SRI SAI SATCHARITA and SATHYAM SIVAM SUNDARAM [21-22]

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Om Sri Sai Ram

SRI SAI SATCHARITA and SATHYAM SIVAM SUNDARAM

The Life Stories of the Two Avatars of the Age – [21-22]

SHRI SAI SATCHARITA

The Life of the Divine Avatar Sai Baba of Shirdi

By Hemadpant

CHAPTER XXI

Stories of (1) V.H. Thakur (2) Anantrao Patankar and (3) Pandharpur Pleader

In this Chapter, Hemadpant relates the stories of Vinayak Harishchandra Thakur,

BA, Anantrao Patankar of Poona and a pleader from Pandharpur. All these stories

are very interesting which if very carefully read and grasped, will lead the

readers on to the spiritual path.

PRELIMINARY

It is a general rule, that it is our good luck in the form of accumulation of

merits in past births that enables us to seek the company of Saints and profit

thereby. In illustration of this rule, Hemadpant gives his own instance. He was

a resident Magistrate of Bandra, A suburb of Bombay, for many years. A famous

Mohammedan Saint named Pir Moulana was living there and many Hindus, Parsis and

many others who followed different religion used to go to him and take his

Darshan. His Mujavar (priest) by name Inus pressed Hemadpant many a time, night

and day, for

going to see him, but for some reason or other he was not able to see him. After

many years his turn came and he was called to Shirdi where he was permanently

enlisted in Sai Baba's Darbar. Unfortunate fellows do not get this contact of

the Saints. It is only the fortunate ones that get it.

INSTITUTION OF SAINTS

There have been institutions of Saints in this world, from time immemorial.

Various Saints appear (incarnate) themselves in various places to carry out the

missions allotted to them, but though they work in different places, they are,

as it were, one. They work in unison under the common authority of the Almighty

Lord and know full well what each of them is doing in his place, and supplement

his work where necessary. An instance illustrating this is given below.

MR. THAKUR

Mr. V.H. Thakur, BA, was a clerk in the Revenue Department and he once came to a

town named Vadgaum near Belgaum (S.M. Country) along with a Survey party. There

he saw a Kanarese Saint (Appa) and bowed before him. The Saint was explaining a

portion from the book "Vichar-Sagar" of Nischaldas (a standard work on Vedanta)

to the audience. When Thakur was taking his leave to go, he said to him, "you

should study this book, and if you do so, your desires will be fulfilled, and

when you go to the North in the discharge of your duties in future, you will

come across a

great Saint by your good luck, and then he will show you the future path, and

give rest to your mind and make you happy".

Then, he was transferred to Junnar, where he had to go by crossing Nhane Ghat.

This Ghat was very steep and impassible, and no other conveyance, than a

buffalo was of use in crossing it. So he had to take a buffalo-ride through the

Ghat, which inconvenienced and pained him much. Thereafter, he was transferred

to Kalyan on higher post, and there he became acquainted with Nanasaheb

Chandorkar. He heard much about Sai Baba from him and wished to see Him. Next

day, Nanasaheb had to go to Shirdi, and he asked Thakur to accompany him. He

could not do so, as he had to attend the Thana Civil Court for a civil case. So

Nanasaheb went alone. Thakur went to Thana, but there the case was postponed.

Then, he repented for not accompanying Nanasaheb. Still he left for Shirdi and

when he went there, he found that Nanasaheb had left the place the previous

day. Some of his other friends, whom he met there, took him to Baba. He saw

Baba, fell at His Feet and was overjoyed. His eyes were full of tears of joy

and his hair stood on end. Then after a while the omniscient Baba said to him -

"The path of this place is not so easy as the teaching of the Kanarese Saint

Appa or even as the buffalo-ride in the Nhane Ghat. In this spiritual path, you

have to put in your best exertion as it is very difficult". When Thakur heard

these

significant signs and words, which none else than he knew, he was overwhelmed

with joy. He came to know that the word of the Kanarese Saint had turned true.

Then joining both hands and placing his head on Baba's Feet, he prayed that he

should be an accepted and blessed. Then Baba said - "What Appa told you were

all right, but these things have to be practiced and lived. Mere reading won't

do. You have to think and carry out what you read; otherwise, it is of no use.

Mere book-learning, without the grace of the Guru, and self-realization is of

no avail". The theoretical portion was read from the work `Vichar Sagar' by

Thakur, but the practical way was shown to him at Shirdi. Another story given

below will bring out this truth more forcibly.

ANANTRAO PATANKAR

One gentleman from Poona, by name Anantrao Patankar wished to see Baba. He came

to Shirdi, and took Baba's Darshan. His eyes were appeased, he was much

pleased. He fell at Baba's Feet; and after performing proper worship said to

Baba - "I have read a lot, studied Vedas, Vedanta and Upanishads and heard all

the Puranas, but still I have not got any peace of mind; so I think that all my

reading was useless. Simple ignorant devout persons are better than myself.

Unless the mind becomes calm, all book learning is of no avail. I have heard,

from many people, that

you easily give peace of mind to so many people by your mere glance, and playful

word; so I have come here; please take pity on me and bless me". Then Baba told

him a parable, which was as follows: -

PARABLE OF NINE BALLS OF STOOL (NAVA-VIDHA BHAKTI)

"Once a Soudagar (merchant) came here. Before him a mare passed her stool (nine

balls of stool). The merchant, intent on his quest, spread the end of his

dhotar and gathered all the nine balls in it, and thus he got concentration

(peace) of mind". Mr. Patankar could not make out the meaning of this story;

so he asked Ganesh Damodar, alias Dada Kelkar, "What does Baba mean by this?"

