Shri Baba and Vedic Religion by Sai Rag

[Guest guest]

Shri Baba and Vedic Religion

The other day, I was reading the text of a talk by the venerable Kanchi

Acharya Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham at

Kancheepuram). The Acharya has emphasized that Pancha Yagaa (Five kinds of

Sacrifices) is the best means of atonement of sins and final salvation. The

five kinds of Yagna are:

1. Brahma Yagna or Vedadhyan - Offerings to a Brahman or the study of

Vedas.

2. Pitru Yagna - Offerings to the ancestors.

3. Deva Yagna - Offerings to Gods

4. Bhoota Yagna - Offerings to the beings.

5. Manushya or Atithi Yagna - Offerings to men or uninvited guests.

 

When I read this, my mind went to our Shri Baba. He, who had taken Avatar

for the emancipation of mankind, had endorsed by his words and deeds the

Upanishad teachings in letter and spirit. A study of Sai Satcharita amply

illustrates this. What I am attempting is to highlight certain incidents and

teachings of Shri Baba, which emphasize the importance of the five Yagnas.

 

Brahma Yagna

Baba loved those, who studied Brahma Vidya and encouraged them. Once,

Bapusaheb Jog received a post-parcel. It contained a copy of Gita Rahasya by

Lokmanya Tilak. Taking it under his armpit, he went to Sri Baba and

prostrated himself before Him. Shri Baba told him " Read this completely and

you will be benefited " . It was a common sight in Dwarkamai to see orthodox

Vaishnavites and Agnihotris chanting Vedas, Upanisbads and the Gayatri in

the presence of Shri Baba and feel most elevated. Yet Shri Baba knew that

the study of Vedas and Upanishads was possible only for a few. So for many,

Shri Baba showed a simpler path. He encouraged Shama, Purandare and many

others to study Vishnu Sahasranamam. He directed Swami Vijayanand to do

continuous reading of Bhagawat (to ensure continuous remembrance of Hari)

just before the Swami left his mortal coils. Many of the devotees read

Adhyatma Ramayan, Jnaneshwari and other scriptures under Shri Baba's

guidance. The episode of Shri Baba expounding the meaning of a verse from

Bhagwat Gita to Nana, is too well known. The other interesting incident is

the teaching of the meaning of Isha Upanishad to Das' Ganu. Shri Baba also

knew that for many devotees even the study of scriptures was too much. He,

therefore pointed out to them other simpler ways. He told Mrs. Khaparde

always to chant " Rajaram " and added " If you do this, your life's object will

be gained. Your mind will attain peace and you will be immensely benefited " .

Another devotee was reminded in a subtle way the mantra given to him by his

guru " Shri Ram Jay Ram Jay Jay Ram " . Perhaps the simplest path shown by Him

was the chanting of Sai Ram. " If a man utters my name with love, I shall

fulfill all his wishes and increase his devotion. The simple remembrance of

my name as 'SAI SAI' will do away with sins, of speech and hearing, "

 

(to be contd.........)

Sai Rag

Source Shri Sai Leela Magazine February 1979)