To Achieve Life’s Objective - Follow what you have studied

To Achieve Life's Objective - Follow what you have studied

 

 

"I, you, God, truth, in the same way Maruti, Vittoba of Pandarpur, Mahalsapati, Kashinath, Adkar, Sathe, Haripant, Kaka, Thatya, Ganesh Bere, Venu, Balachandra- all are God's forms. That is why we should not hate anyone. God lives in all beings. Do not forget this. The feeling of universal love will spring in the heart on its own. Once that feeling prevails in the heart one can achieve everything. Till such time one should try to keep his mind steady under control".

 

"As the fly revolves around the fire and goes away; so does the mind go everywhere but runs away on seeking Brahman. Unless we concentrate the mind on Brahman we cannot escape the cycle of births and deaths. Narayana, we must first escape from all this. We can have no better opportunity to do this than this birth in human form. This birth as a human presents us with an invaluable chance. The worship of God with form (murti puja) has been started to help us concentrate the mind."

 

"One should worship the statue or representation of God with the firm feeling that God is residing in it. By doing worship of the murti with devotion and faith one achieves concentration of the mind. Without concentration, the mind does not get stilled. So one should do worship, study spiritual texts, remember what one has studied and meditation. One should try to follow what one has studied or one has heard from the saints. Spiritual learning is the foremost of all learning. As the five-headed Shiva is the foremost in knowledge, as the Meru mountain, is the foremost among the mountains, in the same way liberation (mukti) comes by itself to one who has realized his self. The almighty God will become his servitor. The steps leading to the realization of self are most difficult. However, this is the easiest way to achieve Moksha. Let me explain this in even more detail. You, Maruti, Haripant, Bere, Kaka, Thatya and the others are all following this path. Surrender whole heartedly to God keeping in mind what I have told you and Nimonkar earlier. Visit and have the darshan of mahatmas frequently. One should follow the moral way of life punctiliously and do only those actions which brings merit. By such conduct your heart will be pure at the end of your time. Do not be deluded at your end by increasing your love or being infatuated by any person or object. Call upon God with a mind stilled in concentration.

 

Meditate upon your Ista. By such meditation, you will achieve samipya mukti at the end. Recently a lady called Bannu had left her body and achieved this state in Bodhegaon. In the same way Adkar and Venu will also achieve mukti". Baba concluded his discourse and kept his right hand on Chandorkar's head in benediction. Chandorkar was overcome with happiness. He prostrated and with his hands folded in reverence said, "Baba, Oh siddha of siddhas! Mountain of mercy! Thou art the father and mother and everything to me. Oh manifestation of the perfect eternal Brahman! Oh the receptacle of all auspiciousness in this world! Oh thou most munificent one! Oh thou who would enable us to cross this dangerous ocean of worldliness! Thou hast taught me the divine knowledge and hast taken me, an ignoramus, forward towards salvation! May your kind grace fall on us thus forever." Baba said firmly, "I will never let my devotee fall from grace. You need have no doubt about this. This is my promise. May the all merciful Allah-i-llahi bless you".

 

Dear listeners! The devotees prostrated at Baba's feet in devotion remembering Baba's infinite greatness in their minds. Their devotion is so great that we are not even equal to the dust of the dust of their feet. Baba is the mother and father of us orphans. He has incarnated in this world with the mission of leading us forward towards salvation. Baba and his devotees met today in that Maharaj's royal court. Baba has cooked with his own hands the delicious dishes of devotion, knowledge and dispassion to serve to his devotees. Let us all partake freely of that meal. Eat to your heart's content taking what you will. Enough, for now. Let us repair to that great saint - Sri Sai Baba. Let us wait like dogs at his door sill for the crumbs of knowledge from his table. We would achieve salvation if we can get even a single crumb from him. Our life would not have been spent in vain. Come, we may not get such a chance again. The merit of a thousand yajnas is obtainable here.