He replied - "I too do not know all that Baba says and means, but at His

inspiration I say, what I come to know. The mare is God’s grace and the nine

balls excreted are the nine forms or types of Bhakti, viz., (1) Shravana

(Hearing); (2) Kirtana (Praying); (3) Smarana (Remembering); (4) Padasevana

(resorting to the feet); (5) Archana (Worship); (6) Namaskara

(Bowing); (7) Dasya (Service); (8) Sakhyatva (Friendship); (9) Atmanivedana

(surrender of the self). These are the nine types of Bhakti. If any of these is

faithfully followed, Lord Hari will be pleased, and manifest Himself in the home

of the devotee. All the sadhanas, viz. Japa (vocal worship), Tapa (penance),

Yoga practice and studying the scriptures and expounding them are quite useless

unless they are accompanied by Bhakti, i.e., devotion. Knowledge of the Vedas or

fame as a great Jnani, and mere formal Bhajan (worship) are of no avail. What is

wanted is Loving Devotion. Consider yourself as the merchant or seeker after the

truth and be anxious and eager like him to collect or cultivate the nine types

of devotion. Then you will attain stability and peace of mind".

Next day, when Patankar went to Baba for salvation, he was asked whether he

collected the 'nine balls of stool'. Then he said that he, being a poor fellow,

should first be graced by Baba, and then they will be easily collected. Then

Baba blessed and comforted him, saying that he would attain peace and welfare.

After hearing this, Patankar became overjoyed and happy.

THE PANDHARPUR PLEADER

We shall close this Chapter with short story showing Baba's omniscience and His

using it for correcting People and setting them on the right path. Once a

pleader from Pandharpur came to Shirdi, went to the Masjid, saw Sai Baba, fell

at His Feet and, without being asked, offered some Dakshina, and sat in a

corner eager to hear the talk, that was going on. Then Baba turned His face

towards him and said - "How cunning the people are! They fall at the feet,

offer Dakshina, but inwardly give abuses behind the back. Is not this

wonderful?" This cap (remark) fitted the pleader and he had to wear (take) it.

None understood the remark. The pleader grasped it, but kept silent. When they

returned to the Wada, the pleader said to Kakasaheb Dixit - "What Baba remarked

was perfectly right. The dart

(remark) was aimed at me; it was a hint to me that I should not indulge in

reviling or scandalizing others (calling by names). When the Sub-Judge or

Munsiff of Pandharpur (Mr. Noolkar) came and stayed here for the improvement of

his health, a discussion about this matter was going on in the Bar room at

Pandharpur (as it ever happens in many a bar-room). It was said or discussed

there whether the ailments, from which the sub-judge suffered were, ever likely

to be got rid of without medicines, by merely going after Sai Baba, and whether

it was proper for an educated man, like the sub-judge, to have recourse to such

methods. The sub-judge was taken to task; i.e. he was criticized, as also Sai

Baba. I also took some part in this affair; and now Sai Baba showed the

impropriety of my conduct. This is not a rebuke to me, but a favour, an advice

that I should not indulge in any scandal or slander of others; and not

interfere unnecessarily in others' affairs".

Shirdi is about 100 Koss (Koss=3 miles) distant from Pandharpur; still Baba by

His omniscience knew what transpired there in the Bar room. The intervening

places -- rivers, jungles and mountains - were not a bar to His all-perceiving

sight and He could see or read the hearts of all. There was nothing secret or

veiled from Him. Everything, far or near, was plain and clear to Him as broad

as daylight. Let a man be far or near, he cannot avoid the all-pervading gaze

of Sai Baba. From this incident, the pleader took the lesson that he should

never speak ill of others, nor unnecessarily criticize them. This evil tendency

was completely got rid of, and he was set on the right path.

Though the story refers to a pleader, still it is applicable to all. All should,

therefore, take this lesson to heart and profit thereby.

Sai Baba's greatness is unfathomable, so are His wonderful Leelas. His life is

also such; for He is Para-Brahman (Lord God) incarnate.

BOW TO SHRI SAI - PEACE BE TO ALL

CHAPTER XXII

Rescues from Serpent-bites - (1) Balasaheb Mirikar (2) Bapusaheb Booty (3) Amir

Shakkar (4) Hemadpant - Baba's Opinion Regarding Killing of Serpents.

PRELIMINARY

How to meditate on Baba? No one has been able to fathom the nature or the form

of the Almighty. Even the Vedas and the thousand-tongued Shesha are not able to

describe it fully; but the devotees cannot but know and look at the form of the

Lord, for they know that His Feet are the only means of their happiness. They

know no other method of attaining the supreme goal of life, except meditating

on the Holy Feet. Hemadpant suggests an easy way of devotion and meditation as

follows: -

As the dark fortnight of every month wears out gradually, the moonlight also

wanes in the same degree and on the New moon day, we do not see the moon at

all, nor do we get her light. Therefore, when the bright fortnight begins,

people are very anxious to see the moon. On the first day, the moon is not seen

and on the second day also she is not clearly visible. Then the people are asked

to see the moon through an opening between the two branches of a tree, and when

they begin to see through this aperture eagerly and after concentration, the

distant small crescent of the moon comes, to their great delight, within their

ken. Following this clue, let us try to see Baba's Light. Look at Baba's

posture, how fine it is! He is sitting with His legs folded, the right leg held

across the left knee.

