DEATH AND BABA'S LIGHT ON IT'

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DEATH AND BABA'S LIGHT ON IT'

 

by B. V. narasimha swami

 

 

 

Seers ancient and modern tell the" same tale. The observations of

the ancient veers are enshrined in the Sruti and smritis. It is

highly satisfactory' to note that modern rishis (which term really

is Drishya i.e., seers) observe and narrate the same facts, as

their predecessors. So. far we have quoted from. Upanisads and

Sanatsujatiya extracts about Death; and we find the same in Puranaa

also. The teachings of these ancients may thus be summed up, 'Death

is only operative in the field of Phenomena or Maya, where the

play of differences is noticed and cannot exist in the state of

Brahman', ,the; state of undifferenced Bliss. Even in the field of

phenomena, Death is a terror and an evil only when its real nature

is not known, Any one who has full knowledge of the past, present

and future, of the near and the remote alike in Time and space can

see what; happens to creatures during each life,, at the moment of

its cessation, which is called the death of that life and the -

..birth of the next, and all that follows. 'Such wise persons see

that .death and another facts and aspects of Life are governed by

the same lawa of the: Wise and Benevolent Creator, and that any

sincere devotee of the creator (or any of His amsas. or

manifestations) is hot hindered or harmed by any of these facts or

events.

 

Sri Sai Baba who showed in himself the knowledge, goodness, and

power ,of Rishyasringa, Vasishta, Viswanwtra etc., has given the

same account of Death. It is only one incident, he says in the

evolution of the,

 

;jiva. ' -Ha gave instances where death of one life was exactly the

same as the. commencement of another for the jiva. He-gave his

devotees the assurance that he stands guard over them at that

moment, as at other moments of their, life and that it is his right

and duty to receive them and take them on ' to further stages of

their progress. He informed several of what he had done for them

in this matter. Regarding Sri Rao Saheb Galwankar, who is now

leading a pure and devoted life of service, Baba declared that even

in a , 'former life G was marked by these tracts that therefore Baba

placed him in his present mother's womb, and that he is maintaining

his progress in such virtues even in these life also. 'Even if a

devotee is 2000 miles away from Shirdi, Baba declared, his spirit

would go to Baba the moment it is disengaged from its former body.

 

Baba added that when he takes charge of a soul he has to follow it,

life after life, by taking birth himself as often as may

be .necessary, till he . takes the soul to its final goal—the Feet

of God. Even the terrors of the punishments that Yama and his

myrmidons inflict on people for their past sins need not frighten

his devotees. Says Sainatha Manana (which is the manual or

quintessance-of Baba's Pooja, Dhyana, teachings etc.).

 

24 Yamah Kruro duradharsho | Bhrusam tudati manavan |

 

Sayeesa dhrida bhakteshu | Yama peeda na vidyate !

 

25 Bhayam Sayeesa bhaktanam | Yamaat kindit na vidyate |

 

Sayeesah Kalakalo vai ! Niryane rakshati svakan ||

 

26 Sakrin manaa Sayi padaravindayph

 

Nivesitam tat guna ragi Yairiha

 

Nate Yaoam pasa bhritah cha tadbhatan |

 

Swapnepi-pasyanti hi cheerna-nishkritahll

 

24. Yama is cruel, and undaunted he tortures people. But His

punishments are unknown to the staunch devotees of Lord Sai.

 

25 Sais devotees have nothing to fear from Yama, the God of

Death. Lord Sai is the Death of Death, He protects his own at the

time they leave their bodies.

 

26. If people attracted by the Excellence of Sai rest their

minds even occasionally at his feet,: Yama and his myrmidons armed

with their cords will never appear before them—not even in their

dreams, as their sins have been expiated (by such contemplation of

Lord Sai).

 

These verses would'; remind , one of similar passages in Srimad

Bhagavata. ' Ajamila a great sinner uttered-the holy name Narayana

at the moment of Death, as he wished to call for his son named

Narayana.; That utterance brought angels to save him from the

clutches of Yama's myrmiions.

 

SaiBhakti .Sri R; B Purandhare and another saw Yamadhutas at

their.bedside and were terrified. But Sai Baba was at hand and the

cruel agents of .death vanished.

 

Remembering Sai undoubtedly purifies the heart and is the

explanation

 

41 Sarvesham apyaghayatam. | Idameva aunishkrithi |

 

Sayinateti hamoktih—Yatas tadvishayamatih !

 

i.e-, Sai's name expiates all sins—for by uttering that name the

mind turn to' Him. 46 Srunvatam Svakataas Sayi | Punyasravana

Keertanah |

 

Hridantastho hyabhadrani | Vidhunoti Suhrut sataam I

 

Sai the friend of the good,-is in the 'hearts of those who bear

accounts of Him and drives away thence all evils.

 

Purifying and protecting his devotees all along, ;Sai appears

before their vision at the moment of Death, -and takes them on to

happy realms of the blessed Such was the experience of Sow.

Kuttiyamrnal who communicated the fact of her having received such

help and blessing to her husband recently. Many others also have

received similar help and blessings.

 

If readers of this article desire to obtain Sai's help at the

Death crisis, the advice given by him as by Sri Krishna is'

 

Tamed Serves Kales | Mamanusmara, Yudhya cha |

 

Mayyarpita Manobuddhih | Mameveshayasi asamsayahll

 

i.e. Therefore think of. me always,—and. carry on your struggle.;

When mind and intelligence are centered on me, you will undoubtedly

come tome.'

 

"This is.the great goal of Life—to reach God.

 

(Adopted from Sai Sudha Dec 1943)