SRI SAI BABA'S GRACE
Dear Readers, We are all aware that Pujya Narasimha Swamiji brought Sai to the door steps of devotees who do not know Marathi through His books in English, articles in newspapers and meetings. May we have always His blessings. Sri Nagesh V Gunaji, author of Sri Sai Satcharitra in english really did yeoman service to english knowing people through that book. Otherwise we would not have known about Sai Baba. Let Us offer our Pranams to him. He himself had written his own experience of Sai Baba to the editor of Sai Sudha(July 1951) as narrated below:
"Some of my friends after reading Sri Sai Satcharitra (english) ask me what are my experiences of Sai Baba. I reply them that they are many, but what is the use of recounting them all? Take only one instance --- This Sai Satcharitra (english). I'm not a scholar of the english language and I never intended to write this book, but inspite of this, Sai Baba got it done by me--- how I have related in my prefix to that book. I do not want to repeat the same here.
Coming to a recent experience on Thursday,12-4-1951 at 8pm.I was returning home in Thalakwadi by the congress road with a friend. He crossed the Railway crossing gate in front of Venktesh Vilas Tea club and went towards his home in Thalakwadi east and I started straight to buy some Pedhas in a front sweetmeat shop for offering them as Naivedya to Sai Baba after Arathi as it was a Thursday. After going a few steps I noticed a motor car coming in front of me. To avoid its track I turned to one side (right) but to my great surprise, the motor driver turned his car in the same direction and brought it straight on me and threw me down. I was unconscious for a few seconds and then rose up. The passers by assembled near me and said that --- they thought I was gone and they were wonderstruck to see me rising and standing. I asked the motor driver why he turned his motor car towards me. He replied that he wanted to save some other passengers that were standing in front of his car before and so he gave the turn. Then I went to the sweetmeat shop, brought the pedas, went home and offered the same after waving the Arathi and then went to bed and I had Good sleep that night. Next morning I got my self examined by a doctor who said after examining me thoroughly that there was nothing wrong and everything was alright.
It was Sai Baba's grace that saved me from this accident and kept me hearty and hale with no injury of any sort.
Bow to Sri Sai
Peace be to all!!!
N.V.Gunaji"
Dear Readers, Baba always say if we serve Him, He will serve us. He further declared He always thinks of His devotees wherever they may be and run to their rescue in times of need.
IS SAIBABA LIVING AND HELPING NOW?
(Baba attends Puja on 28-2-1944)
Sai Baba declared that those who think that HE was at Shirdi did not understand Him. He further declared He did not require any conveyance to go anywhere. It is stated that in Chap 40 of SSC, when the devotees surrender themselves completely to Sadguru, He sees that the religious function in their houses are duly executed and comply with all the necessary formalities. Let us know from the narration given by Mrs.GS.Devi in Sai Sudha of May 1944 that the above statements are true to the word and letter:
HH BV Narasimha Swamiji, Founder President AISS visited Konakandla village in Ananthapur district of AP on 28-2-1944.He was taken in a procession, ofcourse with Sainath's photo with full honours to the residence of the Host, Sri Venkoba Rao.The person resembling a fakir with a dirty and torn cloth, bundle of rags on his head and old papers bundle in his hands accompanied them in the procession. He even took Arathi with Pujya Narasimha Swamiji,three persons observed him but thinking he is a mad man they ignored.Pujya Swamiji distributed thirtha, prasad to the devotees present. This fakir went to some other house and had his food. He came to Swamiji again and remarked "Are you meeting me tomorrow at Vajrakarur Mister?" This he asked in english (We know that Baba used to speak all languages including english from the statement of Shama to HH BV NarasimhaSwamy). Venkoba Rao felt the fakir was disturbing Pujya Swamiji and asked him to leave the place.
That night Mrs GS Devi had a dream in which she saw a 6 yr old known boy addressing her "Aunty, Aunty What is this sleep? Food without Ghee was served, I was driven out thinking I was a mad man by your brother, Did you notice?"
She was initially confused on hearing this but later caught hold of boy's feet and repented for what had happened. Sri Venkoba Rao was informed of this dream at the time of Thursday Puja. On hearing this he and his wife took a vow not to touch food till the fakir comes in the same fashion. On the second day evening at 8 pm "Baba" entered their house, Venkoba Rao without taking any chance fell on the fakir's feet. He offered hot milk and delicious food. Mrs Devi expressed her desire of writing Sri Sai Charitra and sought His blessings. He advised her to go to Shirdi for a reply. He advised Mr and Mrs Rao to have food as they didnot have anything for the past two days. Though He wanted to tell about some wordly problems they did not give any chance because again Maya would play her part. Later he took rest and left.
Dear readers, What a fine message Baba has conveyed through the above incidence. Let us call Him from the bottom of our heart and enjoy His bliss. He declared "I rest where there is full devotion".