The fingers of His left hand are spread on the right-foot. On the right toe are

spread His two fingers-the index and middle ones. By this posture Baba means to

say, as it were-if you want to see My Light, be egoless and most humble and

meditate on My toe through the opening between the two branches-index and

middle fingers-and then you will be able to see My Light. This is the easiest

means of attaining devotion.

Now let us turn for a moment to Baba's life. Shirdi had become a place of

pilgrimage on account of Baba's stay. People from all quarters began to flock

there, and both the rich and the poor began to be benefited in more ways than

one and in some form or other. Who can describe Baba's boundless love and His

wonderful natural knowledge and His all-pervasiveness? Blessed is he, who could

experience one or all of these. Sometimes Baba observed long silence, which was,

in a way, His dissertation on Brahman; at other times He was Consciousness-Bliss

Incarnate, surrounded by His devotees. Sometimes He spoke in parables, and at

other times indulged in wit and humour. At times, He was quite unambiguous

(clear) and at times He seemed enraged. Sometimes He gave His teachings in a

nutshell, at other

times He argued at length. Many a time He was very plain. In this way, He gave

varied instructions to many, according to their requirements. His life was,

therefore, inscrutable, beyond the ken of our mind, beyond our intellect and

speech. Our longing to see His face, to talk with Him and hear His Leelas was

never satisfied; still we were overflowing with joy. We can count the showers

of rain, encircle (tie) the wind in a leather bag, but who can gauge or measure

His Leelas? Now we deal here with one aspect of them, viz. how He anticipated or

forestalled the calamities of His devotees and warded them off in time.

BALASAHEB MIRIKAR

Balasaheb Mirikar, son of Sirdar Kakasaheb Mirikar was Mamalatdar of Kopergaon.

He was going on tour to Chitali. On the way he came to Shirdi to see Sai Baba.

When he went to the Masjid and prostrated himself before Baba, usual

conversation regarding health and other matters commenced, when Baba sounded a

note of warning as follows: -"Do you know our Dwarakamayi?" As Balasaheb did

not understand he kept quiet, Baba continued - "This is our Dwarakamayi, where

you are sitting. She wards off all dangers and anxieties of the children, who

sit on her lap. This Masjidmayi (its presiding Deity) is very merciful, she is

the mother of the simple devotees, whom she will save in calamities. Once a

person sits on her lap, all his troubles are over. He, who rests in her shade,

gets Bliss". Then Baba

gave him Udi, and placed His protecting hand on his head. When Balasaheb was

about to depart, He again said- "Do you know the "Lamba Bava" (long gentleman),

Viz. serpent?" And then closing the left arm like fist He brought it near the

right elbow, and moving His left arm like the hood of a serpent, He said- "He

is so terrible, but what can he do to the children of Dwarakamayi: When the

Dwarakamayi (its presiding deity) protects, what can the serpent do?"

All who were present there, were curious to know the meaning of all this and its

reference to Mirikar, but

none had the courage to ask Baba about this. Then Balasaheb saluted Baba and

left the Masjid with Shama. Baba called Shama back and asked him to accompany

Balasaheb, and enjoy the Chitali trip. Shama came to Balasaheb, and told him

that he would go with him according to Baba's wish. Balasaheb replied that he

need not come, as it would be inconvenient. Sharma returned to Baba and told

Him what Balasaheb said to him. Baba said, “Alright, does not go. We should

mean well and do well. Whatever is destined to happen, will happen".

In the meanwhile Balasaheb thought over again, and calling Shama asked him to

accompany him. Then Shama going again to Baba and taking His leave started with

Balasaheb in the tanga. They reached Chitali at 9 P.M. and encamped in the

Maruti temple. The office-people had not come; so they sat quiet in the temple,

talking and chit chatting. Balasaheb was sitting on a mat reading a newspaper.

His Uparani (upper dhotar) was spread across his waist and on a part of it a

snake was sitting unobserved. It began to move with a rustling sound, which was

heard by the peon.

He brought a lantern, saw the snake and raised an alarm- 'serpent, serpent'.

Balasaheb was frightened and began to quiver. Shama was also amazed. Then he

and others moved noiselessly and took sticks and clubs in their hands. The

snake got down slowly from the waist and it moved away from Balasaheb; it was

immediately done to death. Thus this calamity, which was prophesied by Baba,

was averted and Balasaheb's love for Baba was deeply confirmed.

BAPUSAHEB BOOTY

A great astrologer named Nanasaheb Dengale told one day Bapusaheb Booty, who was

then in Shirdi, "To-day is an inauspicious day for you, there is a danger to

your life". This made Bapusaheb restless. When they, as usual, came to Masjid,

Baba said to Bapusaheb- "What does this Nana say? He foretells death for you.

Well, you need not be afraid. Tell him boldly "Let us see how death kills."

Then later in the evening Bapusaheb went to his privy for easing himself where

he saw a snake. His servant saw it and lifted a stone to strike at it.

Bapusaheb asked him to get a big stick, but before the servant returned with

the stick, the snake was seen moving away and soon disappeared. Bapusaheb

remembered with joy Baba's words of fearlessness.

