FROM LIFE OF SRI SHIRDI SAI BABA BY NARASIMHA SWAMI

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FROM " LIFE OF SRI SHIRDI SAI BABA " BY NARASIMHA SWAMI

 

It is noted in G.S. Khapardes diary that Baba pointed out to him that his body

had got emaciated, his digestion impaired, and his food reduced to bare bread

and water, due to worries of looking after innumerable devotees. Yet in spite of

this, he must, up to the time of his departure from this world go on doing his

duty whatever be the consequences. Baba put his hand into the fire Dhuni at

Dwarakamayee to save the life of a blacksmiths child that had fallen into a

blacksmiths fire elsewhere. And, when asked about the pain and the trouble

caused by burning. Baba said that he had saved the child and that God would cure

his bum. It is believed that when Baba passed away in October, 1918 Tatya Patel

was lying ill in a critical condition, and Baba gave up his own life to save the

life of Tatya, his much favoured pupil to whose family he was indebted all his

life, especially in his earliest days, for sustenance. Giving up life is very

dramatic. But what is more painful and requires greater ability perhaps is to

devote ones life to constant service not minding any question of health or

comfort. That is the real Seva referred to in the Bhagavad Gita, as commented

upon by Baba himself. The sishya as stated by Lord Krishna has to render

perpetual service to the Guru, having dedicated to him at the very beginning his

Tan, Man, Dhan, and he must not retain any idea when rendering service to the

master that he is free either to render or not to render service, but think he

is only carrying out his surrender of body and mind by devoting every little

power possessed by him to the service of the master.