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)]