Importance of Human Birth

In this wonderful universe, God has created billions (84 lacs according to Hindusastra calculation) of creatures or beings (including Gods, demigods, insects, beasts and men) inhabiting heaven, hell, earth, ocean, sky and other intermediate regions. Of these, those creatures or souls, whose merits preponderate, go to heaven and live there till they enjoy the fruits of their actions, and when this is done, they are cast down while those souls, whose sins or demerits preponderate, go down to hell, and suffer the consequences of their misdeeds for so long a time as they deserve. When their merits and demerits balance each other, they are born on earth as human beings, and are given a chance to work out their salvation. Ultimately when their merits and demerits both drop down (are got rid of) completely, they get their deliverance and become free. To put the matter in a nutshell, souls get their births or transmigrations according to their deeds and intelligence (development of their minds). 

Special Value of the Human Body 

As we all know, four things are common to all the creatures, viz. food, sleep, fear and sexual union. In the case of man, he is endowed with a special faculty, viz. knowledge, with the help of which he can attain God-vision, which is impossible in any other birth. It is for this reasons that Gods envy man's fortune and aspire to be born as men on earth, so as to get their final deliverance. 

Some say, that there is nothing worse than the human body, which is full of filth, mucus, phlegm and dirt, and which is subject to decay, disease and death. This is no doubt true to a certain extent; but inspite of these drawbacks and defects, the special value of the human body is - that man has got the capacity to acquire knowledge: it is only due to the human knowledge that one can think of the perishable and transitory nature of the body itself, and of the world and get a disgust for the sense-enjoyments and can discriminate between the unreal and the real, and thus attain God-vision. So, if we reject or neglect the body because it is filthy, we lose the chance of God-vision, and if we fondle it, and run after sense - enjoyments, because it is precious, we go to hell. The proper course, therefore, for us to pursue is the following; that the body should neither be neglected nor fondled, but should be properly cared for, just as a traveler on horse-back takes care of his pony on the way till he reaches his destination and returns home. Thus the body should ever be used or engaged to attain God-vision or self-realization, which is the supreme end of life. 

It is said that though God created various sorts of creatures he was not satisfied, for none of them was able to know and appreciate His work. So he had to create a special being - Man, and endow him with a special faculty, viz. Knowledge and when He saw that man was able to appreciate His Leela - marvellous work and intelligence. He was highly pleased and satisfied. (Vide, Bhagawat 11-9-28). So really it is good luck to get a human body, better luck to get birth in a Brahmin family, and best one, to get an opportunity of having recourse to Sai Baba's Feet and surrendering to Him. 

Man's Endeavour 

Realizing how precious the human life is, and knowing that Death is certain and may snatch us at any time, we should be ever alert to achieve the object of our life, we should not make the least delay but make every possible haste to gain our object, just as a widower is most anxious to get himself married to a new bride, or just as a king leaves no stone unturned to seek his lost son. So with all earnestness and speed, we should strive to attain our end, i.e., self-realization. Casting aside sloth and laziness, warding off drowsiness, we should day and night meditate on the Self. If we fail to do this, we reduce ourselves to the level of beasts. 

How to Proceed? 

The most effective and speedy way to gain our object is to approach a worthy Saint or Sage - Sadguru, who has himself attained God-vision. What cannot be achieved by hearing religious lectures and study of religious works, is easily obtained in the company of such worthy souls. Just as the sun alone gives light, which all the stars put together cannot do, so the Sad-Guru alone imparts spiritual wisdom which all the sacred books and sermons cannot infuse. His movements and simple talks give us 'silent' advice. The virtues of forgiveness, calmness, disinterestedness, charity, benevolence, control of mind and body, egolessness etc. are observed by the disciples as they are being practiced in such pure and holy company. This enlightens their minds and lifts them up spiritually. 

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(This is taken from chapter VIII of Shri Sai Satcharita which is translated by Nagesh Vasudev Gunaji from the original work of Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias ‘Hemadpant’ in Marathi)

Importance of Guru in Life

“Gurur brahma gurur vishnu  gurudevo maheshwaraha

gurussakshaat parabrahma  tasmay shri gyrave namaha”

The word “Guru”comes from the word ‘Gu’ means darkness and ‘Ru’ means, light. Guru is someone who radiates light of wisdom in the hearts filled with the darkness of ignorance. In the Upanishads, five signs of satguru (true guru) are mentioned.  In the presence of the Sadguru; Knowledge flourishes (Gyana raksha); Sorrow diminishes (Dukha kshaya); Joy wells up without any reason (Sukha aavirbhava); Abundance dawns (Samriddhi); All talents manifest (Sarva samvardhan). When you find peace and tranquility and joy in the very presence of a person, you can know that he is a SADGURU and one of the form of Sadguru is “Sri Sainath of Shirdi”

As said by Sri Paramahanssji, “The blind cannot lead the blind”. Similarly, Only a master, one who knows God, may rightly teach others about Him. To regain one’s divinity one must have such a master or guru. He who faithfully follows a true guru becomes like him, for the guru helps to elevate the disciple to his own level of realization.”