 

May all those who reverently read this chapter; or those who listen to it with concentration even once; achieve salvation. The history of that great saint Sri Sai Baba given in the three chapters of 'Bhakta leelamrit' is like the three holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.  Come, gain the merit of bathing in the holy confluence of the three rivers by immersing yourself in the holy teaching of Baba given in these three chapters. May all weal be to you.

 

This is the end of 33rd chapter of 'Bhakta Leelamrit' written by Das Ganu Maharaj.

 

(SRI SAIGURUCHARITRA - by devotee Ganpatrao Dattatreya Sahasra-buddhebetter known as Das Ganu Maharaj)

Experiences of the Tarkhad Family with Shirdi Sai Baba 09 of 21 - Resurrection of a dead body

Experiences of the Tarkhad Family with Shirdi Sai Baba  09 of 21 - Resurrection of a dead body

Author: Virendra Jyotindra Tarkhad

 

Resurrection of a dead body

I am very certain that many of Sai Baba's devotees must have come across such spiritual experiences and as a result Baba's name & fame spread all over the continents. I came across one Ms. Bhakuni who was attached to Shri Sai Mandir at Chattarpur near New Delhi. She was doing her Ph D in literature and the subject she had selected was Sai Baba. She has done a lot of research work on Baba. Their trust is publishing a quarterly magazine in Hindi and it is quite educative. Of course during Baba's lifetime his message was spread over Mumbai and Maharashtra by mainly none other than Dasganu Maharaj. Baba used to address him as "Ganya". Dasganu Maharaj used to perform "Kirtans" through which he used to impress upon people the Leela's of Baba and also used to spread his message to the masses.

Once during Dasganu's stay in Shirdi he was called upon to give a performance in a village near Shirdi. Dasganu Maharaj used to keep Baba's Photo on a stool and used to garland the same before he began his Kirtan. Of course when conducted near Shirdi he used to take Baba's Blessings before proceeding. One afternoon he came to Dwarkamai and informed Baba that in the evening he would proceed to perform the Kirtan in a nearby village and hence he needed Baba's blessings. Baba told him that he was free to go but requested him to take Bhau (my father) along with him.

Dasganu said that he had no objection in taking along my father but he would not like to deprive him of his ritual of lighting lamps in Dwakamai in the evening. Hearing this Baba said that he need not worry about Dwakamai Lamps as somebody else would attend to that task, but insisted that Dasganu should take Bhau along with him. Both Dasganu and my father (who was present there) understood that this was Baba's order. Then as per the agreed time they left in the evening for that village, which was around 7 to 8 km away. In those days there was no transportation facility like today so they had to go by walking. By the time they reached the village the sun had already set they unfolded the mats on the ground, kept the stool with Baba's photograph on it and garlanded the same. They lighted the Petromax lamps & hung at Four Comers. Villagers had gathered and Dasganu Maharaj began his Kirtan. After about an hour when night had already set in they encountered trouble.

Around 7 to 8 people who were very dark complexioned possible from Bhil tribe came over there. They were carrying a dead body over their shoulders and were on the way to cemetery to perform the last rights. Their leader straight came to Dasganu Maharaj and threatened him. He inquired about the photograph on the stool. Dasganu explained politely stating that the photograph is of Sai Baba: who was stationed at Shirdi and he worshiped him as his Guru as well as his Deity. He went on to state that Sai Baba gave medicines to poor people and relieves them from their agony. He was performing the Kirtan, which would bring happiness to the villagers. Then that Bhil leader told his people to keep the bier down and he addressed Dasganu stating that if his Deity is mighty, then it should be possible for the Deity to bring back life into that dead body. He challenged him to do so otherwise he would kill him and his troupe. Dasganu was very scared and he approached my father seeking for his advice.

