Surrender five – if you want Brahman
A rich man came to Baba with plenty of money in his pocket and very anxious to avoid the extra expenditure resulting from the cabman's demand for prolonged stay at Shirdi. He said to Baba, "Baba shows me God (Brahman). It is for this I come all this long way. People say that Shirdi Baba reveals Brahman quickly."
Baba: O, do not fear. Immediately and clearly I will show you. This is not a matter that can be put off. It is hard to get questioners seeking illumination like vou. Most people seek wealth, cure of disease or trouble, honour, position or perpetual pleasure and other earthly objects. None wants God. Oh, I long to see those, who long to see God. Now, Brahman is the root cause of the Universe: That which accounts for Solar and Planetary motions, variations of seasons, division of functions between God etc. One must know i.e. realise Brahman before death. Else there will be an ever recurring cycle of births and deaths. Realisation gives 'Kevala Advaita Sukham'. A Guru gives it and only a Guru can.
Baba then turned to some others and then sent a boy out with these words: "Go, tell Nandalal Marwadi, Baba urgently wants a hand-loan of Rs.5/- and bring the money." The boy went and found the Marwadi, absent. Baba sent more messages to absent men. The rich man was getting impatient at Baba's omission to give him Atmajnan or sight of God, more especially because delays would mean extra payment to the tongawalla whom he had engaged for the return journey also. He saw, of course, that Baba wanted Rs.5/- and he could stop the repeated requests of Baba for Rs.5/- by paying it out of the Rs.250 he had in his pocket; but he was oppressed with the fear that if he advanced the loan, it might prove irrecoverable.
Rich Man.: Will you help me to grasp Brahman?
Baba: You see what I have been doing all this while, is to enable you to see God-Even as you are now seated. Have you understood nothing? I want five. One must surrender the five to get at Brahman. One must surrunder i.e. Even the five senses (indriya) the five Pranas and manas, Buddhi, Ahankar (Mind, Intellect and Ego)-(all of which involve Vairagya i.e., detachment). The road to Brahma Jnana is hard to tread. All cannot tread it. When it dawns, there will be light. One who feels unattached to things terrestrial and celestial is alone; competent to have Brahmajnan.
The man found that Baba had read his strong Attachment to Rs.5/- which he considered more important than getting Brahmajnana Upadesa
