BABA'S ANKITA SISHYA'S SADGATI

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BABA'S ANKITA SISHYA'S SADGATI:

 

As Mahlsapathy made no difference between Khandoba and Baba, and as

all thoughts of men were known to Baba, Baba could not object to any

of the ways adopted for worship at the Khandoba temple being applied

to him. Baba's divine heart of love responded to the outpourings of

Mahlsapathy's love; and so, Mahlsapathy became Baba's ANKITA SISHYA.

Baba said (if not expressly at least by unmistakable utterance and

conduct). `He is mine'. The Arati song says,

 

Jo Sanduchya ankita Jiva Jhala,

Tyacha Ase Bhara niranjanala.

 

This means, the devotee who is stamped as mine by a Sadhu, has no

more burden or responsibility to bear, as all his burdens and

responsibilities rest on the Saint (or the Guru God). Baba showed his

assumption of responsibility in innumerable ways. Especially when he

sent him in the evenings away from the Mosque, he would be saying

`Go, I am with you' i.e., `I will protect you'. And he did.

 

Baba's cure of Mahlsapathy's wife's tumour at a distant place far off

from Shirdi, and the cure of her children of their disease at other

times are excellent instances of Baba's protection and love. When

bhakta had no son, and yet refused to go and live with his family, it

was Baba's repeated assurance that he would get a male child that

induced him to and sleep at home and thus get a son. This son is

named Martanda and is still living (at the time of writing this

article by HH Pujyasri B V N Swamiji) and worshipping at his father's

tomb. This is considered important, as dying without a son will take

a man to Hell (Put Naraka).

 

Mahlsapathy's response to Baba's love was evidenced by Mahlsapathy's

dedication of himself to Baba's service. Mahlsapathy not only shared

his cloth bed with Baba every night at the Mosque and chavadi, but

also shared his night vigil. Mahlsapathy's help to rouse Baba when

the vigil stopped and gave way to natural sleep was a special help to

Baba, and through Baba to everybody. Mahlsapathy'' effort to keep the

Baba body for three days in 1886 against the mischance of being

buried on the compulsion of the officers was a signal service not

only to Baba but to the entire Sai Bhaktas and the public at large.

Baba's recognition of this attachment closely resembling Hanuman's

attachment to Rama was expressed by Baba's calling him Bhagat i.e.,

Bhakta.

 

The end of such a soul when life passes away must necessarily be a

good end (sadgati). Baba made this assurance doubly sure and granted

him the merit of dying on an Ekadasi day (with God in his mind and on

his lips) just as he did this for several bhaktas of his. Dying on an

Ekadasi day is conducive to departure in a holy mood from this life

(through the bright and smokeless path) B.Gita VIII-6 says,

 

yam yam vapi Smaran Bhavam

Tyajati ante kalebaram

Tam tam eva eti kounteya

Sada tad bhava bhavitah

 

That is, `Whatever a person thinks of (being in constant touch with

it) at the time of death he reaches.' When Mahlsapathy's death was

approaching, he retained full consciousness and control of his mind.

That was on 11th September 1922 Monday (in the month of Badrapada,

Ekadasi) Somavara, sacred to Shiva and Khandoba). Having finished all

his pooja, he said to his family, '`Today is my father's'Shraddha

day. Finish cooking soon. Today I close my earthly life and go to

Heaven." So, Laxman, the Brahmin, came and finished the Sraddha at

once and finished the gift of balis to crows, cows, etc, and guests

were fed. Then the family meals were finished. Mahlsapathy took betel

and nuts after his meal. After chewing a bit, he put on a kupni.

Having near him, Bala Gurav, Ramachandra Kothe, etc., he told them

all to do Ramachandra japa. Japa went on. His son was there, and he

gave him his stick. Mahlsapathy said to his son, "Spend time piously

in uttama Bhakti Marga i.e., in holy devotion. All that I told you

will happen." Then Mahlsapathy uttered the word `Ram' and breathed

his last. Thus he passed away in calm faith and cheerfulness on the

11th September 1922. This death was a fitting termination to a pure,

lofty and dedicated life – a life of Love, faith and total surrender-

a death that may be envied by many who may not be prepared to adopt

the rigorous course that led up to it and ensured it. His remains are

interred in a tomb at Shirdi, which is still worshipped by many.

 

Courtesy: HH Pujyasri B. V. Narasimha Swamiji

(Vasuki Mahal Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Trust, Coimbatore-641025, India)