Sai Shanker

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Sai Shanker Megha was already a Shankar devotee. When he got attached to Sai's

feet, he looked on Sainath as Shankar! He was his Umanath. Megha continuously

chanted "Sai-Shankar" day and night, and his inner-self was merged in this

form. His mind was pure and free of sin. He became dedicated devotee of Sai. He

felt that Sai was Shankar himself. His chant of "Shankar-Shankar' reverberated.

He did not believe in any other deity. Worship of Sai was worship of God to

him. Sai was his Girija Raman. With this idea firmly rooted in his mind, Megha

remained always happy. Shankar likes 'bel' leaves; but there were no 'bel'

trees in Shirdi. Therefore, Megha walked for koss-and-a-balf to fulfill his

desire of offering these leaves. For him a koss or two was nothing. He was

ready even to cross a mountain for 'bel', for he would have fulfilled his

desire to do puja as

he wanted it to be done. He would bring the 'bel' from long distances, get

together all the Puja paraphernalia completely, and then worship all the

village deities, one by one. He would offer to all according to the proper

rituals. After that he would come immediately to the Masjid, loving bow to

Baba's seat, wash his feet etc. and then drink the water as 'tirth'. Further

stories about Megha will be delightful to listen. They will show Sai's all

pervasiveness and reverence for the village deities. On one Makar-sankranti

day, he felt like anointing Baba's whole body with sandalwood paste and then

giving him a bath with Godavari water. He pestered Baba for permission, so Baba

Said : "Go and do as you desire." So, immediately Megha took a copper vessel and

set out for the water. Early in the, morning, before sunrise, Megha took the

empty copper vessel and without an umbrella or chappals, set out to get water

from the Godavari. The entire distance, for coming and going, was about eight

koss. It did not even occur to him to think of the exertion and strenuous

efforts he would have to make. Megha was not at all worried about this. He set

out on getting the permission. When there is a strong determination there is a

great joy in performing the task. When he thought of giving a bath to Sai with

the Godavari water, he was not bothered about the strenuous efforts or the

exhaustion. His firm faith was his support. So be it. He brought the water and

poured it into a wide-mouthed copper pot. He began to persuade Baba to get up

for the bath, but he did not agree. "The noon arati is over and the people have

gone to their homes. All the preparation for the bath have been made and it is

afternoon", said Megha. Seeing Megha's great insistence, then Sai in sport and

as if in a mock fight, took Megha's hand in his hands and

said: "I do not wish to bathe in the Godavari waters? What is it to me?" But

Megha was not prepared to listen at all, since he believed that Baba was his

Shankar. He only knew that Shankar is pleased with Ganges water. He said :

"Baba, today is the, festival of Makar-sankranti. When Shankar is given bath

with the waters of the Ganges, he is propitiated." Then, considering his love

and his adamant resolution, Baba said: "Fulfill your wish," as Megha was pure

of heart. After saying that he got up and sat down on the low stool made ready

for the bath. He bent forward his head and said : "Pour just a little water.

Out of all the limbs the head is the most important. Pour a little water on it.

It is as good as having a full bath. At least listen to that much." Agreeing to

do so, Megha picked up the pot. He was so overwhelmed with love while pouring

it on the head that he emptied it completely while shouting "Har Ganga", and

poured it on the whole body. Megha was greatly joyful. "My Shankar has bathed

with his clothes on" he said, as he put down the empty pot. When he looked he

was greatly surprised. Though he had poured the water on the whole body, only

the head was wet. All the other limbs were absolutely dry. There was not even a

drop of water on the clothes. Megha's pride was crushed. Those who were around

were surprised! Shri Sai thus gratifies the fond fancies of his devotees! There

is another story of Megha, which will please the listeners very much. Seeing

Sai's love for his devotees, the listeners will be pleased. A big picture of

Baba, which Nana (Chandorkar) had newly given, was placed in the wada by Megha

and he worshipped it regularly. The real image at the Masjid and the exact

replica in the wada, were worslupped with Aarti, at both the places, day and

night. When about twelve months had passed in doing this

divine service, when Megha was awake early one morning, he saw a vision. Megha

was lying in bed and though he had his eyes close he was fully awake and he saw

Baba distinctly.Baba, too, was aware that he was awake. He threw consecrated

rice on the bed and said : "Megha, draw a trident", and then disappeared there

and then . Listening to these words of Baba, Megha opened his eyes with great

enthusiasm. He was very surprised to find that Baba had disappeared. Then Megha

looked all around. There were grains of rice scattered everywhere on the bed.

The doors of the wada were closed, as earlier. Hence he was confused. He went

to the Masjid immediately. While taking Baba's Darshan, Megha told him the

story of the trident and asked permission to draw it. Megha related the vision

with all details. Baba said: "How can it be a vision? Did you not hear my

words? I told you to draw the trident. Are you trying to test my words

by calling it a vision? My words are always very profound and not a syllable is

empty.I too felt this at first that you had woken me. But not a single door

was open. That's why I felt differently", replied Megha. Listen to Baba's

answer : "I do not need a door to enter. I have no form or dimension. I am

always everywhere. For the one who places his burdens on me and has become one

with me, I manipulate all his actions like the actions of a marionette." So be

it. The subsequent marvelous narration about the purpose of the trident should

he heard with great attention. The connection will become evident. On one hand,

Megha returned and began to draw the trident on the wall, near the picture in

the wada. He outlined the trident in red colour. The next day, a Ramdasi

devotee from Pune came to the Masjid. He did obeisance to Baba with love and

presented him with a 'Lingam'. Just then Megha too arrived there, and an

eight-fold obeisance to Baba. Baba said : "Here Shankar has come! Now, you look

after him. Upon getting the 'Lingan' in this manner, immediately after the

vision of the trident, Megha kept on gazing at the 'Lingam' overcome with

emotion. Kaka Saheb Dixit too had another marvelous experience of the 'Lingam'.

Listen with reverence to everything. Your faith in Baba will become firmer.

While Megha set off from the Masjid with the 'Lingam', Dixit was engrossed in

chanting the Lord's name, after his bath in the wada. Wiping his body with a

clean, washed cloth, a towel covering his head, he stood on a stone

concentrating on Sai. He was chanting the Lord's name, as per his usual

practice with his head covered. He then had a vision of the 'Lingam'. Dixit

thought : 'Why did I today get the darshan of the 'Lingam' when I was chanting

the Lord's name?' There was Megha, in front of him, looking very gratified.

Megha

said : "Look, Kaka! Look at the 'Lingam' that Baba has given". Kaka was

surprised and pleased to see this particular 'Lingam'. It was of the same

shape, size and markings like the one that had appeared in his meditation, just

a little earlier Dixit was delighted. Be it so. Later, after the drawing, of the

trident was complete, Sai got Megha to establish the 'Lingam' near the picture.

Since Megha liked to worship Shankar, by presenting him with the Shankar

'Lingam', Sai strengthened his devotion. Such are the marvelous narrations

about Sai !

Source:Saileela Magazine May-June 2000

Arun Reddy Nukala

+44 7946 595063

http://groups.msn.com/

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