My father had realized that this could be probably Baba's creation and they should plead to him only and invoke his mercy to come to their rescue. He suggested to Dasganu to perform his famous Kirtan "SAI RAHAM NAZAR KARNA BACHHON KA PALAN KARANA" and leave it to Sai to decide the rest. Then Dasganu began his popular Kirtan and he got so much engrossed in it that my father had never seen him in that state ever before. He was literally dancing and all the villagers were positively responding to him. My father was rather keeping a watch on that dead body. About an hour must have passed and something unprecedented happened. The life had returned to the dead body. It broke open all the strings tied around him and sat on the bier and started clapping and joined the Kirtan along with the rest. My father was overjoyed to see that He got up from his place and went to Dasganu who was no more himself because he was in a trance. My father caught him with his both hands and told him to stop the Kirtan. Baba had saved them from fear of loosing their own lives. The Kirtan stopped. Those Bhils got up. They helped that dead body (which was no more dead then) to stand on his own feet. They told him to bow to Dasganu and then made all detailed inquiry about Baba and promised to visit Shirdi for his Darshan.

Next day when Dasganu and my father went to Dwarkamai Baba said, Hey Ganya, good that my Bhau was there with you yesterday, otherwise who would have saved you from the wrath of the Bhils?" and hearing this both of them told Baba that it was all his creation and they are totally dependant on him in situations like that and he should continue to shower his mercy and blessings upon them.

Dear readers here you may have all kinds of doubts. I can only plead you to please believe this. What is important is Baba knew in advance what is going to happen during the Kirtan or may be it was all his creation to imbibe confidence in Dasganu. Baba knows best how to pull people towards him and this will continue to happen. We must keep our strong faith in him.

 

Shri Sai Satcharitra Parayana – Chapter – 32 Assigned for February 29, 2016

Shri Sai Satcharitra Parayana –

Chapter – 32 Assigned for February 29, 2016

In Quest of Guru and God – Fasting Disapproved.

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Chapter XXXII

In Quest of Guru and God – Fasting Disapproved.

In this Chapter Hemadpant describes two things:- (1) How Baba met His Guru in the woods, and through him God; and (2) How Baba made one Mrs. Ghokhale, who had made up her mind to fast for three days, eat Puran-Polis.

Preliminary

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.

The Quest

Once four of us were studying religious scriptures and other books and, being thus enlightened, we began to discuss the nature of the Brahman. One of us said that we should raise the self by the Self and not depend on others. To this the second replied that he who controls his mind is blessed; we should be free from thoughts and ideas and there is nothing in the world without us. The third said that the world (phenomenon) is always changing, the formless is eternal; so we should discriminate between the Unreal and the Real. And the fourth (Baba Himself) urged that bookish knowledge is worthless and added, "Let us do our prescribed duty and surrender our body, mind and five pranas (life) to the Guru's feet. Guru is God, all pervading. To get this conviction, strong unbounded faith is necessary."

Discussing in this wise, we four learned men began to ramble through the woods in the quest of God. The three wanted to make the quest with their free and unaided intellect. On the way a Vanjari (a man who trades in certain things, such as grain etc. by carrying them on bullock) met us and asked us, "It is hot now, where and how far are you going?". "To search the woods", we replied. He enquired, "On what quest are you bound?" We gave him an ambiguous and evasive reply. Seeing us rambling aimlessly, he was moved and said, "Without knowing the woods fully, you should not wander at random. If you want to walk through forests and jungles, you should take a guide with you. Why do you exert youselves unnecessarily at this sultry noon-time? You may not give out to me your secret quest; still you can sit down, eat bread, drink water, take rest and then go. Be always patient at heart." Though he spoke so tenderly, we discarded his request and marched on. We thought that we were self-contained men and needed nobody's help. The woods were vast and trackless, the trees therein grew so close and tall, that the sun's rays could not penetrate through them; so we lost our way and wandered here and there for a long time. Ultimately through sheer good luck, we came back to the place from were we started. The Vanjari met us again and said, "Relying on your own cleverness you missed your way; a guide is always necessary to show us the right way in small or great matters; and no quest can be successfully carried out on an empty stomach. Unless God wills it, no one meets us on the way. Do not discard offers of food; served dish should not be thrust away. Offers of bread and food should be regarded as auspicious signs of success." Saying this he again offered us food and asked us to be calm and patient. Again we did not like this good hospitality and discarded his offer and went away. Without doing any quest and without taking any food, the three began to move out. So obstinate were they. I was hungry and thirsty and I was moved with the Vanjari's extraordinary love; we thought ourselves very learned but were quite strangers to pity and kindness. The Vanjari was a quite illiterate and unqualified fellow and belonged to a low caste. Still he had love in his heart and asked us to eat the bread. In this way he who loves others disinterestedly is really enlightened and I thought acceptance of his hospitality was the best beginning of getting knowledge. So very respectfully I accepted the loaf of bread offered, ate it and drank water.

