He reminded him somehow of it and made him pay it. On some occasons, Baba used to return some sum from the amount tendered as Dakshina, and ask the donor to guard it or keep it in his shrine for worship. This procedure benefited the donor or devotee immensely. If anybody offered more than he originally intended to give, He returned the extra amount. Sometimes, He asked more Dakshina from some, than what they originally intended to give and, if they had no money, asked them to get or borrow from others. From some, He demanded Dakshina three or four times a day."

"Out of the amount collected as Dakshina, Baba spent very little for His own sake, viz., for buying Chilim (clay pipe) and fuel for His Dhuni (sacred fire), and all the rest, He distributed as charity in varying proportions to various persons. All the paraphenalia of the Shirdi Sansthan was brought, by various rich devotees at the instance and suggestion of Radha-Krishna-Mai. Baba always used to get wild and scolded those, who brought costly and rich articles. He said to Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, that all His property consisted of one koupin (codpiece), one stray piece of cloth, one Kafni and a tumrel (tinpot), and that all the people troubled Him by bringing all these unnecessary, useless and costly articles."

Woman and wealth are the two main obstacles in the way of our Pramartha (spiritual life); and Baba and provided in Shirdi two institutions, viz., Dakshina and Radha-Krishna-Mai. Whenever they came to Him, He demanded Dakshina from them, and asked them to go to the 'SCHOOL' (Radha-Krishna-Mai's house). If they stood these two tests well, i.e. if they showed that they were free from attachment for woman and wealth, their progress in spirituality was rapid and assured by Baba's grace and blessings.

Mr. Deo has also quoted passanges from the Gita and Upanishads; and shown that charity given in a holy place and to a holy personage, conduces to the donors' welfare to a great degree. What is more holy than Shirdi and its Presiding Deity -- Sai Baba?

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all

[SS91]

OM SAI RAM !!!

Amra-Leela (Mango miracle)

Once a parcel of about 300 good mangoes was received at Shirdi. It was sent from Goa by one Mamlatdar named Rale to Sai Baba in the name of Shama. When it was opened, all the mangoes were found to be in a good condition. They were given in Shama's charge and only four were retained and placed in the kolamba (pot) by Baba. He said that, "These four fruits are for Damu Anna, let them lie there".

This Damu Anna had three wives. According to his statement mentioned above, he had not three but two wives only. He had no issue. He consulted many astrologers and himself studied astrology to some extent and found that as there was a 'papi' (inauspicious) planet in his horoscope, there was no prospect of any issue to him in this life. But he had great faith in Baba. When he went to Shirdi, two hours after the receipt of the mango parcel, for worshipping Baba, He said, "Though other people are looking for the mangoes, they are Dammya's. He whose they are, should 'eat and die'." Damu Anna on hearing these words was first shocked, but on Mhalsapati (a prominent Shirdi devotees) explaining to him that death meant the death of the little self or egos, and to have it at Baba's Feet was a blessing, he said that he would accept the fruits and eat them. But Baba said to him. "Do not eat yourself, but give them to your junior wife. This Amra-Leela (mango miracle of 4 mangoes) will give her four sons and four daughters. This was done and ultimately in due course it was found Baba's words turned out true and not those of the astrologers.

Baba's speech established its efficacy or greatness while He was living in the flesh, but wonder of wonders! It did the same even after His passing away. Baba said - "Believe Me, though I pass away, My bones in My tomb will give you hope and confidence. Not only Myself but My tomb would be speaking, moving and communicating with those who would surrender themselves whole-heartedly to Me. Do not be anxious that I would be absent from you. You will hear My bones speaking and discussing your welfare. But remember Me always, believe in Me heart and soul and then you will be most benefited.

JAI SAI RAM !!!

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM !!!

CHAPTER 28

Sai is not finite or limited. He dwells in all beings, from ants and insects
to the God Brahma. He pervades all. Sai was well-versed in the knowledge
of the Vedas, as well as in the science of Self-realisation. As He was proficient
in both these, He was well-fitted to be the Sad-guru. Any one, though learned,
but not able to awaken the disciples and establish them in Self-realisation,
does not deserve to be called a Sadguru. Generally the father gives birth to
the body, and death invariably follows life; but Sadguru does away with both
life and death, and so he is more kind and merciful, than any body.

Sai Baba often said that-let His man (Devotee) be at any distance,
a thousand koss away from Him, he will be drawn to Shirdi like a sparrow,
with a thread tied to its feet.