AMIR SHANKAR

Amir Shankar was a native of the village Korale, in Kopergaon Taluka. he

belonged to the butcher caste. He worked as a commission agent in Bandra, and

was well known there. He once suffered from Rheumatism, which gave him much

pain. He was then reminded of God, and so, he left his business and

went to Shirdi, and prayed to Baba to relieve him from his malady. Baba then

stationed him in the Chavadi, which was then a damp unhealthy place, unfit for

such a patient. Any other place in the village, or Korale itself would have

been better for Amir, but Baba's word was the deciding factor and the chief

medicine. Baba did not allow him to come to the Masjid, but fixed him in the

Chavadi, where he got very great advantage. Baba passed via Chavadi every

morning and evening; and every alternate day Baba went to the Chavadi in a

procession and slept there. So Amir got Baba's contact very often easily. Amir

stayed there for full nine months, and then, somehow or other, he got disgust

for the place. So one night he stealthily left the place and came to Kopergaon

and stayed in a Dharmashala.

There he saw an old dying Fakir, who asked him for water. Amir brought it and

gave it to him. As soon as he drank it, he passed away. Then Amir was in a fix.

He thought that if he went and informed the authorities, he would be held

responsible for the death as he was the first and sole informant, and knew

something about it. He repented for his action, viz. leaving Shirdi without

Baba's leave, and prayed to Baba. He then determined to return to Shirdi, and

that same night he ran back, remembering and muttering Baba's name on the way,

and reached Shirdi before daybreak, and became free from anxiety. Then he lived

in the Chavadi in perfect accordance with Baba's wishes and orders, and got

himself cured. One night it so happened that Baba cried at midnight- "Oh Abdul,

some devilish creature is dashing against the side of My bed". Abdul came with a

lantern, examined Baba's bed but found nothing, Baba asked him to examine

carefully all the place and began to strike ground with His Satka.

Seeing this Leela of Baba, Amir thought that Baba might have suspected some

serpent had come there. Amir could know by close and long contact the meaning

of Baba's words and actions. Baba then saw near Amir's cushion something

moving. He asked Abdul to bring in the light, and when he brought it, he saw

the coil of a serpent there, moving its head up and down. Thereupon the serpent

was immediately beaten to death. Thus Baba gave timely warning and saved Amir.

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 fortune 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 spellbound. 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 awkward 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 referred 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 Wire puller of the world, and all

beings, serpents, scorpions etc., obey His command. Unless He wills 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

*****

SATHYAM SIVAM SUNDARAM - Part II

The Life of the Divine Avatar Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

By N. Kasturi, M.A., B.L.

WITH WOUNDED WINGS

When this life-giving Sathya Sai Ganga wends its way into a prison, dead bones

became alive. Dried plants put forth leaves. Sunshine sweeps away sadness.

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgotten, to whom the Lord will not

impute any sin. It was grim and gaunt; this prison in Andhra Pradesh, but, not

far from God's Grace. Baba sent a Message to the prisoners, when they asked for

it. Let us go through the grateful acknowledgement from prisoner No. 1...1: "We

are sinners, certainly; but, our lives have become full of hope, through some

stray acts of merit which we chanced to do, in some

past birth; for, we have rendered ourselves fit to receive Your Grace! Really,

if there are any who can be declared fortunate in the world, we are the ones.

We are truly proud of this. That the stream of Your Mercy has started flowing

towards these mean men who have injured society and who are suffering

punishment, is no ordinary event. We prayed that You should grant us Your

Darshan and Your Blessings. You have written to us, out of the vastness of Your

Mercy that You will elevate us with Darshan, Sparshan and Sambashan, at

Puttaparthy! The Sage Narada blessed Savitri, on whose head the blow of

widowhood had descended, with the statement, "May you have Being-with-husband

status long", and, she was able to win her husband back from the dominion of

death. We too have learnt from Kalpagiri, whose death sentence was cancelled,

that Your Word has come true. It knows no defeat."

The reference to Kalpagiri in this letter reminds us of a page from actual life,

which deserves to be inscribed in letters of gold. He committed a foul murder

and escaped the sleuth-eyed police of his area. He slithered silently towards

the Himalayas and right at the gateway to those sempiternal regions of the

soul, he donned the ochre robes of a monk and wandered from one Dharmashala to

another, trying to smother the squeaks of conscience, by chanting the Name of

God. Four years he spent thus, trying to flee from himself into the sylvan

glory and silence spread before him. He met many a saint

and sage, Sadhak and monk, but, he was harried by a doubt in most cases whether

they too were not ignorance or wickedness packed in pious robes. He read many

sacred books, discussed the role of Bhakti, Jnana and Karma in releasing man

from bondage and became proficient in the dialectic of nonduality. He decided

within himself that he could safely venture into the old familiar regions and

so, he extended his pilgrimage to Simhachalam, Tirupathi, Kanchi and

Rameswaram, at the extreme south of India. Thence, he turned to Madurai

green; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> and Srirangam, Chamundi Hills, Melkote and reaching

Bangalore, heard of Puttaparthy, where he was told, a new Shirdi had emerged

within the last two decades. He boarded the Guntakal train, alighted at

Penukonda, and a bus brought him to Prashanthi Nilayam.

Baba called the Sanyasi in. He is the All-knowing One and nothing can be hidden

from him, by time or space or the artifice of Man. He chided him for running

away from the consequences of his deed, which he could never accomplish

successfully. While at Shirdi in the Sai Baba body, Baba had told Shama once,

"Debt, enmity and murder have to be atoned; for, there is no escape." So, Baba

said, "Why postpone for another birth the suffering, which you must undergo in

return for the dire dead?" He told him that the ochre robes ill became a debtor

who has not paid his dues; He

went up to His apartments and brought down white clothes for him to wear in

place of the ochre ones, which He directed him to take off. He commanded him to

go to the police in his area and report forthwith. He gave him the rare and also

the precious Vibuthi Prasadam, four packets of it; He assured him, "Go, confess

and undergo cheerfully whatever punishment they ultimately give you. You will

not be hanged; I promise that. Your neck shall wear a Japa Mala, a rosary,

which I shall myself put round it, when you come to Me after the sentence is

over."