SAINTS WORK IN UNISION
Though it is confirmed that Baba is neither a muslim nor a Hindu, devotees of yester years and today doubt Baba belongs to Islam by His external appearance. We have read in Sai Satcharitra He lived in a dilapitated Masjid christened 'Dwarakamai',He allowed Akhanda Dhuni, Akhanda Deep Bell, Tulsi Brindavan there. At the sametime He did not discourage mohamedans also to pray as per their custom. Before His Maha Samadhi, he removed His langoti and asked devotees present to judge whether He was a muslim or hindu. Even in Dhulia Magistrate court He declared His religion was 'Parvardhigar'(GOD).Strictly speaking He is above religion, region, cast, creed.
We know He gave darshan in the form of 'Ishta Devatha' or Guru to some devotees who were reluctant to seek His blessings. In the incident narrrated below another saint asked his devotee to do Sai puja (Sai Sudha,MArch'1944) :
" Sri V Swaminadha Iyer of Mayavaram arranged Sai puja on 6-2-1944 and for the purpose he requested Maruthur Santhana Ganapatigal(purohit) to come with four other vedic brahmins. ON his expressing inability he requested a local Sastrigal to come with four pandits for the puja. Though he consented the brahmins did not turn for the puja till 10 am. But the Sastrigal came only at 10.30 am and when questioned he said "the previous day, doubting that Baba is a muslim, I decided not to attend the puja, but on 6-2-44 at 5.30am Sri Kanchi Kama Koti Peetathipati Sankaracharya Swamigal appeared in my dream and directed me ,'You go to Mayavaram junction immediately and do my puja there, don't doubt'. Having heard this dream, i went out immediately and told all vedic pandits and came with four others for this puja this is the reason for my late coming. Out of ignorance i committed a mistake in doubting Baba's divinity. Certainly Baba is an Avatar and there cannot be any objection."
Dear readers, it is said that we are not supposed to know 'Nadi mulam' and 'Rishi Mulam' (origin of a river and a rishi) and try to keep ourselves away from the controversy of religion.
A SAMARTHA Vs GOD OF DEATH
Samartha Ramadas of Sajjanghad had a disciple by name Madhukar. One day he sent out for alms. He went to an astrologer's house and asked "Bhavathio Bikshan dehi" .The astrologer himself offered biksha and enquired the name and other particulars of the boy as per his professional nature. After some calculations he told Madhukar that would die on the next day. Madhukar went to ashram and developed high fever .The unpleasant words of the astrologers were ringing his ears. He narrated what all happened to the Samartha who assured nothing would happen to his life. Samartha covered his body with a woolen blanket and instructed madhukar to hold fast it under any circumstances. As Yama dhuthas failed Yama Himself came on His Buffallo. He too could not take his life. After recovery Madhukar went to the astrologer’s house and shouted "Is there any one in this universe who can harm a servant of Samarth Ramdas" .The astrologer heard a voice but could not believe his ears. He wondered how did his prediction go wrong. Having under stood the situation he realised the greatness of Samrtha Ramadas. He went to Him who advised "from now onwards never frighten any one by telling their time of death instead use our knowledge for better purposes" Brothern, astrological prediction, suffering on account of past karmas or anything which is not possible to overcome thro human effort a Samartha can do. Let us always crave for the grace of Samartha Sadguru. Nowadays there is no dearth of gurus. Let us seek Baba's guidance thro Sai Satchrithra regarding qualifications of a Samarth sadguru and act. In the year 1918 one Gulveshshastri went to shirdi for doing gangajal abhishek to Sai Baba . Later Shastri sought Baba's permission to go to Sajjanjghad on Ramanavami day. Baba said "I am there as well as here"when Sastri went to Sajjanghad to his surprise he saw Sai in physical form and did charan seva for a while before Baba disappeared. Brothers how fortunate we are we have some connection with Sainath and Shirdi .Let us perpetuate and make proper use of our contact with Sai. Let us glorify Sai and His leelas and receive His Grace.
JAI JAI RAGHUVEER SAMARTH JAI JAI SAI SAMRTH
OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI
OM SRI SAI SARVA MANGALA KARAYA NAMAHA
Lord Sainath helps devotees in discharging there social and moral obligations by doing good and auspicious (Mangala) things. The incident narrated below prove this. Pl note how Baba helped parents to perform their children’s' marriages.
One Mr.V.N Chary of Madras was worried and vexed about his sixth daughter's marriage. One day in March,1954 while he was sleeping, he heard the words "Go to Kanjivaram". Immediately he got up and did Sai Puja. He went to Kanjivaram and performed puja to Lord Varada Raja Perumal and came out. Suddenly a stranger came to him and asked the purpose of his visit. Chary replied he came for selecting a boy for his 6th daughter. Then the stranger directed Chary to a house where a beautiful and nice boy from Kirki was staying .Chary selected that boy and performed marriage. The stranger must be Lord Sainath as Chary was His devotee.