This Chapter describes the stories of three such sparrows.

OM SAI RAM, SHRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM !!!

CHAPTER 29

It was in the year 1916 that a Madrasi Bhajani Mela (Party of the Ramadasi Panth)
started on a Pilgrimage to the holy city of Banaras. The Party consisted of a man,
his wife, daughter and sister-in-law. Unfortunately their names are not mentioned.
On their way, the party heard that there lived at Shirdi in Kopergaon Taluka,
Ahmednagar District, a great sage named Sai Baba, who was calm and composed,
and who was very liberal and who distributed money every day to His Bhaktas
and to skilful persons, who went and showed their skill there. A lot of money in the
form of Dakshina was collected daily by Sai Baba and out of this amount, He gave
daily one rupee to a three year old girl Amani, the daughter of a Bhakta Kondaji and
Rs. 2 to 5 to some, Rs. 6 to Jamali, the mother of Amani and Rs. 10 to 20 and even
Rs. 50 to other Bhaktas as He pleased. On hearing all this the party came to Shirdi
and stayed there. The Mela did very good bhajan and sang very good songs,
but inwardly they craved for money. Three of the party were full of avarice,
but the chief lady or mistress was of a very different nature. She had a regard
and love for Baba. Once it so happened, that when the noon-day Arati was going on,
Baba was much pleased with her faith and devotion, and was pleased to give her
darshan of her Ishtam (Beloved Deity). To her Baba appeared as Sitanath (Rama)
 while to all the others the usual Sainath. On seeing her beloved Deity, she was
very much moved. Tears began to flow from her eyes and she clapped her hands
in joy. The people began to wonder at her joyful mood; but were not able to guess
its cause. Late in the afternoon she disclosed everything to her husband. She told
him how she saw Shri Rama in Sai Baba. He thought that she was very simple and
devout, and her seeing Rama might be a hallucination of her mind. He poohpoohed
her, saying that it was not possible, that she alone should see Rama while they all
saw Sai Baba. She did not resent this remark, as she was fortunate enough to get
Ramadarshan now and then, when her mind was calm and composed and free
from avarice.

OM SAI RAM, SHRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM !!!

CHAPTER 30 - Part 1

Bow to the Kind Sai Who is the Abode of Mercy and Who is affectionate
towards His devotees. By His mere darshan, He does away with their fear
of this 'bhava' (samsar) and destroys their calamities. He was first Nirgun (formless),
but on account of the devotion of His Bhaktas, He was obliged to take a form. To give
liberation - self-realisation to the Bhaktas is the mission of the saints, and for Sai - the
Chief of them, that mission is inevitable. Those who take refuge in His Feet have all their
sins destroyed and their progress is certain. Remembering His Feet, Brahmins from holy
places come to Him and read scriptures and chant the Gayatri mantra in His presence.
We, who are weak and without any merits, do not know what Bhakti is but we know this
much, that though all others may leave us, Sai won't forsake us. Those whom He favours
get enormous strength, discrimination between the Unreal and the Real and knowledge.

Sai knows fully the desire of His devotees and fulfills the same. Hence they get what
they want and are grateful. So we invoke Him and prostrate ourselves before Him. Forgetting
all our faults let Him free us from all anxieties. He who being overcome with calamities
remembers and prays Sai thus, will get his mind calmed and pacified through His grace.

This Sai - the ocean of mercy, says Hemadpant, favoured him and the result of this, is the
present work - Sai-Satcharia. Otherwise what qualifications had he and who would undertake
this enterprise? But as Sai took all the responsibility, Hemadpant felt no burden, nor any care
about this. When the powerful Light of knowledge was there to inspire his speech and pen,
why should he entertain any doubt or feel any anxiety? Sai got the service in the form of this
book done by him; this is due to the accumulation of his merits in the past births and, therefore,
he thinks himself fortunate and blessed.

The following story is not a mere tale, but pure nectar. He who drinks it will realise Sai's
greatness and all-pervasiveness. Those who want to argue and criticise, should not go in
for these stories. What is wanted here, is not discussion but unlimited love and devotion.
Learned, devout and faithful believers or those, who consider themselves as servants of
the Saints, will like and appreciate these stories, others will take them to be fables. The
fortunate Bhaktas of Sai, will find the Sai-leelas as the Kalpataru (Wish-fulfilling Tree).
Drinking this nectar of Sai-leelas, will give liberation to the ignorant Jivas, satisfaction to
the house-holders and a sadhana to the aspirants. Now to the story of this Chapter.

