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

[Guest guest]

When the above story was being narrated, Hemadpant was reminded of similar story

of Sudama, which illustrates the same priciple and, therefore, it is given here.

 

Shri Krishna and His elder brother, Balarama, were living with a co-student,

named Sudama, in the ashram of their Guru, Sandipani. Once Krishna and Balarama

were sent to the forest for bringing fuel. Then the wife of Sandipani sent also

Sudama for the same purpose with some quantity of grams for the three. When

Krishna met Sudama in the forest, he said to him - "Dada, I want water as I am

thirsty". Sudama replied - "No water should be drunk on an empty stomach, so it

is better to rest a while". He did not say that he had got grams with him and

that He should take some. As Krishna was tired, He lay down for rest on the lap

of Sudama and was snoring. Seeing this, Sudama took out the grams and began to

eat. Then Krishna suddenly asked him - "Dada, what are you eating, whence is

the sound?". He replied - "What is there to eat? I am shivering with cold and

my teeth are chattering. I can't even repeat distinctly Vishnu-Sahastra-Nama".

Hearing this, the Omniscient Krishna said - "I

just dreamt a dream, in which I saw a man, eating things of another, and when

asked about this, he said - "What earth (dust) should he eat?", meaning thereby

that he had nothing to eat? The other man said - "Let it be so". Dada, this is

only a dream. I know that you won't eat anything without Me; under the

influence of the dream I asked you what you were eating?" If Sudama had known a

bit of the Omniscient, Shri Krishna and His Leelas, he would not have acted, as

he did. Therefore, he had to suffer for what he did. Though he was a chum of

Shri Krishna he had to pass his later life in utter poverty. But when he later

offered Krishna a handful of parched rice, earned by his wife with her own

labour, Krishna was pleased and gave him a golden city to enjoy. This story

should be remembered by those who have the habit of eating things alone without

partaking them with others.

The Shruti also emphasizes this lesson, and asks us to offer things first to God

and then enjoy them after they are renounced by Him. Baba also has taught us the

same lesson in His inimitable and humorous way.

Anna Chinchanikar vs. Mavsibai

Hemadpant, now describes another witty incident, in which Baba played a

peace-maker's part. There was one devotee by name Damodar Ghanashyama Babare

alias Anna Chinchanikar. He was simple, rough and straightforward. He cared for

nobody, always spoke plainly and carried all dealings in cash. Though he looked

outwardly harsh and uncompromising, he was good natured and guileless. So Sai

Baba loved him. One day, like others serving Baba in their own way, this Anna

was, one noon standing prone and was shampooing the left arm of Baba, which

rested on the kathada (railing). On the right side, one old widow named Venubai

Koujalgi whom Baba called mother and all others Mavsibai, was serving Baba in

her own way. This Mavsibai was an elderly woman of pure heart. She clasped the

fingers of both her hands round the trunk of Baba and was at this time kneading

Baba's abdomen. She did this so forcibly that Baba's back and abdomen became

flat (one) and Baba moved from side to side. Anna on the

other side was steady, but Mavsibai's face moved up and down with her strokes.

Once it so happened that her face came very close to Anna's. Being of a witty

disposition she remarked - "Oh, this Anna is a lewd (bad) fellow, he wants to

kiss me. Even being so old with grey hair he feels no shame in kissing me."

These words enraged Anna and he pulled up his sleeves and said - "You say that

I am an old bad fellow, am I quite a fool? It is you that have picked up a

quarrel and are quarreling with me". All the persons, present there were

enjoying this encounter between them. Baba Who loved both of them equally and

wanted to pacify them, managed the affair very skillfully. Lovingly He said -

"Oh Anna, why are you unnecessarily raising this hue and cry? I do not

understand what harm or impropriety is there, when the mother is kissed?"

Hearing these words of Baba, both of them were satisfied and all the persons

laughed merrily and enjoyed Baba's wit to their heart's content.

Baba's Characteristics -- His Dependency on Bhaktas Baba allowed His devotees to

serve Him in their own way, and did not like any other persons interfering in

this. To quote an instance, the same Mavsibai was on another occasion, kneading

Baba's abdomen. Seeing the fury and force used by her, all the other devotees

felt nervous and anxious. They said, "Oh mother, be more considerate and

moderate, otherwise you will break Baba's arteries and nerves". At this Baba

got up at once from His seat, dashed His satka on the ground. He got enraged

and His eyes became red like a live charcoal. None dared to stand before or

face Baba. Then He took hold of one end of the Satka with both hands and

pressed it in the hollow of his abdomen. The other end He fixed to the post and

began to press His abdomen against it. The satka which was about two or three

feet in length seemed all to go into the abdomen and the people feared that the

abdomen would be ruptured in a short time. The post was

fixed and immovable and Baba began to go closer and closer to it and clasped the

post firmly. Every moment the rupture was expected, and they were all dismayed,

did not know what to do, and stood dumb with wonder and fear. Baba suffered

this ordeal for the sake of His Bhakta. The other devotees wanted only to give

a hint to the Mavsibai to be moderate in her service and not cause any trouble

or pain to Baba. This they did with good intention, but Baba did not brook even

this. They were surprised to see that their well-intentioned effort had resulted

in this catastrophe; and they could do nothing but to wait and see. Fortunately,

Baba's rage soon cooled down. He left the satka and resumed His seat. From this

time onward, the devotees took the lesson that they should not meddle with

anybody but allow him to serve Baba as the chooses, as He was capable to gauge

the merits and worth of the service rendered unto Him.

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

Mail Mobile Take Mail with you! Check email on your mobile phone.