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

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Kaka Mahajani's Master Kaka was the Manager in the firm of Thakkar Dharmasey

Jethabhai, a solicitor of Bombay. Both the Master and the Manager were on

intimate terms. Mr. Thakkar knew that Kaka was often going to Shirdi, staying

there for some days and returning, when Baba permitted him. Out of curiosity

and just to test Baba, Mr. Thakkar decided to go to Shirdi with Kaka during

Shimga holidays. As Kaka's return was uncertain, he took another man with him

as an associate. The three started together and Kaka bought two seers of

raisins (dried grapes with seed) on the way for presentation to Baba. They

reached Shirdi in due time, and went to the Masjid for darshan. Then Babasaheb

Tarkhad was there, Mr. Thakkar asked him why he came there. "For darshan",

Tarkhad replied. Mr. Thakkar asked if miracles took place there. Tarkhad

replied that it (to see miracles) was not his attitude, but the earnest

intentions of the Bhaktas were satisfied here. Then

Kaka prostrated himself before Baba and offered the raisins to Him. Baba ordered

them to be distributed. Mr. Thakkar got a few of them. He did not like the

raisins and he was advised by his doctor not to eat them without washing and

cleaning them. So he was in a fix. He did not like to eat them, nor could he

reject them. To keep up formalities, he put them into his mouth, but did not

know what to do with the seeds. He could not spit them out on the floor of the

Masjid, so he pocketed them against his wish. He then said in his mind that if

Baba was a Saint, how could He be ignorant of his dislike for the raisins and

could He force them on him. When this thought arose in his mind Baba again gave

him some more raisins. He could not eat them, but held them in his hand. Then

Baba asked him to eat them up. He obeyed and found, to his surprise, that they

were all seedless. He wanted to see miracles and here was one. He knew that

Baba read his thought; and as per his wish converted raisins

(with seeds) into seedless grapes. What a wonderful power! Again to test further

he asked Tarkhad, who was sitting by and who also got some raisins, "What kind

of grapes you got?" He replied "They variety with seeds." Mr. Thakkar was still

more surprised to hear this. Then to confirm his growing faith Thakkar thought

in his mind that if Baba was a real Saint, the raisins should be now given to

Kaka first. Reading this thought also, Baba ordered that distribution should be

commenced from Kaka. These proofs were sufficient for Thakkar.

Then Shama introduced Mr. Thakkar as the master of Kaka, upon which Baba said,

"How could he be his master? He has got a different Master altogether". Kaka

appreciated this reply. Forgetting his resolve, Thakkar saluted Baba and

returned to the Wada.

After the noon-Arati was over, they all went to the Masjid for taking Baba's

leave for their departure. Sharma spoke for them. Baba then spoke as follows.

"There was a fickle-minded gentleman. He had health and wealth and was free from

both physical and mental afflictions, but he took on him needless anxieties and

burdens and wandered hither and thither, thus losing his peace of mind.

Sometimes he dropped the burdens and at other times carried them again. His

mind knew no steadiness. Seeing his state, I took pity on him and said, "Now

please keep your faith on any one place (point) you like, why roam like this?

Stick quietly to one place.

Thakkar at once came to know that, that was an exact description of himself. He

wished that Kaka should also return with him but no one expected that Kaka

would be allowed to leave Shirdi so soon. Baba read also this thought to his

and permitted Kaka to return with his master. Thakkar got one more proof of

Baba's capacity to read another's mind.

Then Baba asked Kaka for Rs. 15/- as Dakshina and received it. To Kaka He said,

"If I take one rupee as Dakshina from anybody I have to return it tenfold to

him. I never take anything gratis. I never ask any one indiscriminately. I only

ask and take from him whom the Fakir (My Guru) points out. If any one is

indebted formerly to the Fakir money is received from him. The donor gives,

i.e. sows his seeds, only to reap a rich harvest in future. Wealth should be

the means to work out Dharma. If it is used for personal enjoyment, it is

wasted. Unless you have given it before, you do not get it now. So the best way

to receive is to give. The giving of Dakshina advances Vairagya (Non-attachment)

and thereby Bhakti and Jnana. Give one and receive tenfold". On hearing these

words Mr. Thakkar himself gave Rs.15/- in Baba's hand, forgetting his resolve

not to do so. He thought he did well in coming to Shirdi as all his doubts were

solved and he learnt so much.

Baba's skill in handling such cases was unique. Though He did all those things

He was totally non-attached to them. Whether anybody saluted Him or not, or

whether anybody gave Him Dakshina or not, it was the same to Him. None He

disrespected. He felt no pleasure because He was worshipped and no pain because

He was disregarded. He transcended the pairs of opposites, viz. pleasure and

pain, etc. "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 Do You

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