OM SAI RAM, SHRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM !!!

CHAPTER 30 - Part 2

There lived in Vani, Nasik District, a man named Kakaji Vaidya.
He was the priest of the Goodness Sapta-Shringi there.
He was so much overwhelmed with adverse circumstances and
calamities that he lost peace of mind and became quite restless.
Under such circumstances one evening he went into the temple of
the Goodess and prayed unto Her from the bottom of his heart
and invoked Her aid to free him from anxeity. The Goddess was
pleased with his devotion and the same night appeared to him in his
dream and said to him, "You go to Baba and then your mind will become
calm and composed". Kakaji was anxious to know from Her who that
Baba was, but before he could get any explanation, he was awakened.
Then he began to think as to who might be that Baba, to whom the
Goodess has asked him to go. After some thinking, he resolved that
this Baba might be 'Tryambakeshwar' (Lord Shiva). So he went to the
holy place 'Tryambak' (Nasik District) and stayed there for ten days.

During this period, he bathed early in the morning, chanted the 'Rudra'
hymns, did the 'Abhishekam' (pouring unceasingly fresh cold water over
the Pindi) and did other religious rites; but with all that, he was as restless
as before. Then he returned to his place and again invoked the Goddess
most pitifully. They night She again appeared in his dream and said -
"Why did you go to Tryambakeshwar in vain?
I mean by Baba - Shri Sai Samarth of Shirdi."

The question before Kakaji now was 'How and when to go to Shirdi and how
to see Baba? If anybody is in real earnest to see a Saint, not only the Saint
but God also, fulfills his wish. In fact the 'Sant' (Saint) and the 'Anant' (God)
are one and the same; there is not the least difference between them. If
anybody thinks that he will go himself and see a Saint, that will be a mere
boast. Unless the Saint wills it, who is able to go and see him? Even the leaf
of the tree won't move without his bidding. The more anxious a Bhakta is for
the saint's visit, the more devout anf faithful he is, the more speedily and
effectively is his wish satisfied to his heart's content. He who invites anybody
for a visit, also arranges everything for his reception, and so it happened
with Kakaji.

OM SAI RAM, SHRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM !!!

CHAPTER 31 - Part 1

The last wish or thought that a man has at the hour of death,
determines his future course. Shri Krishna has said in Gita (VIII-5-6)
that "he who remembers Me in his last moments, comes verily to Me,
and he that meditates otherwise at that time goes to what he looks
for." We cannot be certain that we can entertain a particular good
thought at our last moment, for, more often than not, we are more
likely to be frightened and terrified by many causes. Hence constant
practice is necessary for enabling us to fix our mind on any desired
good thought at any or the last moment. All Saints, therefore,
recommended us to always remember God and chant His name always,
so that we may not be puzzled when the time for departure comes.
The devotees on their part surrender themselves completely to the
Saints, fully believing that the all-knowing Saints would guide and help
them in their last moments. A few such cases will be noted here.

OM SAI RAM, SHRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM !!!

CHAPTER 31 - Part 2

It is well-known that Baba took Dakshina from all, and out of the amount
thus collected, He spent a lot on charity and purchased fuel with the balance
left with Him. This fuel He threw in the Dhuni - the sacred fire, which he kept
ever burning. The ash from this fire was called Udi and it was freely distributed
to the devotees at the time of their departure from Shirdi.

What did Baba teach or hint by this Udi? Baba taught by His Udi that all the
visible phenomena in the universe are as transient as the ash. Our bodies composed
of wood or matter of the five elements, will fall down, after all their enjoyments
are over, and be reduced to ashes. In order to remind the devotees of the fact that
their bodies will be reduced to ashes, Baba distributed Udi to them. Baba also taught
by the Udi that the Brahman is the only Reality and the universe is ephemeral and
that no one in this world, be he a son, father or wife, is really ours. We come here
(in this world) alone and we have to go out alone. It was found and is even now found
out, that the Udi cured many physical and mental maladies, but Baba wanted to din
into the devotee's ears the principles of discrimination between the Unreal and the Real,
non-attachment for the Unreal, by His Udi and Dakshina. The former (Udi) taught us
discrimination and the latter (Dakshina) taught us non-attachment. Unless we have
these two things, it is not possible for us to cross over the sea of the mundane
existence. So Baba asked for and took Dakshina, and while the devotees took leave,
He gave Udi as Prasad, besmeared some of it on the Bhaktas' foreheads and placed
His boon-conferring hand on their heads. When Baba was in a cheerful mood, He used
to sing merrily. One such song was about Udi. The burden of the Udi song was this,
"Oh, playful Rama, come, come, and bring with you sacks of Udi." Baba used to sing in
very clear and sweet tones.

