Jai Sai Ram I reproduce below a letter I received some time back from a devotee about the Sai Satcharitra and the script of Sai Satcharitra in English. Ashok Gupta PRAYER SHREE GANESH VANDANA SHASHI VARNAM CHATURBHUJAM PRASANNA VADANAM DHYAYETH SARVA VIGHNOPA SHANTAYE AGAJANANA PADMASANAM GAJANANA MAHIRSHAM ANEKA DANTAM EKA DANTAM UPASMAYEM BHAKTANAM Mushikavaahana Modaka Hastha, Chaamara Karna Vilambitha Sutra, Vaamana Rupa Maheshwara Putra, Vighna Vinaayaka Paada Namasthe Sainatha Sainatha Sainatha Sadgurum Yogiraja Yugapurusha Bhaktakoti Vanditham Kripanidhim Tapodhanim Sainatha Pahimaam Divyateja Bhavyamoorthi Punyacharita Poojitam Dear Sai brothers and sisters, Total Surrender
Sai Ram. The 'Shri Sai Satcharitra', (which is the Bhagawat Gita, the Bible, the Quran of all Sai devotees), the Story of the Universal Lord who has come to save all of us from misery, sin and every type of misfortune in life and give us love, bliss, happiness and salvation to whole humanity in this Sai Yug. Reading, listening and telling the story of the Divine Lord and Mother Sai are the greatest Satsang and Bliss in life. Baba has carved a golden path to blessedness for humanity; a sublime culture which is a sure path to blessedness. He has planted the banner of Truth, the banner of Divine Peace and Universal Love, the banner of Righteousness and True Dharma.
With Pranams at the Lotus Feet of the Divine Mother Sai Yours Sai brother ***** ELEVEN DECLARATIONS OF SAI BABA 1. Whoever puts his feet on Shirdi soil, his sufferings would come to an end. 2. The wretched and miserable would rise into plenty of joy and happiness, as soon as they climb the steps of my Samadhi. 3. I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body. 4. My tomb shall bless and speak to the needs of my devotees. 5. I shall be active and vigorous even from the tomb. 6. My mortal remains would speak from the tomb. 7. I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me and who seek refuge in me. 8. If you look to me, I look to you. 9. If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it. 10. If you seek my advice and help, it shall be given to you at once. 11. There shall be no want in the house of my devotees. SRI SAI BABA ASTOTHRAS FOR DAILY WORSHIP I. ASHTOTHRA OF SRI SAI BABA OF SHIRDI - THE FIRST INCARNATION OF DIVINE FATHER (SIVA) 1. 2. 3. Om Sri Sai Krishna Rama Siva Maruthiyaadhi Roopaya Namaha 4. Om Sri Sai Seshasayine Namaha 5. Om Sri Sai Godhavarithata Shirdi Vasine Namaha 6. Om Sri Sai Bhaktha Hrudaalayaaya Namaha 7. Om Sri Sai Sarva Hrudh Vaasine Namaha 8. Om Sri Sai Bhootha Vaasaaya Namaha 9. Om Sri Sai Bhootha Bavishya Baava Varjithaaya Namaha 10. 11. 12. 13. Om Sri Sai Kaaladarpa Dhamanaaya Namaha 14. Om Sri Sai Mruthyunjayaaya Namaha 15. Om Sri Sai Amruthyaaya Namaha 16. Om Sri Sai Marthyaar Baya Pradaaya Namaha 17. Om Sri Sai Jeeva Aadaraya Namaha 18. Om Sri Sai Sarva Aadaraaya Namaha 19. Om Sri Sai Bhaktaavana Samarthaaya Namaha 20. Om Sri Sai Bhaktaavana Prathignaaya Namaha 21. Om Sri Sai Anna Vastradaaya Namaha 22. Om Sri Sai Aroghya Kshemadaaya Namaha 23. Om Sri Sai Dhana Maangalyadaaya Namaha 24. Om Sri Sai Buddhi Siddhidaaya Namaha 25. Om Sri Sai Puthra Mithra Kalathra Bandhudaaya Namaha 26. Om Sri Sai Yoga Kshemavahaaya Namaha 27. Om Sri Sai Aapath Baandhavaaya Namaha 28. Om Sri Sai Maargha Bandhuve Namaha 29. Om Sri Sai Bakthi Mukthi Swargha Apargadaaya Namaha 30. Om Sri Sai Priyaaya Namaha 31. Om Sri Sai Preethi Vardhanaaya Namaha 32. 33. 34. Om Sri Sai Aanandaaya Namaha 35. Om Sri Sai Aananda Daaya Namaha 36. Om Sri Sai Parameshwaraaya Namaha 37. Om Sri Sai Para Brahmane Namaha 38. Om Sri Sai Paramaathmane Namaha 39. Om Sri Sai Gjaana Swaroopine Namaha 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. Om Sri Sai Saranaagatha Vathsalaaya Namaha 46. Om Sri Sai Bhakthi Shakthi Pradaaya namaha 47. Om Sri Sai Gjaana Vairaghyadaaya Namaha 48. Om Sri Sai Prema Pradaaya Namaha 49. Om Sri Sai Samsaya Hrudaya Dwarbalya Papakarma Vaasana Kshayakaraaya Namaha 50. Om Sri Sai Hrudaya Grunthi Bedhakaaya Namaha 51. Om Sri Sai Karma Dwamsine Namaha 52. Om Sri Sai Suddha Satwa Stithaaya Namaha 53. Om Sri Sai Gunaatheetha Gunaathmane Namaha 54. Om Sri Sai Anantha Kalyana Gunaaya Namaha 55. Om Sri Sai Amitha Paraakramaaya Namaha 56. Om Sri Sai Jayine Namaha 57. Om Sri Sai Durdasha Kshobyaaya Namaha 58. Om Sri Sai Aparaajithaaya Namaha 59. Om Sri Sai Trilokesu Vandithagathaye Namaha 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66. 67. 