Shri Baba and Vedic Religion (contd....)

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Deva Yagna

We next take up Deva Yagna - the offering to Gods. Instances abound in Shri Baba's life and

teachings, where he emphasized the importance of offering to Gods. Shri Baba Himself whenever " He cooked food, first

offered it to God before distributing it to others. When Nana bypassed Datta's temple to avoid an offering of Rs.

500/-, which he had vowed, Shri Baba chided him and

refused to talk to him and Nana realised his mistake.

Shri Baba advised all His devotees not to neglect the

worship and offerings to their family deities. Shama

had to offer silver breasts to the Goddess Saptashringi

to fulfill the long standing vow of his late mother. When he approached Shri Baba with the silver offerings, He refused to accept

them (although He identified Himself with Lakshmi) and directed him to make a

pilgrimage to the temple of the Goddess and make the offering there.

 

Bhoota Yagna

Bhoota Yagna comes next. This is the

offering to beings. Shri Baba used to beg for His

food and on His return to Dwarakamai he used to

deposit the food in a kundi. Dogs, cats and crows ate

the food from the kundi freely. Once when Mrs. Tarkhad was carrying specially made dishes for Shri Baba, a hungry dog turned up. Mrs. Tarkhad

threw some food for the dog. When she reached Dwarkamai

Shri Baba told her, " Mother! Take pity on Me like this. First give food to the hungry and then eat

yourself " . Shri Baba added further, " The

dog which you saw before meals and to whom you gave the piece of bread is one

with me, so also other creatures. He, who sees Me in

all these creatures is my beloved " .

 

Manushya or Atithi Yagna

Lastly comes the Manushya

or Atithi Yagna or the

offering to men or uninvited guests. Shri Baba always

said that without " Rinanubandh " nobody

comes to any one. To quote the words of Shri Baba,

" Unless there is some relationship or connection nobody goes anywhere. If

any man or creature comes to you, do not discourteously drive him away but

receive him well and treat him well. Lord Hari will be certainly pleased if you

give water to the thirsty, bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked and your verandah to the strangers for sitting and

resting " . By numerous incidents,

Shri Baba encouraged those who followed this advice

and scolded those who behaved rudely to beggars and strangers; the

compassion which Shri Baba himself

showed to the poor and needy cannot be described in words.

 

All the above examples show that Shri

Baba was the greatest exponent of the Vedic and Upanishadic

teachings by His words and more than that by His deeds. As devotees of Shri Baba, it is our duty to meditate on His teachings and

lead our lives accordingly. That is the surest way of pleasing Baba and getting

his ever lasting blessings.

Sai Rag

(Source Shri Sai Leela Feb 1979)