Sona Bhai of Chennai was worried about her son's marriage. Having tried and failed in selecting a girl, she took a vow that she would not touch the mango fruit till the marriage was over. She wanted to offer 12 fruits to Baba and distribute to devotees before she ate. On the advice of devotee friends, she started reading Dabholkar's Sai Satcharitra. One day in June,1954 Baba appeared in her dream and asked "You promised me to give 12 mangai (unripe mangoes),where are they?" So saying Baba disappeared. She wondered why and how Baba demanded mangoes without fulfilling her desire. But her daughter advised her to offer mangoes to Baba and distribute, leaving the result to Baba. She was continuing her Satcharitra Parayana and completed 3/4th by 1954. An allaince came and the marriage was also performed.
OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI !!
DESTROY THE TELI'S WALL
Anna Saheb Dabholkar,author of Sri Sai Satcharitra advised the devotees to dive deep and pick out the precious gems from the book. In chapter 35th, we are taught to destroy teli's wall (sense of difference) so that we can see Baba face to face. In Baba's words "pull down that wall of the 'teli' the wall of separateness between you and me. The way will then be wide open for us to meet each other."
We know there is no physical wall separating us from Baba, we should mould our mind, heart and body in such a way that we are one with Him.
Some hints for self checking:
1. Are we seeing Baba in all creatures?
2. Are we paying dakshina of 'Shraddha' and 'Saburi' to Him?
3. "If one ever meditates on Me, repeats My Name, sings My Name and is thus transformed into Me, one's karma is destroyed. I
stay by His side" Are we doing?
4. "I am dependent on Him who thinks and hungers after Me and who does not eat anything without first offering it to Me." Is SAI dependent on us?
5. Do we feel that our body is His service at His will and not our will and convenience?
6. From the bottom of our hearts, do we love Baba more than anybody else?
7. Are we reading Satcharitra as a matter of routine or trying to become "Satcharitramrutam" ourselves?
8. Are we exploiting innocent devotees for our name and fame by projecting ourselves instead of Baba, STORE HOUSE of all power?
Brethren, these questions are not intended for any specific person. It is only for our self analysis (including myself). Unless our false ego is annihilated, there may not be any chance to demolish the "teli's wall".
(NOTE: Mrs Indira Kher,in the footnote of chap 35 clarified teli is the oil man. Baba often used the words 'teli' and 'vani' as symbolic of undesirable tendency. Oil is sticky and soft and is considered to be a symbol of the love of wordly life)
DOES SAINATH REQUIRE BATH?
It is our experience that we do not get bad odour from a genuine saint's body because of His food habits, purit of soul and heart and constant contact with Paramatma. We read in books that Baba used to take bath at will and not regularly. Ofcourse, there is no evidence that He had taken 'rose water' bath. If anybody reminded Him regarding bath, He used to say that He had just then taken bath in river Ganges. We sing in Harathi "KASI SNANA JAPA,PRATI DIVASI"
Baba used to clean intestines and dry them on a tree before putting back into His body. He even used to separate limbs. Everyday He used to wash His face, mouth, hands, egs with plenty of water.
On a Sivarathri day, egha a close devotee, anted to do Abhishek to Saieswar with Gangajal and brought water from river Godavari. Though Baba was asking him to put water on His head, in his over enthusiasm he poured water on Baba's head and body. To the surprise of all, Baba's kufni was dry. Then Baba told "Hey! you know ganga flows out of Lord Siva's head without touching His body" (What a marvellous truth Sai is Siva is revealed)
Once Sai Baba asked Master Tarkhad to accompany Him to Lendi Baugh to wash His kufni and dry without touching the ground. Baba entered the bathroom covered with tins and the boy was waiting for the kufni. Having waited for sufficiently reasonable time outside the bathroom, the boy peeped into the room and found Sai Baba's body was emanating rays of light from each and every pore of His body. Then Baba gave His kufni for washing. The boy washed and was holding in his hands for drying(let us note the condition that the kufni should not touch the ground).Instead of loosing wait with the passage of time the kufni became heavier and the boy had to pray to Lord Hanuman for strength so that he would pass Baba's test.Baba asked "Oh Boy! why are you seeking Hanuman's strength?" with this words of Baba, the kufni lost it's weight.
Dear brethren, Is it necessary for Sai who is Eswara to have regular bath as we do? Are we not aware that Baba had Sun and Moon bath and also Rain bath under the Neem tree. Let us pray and Have bath of His Grace.
OM SAI SRI SAI JAYA JAYA SAI
A Temple Built in a Pure Heart is the Permanent Seat of God !!!
Dil Se....Rohit Behal
Topic: COLLECTION OF SAIBABA ARTICLES 1 (Read 1958 times)