68. Om Sri Sai Sarva Antharyaamine Namaha 69. Om Sri Sai Mano Vaghtheethaya Namaha 70. Om Sri Sai Prema Moorthaye Namaha 71. Om Sri Sai Sulabha Durlabaaya Namaha 72. Om Sri Sai Asahaaya Sahaayaaya Namaha 73. Om Sri Sai Anaatha Natha Deena Bandhuve Namaha 74. Om Sri Sai Sarva Baara Bruthe Namaha 75. Om Sri Sai Akarma Aneka Karma Sukarmane Namaha 76. 77. 78. 79. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. Om Sri Sai Bhaskara Prabhaaya Namaha 85. Om Sri Sai Brahmacharya Tapascharyaadhi Suvrathaaya Namaha 86. Om Sri Sai Sathya Dharma Paraayanaaya Namaha 87. Om Sri Sai Siddeshwaraaya Namaha 88. Om Sri Sai Siddha Sankalpaaya Namaha 89. Om Sri Sai Yogeeshwaraaya Namaha 90. Om Sri Sai Baghawathe Namaha 91. Om Sri Sai Bhaktha Vathsalaaya Namaha 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. Om Sri Sai Abedha Ananda Anubhava Pradhaaya Namaha 97. Om Sri Sai Sama Sarva Matha Sammathaaya Namaha 98. Om Sri Sai Sri Dakshina Moorthaye Namaha 99. Om Sri Sai Sri Venkatesharamanaaya Namaha 100. Om Sri Sai Adhbuthaananda Charyaaya namaha 101. 102. Om Sri Sai Samsara Sarva Dukha Kshayakaraaya Namaha 103. Om Sri Sai Sarvanith Sarvatho Mukhaaya Namaha 104. Om Sri Sai Sarvaanthar Bahir Sthithaaya Namaha 105. Om Sri Sai Sarva Mangalakaraaya Namaha 106. Om Sri Sai Sarvaabheesta Pradhaaya Namaha 107. Om Sri Sai Samara Sanmarka Sthaapanaaya Namaha 108. Om Sri Sai Sri Samartha Sathguru Sayi Naathaaya Namaha ***** AARATI Oh Sai Baba, we wave lights before You, the bestower of happiness to the Jivas. Give us – Your servants and devotees rest under the dust of Your feet. Burning (destroying) desire, You remain absorbed in Your Self and show the Lord (God) to the aspirants. As one feels intently, You give him experiences or realizations accordingly. Oh kind-hearted, Your power is such! Meditation on Your name removes our fear of the Samsar. Your method of work is really unfathomable as You always help the poor and helpless. In this Kali age, You - the all-pervasive Datta, have really incarnated as Saguna Brahma. Ward off the fear of samsar of the devotees who come to You every Thursday so as to enable them to see the Feet of the Lord. Oh! God of Gods, I pray that let my treasure be the service of Your feet. Feed me Madhav
with happiness as the cloud feeds the Chatak bird with pure water and thus keep up Your Word. Amen! ***** Shri Sai Satcharitra Chapter I Salutations -- The Story of Grinding Wheat and Its Philosophical Significance. According to the ancient and revered custom, Hemadpant begins the work, Sai Satcharitra, with various salutations. First, he makes obeisance to the God Ganesha to remove all obstacles and make the work a success and says that Shri Sai is the God Ganesha. Then, to the Goddess Saraswati to inspire him to write out the work and says that Shri Sai is one with this Goddess and that He is Himself singing His own life. Then, to the Gods; Brahma, Vishnu and Shankar - the Creating, Preserving and Destroying Deities respectively; and says that Sainath is one with them and He as the great Teacher, will carry us across the River of Worldly Existence. Then, to his tutelary Deity Narayan Adinath who manifested himself in Konkan - the land reclaimed by Parashurama, (Rama in the Hindi version) from the sea; and to the Aadi (Original) Purusha of the family. Then, to the Bharadwaja Muni, into whose gotra (clan) he was born and also to various Rishis, Yagyavalakya, Bhrigu, Parashara, Narad, Veda Vyasa, Sanak, Sanandan, Sanatkumar, Shuka, Shounak, Vishwamitra, Vasistha, Valmiki, Vamadeva, Jaimini, Vaishampayan, Nava Yogindra etc, and also modern Saints such as Nivritti, Jnanadev, Sopan, Muktabai, Janardan, Ekanath, Namdev, Tukaram, Kanha, and Narahari etc. Then, to his grandfather Sadashiv, father Raghunath, his mother, who left him in his infancy, to his paternal aunt, who brought him up, and to his loving elder brother. Then, to the readers and prays them to give their whole and undivided attention to his work. And lastly, to his Guru Shri Sainath - an Incarnation of Shri Dattatreya, Who is his sole Refuge and Who will make him realize that Brahman is the Reality and the world an illusion; and incidentally, to all the Beings in whom the Lord God dwells. After describing in brief the various modes of devotion according to Parashara, Vyasa and Shandilya etc., the author goes on to relate the following story: "It was sometime after 1910 AD that I went, one fine morning, to the Masjid in Shirdi for getting a Darshan of Sai Baba. I was wonder-struck to see the following phenomenon. After washing His mouth and face, Sai Baba began to make preparations for grinding wheat. He spread a sack on the floor; and thereon set a hand-mill. He took some quantity of wheat in a winnowing fan, and then drawing up the sleeves of His Kafni (robe); and taking hold of the peg of the hand-mill, started grinding the wheat by putting a few handfuls of wheat in the upper opening of the mill and rotated it. I thought ‘what business Baba had with the grinding of wheat, when He possessed nothing and stored nothing, and as He lived on alms!’ Some people who had come there thought likewise, but none had the courage to ask Baba what He was doing.
