Uddhavesh alias Shyamdas Baba

[Guest guest]

Once, he had gone to Dwarkamai,

and Baba was grinding wheat. At that time, Baba had ground a little wheat and

was about to grind some more. He went to the Sanctum Sanctorium

and sat down and noted that Baba, while grinding, was singing awhile, saying

Vedanta a while, then showering abuses. He was so fascinated by the grinding,

that he asked Baba, “Baba, why have You kept

this hand mill? Why do You do this chore of

grinding?” Baba then said, “Ithe je yetaat,

tyaanche malaa dalaava laagta bara (Whoever comes to me, I have to grind for

them)!” This

sentence struck the core of his heart and he realized how much trouble and

hardship Baba undergoes for us.

Our Sanchit (The sum total of

merit and demerit of the present life as well as all the previous births) and Kriyaman (The actions of this present life with its

repercussions and fruits in future births) are whirling around like a wheel.

Then there are our hopes, aspirations, goals and trials. Only the Sadguru shoulders our tribulations for material benefits. Finally, to set us on the path of spirituality, helping us as we

take the first few steps like a mother carrying us every time we falter or

fall.

Only the Sadguru can liberate

us from the cycle of future births and deaths. No one else can!

 

When he went to take permission to leave, he said,

“Baba, why don’t you call me more frequently to Shirdi?”

Then Baba, turning to Bala Shimpi said, “He says I don’t call him often. Yet,

we meet every fifteen days, don’t we?” Shyamdas had a routine of writing to Baba on Ekadashi of every month and Baba used to reply. Baba was

referring to this. Then Baba, as usual, gave him a handful of udi and blessed him. In a motherly tone, Baba said, “So, you are leaving? Arre

Shyamdas, I am with you all the time. Allah Ram Malik will bless you and do good.

Okay?”

 

On his last

visit, he had gone to the Dwarkamai in the afternoon

at about three o’clock. Some

devotees were seated at the Sabha Mandap

and they cautioned Shyamdas not to got

to the Dwarkamai. Baba at that time was sitting still

as if in meditation. Just then, one of the devotees went up for darshan. Baba flew into a rage and swiftly smacked the

devotee with his satka. He let out a volley of

abuses. The devotee fled from the Dwarkamai. Shyamdas went up and Baba welcomed him as if nothing had

happened. Shyamdas sat a while and Baba said, “Shyamdas, when

will you come again?” Shyamdas

replied that he would return quickly and taking Udi,

he left. He had not even reached the gate of the Sabha

Mandap, when Baba called out to him. He retraced his

steps and went to Baba. Baba said, “Henceforth,

don’t come to Shirdi, okay? I am always with you, wherever you may be,

okay? The people here have changed a lot. They trouble me incessantly with

their cries for money (paika) and I am getting tired.

Are you going on a yatra, or are you going to meet

your family? I am always with you now and forever.” Then

Baba gave him permission to go and try as he may, he couldn’t make a trip

to Shirdi, nor could he send his letters on Ekadashi. Then Shyamdas received

letters from various devotees informing him that Baba had taken Mahasamadhi.

[REF :

Sai Leela 1926 (June-July)]