Why we need Guru in our life?

In “Sai Satcharithra” significance of guru has been laid in ones life where it has been questioned that "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?" One day one Sai devotee 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.”Kakasaheb (devotee) asked - "But Baba, what if we take a guide with us?" 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 (devotee) was present on this occasion and he thought that this was the answer Baba gave to the question whether Guru was a necessity; 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, Vasishtha and Sandipani respectively, for getting self realization and that the only virtues necessary for such progress are ‘Shraddha’ and other the ‘Saburi’ ( faith and patience).

As  we can’t directly or immediately approach God On the path of perfection in spiritual life, it’s essential to receive guidance from a guru, a spiritual master on our own. We each have a direct relationship with God because we are His children, but realizing and acting in that direct relationship is possible after we’ve become pure, which is a process. A spiritual master selflessly trains and guides us in reviving our relationship with God, and is always willing to help in difficult times.

The Relationship between Guru and Disciple:

The relationship with the guru is based on the purest form of unconditional love. There is complete openness with the guru. The disciple should hold nothing back from the guru. This is why in the tradition, a student goes to the guru and offers a bundle of sticks to burn. The bundle symbolizes that everything the disciple has is offered unconditionally to the guru. Everything is offered to the guru so the guru can do the work of shaping the student spiritually. The disciple comes with full faith and entrusts his whole life to the guru. The guru takes that life and chops it and burns what is not necessary, and then carefully carves what remains into something sacred.

In this chopping and burning, the guru is merciless. The guru's job is not to hold hands with the disciple and wipe away tears, but to cut into pieces the disciple's ego and all that stands between the disciple and freedom. The guru does not allow dependence. If the disciple becomes too dependent on the guru, the guru pushes the disciple away, insisting on independence. It is a remarkable expression of the deepest love.

The truth is that the relationship of guru to disciple is “indescribable”. The relationship extends to the realm beyond the world, transcends death, and stretches far beyond the limited karmic bonds associated with family and friends. A mother and father help sustain the body of their child, and nurture and guide the child through the formative years of life to adulthood. While Guru sustains, nurtures, and guides a soul through lifetimes to ultimate liberation.

Contributed by: Jyoti Mishra

Mars (Mangal) - Puja and Havan

“Dharanee garbha sambhootam vidyut kaanti samaprabham

Kumaram shakti hastam tam mangalam pranamamyaham”

The idol of the Mars should be made using red sandal. Mars should be perceived adorning rosary of red color and red clothes, having four hands bedecked with sword, axe and mace (gada). One hand is in blessing posture, riding on a quadruped lamb.

Mars (Mangal) should be worshipped with the flowers and clothes of the colors of the idol and with fragrance, sticks, deepa, giving oblations, Dhupa, Guggul, etc. The metal of the idol of the planet and the food dear to him as signified by the planet are donated in charity with full devoutness for the alleviation of the affliction.

Maharishi Parashara said that the Mantra of Mars should be recited ten thousand times. 

The type of wood to be used for Havan of Mars is Khaira. The Havana Samagri duly mixed with honey, ghee, curd or milk is offered as oblations into the sacred fire and amidst chanting of the Mantras for 108 or 28 times, the Havana should be performed.

After that Brahmins should be fed. Havishya (khichri) is a must for remedy of Mars. After the worship Dakshina should be given as per shraddha of yajmana (person performing the Havan) and satisfaction of Brahmins.

Normally the mantras given below are chanted for reducing the affliction of Mars. Beej Mantra is preferred because of being a potent mantra.