Immediately, this news of Baba's grinding wheat spread into the village, and at once men and women ran to the Masjid and flocked there to see Baba's act. Four bold women, from the crowd, forced their way up and pushing Baba aside, took forcibly the peg or handle into their hands, and, singing Baba's Leelas, started grinding. At first Baba was enraged, but on seeing the women's love and devotion, He was much pleased and began to smile. While they were grinding, they began to think that Baba had no house, no property, no children, none to look after, and He lived on alms, He did not require any wheat-flour for making bread or roti, what will He do with this big quantity of flour? Perhaps as Baba is very kind, He will distribute the flour amongst us. Thinking in this way while singing, they finished the grinding and after putting the hand-mill aside, they divided the flour into four portions and began to remove them one per head. Baba, Who was calm and
quiet up till now, got wild and started abusing them saying, "Ladies, are you gone mad? Whose father's property are you looting away? Have I borrowed any wheat from you, so that you can safely take the flour? Now please do this. Take the flour and throw it on the village border limits." On hearing this, the women felt abashed and whispering amongst themselves, went away to the outskirts of the village and spread the flour as directed by Baba. I asked the Shirdi people - "What was this that Baba did?" They replied that as the Cholera Epidemic was spreading in the village and this was Baba's remedy against the same; it was not wheat that was ground but the Cholera itself was ground to pieces and pushed out of the village. From this time onward, the Cholera Epidemic subsided and the people of the village were happy. I was much pleased to know all this; but at the same time my curiosity was also aroused. I began to ask myself - What earthly connection was there between wheat flour and Cholera? What was the casual relation between the two and how to reconcile them? The incident seems to be inexplicable. I should write something on this and sing to my heart's content Baba's sweet Leelas. Thinking in this way about this Leela, my heart was filled with joy and I was
thus inspired to write Baba's Life - The Satcharita. And as we know, with Baba's grace and blessing this work was successfully accomplished. Philosophical Significance of Grinding
Apart from the meaning, which the people of Shirdi put on this incident of grinding wheat, there is, we think, a philosophical significance too. Sai Baba lived in Shirdi for about sixty years and during this long period, He did the business of grinding almost every day - not, however, the wheat alone; but the sins, the mental and physical afflictions and the miseries of His innumerable devotees. The two stones of His mill consisted of Karma and Bhakti, the former being the lower and the latter the upper one. The handle with which Baba worked the mill consisted of Jnana. It was the firm conviction of Baba that Knowledge or Self-realization is not possible, unless there is the prior act of grinding of all our impulses, desires, sins; and of the three gunas, viz. Satwa, Raja and Tama; and the Ahamkara, which is so subtle and
therefore so difficult to be got rid of. This reminds us of a similar story of Kabir who seeing a woman grinding corn said to his Guru, Nipathiranjana, "I am weeping because I feel the agony of being crushed in this wheel of worldly existence like the corn in the hand-mill." Nipathiranjana replied, "Do not be afraid; hold fast to the handle of knowledge of this mill, as I do, and do not wander far away from the same but turn inward to the Center, and you are sure to be saved." Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
