Service through purity is the essence of Sai message

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Shirdi Sai BABA has left his mortal coil on 15th of October 1918, on

Vijayadashami day. BABA did not have any known true disciple(s) whom HE has

initiated and asked them to carry on His work to humanity. Since then and now

in present times; people have been swayed by the benevolence and kindness of

this Mad Old Fakir accepting Shirdi Sai BABA as Sadguru. Some of these people

were chosen by BABA to carry on the light of Sai philosophy by spreading Sai

Tatv - of Universal love, compassion and brotherhood in all the corners of the

world. HE alone assigns each person different tasks. Some are assigned the job

of worshiping BABA at the temples, some building Temples, some writing books,

composing music, giving discourses on BABA some running charitable trusts in

helping the poor by providing food and clothing some using the medium of

internet and providing literature on BABA. These people make BABA available to

almost each and every household through their web pages. And

there are some that are assigned the job of listening to the sorrows of fellow

beings and praying for others welfare and well-being. It is said that when we

share our feelings then our sorrows reduce and happiness multiply. This is a

fact. In fact, all the people who have embraced Sai into their heart are

unknowingly involved in serving BABA by serving the humanity. Sai message is

about praying, love, and compassion, sharing, listening, respecting and giving.

One finds these characters or qualities in followers of Sadguru, though they may

not be aware of it.

Shirdi Sai Baba's teachings have always been shrouded with mysticism. BABA

always spoke in parables as is evident in Sai Satcharitha. It is difficult for

common man to understand these teachings unless the Guru graces the man. During

His time BABA tested his followers, Chapter 14 of Satcharitha testifies this

fact "Woman and wealth are the two main obstacles in the way of our Paramartha

(ultimate purpose of life); and Baba provided in Shirdi two institutions, viz.,

Dakshina and Radha-Krishna-Mai. Whenever they came to Him, He demanded Dakshina

from them, and asked them to go to the 'SCHOOL' (Radha-Krishna-Mai's house). If

they stood these two tests well, i.e. if they showed that they were free from

attachment for woman and wealth, their progress in spirituality was rapid and

assured by Baba's grace and blessings."

We consider BABA as Anantha, the one with no beginning and end and all

pervasive, so it is fair to assume that this MAD old man does pull the strings

and tests His children even to this day and time. One might wonder what is the

relevance of this point in providing service to humanity. While doing service

to fellow beings, Sai followers get emotionally attached to people whom they

are serving, as a result a bond is established, now at this point it becomes

necessary to use our discretion. One must hold on steady fast to the holy feet

of the lord and analyze the emotions that we go through. In heightened

emotional state, one might think they are in love - as associated with physical

wanting, hatred, anger, desire etc.; towards the person who are helped and

consider these feelings are ordained by BABA. This happens many a times and is

still happening now. It is essential that one who is involved in such sacred

work be aware of the situations and gear accordingly and

understands that it is a situation created by Lord to test the sincerity of the

person. It is up to us to use our discretion and act accordingly by severing to

the best of our abilities.

Shirdi Sai Baba has so subtly warned His children of this effect when He said

"Though I have become a Fakir, have no house or wife, and though leaving off

all cares, I have stayed at one place, the inevitable Maya teases Me often.

Though I forgot Myself I cannot forget Her. She always envelops Me. This Maya

(illusive power) of the Lord (Shri Hari) teases God Brahma and others, then

what to speak of a poor Fakir like Me? Those who take refuge in the Lord will

be freed from Her clutches with his grace".

The maya here BABA speaks is interpreted as 6 inner enemies - Kama, Krodha,

Lobha, Moha Madha and MathsaryaThese inner enemies do surface at some point

when we are involved in serving the MASTER when take up his work of serving the

humanity. When that happens mind is clouded with ignorance and we indulge in

infidelity, arguments, scandalizing, sin and are self opinionated and pompous

in our actions without considering the consequence of our actions. One should

keep future aspects of actions in view rather than acting on the spur of the

moment. One derives satisfaction to ego at that moment, but Lord is our

witness, and we will reap the fruits of our actions either good or bad later -

there is no escape.

BABA gave an antidote for such behavior. Chapter 20 of Satcharitha, in which

Hemadpant writes about Ishaopanishad describing it as "The poetry of the

Ishopanishad is a Commixture of moral, mystical and metaphysical (ibid, Page

41)"." Das Ganu learnt through the actions of the poor girl that "all our

feelings of pain and pleasure depend upon the attitude of our mind". We have to

surrender negative thoughts and feelings to Lotus feet of our Sadguru and ask

Him to guide us and help us to take hold of the reins of these wild thoughts

and actions so that we may do our service diligently and with purity. One

falters in the way of executing works of BABA, but by using knowledge and

focusing on goals one needs to render highest quality of Service.

(Contributed by Anitha Kandukuri, Saidarbar, Canberra, Australia)

saibaba.org

Arun Reddy Nukala

+44 7946 595063

http://groups.msn.com/

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