Sai Satcharitra-Let us all read it together, a little everyday

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Hemadpant (Scorpion and Serpent)

(1) At Baba's recommendation Kakasaheb Dixit was daily reading the two works of

Shri Eknath Maharaj, viz., Bhagwat and Bhawartha Ramayana and Hemadpant had the

good forturne to be one of the audience when the reading of the works was going

on. Once when a portion from the Ramayana relating to Hanuman's testing Rama's

greatness, according to his mother's instructions, was being read, all the

listeners were spell-bound. Hemadpant was one of them. A big scorpion (none

knew where it came from), jumped and sat on the right shoulder of Hemadpant, on

his Uparani (upper dhotar). First it was not noticed, but as the Lord protects

those, who are intent on hearing His stories, he casually cast a glance over

his right shoulder and noticed it. It was dead silence, not a bit moved here or

there. It seemed as if, it also enjoyed the reading. Then by the Lord's grace,

Hemadpant without disturbing the audience, took the two ends of his dhotar,

folded them,

and brought them together, enclosing the scorpion within. Then he went out, and

threw it in the garden. (2) On another occasion some persons were sitting in

the upper floor of Kakasaheb's Wada, just before nightfall, when a serpent

crept through a hole in the window frame and sat coiled up. A light was

brought. Though it was first dazzled, yet it sat still and only moved its head

up and down. Then many persons rushed there with sticks and cudgels, but as it

sat in an awakward place, no blow could be dealt. But hearing the noises of

men, the serpent went out hastily through the same hole. Then all the persons

there felt relieved.

Baba's Opinion

One devotee named Muktaram, then said that it was good that the poor creature

escaped. Hemadpant challenged him saying that serpents should better be killed.

There was a hot discussion between them - the former contending that serpents,

and such creatures, should not be killed, the latter that they should be. As

night came on, the discussion came to an end, without any decision being

arrived at. Next day, the question was reffered to Baba, who gave His settled

opinion as follows:- "God lives in all beings and creatures, whether they be

serpents or scorpions. He is the Great Wirepuller of the world, and all beings,

serpents, scorpions etc., obey His command. Unless He will it, nobody can do any

harm to others. The world is all dependent on Him, and no one is independent. So

we should take pity and love all creatures, leave off adventurous fights and

killings and be patient. The Lord (God) is the

Protector of all.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all"Gurur Brahma Gurur VishnuGurur Devoh

Maheshwar;Gurur Shakshat ParambramhaTashmai Shri Gurur Veh Namah"May the

Merciful Sri Sai Baba always shower His grace on us and our families and remove

our problems and anxieties by giving us all - strength , goodluck, success and

happiness with peace of mind.Sai bhakt,Deepa Hdebu7366

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