Chapter II Object of Writing the Work - Incapacity and Boldness in the Undertaking - Hot Discussion – Conferring Significant and Prophetic Title of Hemadpant - Necessity of a Guru. In the last Chapter, the author mentioned in the original Marathi book that he would state the reason that led him to undertake the work, and the persons qualified to read the same and such other points. Now in this chapter, he starts to tell the same. Object of Writing the Work
In the first chapter, I described Sai Baba’s miracle of checking and destroying the epidemic of Cholera by grinding wheat and throwing the flour, on the outskirts of the village. I heard other miracles of Sai Baba to my great delight, and this delight burst forth into this poetic work. I also thought, that the description of these grand miracles of Sai Baba would be interesting, and instructive to His devotees; and would remove their sins, and so I began to write the sacred life and teachings of Sai Baba. The life of the saint is neither logical nor dialectical. It shows us the true and great path. Incapacity and Boldness in Undertaking the Work
Hemadpant thought that he was not a fit person to undertake the work. He said, "I do not know the life of my intimate friend nor do I know my own mind, then how can I write the life of a saint or describe the nature of Incarnations, which even the Vedas were unable to do? One must be a saint himself, before he could know other saints, then how can I describe their glory? To write the life of a saint is the most difficult, though one may as well measure the depth of the water of the seven seas or enclose the sky with cloth-trappings. I knew that this was the most venturous undertaking, which might expose me to ridicule. I, therefore, invoked Sai Baba’s grace. The premier poet-saint of Maharashtra, Shri Jnaneshwar Maharaj, has stated that the Lord loves those who write the lives of saints; and the saints also have a peculiar method of their own of getting the service, which the devotees long for, successfully accomplished. The saints inspire the work; the devotee becomes only an indirect cause or instrument to achieve the end. For instance, in 1700 Shaka year, the poet Mahipati aspired to write the lives of saints. Saints inspired him, and got the work done; so also in 1800 Shaka year, Das Ganu’s service was accepted. The former wrote 4 works-Bhakta Vijaya, Santa Vijaya, Bhakta Leelamrit and Santa Kathamrit, while the latter wrote two - "Bhakta Leelamrit and Santa Kathamrit", in which the lives of modern Saints were described. In chapters 31,32,33 of Bhakta Leelamrit and in
chapter 57 of Santa Kathamrit, the sweet life and teachings of Sai Baba are very well depicted. These have been separately published in Sai Leela Magazine, Nos. 11 and 12, Vol. 17; the readers are advised to read these chapters. So also Sai Baba’s wonderful Leelas are described in a small decent book named Shri Sainath Bhajana Mala by Mrs. Savitribai Raghunath Tendulkar of Bandra. Das-Ganu Maharaj also has composed various sweet poems on Sai Baba. A devotee named Amidas Bhavani Mehta has also published some stories of Sri Baba in Gujarathi; some Nos. of Sainath Prabha, a magazine published by Dakshina Bhiksha Sanstha of Shirdi, is also published. Then the question of objection comes in, that while so many works regarding Sai Baba are extant, why should this (Satcharita) be written and where is its necessity? The answer is plain and simple. The life of Sai Baba is as wide and deep as the infinite ocean; and all can dive deep into the same and take out precious gems (of knowledge and Bhakti), and distribute them to the aspiring public. The stories, parables, and teachings of Sai Baba are very wonderful. They will give peace and happiness to the people, who are afflicted with sorrows and heavily loaded with miseries of this worldly existence, and also bestow knowledge and wisdom, both in the worldly and in spiritual domains. If these teachings of Sai Baba, which are as interesting and instructive as the Vedic lore, are listened to and meditated upon, the devotees will get, what they long for, viz., union with Brahman, mastery in eight-fold Yoga, Bliss of meditation etc. So I thought, that I should call these stories together that