Kalpagiri emerged from the room, like a serpent that has thrown off its coil and

renewed itself. There was a glint in his eye, a vigour in his voice, a lightness

in his gait that were not there that morning. Baba must be the Lord Himself, he

thought. He decided to obey His command and save himself, rather than

discarding it and get caught in the net of retribution and rebirth.

Traveling in the crowded train that night, he saw a fellow writhing in pain,

with his hand pressed on the abdomen; he could not but part with one of the

four Vibhuthi packets he had with him; he was happy to find that the pain

stopped and the man slept soundly. He knew that his estimate of Baba was

correct. So, he, confessed to the police and the death-sentence the Judge

pronounced was compounded by the President of India into a sentence of life

imprisonment. During the weeks when the petition for Presidential Mercy was

being considered, Kalpagiri in

his cell was telling his neighbours Chengappa and others that he had met the

Incarnation of the Lord at Puttaparthy and that He had assured him that mercy

will be shown and that, he would get from Baba Himself a rosary when he

finished his term and went to Him, freed from the recoil of the stab that he

had inflicted on a fellow being. The World came true: the petition bore fruit.

Naturally, others in the prison were eager to know from him the name and

address, the glory and splendor, the wisdom and mercy of Baba. And, they wrote

to Baba, in their own unsophisticated style, for His blessings, His pictures

and books about Him.

The letter from prisoner No. 1...1 is evidence of the exhilaration felt by the

prisoners of that Jail when the parcel arrived, with a Message of Consolation

and Courage from Baba. Other letters from Baba followed, and the Prison became

a Paradise for the Pious. "We are listening to the reading of 'Sathyam Sivam

Sundaram' chapter by chapter; we are overpowered by the grandeur of the

incidents mentioned". "The pictures in the book captured my heart". "I have

fixed the picture before me; without interfering with my other assignments. I

worship it daily". "I am a very sick person, ailing from many

diseases. I am decorating your picture in the Bhajana room, as far as I can. I

will not get the work done by any of the others.From my boyhood days, I used

to take a delight in religious carols and worship; now, that tendency has again

reappeared in me and I am filling all spare time by Sankirtan and Samaradhana

". "As you have directed, I am reciting Your Name and listening to Your story

and sharing in Bhajan". These are lines from the letters the prisoners wrote.

Baba continued sending replies to these correspondents.

Prisoner No. 4...0 writes, "Each letter that comes to us from Prashanthi Nilayam

is a blessing; truly, it is as if Baba Himself is before us, conversing with

us". V ... writes, " am an aged man. My sons and my son-in-law are also in this

prison. Since we got the chance of sharing in the nectar that you so kindly sent

us, the feeling that we are undergoing a sentence is fast disappearing. With

this food that we have now secured, our hearts have become full and free. They

do not incline towards any other desire. What more do we need? For reading

during spare hours, we have your divine story; we have the Puja of your

picture. But, yet, O Lord, the heart pines for more, pardon the poor thing." R

.... writes, "I am eager that along with my mind, all my senses outer and inner

must serve God. So, whether I sit

or walk, whether I see or hear, I am trying to dedicate every moment to the

Lord. Why should these hands be idle? I am writing Rama Nama, with intent to

complete ten million names. Every day, I worship the holy representations of

God with incense, lights and prayers. This is my daily routine. Recently Your

sacred Name has been planted in this Jail; it sent up the first sprouts very

soon; now, it has grown magnificently, heavy with flowers and fruits; under the

shade of that tree, I too am enjoying cool comfort. My joy defeats all attempts

at description. The letter You sent us the other day made me and all others

wonder at our good fortune. It brought back to memory the Viswavirat

Veera-brahmendraswami of four centuries ago."

The clean mirror reflected clear. Repentance calmed the passions. In the hearts

of many a prisoner, there had sprouted the creeper of devotion to the Almighty,

the tendrils of which now got Baba to fasten upon. S.N ... spoke to his comrades

of Baba, whom he had seen and heard at Hyderabad. "From that day, I have been

worshipping Your Form that is installed in my heart", he writes. He became soon

a fertile centre of information and inspiration. After Baba visited Repalle,

near Guntur, for the installation of the marble idol of Shirdi Sai Baba, a

person who had witnessed the

ceremony happened to stay for some months as a prisoner in the Jail; he

described the scene, the enthusiasm of the lakhs of people who had gathered the

creation by Baba in full view of the multitude, by a mere wave of the hand of a

golden image of Shirdi Sai Baba. He told them a sheaf of other heart-warming

stories about the glory of Baba. The prisoners felt that Baba Himself had

arranged this visit by the Repalle riot, so that His band of Bhaktas might know

more about Him.

Baba told Hemadpant one day at Shirdi, "Look at that mango tree in blossom. If

all the flowers you see brought fruit, what a splendid crop it would be! But,

do they? No. Most fall off faded; or, they fall off, when the fruit is tender

or unripe. This is what is happening to those who come to this place." His

Grace alone must save us from falling and so, we have to pray to Him for His

Grace and win it by our virtue and steady Sadhana. Sathya Sai Baba has then a

more heartening role for us. He says, "When the Sun rises and shines, not all

the lotus buds upon the lakes and ponds on earth do bloom; only those that are

ready, do. The rest have to bibe their chance. But all are destined to bloom,

all have to fulfill that destiny. There is no need to despair".

