Once, Baba posed a question to Nana, “Which is one of the Shadripu (six vices of human nature) is easier to conquer ?” Nanasaheb replied, “Very difficult to answer that question.” Baba said, “It is jealousy ! It means not being able to digest the progress of others. It is very easy to win over jealousy. Because, by being jealous, we neither gain nor lose. A person earns wealth and well-being because of his good deeds. Therefore, if someone prospers, it is due to his good deeds and what do we lose ? And so, one must win over the bad quality of being jealous.”
Nanasaheb prostrated before Baba and agreed, “From today, I will try not to be jealous.”
A few months passed after the above incident and Nanasaheb arrived in Shirdi. As he was sitting near Baba’s Feet, Baba said, “Nana, I am going to impart the second lesson. A person may ask you for something. If you are capable of providing it, then never say ‘No’. If you do not wish to give the thing or not capable of giving it, convey your ‘No’ politely and in nice words. Never ever try to make fun of the person or insult him. Don’t also show your superiority. Be true to your words !”
In fact, earlier a misdeed had been committed at the hands of Nanasaheb which prompted Baba to give him the above advice. On the road from Kopargaon to Shirdi there is temple of Shri Gurudev Datta on the banks of the River Godavari. The temple priest - who was very Sattvik and pious - stayed nearby. While on the way to or from Shirdi, it was the practice of Nanasaheb to avail Darshan of the Almighty and also chitchat with the priest.
After the two were rather close to each other, the priest gently prodded Nana by saying that, “I feel that a Ghat should be built on the river. It will beautify the temple and also provide a long needed facility for the local people to wash clothes, take bath etc.”
The priest knew was from a well-to-do family, drew a substantial salary and also very much devout. Further, being the secretary to the collector he wielded sufficient powers in the matter. If he resolves, he could mobilize the necessary funds and add a handsome contribution of his own. So thinking, the priest had diplomatically broached upon the subject. However, Nanasaheb realized that the project would cost thousands of rupees and hence, did not give his concurrence.
The priest would remind Nanasaheb about the matter every time Nana visited the temple. Ultimately, Nanasaheb made his mind clear to the priest and said, “The Ghat - that you have in mind - will cost thousands of rupees. And, I will not be able to raise the amount. However, if you insist, I can think of constructing the 10-12 steps which lead to the temple. It will cost about rupees three hundred and I can bear the expenses.”
The priest was satisfied that at least a good beginning had been made.
After a few weeks thereafter, Nanasaheb set on to visit Shirdi by the night train along with husband of his sister-in-law Shri Biniwale. After reaching Kopargaon in the morning, he realized that, “If I go for Datta’s Darshan, then the priest will once again ask for money. It will be difficult to say ‘no’ to him. But, I have so far not even started collecting for the amount.”
In fact, Biniwale was keen on having Datta’s Darshan. But, Nanasaheb preferred to take a different route just to dodge the priest. The route was full of thorns and thickets. It was early morning and hence, the light was insufficient. En route, they suffered a lot and started bleeding because of the thorns. Ultimately, somehow they managed to reach Shirdi. On reaching, they went for Baba’s Darshan and waited to hear His Amrutvani.
It was Baba’s usual practice to ask questions like how was your journey, who all have come etc. However, Baba did not ask them anything and on the contrary, He rather completely ignored them.
Nana realized that he must have committed some misdeed; but he was unable to find, what it was. They waited for some time to catch Baba’s eye and ultimately returned to the Wada. The question “Why Baba did not speak to me even a word ?” needled him continuously. He was very much dejected. He felt, “If Baba is not going to talk to me, what is the point in coming to Shirdi ?” He once again eagerly went near Baba with great expectations. But, once again he was disappointed. Ultimately, he could not stop himself and asked Baba the reason for His anger. Then Baba clarified, “You promised me to learn your lessons by heart and did not do so. Why should I talk to such a person ? Are Nana, just because of the fear that the Bua (priest) will ask you for the 300 rupees, you not only chose to take a different route; but you even avoided taking the Darshan of Sarkar (Gurudev Datta). What kind of behaviour is this ? If you had not been able to raise the fund, it would have sufficed, if you had told the truth to the priest. The Bua would not have swallowed you. Even after taking an unfamiliar rout and succeeding in dodging the Bua, your feet were pricked by thorns isn’t it ? After spending so many years with me, is this what you learnt ?”