would be my best Upasana. This collection would be most delightful to those simple souls, whose eyes were not blessed with Sai Baba’s Darshan. So, I set about collecting Sai Baba’s teachings and expressions - the outcome of His boundless and natural self-realization. It was Sai Baba, who inspired me in this matter; in fact, I surrendered my ego at His feet, and thought that my path was clear; and that He would make me quite happy here, and in the next world. I could not myself ask Sai Baba to give me permission for this work; so I requested Mr. Madhav Rao Deshpande alias Shama, Baba’s most intimate devotee, to speak to Him for me. He pleaded for my cause and said to Sai Baba, "This Annasaheb wishes to write Your biography, don’t say that You are a poor begging Fakir, and there is no necessity to write it, but if You agree and help him, he will write or rather, Your feet (grace) will accomplish the work. Without Your consent and blessing, nothing can be done successfully." When Sai Baba heard this request, He was moved and blessed me by giving me His Udi (sacred ashes) and placing His boon-bestowing hand on my head said: - "Let him make a collection of stories and experiences, keep notes and memos; I will help him. He is only an outward instrument. I should write Myself My
autobiography and satisfy the wishes of My devotees. He should get rid of his ego, place (or surrender) it at My feet. He who acts like this in life, him I help the most. What of My life-stories? I serve him in his house in all possible ways. When his ego is completely annihilated and there is left no trace of it, I Myself shall enter into him and shall Myself write My own life. Hearing my stories and teachings will create faith in devotees’ hearts and they will easily get self - realization and Bliss; let there be no insistence on establishing one’s own view, no attempt to refute other’s opinions, no discussions of pros and cons of any subject." The word ‘discussion’ put me in mind of my promise to explain the story of my getting the title of Hemadpant and now I begin to relate the same. I was on close friendly terms with Kakasaheb Dixit and Nanasaheb Chandorkar. They pressed me to go to Shirdi and have Baba’s Darshan, and I promised them to do so. But something in the interval turned up, which prevented me from going to Shirdi. The son of a friend of mine at Lonavala fell ill. My friend tried all possible means, physical and spiritual, but the fever would not abate. At length he got his Guru to sit by the bedside of his son, but this too was of no avail. Hearing this, I thought ‘what was the utility of the Guru, if he could not save my friend’s son? If the Guru can’t do anything for us, why should I go to Shirdi at all?’ Thinking in this way, I
postponed my Shirdi-trip; but the inevitable must happen and it happened in my case as follows: - Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who was a Prant Officer, was going on tour to Bassein. From Hot Discussion
On the first day of my arrival in Shirdi, there was a discussion between me and Balasaheb Bhate regarding the necessity of a Guru. I contended, "Why should we lose our freedom and submit to others? When we have to do our duty, why a Guru is necessary? One must try his best and save himself. What can the Guru do to a man who does nothing but sleeps indolently?" Thus I pleaded freewill, while Mr. Bhate took up the other side, viz., Destiny, and said, "Whatever is bound to happen must happen; even great men have failed, man proposes one way, but God disposes the other (contrary) way. Brush aside your cleverness; pride or egoism won’t help you." This discussion, with all its pros and cons went on for an hour or so, and as usual no decision was arrived at. We had to stop the discussion ultimately, as we were exhausted. The
net result of this was that I lost my peace of mind and found that unless there is strong body-consciousness and egoism, there would be no discussion; in other words, it is egoism, which breeds discussion. Then when we went to the Masjid with others, Baba asked Kakasaheb Dixit the following: - "What was going on in the (Sathe’s) Wada? What was the discussion about?" and staring at me, Baba further added, "What did this Hemadpant say?" Hearing these words, I was much surprised. The Masjid was at a considerable distance from Sathe’s Wad a where I was staying and where the discussion was going on. How could Baba know our discussion unless He is omniscient and Inner Ruler of us all? Significant and Prophetic Title
I began to think why Sai Baba should call me by the name Hemadpant. This word is a corrupt form of Hemadripant. This Hemadripant was a well-known Minister of the kings Mahadev and Ramadev of Devgiri of the Yadav dynasty. He was very learned, good-natured and the author of good works, such as Chaturvarga Chintamani (dealing with spiritual subjects) and Rajprashasti. He invented and started new methods of accounts and was the originator of the Modi (Marathi Shorthand) script. But I was quite the opposite, an ignoramus, and of dull, mediocre intellect. So I could not understand why the name or title was conferred upon me, but thinking seriously upon it, I thought that the title was a dart to destroy my ego, so that, I should always remain meek and humble. It was also a compliment paid to me for the cleverness in the