Mantra for Mars (Mangal): “Om Bhaumaay Namah”

Beej Mantra for Mars: “Om Kraam Kreem Kraum Sah Bhaumaay Namah”

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Was Sai Baba a Hindu or Muslim? – Experiences of Abdul

Abdul was a devotee and servitor of Sai Baba and had an opportunity to stay in close contact with him. Born in 1869, initially he was a servitor of Amiruddin fakir of Nanded. A mysterious event happened in 1889. Sai Baba appeared in the dream of Amiruddin, materialized two real mangoes and told him to give them to Abdul and send Abdul to Shirdi. On his arrival in Shirdi, exclaimed Sai Baba, ‘My crow has come’. From the beginning Sai Baba initiated Abdul in the task of service. It was the responsibility of Abdul to keep lamps burning perpetually at five placed in Shirdi, viz. Lendi, Masjid, Chavadi etc. When Sai Baba went to the Lendi Abdul would keep two pots filled with water near Sai Baba. Sitting opposite the Nandadeep at the Lendi Sai Baba would make offerings of water to different directions. Sai Baba had charged Abdul with many other duties such as sweeping all the roads near the Masjid and Chavadi, washing Sai Baba’s clothes at the stream near the northern boundary, fetching water etc. As Abdul would clean the human refuse on the streets Sai Baba would lovingly call him a scavenger. For all the services rendered by Abdul, Sai Baba undertook the responsibility for his spiritual progress. Abdul would read the Koran sitting near Sai Baba. Some times Sai Baba would open the Koran at any page and ask Abdul to read. Some times Sai Baba would also ask Abdul occasionally to remain awake the whole night and go on reading the Koran. Sai Baba had exhorted him to have only one or two dishes in his food and to observe restraint and moderation in eating and sleeping. Abdul would abide by Sai Baba’s exhortation. 

From Abdul’s unpublished works in Urdu it is clear and beyond doubt that Sai Baba had a profound knowledge of the Islamic religion and civilization including Sufism, the Koran, Sira (the life of Muhammad), Sunna (his code of conduct), hadith (the traditions), the fakah (dharmashastra), Shariat, the tarikat etc. like any learned Muslim divine or Sufi Sheikh. Just as Sai Baba could explain, elaborate, and comment with insight into the deeper meaning, on the Vedas, the Upanishads, Bhagwat Gita and works of saints in Prakrit, similarly he was at equal ease with all Muslim religious works and traditions including works of Sufi Sheikhs of orders like Kadaria, Chistia, Suhrawardiya and Nakshbandi etc. In fact his range of knowledge was fantastic and incredible and passes all comprehension. At page 82 of the Urdu manuscript of Abdul (unpublished) there is entry of which the following is an English translation:

“Friends, how is it possible to fathom the inner mind of Sai Baba if one cannot understand even the outward appearance (form) of Sai Baba? If it be said that he is a Muslim, his ears are pricked, it be said that he is a Hindu, he dwells in the Masjid, repeats the name “Allah Malik” and distributes cooked meat as prasad (consecrated food). In his inner being does he contemplate the Vedas, Puranas, Gita or the Koran, Fakah? Only God Knows. So Sai Baba’s leela (sport) is wonderful. Amir, a Muslim devotee, wishes to sing the praises of Sai Baba, but does he have the capacity to do so? Sai Baba’s durbar is that of a Kalandar (Muslim fakir). It is not a muth of Hindu swami. His slave Abdul regards him as his Murshid (Guru).”

Sai Baba was a unique and rare blend of all faiths of the world. For him there were no barriers of religion, sect, race, sex, caste, creed, language and nation. He confirmed every devotee who came to him in his own faith and spiritual practices suited to his level of development and exhorted all by precept and example to be tolerant and charitable to others who were not of their faith and followed practices and ways appearing strange to them. Sai Baba founded no sect of his own and nor did he establish any seat nor leave any heir. He was against conversion. When a Hindu converted to Islam was taken to him he got angry, slapped him and said, “Aren’t you ashamed to change your father? The Muslim fundamentalists around him disliked his staying in the Masjid and yet allowing himself to be worshipped according to Hindu practices. However, when they were overpowered by his spiritual prowess, fearlessness, courage and other divine qualities, they had no option but to accept him as he was and yet to honour him for his spiritual eminence as an Aulia of the highest order. Today his shrine is a place of pilgrimage for lakhs of devotees of diverse faiths a majority of them are no doubt Hindu including Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists but there is a sprinkling of Zoroastrians, Muslims and Christians among them too.

Posted by: Admin 

(This article is an extract of the article “Sai Baba and the Sufis” written by V. B. Kher from the book “Shri Shirdi Sai Baba – The Unique Prophet of Integration”) 

Mantras and Remedies for the Nav-Graha (Nine Planets)

There are several mantras and remedies for Nav-Graha (nine planets) prescribed in various scriptures. We are giving some most effective mantras.