When we reflect on the implications of these words, we can understand why some

of the prisoners slowly relapsed into indifference and were satisfied with

erratic correspondence with Baba. But, among those who clung to the Divine Feet

from the moment Kalpagiri made the Divinity known inside the walls, Chengappa

deserves special mention, since his story reminds us of a mountain torrent

reaching the plains and the sea, after many a steep fall. His letters reveal an

intense yearning for spiritual realization. "A slight difference of opinion

arose between myself and my wife and, so, I decided that she should no longer

live on earth. I resolved to end my life too, along with hers. Placing some

poison on my tongue, I stabbed her while sleeping and swallowed the fatal dose.

The women died; but death declined

to accept me. I could only sense the fire on my tongue; nothing more happened

inside me. I felt I must die soon. So, I ripped open my bowels, with the knife

still dripping with her blood and fell on the floor. I regained consciousness

in the hospital, to which the police had transported me. They stitched the

ghastly wound and made me whole. Later, while I was confined at the Rajahmundry

Jail, they had to open the stomach again and after some years, once again, in

order to repair the damage done in previous operations. The wonder was, I

survived all these calamities. I surmised that God was guarding my life for,

perhaps, He had planned a good future for me, when I could do some work for Him

and for those whom He chooses. Therefore, I offered my body,

heart and soul to God. I have since felt supremely happy, for, I live every

moment in the knowledge that I have the Grace of God. The godly are my kith and

kin; sages are my dearest companions. I have lost all interest in my erstwhile

kinsmen. I have secured You, Baba, Lord, come on earth for such as I. What more

do I need? I have placed Your picture, the one You sent, before the seat which I

use for Dhyana. When I open my eyes, I see You; when I close my eyes, I recite

Your Name. This is my Nithyapuja; I practice the Sadhana of being with You, in

You, for ever. God for me, I for God ... this is the thirst. This gives me

limitless joy." He is happy that the doctors have prescribed for him uncooked

greens, and pulses soaked in water, for that is the Sathwic food, which helps

the Sadhak to have his meditation, unhampered by Rajasic thoughts.

When Baba wrote a letter to him, encouraging him in his resolve, Chengappa

writes: "I placed the letter on my eyes: I pressed it on my heart. I was as

happy, as Sita must have been when Anjaneya (Hanuman) placed in her hands the

signet ring of Rama. It was Thursday, the Silence Day, when I could not

communicate to my comrades the joy. I had read in the Sanathana Sarathi that

you had recommended silence during Thursday. I read the precious words within

myself. Ah, how fortunate I am!"

Others too in the Jail were subjected to this Divine Alchemy, as their letters

indicate. A seventy-year old prisoner writes, "Like Ramdas, I am engaged in

Ramadhyan in this prison ever since I entered it. Once in ten years, I am

permitted to go home and meet my people, my mother, brothers and other

relatives. My mother born me and bred me and underwent great sacrifices to make

me a man; but, I have given her only sorrow in return. I have rendered myself

incapable of serving her in her old age. My heart is filled with a yearning

that bids me come to You and be Your servant until I die". No. 8...7 writes:

"As a consequence of a crime, three of us, brothers, are undergoing sentence

here. We are trying our best to fix our wandering minds on Your Lotus Feet:

when will these unfortunate fellows get the lucky

chance of having Darshan of the Lord of Parthi?

Prisoner No. 8...8 writes, "Ever since we heard about Your Divine Name and read

the Divine Story, we have been keeping Your Name in mind every moment. That

sweet lozenge has become our companion. The epistle that you sent to the

prisoners here has been received with reverence. Many of us have learnt it by

heart and can reproduce the contents. It passed from hand to hand and groups

imbibed the message with alacrity after group, who read it and enjoyed it. In

the eager rush to read it sooner than others, the paper got crumpled and torn

in places. But, we have pasted the pieces together and kept it framed for all

to read, in the Pooja Room." The prisoners write to Baba for books and Bhajan

song collections, for Notebooks in which they could write Ramnam continuously

until it totals Lakhs, and sometimes

they refer to their mothers or children who, they fear, might be in distress.

In such cases, Baba has sent money through the post to the addresses mentioned

and when the addresses are found to be correct and the persons known to be

alive, He has dispatched clothes and other gifts by post, with letters of

consolation and encouragement.

I shall close his narrative of alchemy with one more letter, the writer had the

good luck to fall into the company of these Sai-inspired Sadhaks and he writes,

"My native state is Nepal. You might know that Nepal is a very God-fearing

country, since you have been to the Himalayas. I am now undergoing imprisonment

as the result of past actions and the consequence of sin. But, I do not reckon

this to be evil; I am convinced that this is for my own good. You have written

in one of your letters to one of my comrades, 'Even Kamalanabha is subject to

Kashta' (Even the Lotus Navelled Lord of Creation is described as having

suffered misery). So, what of poor me? Since some months, the recitation of

Your divine Name and the Reading of Your Story are happening in this prison. In

this stream of devotion, my mind too has got dissolved. The letter

You sent a few days ago had a more profound effect on me than on many others; it

read as if it was written to me and about my problems. Who can tell when exactly

Your Grace will be showered on one? You have taken residence in my heart; I call

You my hrudaya Sai".

