Sai Baba the Master by E.Bharadwaja

[Guest guest]

The Hindus worshipped Sri Sai Baba with all their rituals as observed in

the Hindu temples. Sandal paste was applied to Baba’s forehead, chest,

hands and feet. Kumkum, with rice was similarly applied. The toes of his

feet were washed and the water was partaken as sacred teertha (holy

water). The arthi was performed at noon with all the din and paraphernalia

of worship as in a Hindu temple. Bells were rung. Sacred lamp with its

five lights was waved before him, cymbals clashed, the big drum sounded,

the huge bell in the compound sent its notes for miles and miles around

and hundreds of devotees recited in perfect union the words of the arti

and the sacred Sanskrit hymns. The Moslems present there enjoyed all this

and freely partook of the offerings distributed by the Hindu bhaktas

(devotees).

This wonderful place was called Dwarakamai by Sri Sai Baba and he was

heard many a time saying that whoever stepped into this Dwarakamai had his

future assured.

It would thus be seen that this wonderful place, owing to the presence of

the sacred fire, was a temple to the most orthodox Hindu and Parsee; and

owing to the niche, it was a musjid (mosque) to the Moslem; and to the

Christian it was a church where the bells announce prayers. So in this

unique place all the principal creeds were united and the common worship

of the universal god brought home to each and all in a unique and living

manner. Moreover, to the ordinary householder, an object lesson for

carrying on his daily earthly duties with tolerance for the views and

rituals of others, was driven home in the most vivid and unmistakable

manner.

 

The title Dwarakamai which Baba gave to the mosque signifies this

truth for which Baba stands. For, the Skanda Purana explains this

title as meaning, “the place where doors are open to all people of the

four castes for accomplishing the four purusharthas (objects of man's

life) viz., dharma (righteousness), artha (the means of living), kama

(fulfilments of legitimate desires) and moksha (release from ignorance

or imperfection)”.

In course of time Sai Baba came to have one more resting place, the

chavadi. Originally it was a structure intended to be the venue of

gathering of the village elders to discuss matters of public concern. Once

during very heavy rains, the whole mosque was wet and there was not a

single dry spot left where he and his devotees could sit in comfort. In

those days it did not have the frontyard covered as it is today nor was

the floor. It was a mud mosque and its floor was smeared periodically with

cowdung. On that day one Narayana Teli proposed to Baba that they should

all go to the chavadi which is protected from the rain. Then baba, in his

characteristic manner, refused to go there himself and told the devotees

to go there. His devotees insisted and finally, taking liberties with the

indulgence he showed them, held him by his arms and brought him to the

chavadi. Once he slept in that place he made it a rule to spend alternate

nights in the chavadi. His movements from and to the chavadi, were all

accompanied by a procession of his devotees in all ceremony, pomp, and

music.

(To be contd....)

 

Source http://www.saibharadwaja.org)