discussion. Looking to the future history, we think that Baba’s word (calling Mr. Dabholkar by the name Hemadpant) was significant and prophetic, as we find that he looked after the management of Sai Sansthan very intelligently, kept nicely all the accounts and was also the author of such a good work "Sai Satcharita", which deals with such important and spiritual subjects as Jnana, Bhakti and dispassion, self-surrender and self-realization. About the Necessity of a Guru
Hemadpant has left no note, no memo about what Baba said regarding this subject, but Kakasaheb Dixit has published his notes regarding this matter. Next day after Hemadpant’s meeting with Sai Baba, Kakasaheb went to Baba and asked whether he should leave Shirdi. Baba Said, "Yes". Then someone asked - "Baba, where to go?" Baba said, "High up." Then the man said, "How is the way?" Baba said, "There are many ways leading there; there is one way also from here (Shirdi). The way is difficult. There are tigers and wolves in the jungles on the way." I (Kakasaheb) asked - "But Baba, what if we take a guide with us?" Baba answered, - "Then there is no difficulty. The guide will take you straight to your destination, avoiding wolves, tigers and ditches etc. on the way. If there be no guide, there is the danger
of your being lost in the jungles or falling into ditches." Mr. Dabholkar was present on this occasion and he thought that this was the answer Baba gave to the question whether Guru was a necessity (Vide Sai Leela Vol. I, No.5, Page 47); and he thereupon took the hint that no discussion of the problem, whether man is free or bound, is of any use in spiritual matters, but that on the contrary real Paramartha is possible only as the result of the teachings of the Guru, as is illustrated in this chapter of the original work in the instances of great Avatars like Rama and Krishna, who had to submit themselves to their Gurus, Vasishta and Sandipani respectively, for getting self- realization and that the only virtues necessary for such progress are faith and patience. (Vide Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Chapter III Sai Baba’s Sanction and Promise - Assignment of Work to Devotees - Baba’s Stories as Beacon - Light - His Motherly Love - Rohilla’s story - His sweet and Nectar - like Words. Sai Baba’s Sanction and Promise
As described in the previous chapter, Sai Baba gave His complete assent to the writing of the Sat-Charita and said, "I fully agree with you regarding the writing of Satcharita. You do your duty, don’t be afraid in the least, steady your mind and have faith in My words. If my Leelas are written, the Avidya (nescience) will vanish and if they are attentively, and devoutly listened to, the consciousness of the worldly existence will abate, and strong waves of devotion, and love will rise up and if one dives deep into My Leelas, he would get precious jewels of knowledge." Hearing this, author was much pleased, and he at once became fearless and confident, and thought that work was bound to be a success. Then turning to Shama (Madhavarao Deshpande) Sai Baba said. "If a man utters My name with love, I shall fulfill all his wishes, increase his devotion. And if he sings earnestly My life and My deeds, him I shall beset in front and back and on all sides. Those devotees, who are attached to Me, heart and soul, will naturally feel happiness, when they hear these stories. Believe Me that if anybody sings My Leelas, I will give him infinite joy and everlasting contentment. It is My special characteristic to free any person, who surrenders completely to Me, and who does worship Me faithfully, and who remembers Me, and meditates on Me constantly. How can they be conscious of worldly objects and sensations, who utter My name, who worship Me, who think of My stories and My life and who thus always remember Me? I shall draw out My devotees from the jaws of Death. If My
stories are listened to, all the diseases will be got rid of. So, hear My stories with respect; and think and meditate on them, assimilate them. This is the way of happiness and contentment. The pride and egoism of My devotees will vanish, the mind of the hearers will be set at rest; and if it has wholehearted and complete faith, it will be one with Supreme Consciousness. The simple remembrance of My name as ‘Sai, Sai’ will do away with sins of speech and hearing". Different Works Assigned to Devotees