So much about the spiritual implication of Udi. It had also its material significance.
It conferred health, prosperity, freedom from anxiety, and many other worldly gains.
So the Udi has helped us to gain both our ends - material as well as spiritual.
We shall now begin with the stories about the Udi.

OM SAI RAM, SHRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM !!!

CHAPTER 32

In the beginning, Hemadpant describes the samsara (visible world)
by the allegory of Ashvattha (Banyan) tree which has, in the phraseology
of the Geeta, roots above and branches below. Its branches are spread
downwards and upwards and are nourished by the gunas (qualities),
and its sprouts are the objects of the senses. Its roots, leading to actions,
are extended downwards to this world of men. Its form cannot be known
in this world, nor its end, its beginning nor its support. Cutting this Ashvattha
tree of strong roots with the sharp weapon of non-attachment, one should
seek the path beyond, treading which there is no return.

For traversing this path, the help of a good guide (Guru) is absolutely
necessary. However learned a man may be, or however deep his study
of Vedas and Vedangas (sacred literature) may be, he cannot go to his
destination safely. If the guide be there to help him and show him the right
way, he would avoid the pitfalls and the wild beasts on the journey,
and everything will be smooth-sailing.

Baba's experience in this matter, the story which He gave out Himself,
is really wonderful, which, when attended to, will give you faith,
devotion and salvation.

OM SAI RAM, SHRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!

[ShAivI]

OM SAI RAM !!!

CHAPTER 32

Let us bow now before the great saints. Their merciful glances will
destroy mountains of sins and do away with all the evil taints of our
character. Their casual talk gives us good teachings and confers on
us imperishable happiness. Their minds do not know any difference
such as 'This is ours and that is yours.' Such differentiation never
arises in their minds. Their debts (obligations) will never be repaid
by us in this birth as well as in many future births.

It is well-known that Baba took Dakshina from all, and out of the
amount thus collected, He spent a lot on charity and purchased
fuel with the balance left with Him. This fuel He threw in the
Dhuni - the sacred fire, which he kept ever burning. The ash from
this fire was called Udi and it was freely distributed to the devotees
at the time of their departure from Shirdi.

What did Baba teach or hint by this Udi? Baba taught by His Udi that
all the visible phenomena in the universe are as transient as the ash.
Our bodies composed of wood or matter of the five elements, will fall
down, after all their enjoyments are over, and be reduced to ashes.
In order to remind the devotees of the fact that their bodies will be
reduced to ashes, Baba distributed Udi to them. Baba also taught by
the Udi that the Brahman is the only Reality and the universe is
ephemeral and that no one in this world, be he a son, father or wife,
is really ours. We come here (in this world) alone and we have to go
out alone. It was found and is even now found out, that the Udi cured
many physical and mental maladies, but Baba wanted to din into the
devotee's ears the principles of discrimination between the Unreal and
the Real, non-attachment for the Unreal, by His Udi and Dakshina. The
former (Udi) taught us discrimination and the latter (Dakshina) taught
us non-attachment. Unless we have these two things, it is not possible
for us to cross over the sea of the mundane existence. So Baba asked for
and took Dakshina, and while the devotees took leave, He gave Udi as
Prasad, besmeared some of it on the Bhaktas' foreheads and placed
His boon-conferring hand on their heads. When Baba was in a cheerful mood,
He used to sing merrily. One such song was about Udi. The burden of the
Udi song was this,"Oh, playful Rama, come, come, and bring with you sacks
of Udi." Baba used to sing in very clear and sweet tones.

So much about the spiritual implication of Udi. It had also its material
significance. It conferred health, prosperity, freedom from anxiety, and
many other worldly gains. So the Udi has helped us to gain both our
ends - material as well as spiritual. We shall now begin with the stories
about the Udi.

OM SAI RAM, SHRI SAI RAM, JAI JAI SAI RAM !!!