Surya (Sun)

For Surya or Sun related troubles and during the dasa or antardasa of sun:

1. Worship the ruling deity Lord Shiva

2. Recite Aditya Hridaya stotra daily or Gayatri Mantra daily.

3. Japa of Sun’s moola mantra: “Om hram hreem hroum sah suryaya namah”, 6000 times in 40 days.

4. Recite the soorya stotra:

“Japa kusum sankasam kashyapeyam mahadutim

Tamorim Sarva paapghnam pranatosmi Divakaram”

5. Charity: Donate wheat, or sugar candy on sunday.

6. Fasting day: Sundays.

7. Pooja: Rudrabhishek.

8. Rudraksha: Wear Ekamukhi or 12 mukhi Rudraksha

Chandra (Moon)

For Chandra or Moon related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Moon:

1. Worship the ruling deity Gouri.

2. Recite Annapoorna stotram.

3. Japa of Moon’s moola mantra, “Om shram sreem shraum sah chandraya namah”, 10000 times in 40 days.

4. Recite the Chandra stotra:

“Dadhi Shankha tushaarabham ksheero darnava sambhavam

Namaami shashinam somam shambhor mukuta bhushanam”

5. Charity: Donate cow’s milk or rice on Monday.

6. Fasting: On Mondays.

7. Pooja: Devi pooja.

8. Rudraksha: Wear 2 mukhi Rudraksha.

Mangal (Mars)

For Mangal or Mars related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Mars:

1. Worship the ruling deities Kartikeya and Shiva.

The Kartikeya mantra is “Om Saravanabhavaya Namah”

The Shiva mantra is “Om Namah Shivaya”

2. Recite Kartikeya or Shiva stotra.

3. Japa of the Mars mantra, “Om kram kreem kroum sah bhaumaya namah”, 7000 times in 40 days.

4. Recite the Mangala stotra:

“Dharani garbha sambhutam vidyut kanti samaprabham

Kumaram shakti hastam tam mangalam pranamamyaham”

5. Charity: Donate Masoor dal( red lentils) on tuesday.

6. Fasting: On Tuesdays.

7. Pooja: Kartikeya pooja or Rudrabhishekha.

8. Rudraksha: Wear a 3 mukhi Rudraksha.

Budha (Mercury)

For Budha or Mercury related problems and during his dasa and antardasa:

1. Worship Lord Vishnu.

2. Recite Vishnu sahasranama stotra.

3. Japa of the Budha beeja mantra, “Om bram breem broum sah budhaya namah” 17000 times in 40 days.

4. Recite the Budha stotra:

“Priyangu Kalika Shyaamam Roopena Pratimam Budham

Soumyam Soumya gunopetam tam Budham Pranamamyaham”

5. Charity: Donate Udad dal on Wednesday.

6. Fasting: On Wednesdays.

7. Pooja: Vishnu pooja.

8. Wear a 10 mukhi Rudraksha.

Guru (Jupiter)

For Guru or Jupiter related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Guru:

1. Worship Lord Shiva.

2. Recite Shri Rudram.

3. Japa of the Guru beeja mantra, “Om jhram jhreem jroum sah gurave namah”, 16000 times in 40 days.

4. Recite the Guru stotra:

“Devanam cha rishinam cha Gurum kaanchan SannibhaamBuddhi bhutam Trilokesham tam namaami Brihaspatim”.

5. Donate: Saffron or turmeric or sugar on Thursdayon.

6. Fasting: On Thrusdays.

7. Pooja: Rudrabhishekam.

8. Wear a 5 mukhi rudraksha.

Shukra (Venus)

For Shukra or Venus related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Venus:

1. Worship Devi (Maa Lakshmi).

2. Recite Shree Sooktam or Devi stuti or Durga chalisa.

3. Japa of Shukra beeja mantra, “Om dram dreem droum sah shukraya namah”, 20000 times in 40 days.

4. Recite the Shukra stotra:

“Hima kunda mrinalaabham daityanam paramam gurumSarv shastra pravaktaram bhargavem pranamamyaham”

5. Donate clothes or dairy cream or curd to a lady on Friday.

6. Fasting: On Fridays.

7. Pooja: Devi pooja.

8. Wear a 9 mukhi Rudraksha.

Shani (Saturn)

For Shani or Saturn related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Shani:

1. Worship Lord Hanuman.

2. Recite Hanuman chalisa or any other Hanuman stotra.

3. Japa of Shani mantra: "Om pram preem proum sah shanaischaraya namah", 19000 times in 40 days.

4. Recite the Shani stotra:

“Nelanjan samabhasam ravi putram yamagrajamChaaya martand sambhutam tam namami shanaischaram”

5. Donate a buffalo or black til (sesame seeds) on Saturday.

6. Fasting on Saturdays.

7. Pooja: Hanuman pooja

8. Wear a 14 mukhi Rudraksha.

For all Saturn related troubles Dasharatha Shani Stotra considered to be excellent remedy.