The Lord entrusts different works to different devotees. Some are given the work of building temples and maths, or ghats (flight of steps) on rivers; some are made to sing the glories of God; some are sent on pilgrimages; but to me was allotted the work of writing the Satcharita. Being a jack-of-all-trades but master of none, I was quite unqualified for this job. Then why should I undertake such a difficult job? Who can describe the true life of Sai Baba? Sai Baba’s grace alone can enable one to accomplish this difficult work. So, when I took up the pen in my hand, Sai Baba took away my egoism and wrote Himself His stories. The credit of relating these stories, therefore, goes to Him and not to me. Though Brahmin by birth, I lacked the two eyes. (i.e. the sight or vision) of Shruti and Smriti and therefore was not at all
capable of writing the Satcharita, but the grace of the Lord makes a dumb man talk, enables a lame man to cross a mountain. He alone knows the knack of getting things done, as He likes. Neither the flute, nor the harmonium knows how the sounds are produced. This is the concern of the Player. The oozing of Chandrakant jewel and the surging of the sea are not due to the jewel and the sea but to the rise of the moon. Baba’s Stories as Beacon- Light
Lighthouses are constructed at various places in the sea, to enable the boatmen to avoid rocks and dangers, and make them sail safely. Sai Baba’s stories serve a similar purpose in the ocean of worldly existence. They surpass nectar in sweetness, and make our worldly path smooth and easy to traverse. Blessed are the stories of the saints. When they enter our hearts through the ears, the body – consciousness or egoism and the sense of duality vanish; and when they are stored in the heart, doubts fly out to all sides, pride of the body will fall, and wisdom will be stored in abundance. The description of Baba’s pure fame, and the hearing of the same, with love, will destroy the sins of the devotee and, therefore, this is the simple Sadhana for attaining salvation. The Sadhana for Krita Age was Shamadama (tranquility of
mind and body), for Treta Age, sacrifice, for Dwapara, worship, and for Kali (present) Age, it is singing of the name and glory of the Lord. This last Sadhana is open to all the people of the four varnas (Brahmins, etc.). The other Sadhanas, viz. Yoga, Yagya (sacrifice), Dhyana (meditation) and Dharana (concentration) are very difficult to practice, but singing and hearing the stories and the glory of the Lord (Sai Baba) is very easy. We have only to turn our attention towards them. The listening and singing of the stories will remove the attachment to the senses and their objects, and will make the devotees dispassionate, and will ultimately lead them to self-realization. With this end in view, Sai Baba made me or helped me to write His stories, Satcharitamrita. The devotees may now easily read and hear these stories of Sai Baba and while doing so, meditate on Him, His form and thus attain devotion to Guru and God (Sai Baba), get detachment and
self-realization. In the preparation and writing of this work, Satcharitamrita, it is Sai Baba’s grace, which has accomplished everything, making use of me as a mere instrument. Motherly Love of Sai Baba
Everybody knows how a cow loves her infant calf. Her udder is always full and when the calf wants milk and dashes at the udder, out comes the milk in an unceasing flow. Similarly a human mother knows the wants of her child and feeds it, at her breast in time. In case of dressing and adorning the child, the mother takes particular care to see that this is well done. The child knows or cares nothing about this, but the mother’s joy knows no bounds, when she sees her child beautifully dressed and adorned. The love of mother is peculiar, extraordinary and disinterested, and has no parallel. Sadgurus feel this motherly love towards their disciples. Sai Baba had this same love towards me, and I give an instance of it below: - In 1916 AD I retired from Government Service. The pension that was settled in my case was not sufficient to maintain my family decently. On Guru-Poornima (15th of Ashadha) day of that year, I went to Shirdi with other devotees. There, Mr. Anna Chinchanikar, of his own accord, prayed to Baba for me as follows: - "Please look kindly on him, the pension he gets is quite insufficient, his family is growing. Give him some other appointment, remove his anxiety and make him happy." Baba replied - " He will get some other job, but now he should serve Me and be happy. His dishes will be ever full and never empty. He should turn all his attention towards Me and avoid the company of atheists, irreligious and wicked people. He should be meek and humble towards all and worship Me heart and soul. If he does this, he will get eternal