Then to! The Guru at once came and stood before us, "What was the dispute about?" He asked and I told him everything that had happened. Then he said, "Would you like to come with me? I will show you what you want; but he alone, who believes in what I say, will be successful." The others did not agree to what he said and left him; but I bowed to him reverently and accepted his dictum. Then he took me to a well, tied my feet with a rope and hung me – head downwards and feet up – from a tree near the well. I was suspended three feet above the water, which I could not reach with My hands, nor which could go into my mouth. Suspending me in this manner he went away, no one knew where. After 10 or 12 ghatakas (4 or 5 hours) he returned and taking me out quickly asked me how I fared. "In Bliss supreme, I was. How can a fool like me describe the joy I experienced?" I replied. On hearing my answer the Guru was much pleased with me, drew me near him and stroking my body with his hand kept me with him. He took care of me as tenderly as a mother-bird does of her young ones. He put me into his school; how beautiful it was! There I forgot my parents, all my attachment was snapped and I was liberated easily. I thought that I should embrace his neck and remain staring at him always. If his image were not fixed in my pupils, I would like better to be blind. Such was the school! No one, who entered it once, could return empty-handed. My Guru became my all-in-all, my home and property, mother and father, everything. All my senses left their places and concentrated themselves in my eyes, and my sight was centred on him. Thus was my Guru, the sole object of my meditation and I was conscious of none else. While meditating on him my mind and intellect were stunned and I had thus to keep quiet and bow to him in silence.

There are other schools where you see an altogether different spectacle. The disciples go there to seek knowledge and spend their money, time and labour; but ultimately they have to repent. The Guru there boasts of his secret knowledge and his straight-forwardness. He makes a show of his sacredness and holiness, but he is not tender at heart. He speaks a lot and sings his own glory; but his own words do not touch the disciples' hearts and they are not convinced. So far as Self-realization is concerned, he has none. How can such schools be of any use to the disciples and how can they be benefited? The master (Guru) mentioned above was of different type. By his grace, realization flashed upon me of itself, without effort or study. I had not to seek anything, but everything became clear to me as broad day-light. The Guru alone knows how the topsy-turvy Suspension, 'with head down and feet up' can give happiness!

Among the four, one was a Karmatha (Ritualistic) who only knew how to observe, and abstain from, certain rites; the second was a Jnani, who was puffed up with pride of knowledge and the third was a Bhakta who surrendered himself completely to God, believing that he was the sole Doer. When they were discussing and arguing, the question of God turned up, and they, depending on their unaided knowledge, went in search of Him. Sai, who was Discrimination and Dispassion incarnate, was one of the four. Being Himself Brahman Incarnate, some may ask, "Why did He mix with them and act foolishly?" He did this for attaining the good of the public, and setting them an example to follow. Though an incarnation Himself, He respected a low Vanjari, by accpeting his food with the firm belief that "Food is Brahman" and showed how those who rejected Vanjari's hospitable offer suffered and how it was impossible to get Jnana without a Guru. The Shruti (Taittiriya Upanishad) exhorts us to honour and worship mother, father and preceptor, and to study (learn and teach) the sacred scriptures. These are the means of purifying our minds and unless this purification is effected, self-realization is not possible. Neither the senses, nor the mind and intellect reach the Self. Modes of proof, such as Perception and Inference will not help us in the matter. It is the grace of the Guru that counts. The objects of our life such as Dharma, Artha and Kama are attainable with our effort, but the fourth object, Moksha (liberation) can only he had with the help of the Guru.