Several days passed after the above incident. One day, Baba said, “Nana, some time back I had imparted a lesson. I am repeating it now. If someone asks you for something, then give whatever you can give as per your own ability and desire. If the person is not satisfied with what he has received, then politely decline to give more. But, don’t get angry with him. Don’t show off your status or wealth. Will you remember this lesson or forget it once again ?” Nana replied, “Baba, I agree that I forgot the lesson once. But, that does not mean I will forget it again.” Baba said, “The lesson appears to be simple; but it is difficult to follow in real life.” Nana assured, “Even then, I will try to remember it with utmost sincerity.” Baba laughed and said, “Let us see !”
It was Baba’s practice to keep a close watch on the disciple and observe whether he adheres to the lesson.
At that time, Nanasaheb had come to stay in his Wada at Kalyan. His wife Sou. Aaisaheb (whom Baba referred as ‘Aai’ ) had prepared a earthen pot full of Bhajani (baked mixture of different kinds of pulses). Just then a beggar woman appeared there. Family members gave her some Bhiksha. But, she demanded that she be given that Bhajani ! Aaisaheb told the servants, “If she wants Bhajani, then give her some.” But, the beggar woman would not be satisfied. She demanded more. Some more was served. She wanted further more ! Aaisaheb got irritated and said, “How much more ? There are kids in the house. I must keep something for them also. I have given you so much and even then you want more ?”
Even after that, the beggar woman did not budge an inch. Aaisaheb went to the first floor of the house. Nanasaheb was engrossed in reading something. She narrated the story and requested him to come down.
Seeing the behaviour and arrogance of the beggar woman, Nanasaheb was livid. He shouted, “Tell her to take what is given to her and go away. If she doesn’t listen, call the police and physically drive her out.” The beggar woman said, ‘‘Saheb, if you don’t want to give, don’t give. But, there is no need to threaten me with police. I will go away myself.” And, she went away.
After this incident, Nanasaheb went for his periodical pilgrimage to Shirdi. But, Baba refused to talk to him. Nanasaheb waited for a long time for Baba to talk to him. Ultimately, he was unable to bear Baba’s Moun (vow of not speaking) and said, “Baba, You have not spoken a single word to me since I came. What is the matter ?”
“Someone told me that I will learn the lesson - that I had imparted – by heart and does not do so. Why I should talk to such a person ?” Baba repeated His utterances of the earlier incident. Nana replied, ‘‘No Baba. I try my best to adhere to Your teachings. I am unable to recollect any incident, where I have behaved against Your advice.”
“Then, why did you made a show of your high position ? Where was the necessity to threaten that beggar woman that you will ask the police to physically throw her out ? If you had not given her any more Bhajani, what could she have done ? She would have at the most sat down, waited a while and then gone away. But, instead of telling her ‘No’ in good polite words, you went to the extent of throwing around your high position and threatening to get her bodily evicted with the help of police.” So saying, Baba further added in His soft voice, “Are, we must consider ourselves to be the servants of this whole world. If you do that, then there is no scope for getting angry at any one. Further, think that, whatever you are offering, you are offering to me.”
Initially, Nana could not understand, what Baba was saying; because a period of about 5-6 months had passed after the beggar woman’s incident. Also, he could never imagine that, Baba would come in the guise of a beggar woman and take his test.
After considering all this, Nana realized his mistake. It also dwelt upon him that, Baba was observing all his actions. Not only that, Baba was had complete control over his body and soul.
In short, Baba wanted to impress upon Nana the fact that after one lays down his Chitta-vrutti at the Feet of the Bhagavant, then there is no Aasakti (longing) for any thing.
Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai.
OmKar
Topic: Real Experience of devotees (Read 5832 times)