Baba has been accepted as the Guardian and Refuge by some prisoners in the

Hazaribagh and Gaya jails too, mainly due to the influence of some Telugu

speaking citizens who had to serve sentences there. Those of us who dismiss a

criminal from the mind as soon as the prison doors are closed with him safely

inside, will be surprised that Baba is there, inside the bars, assuaging the

bleeding heart, the penitent mind, the vigilant conscience, the innocent

sufferer, the child aware that it has erred and determined not to err again.

Most crimes are perpetrated in passion, in the

temporary blindness of hatred, in the momentary insanity of anger, in the

egoistic bravado of greed, in the malice that ignorance breeds.

The law too is very often an ass, as they say: it was framed with little

consideration for the iron that enters the soul when injustice hits one in the

face, for the warp that the emotions get when children live through dirt and

disease, drink and dice, and the deleterious atmosphere of homes broken by

divorce and disorder. Baba asks us to correct the corroding influence of the

cinema on the mind and He has often spoken of the responsibility of literary

men and artists like musicians and dramatists to produce clean entertainment

and wholesome inspiration for the rising generation. The respect now shown to

cleverness rather than virtue, the absence of any teaching of scripture and

Sasthra to the children in schools, the evil example set by elders who indulge

without a shred of shame in anti-social

activities like cheating in business, adulteration of food-stuffs; all these

have been mentioned by Baba as conducive to crime.

Like the mother who pours extra love on the wayward child, Baba is kind to the

repentant criminals and the sunshine He spreads over these is a sign of His

Universal Love. He has always insisted on the criminal confessing his crime and

bearing the consequences gladly, resolving not to repeat the offence. As a

matter of fact, He advises against asking pardon. Be bold, face the result,

suffer and learn fortitude. Repentance is enough compensation for the sin; so,

use the period of the sentence, for repentance and inner purification. That is

his advice.

I remember a person who came from Uttar Pradesh, away from the legal

proceedings, which he had to face for alleged misappropriation of funds

belonging to the Cooperative Society where he was employed. Baba advised him to

return and accept his guilt; but, promised that he would mitigate the

punishment, provided he repented sincerely. The man could not muster sufficient

courage to go back to his place; but, Baba insisted that he should, and he left

with Baba's blessings on the mission of self-improvement.

Rendering base metal into gold - that is the rehabilitation work, which Baba

likes most! Wherever He is, whatever He talks about, the purpose is essentially

this. For example, let us see Him at Brindavan, Whitefield, where He spends a

few weeks every year. Hilda Charlton of the United States writes thus about her

experience of this alchemy: "A quietness fills the air, a peace, Shanthi

indescribable, which is not lessened but only made more cognizable by Baba's

voice, as He daily sings a song or speaks the wisdom of the ages to those whose

Grace it is to receive. As I arose at 4 A.M.

10pt">, and walked down the long garden to the spreading tree at the end of the

path, there was a cool silence, which brought a flood of joy in its wake. The

bright moon illumined the garden well. Silhouetted against the sky were the

stately fir trees, the heavy fig trees, the line of Asokas, the brilliant red

of the gold mohurs and the white gardenia bushes. The statue of Krishna in the

centre of the pond made me yearn for the music of the flute, which I felt,

might emerge any moment from its lips. Arms automatically rose in adoration of

God's Glory that beckoned me from every side.

In His talks yesterday, Baba had said that the best time for meditation was the

Brahmamuhurtham (from 3 A.M. to 6 P.M.). To meditate under these trees in the

open is a spiritual treat, for, we are perhaps carried back in memory to the

days when in last ages we were meditating on the banks of the

normal">Ganga, in the Himalayan valleys. Baba has told us that it is good to

form a habit of meditating at the same place, at the same time, and for the

same length of time each day, at least until one progress enough. Baba has also

said, "The inner meditation is only one factor, the aim must be to derive

Aanandham with every breath, by filling every moment with the sweetness of His

Name. Pranayama of this type must become part of your very being. Then only do

you start the process of truly living."

Today is the First Day of January 1965. I remember Baba's admonition not to

attach too much significance to any particular day. Every day is Guru-vaar, not

Thursday alone, He has said. Every second is a new start and has to be

celebrated as an opportunity. The New Year, beginning on a particular day, is

just a convention, a creation of man's limiting mind, separating God's Infinity

into tiny sections. But I find many coming into the bungalow with garlands of

fragrant flowers. The altar is made a magnificent heap of white pink orange and

magenta flowers.

Baba started the day taking sweets from the air and distributing them to all

saying; "These sweets will bring joy into our lives". He made a small picture

with just a wave of His Hand and gave it to Mr. B. Then, turning to Mrs. B. He

asked rather playfully, "Jealous?" So. He took the picture back and placed it

in His right hand, clapping both hands quick. Instantly, there were six copies

of the same, one for each of us, sitting before Him.

During the conversation that ensued, He picked up a piece of paper from the

floor and rolling it into a ball, gave it to Mr. B. He found on his palm not a

ball of paper but a flavoured sweet eatable, which, it seems, was his favorite!

In the same manner, he prepared another paper ball for the wife, which too

became on contact with her hand, another item of the edible sweet.

These little surprises, as He called them, culminated in the miracle of Om. A

devotee had come from Madras, bringing with her a jewel in the shape of Om,

which she had got made; she now held it before Baba for being blessed by His

Divine Touch. Baba looked at it and laughing, joked about the Om being more

like a curved monkey's tail! Evidently, He did not like the artist's handiwork.