In the Darbar of Shri Sai, many personalities appear and play their part; astrologers come and give out their predicitions; princes, noblemen, ordinary and poor men, Sannyasis, Yogis songsters and others come for darshan. Even a mahar comes and, making a Johar (his salutation), says this Sai is the Mai-Baap (True parents), Who will do away with our rounds of births and deaths. So many others such as Jugglers, Gondhalis, the blind and the lame, Nath-panthis, dancers and other players come and are given suitable reception. Biding his own time, the Vanjari also appeared, and played the part assigned to him. Let us now revert to the other story.

Fasting and Mrs. Gokhale

Baba never fasted Himself, nor did He allow others to do so. The mind of the faster is never at ease, then how could he attain his Paramartha (goal of life)? God is not attained on an empty stomach; first the soul has to be appeased. If there is no moisture of food in the stomach and nutrition, with what eyes should we see God, with what tongue should we describe His greatness and with what ears should we hear the same? In short, when all our organs get their proper nutrition and are sound, we can practise devotion and other sadhanas to attain God. Therefore, neither fasting nor overeating is good. Moderation in diet is really wholesome both to the body and mind.

One Mrs. Gokhale came to Shirdi with an introductory letter from Mrs. Kashibai Kanitkar (a devotee of Baba) to Dada Kelkar. She came to Baba with a determination to sit at Baba's Feet observing a three days fast. The day previous, Baba said to Dada Kelkar, that He would not allow his children to starve during the Shimga, i.e., Holi holidays, and that if they had to starve, why was He there? Next day when the woman went with Dada Kelkar and sat at Baba's Feet, Baba at once said to her, "Where is the necessity of fasting? Go to Dadabhat's house, prepare the dish of Puran POlis (wheat rotis with gram-flour and jaggery), feed his children and yourself too." Shimga holidays were on. Mrs. Kelkar was then in her menses and there was nobody to cook in Dadabhat's house. So Baba's advice was very timely. Then Mrs. Gokhale had to go to Dadabhat's house and prepare the dish as directed. She cooked that day, fed others and herself. What a good story and how beautiful its import!

Baba's Sircar

Baba gave a story of his boyhood as follows:- "When I was a youngester, I was in search of bread and went to Beedgaum. There I got embroidery work. I worked hard, sparing no pains. The employer was very much pleased with Me. Three other boys worked before Me. The first got Rs. 50/- the second Rs. 100/- and the third Rs. 150/-. And I was given twice the whole of this amount, viz. Rs. 600/-. After seeing my cleverness, the employer loved me, praised me and honoured me with a full dress, a turban for the head and a shell a for the body, etc. I kept this dress intact withoutusing it. I thought that what a man might give does not last long and it is always imperfect. But what My Sircar (God) gives, lasts to the end of time. No other gift from any man can be compared to His. My Sircar says "Take, take," but everybody comes to me and says 'Give, give.' Nobody attends carefully to the meaning of what I say. My Sircar's treasury (spiritual wealth) is full, it is overflowing. I say, "Dig out and take away this wealth in cartloads, the blessed son of a true mother should fill himself with this wealth. The skill of my Fakir, the Leela of my Bhagwan, the aptitude of my Sircar is quite unique. What about Me? Body (earth) will mix with earth, breath with air. This time won't come again. I go somewhere, sit somewhere; the hard Maya troubles Me much, still I feel always anxiety for My men. He who does anything (spiritual endeavour) will reap its fruit and he who remembers these words of Mine will get invaluable happiness."

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all