happiness". The question Who is this HE, Whose worship is advocated, is already answered in a note on "Who is Sai Baba" in the prologue, at the beginning of this work. Rohilla’s Story
The story of the Rohilla illustrates Sai Baba’s all embracing love. One Rohilla, tall and well built, strong as a bull, came to Shirdi, wearing a long Kafni (robe) and was enamored of Sai who stayed there. Day and night he used to recite in a loud and harsh tone Kalma (verses from Holy Koran) and shout "ALLAH HO AKBAR" (God is Great). Most people of Shirdi were working in their fields by day and when they returned to their homes at night, they were welcomed with the Rohilla’s harsh cries and shouts. They could get no sleep and felt much trouble and inconvenience. They suffered in silence this nuisance for some days, and when they could stand it no longer, they approached Baba, and requested Him to check the Rohilla and stop the nuisance. Baba did not attend to their complaint. On the contrary, Baba took the villagers
to task, and asked them to mind their own business, and not the Rohilla. He said to them that the Rohilla had got a very bad wife, a Zantippi, who tried to come in and trouble the Rohilla and Himself; but hearing the Rohilla’s prayers, she dare not enter and they were at peace and happy. In fact, the Rohilla had no wife and by his wife Baba meant DURBUDDHI, i.e. bad thoughts. As Baba liked prayers and cries to God better than anything else, He took the side of the Rohilla, and asked the villagers to wait and suffer the nuisance, which would abate in due course. Baba’s sweet and nectar-like words
One day at "Be wherever you like, do whatever you choose, remember this well that all what you do is known to Me. I am the Inner Ruler of all and seated in their hearts. I envelop all the creatures, the movable and immovable world. I am the Controller - the wirepuller of the show of this Universe. I am the mother - origin of all beings - the Harmony of three Gunas, the propeller of all senses, the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer. Nothing will harm him, who turns his attention towards Me, but Maya will lash or whip him who forgets Me. All the insects, ants, the visible, movable and immovable world, are My Body or Form". Hearing these beautiful and precious words, I at once decided in my mind to serve no man henceforward, but my Guru only; but the reply of Baba to Anna Chinchanikar’s query (which was really mine) that I would get some job, began to revolve in my mind, and I began to think whether it would come to happen. As future events showed, Baba’s words came true and I got a Government job, but that was of short duration. Then I became free and solely devoted my self to the service of my Guru-Sai Baba. Before concluding this Chapter, I request the readers to leave out the various hindrances viz. indolence, sleep, wandering of mind, attachments to senses, etc. and turn their whole and undivided attention to these stories of Sai Baba. Let their love be natural, let them know the secret of devotion; let them not exhaust themselves by other Sadhanas, let them stick to this one simple remedy, i.e. listening to Sai Baba’s stories. This will destroy their ignorance and will secure for them salvation. A miser may stay at various places; but he always thinks of his buried treasure. So let Sai Baba be enthroned in the hearts of all. In the next chapter, I shall speak of Sai Baba’s advent in Shirdi. Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all
Chapter IV PRAYER Asatho Ma Sat Gamaya - Oh Lord Lead me from Untruth to Truth SAI BABA’S FIRST ADVENT IN SHIRDI
Mission of the Saints - Shirdi a Holy Tirth - Personality of Sai Baba - Dictum of Goulibuva – Appearance of Vithal - Kshirsagar’s Story - Das Ganu’s Bath in Prayag - Immaculate Conception of Sai Baba and His First Advent in Shirdi - Three Wadas. In the last Chapter, I described the circumstances, which led me to write Sai-Sat-Charita. Let me now describe the first advent of Sai Baba in Shirdi.
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