He asked the devotee whether He should correct the Om or whether she preferred a

new jewel, with His own portrait incorporated in it. She chose the new jewel,

naturally. Keeping the Om jewel in His closed fist, He blew on It and when He

opened His palm, we found to our astonishment that the Om had disappeared and

in its place, there had

come into being an exquisitely designed gold locket, with a large portrait of

Baba in natural colours encircled by diamonds and with a pendant of lovely

pearls. "This is a reward for twenty three years of unremitting prayer," Baba

said, while placing the jewel in her hand.

The miracles of Baba are done with a purpose to inspire, to encourage and

strengthen faith. The greater miracle of Baba, is, of course, the supreme

miracle of the change in our nature, in our character, which is far more

inspiring and uplifting than the creation of jewels. Sai Baba at Shirdi said,

"I give what you want, that one day you will want what I give". And so, one

feels, it is with Baba; every move, every word, every act (and every act of the

Lord cannot but be a miracle) has a deep meaning, which we can seldom unravel.

I saw a miracle of change in character, that was highly inspiring, Baba declares

that He does not effect the change from outside in, but, He releases the innate

perfection, lying dormant and unknown, within us. A lady from Britain came to

Baba with no background of spiritual yearning, and no previous study of Eastern

religion or philosophy. She was on a tour of South India and her intention was

only to stay for three days, before she resumed the tour. But, on meeting Baba

and glimpsing His Glory, she cancelled all further engagements and stayed on

for fully four months!

These were months of complete dedication and renunciation of old habits, likes,

as well as dislikes. She had never meditated in her life, before coming to

Prashanthi Nilayam and was not conversant with Yoga or Hindu systems of

thought. Yet, we were struck when she drafted a Programme for the twenty-four

hours of each day and when she stuck tenaciously to it. At 4 A.M., she was up,

meditating, whether she had slept well or not, during the night. Her day was

filled with reading, writing, meditating Japam, and acts of service, like

sweeping the compound of Brindavan or

Prashanthi Nilayam. This she persevered in doing sincerely, though on account of

the changed climate and food, she was plagued during this period of intense

Sadhana with abscesses and infections, which were irritating and very often

painful. She had to keep awake during most nights as a result of these, but,

she held fast to her determination.

Her steadfastness and perseverance as well as her love for God were rewarded by

Baba; slowly, her meditation became calm and rewarding. A new radiance was

shining in her eyes. There was a strange charm in her face, which was not there

before. Her quiet unobtrusive unselfish acts made her, as Baba advises all to

become, a hollow ego-less individual, a flute with which God can sing the

melody of perfection.

She left after four months equipped with a completely new outlook, an awakened

consciousness and a sincere desire to continue her Sadhana. Baba has assured

that if a person will give the whole being to God, and meditate as directed,

one can, within three months, attain results that will be most encouraging. The

results depend, of course, on steady faith and Sadhana done continuously.

Before she went overseas, we had the privilege of witnessing a miracle of Baba.

As she was soon to be married in Britain, Baba had promised her a mangalsutra,

a jewel to be worn after the wedding ceremony. One day, while we were sitting

before Him in a group, He took a betel vine leaf from the box near Him and

started carving on it a decorative design, with the edge of the tiny silver

spoon used for spreading lime upon it. From time to time, He would hold it up

and show it to us, and we admired the design that was unfolding before our

eyes, with each

line that He drew. We did not realize that He was mentally designing the

mangala-suthram for our friend. Then, suddenly, He held up the leaf on the

conclusion of the picture, and blew thrice upon it. The leaf disappeared and in

its place was one of the most beautiful wedding jewels ever seen! It was of gold

and the symbolic significance, which Baba explained to the recipient, was such

that she will always be reminded of her Sadhana. On each side, were three

rubies, representing the three Gunas of husband and wife, which must harmonize

and cooperate. There were five rubies at the bottom of the jewel, reminding

them of the five senses which have to be controlled. Right at the top, were two

rubies, side by side, which symbolized the husband and wife. Suspended from the

main jewel, there was a pendent of perfect pearls, having in the centre, a

lotus, made out in precious stones, to remind them both of Prashanthi Nilayam,

with the Lotus Circle right in front of the Hall. It was indeed a delightful

reward for days and nights of intense Sadhana; she had not squandered even one

moment of those four months.

Baba is unfathomable, unknowable. One cannot comprehend with the human mind,

what He is. One can only trust, believe, and obey. As I stood before Him,

immersed in wonder, He said, "Every one sees the world through glasses and

their world is that which they see through them, worry glasses, hate glasses,

glasses of envy, jealousy, greed. I wear only Love Glasses. I cannot hate even

if I want to. Hate and anger are not part of Me; nor is Disease possible for

Me, I may hiss to warn and correct: but, I never hate. I am Bliss, and Bliss

only. I am Wisdom, Aanandham, Shanthi. That is My nature."

Baba reconstructs Man by revealing to each the Sai within him. Whether it be a

prisoner within the high walls of a jail or within the high walls of ego-built

desire, He is the liberator, the watchful Master, who takes you as you are and

leads you on to the joy of freedom.

Hilda Charlton, who has spent decades in Ceylon among Buddhist Sadhaks and who

has practiced Tantrik Sadhanas under Hindu Gurus in Delhi chanced to hear of

Shirdi when in Bombay and during her stay at Shirdi, she came to know of the

present Form that Sai Baba has taken to bless mankind. She came to Prashanthi

Nilayam about three years ago. Here she found the fulfillment of her striving,

a place where she could do her Sadhana with the assurance of success.

CONTINUED…

With Sai love from Sai brother M. Palaniswamy

/

 

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