Rahu (Dragon’s Head)

For Rahu related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Rahu:

1. Worship Bhairava or lord Shiva.

2. Recite the Kalabhairav asthakam.

3. Japa of the rahu beeja mantra, “Om bhram bhreem bhroum sah rahave namah”, 18000 times in 40 days.

4. Recite the Rahu stotra:

“Ardha Kaayam maha veryam chandraditya vimardhanam

Simhika garbha sambhutam tam rahum pranamamyaham”

5. Donate: Udad dal or coconut on Saturday.

6. Fasting on Saturdays.

7. Pooja: Bhairav or Shiva or Chandi pooja.

8. Wear An 8 mukhi Rudraksha.

9. One of the best remedies for rahu is reciting the first chapter of Durga Saptasati.

Ketu (Dragon’s Tail)

For Ketu related problems and during the dasa or antardasa of Ketu:

1. Worship Lord Ganesha.

2. Recite Ganesha Dwadasanama Stotra.

3. Japa of the Ketu beeja mantra, “Om shram shreem shroum sah ketave namah”, 7000 times in 40 days.

4. Recite the Ketu stotra:

“Palasha pushpa sankaasham taraka graha mastakam

Roudram roudratmakam ghoram tam ketum Pranamamyaham”

5. Donate: A black cow or black mustard seeds on thursday.

6. Fasting: On Thursdays.

7. Pooja: Ganesh pooja.

8. Wear a 9 mukhi rudraksha.

9. A very good remedy for Ketu is the reciting of Shiva Panchakshari Stotra.

Compiled by: Anand Sagar Pathak

For, www.saihealing.org

Shri Sai Satcharita

Download original Shri Sai Satcharita in English written by Hemadpant by clicking on the link below.

Shri Sai Satcharita (English)

Brief History of Sai Baba of Shirdi

Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi lived in Shirdi, a small village in the state of Maharashtra in India, for about sixty years between 1858 to 1918. Earlier He was at and around Shirdi for about two years between 1852 and 1854. When He first arrived He was in a God-intoxicated state, without any consciousness of His own body, of society or of time. He used to sit and meditate under a neem (margosa) tree, wander around and live all by Himself. A kind village woman called Bayaji took pity on Him and used to search Him out and force Him to eat. One day in 1854, He suddenly disappeared, only to reappear in 1858. No one knows where He was and what He did during this period.

The exact date and place of birth, family name and parentage of Baba are still shrouded in mystery, although researchers speculate that He was born in a village called Pathri now in Maharashtra (India), somewhere between 1835 and 1838. Whether He was a Hindu or a Muslim is still not clear, because Baba never encouraged questions on such issues. He sported a beard and moustache, donned a long robe and hand gear and head gear like some of the Sufis, and yet had a perforation in the ears like the Hindus. He spoke in Urdu, Hindi, Maharashtrian and some South Indian languages. He participated in Hindu and Muslim festivals. His approach in short, was universal and humanitarian.

On the second arrival, He stayed in a dilapidated mosque on the outskirts of Shirdi for about sixty years, although He spent some nights in an adjacent place called Chawdi. He used to be visited by some fakirs and Sufis and also Hindu sadhus. He used to beg in a few houses daily in Shirdi and share His food with dogs, birds and poor people. For some time He used to treat people by administering some kind of herbal medicine. Initially, the local Hindu community looked upon Him with suspicion. But when they found the kind fakir was able to help them through miraculous methods, people like Tatya Kote Patil the farmer, Mhalsapathy the goldsmith, Shyama the school teacher, Das Ganu the police officer Nanasahed Chandorkar the magistrate, Buti the rich money lender from Nagpur, Kakasaheb Dixit the solicitor from Bombay., Abdul and hundreds of others from different places flocked around him. All of them and their families got direction and solace, as well as material and spiritual support from Baba. His name spread gradually to many parts of India and hundreds of visitors started coming to Shirdi every day, as if visiting a temple. Their experiences with Sai spread his name further and became the folk lore of that time. Worship of Shri Sai and the composition of devotional songs about Him started then. The mosque known as Dwarkamayee looked like the court of a king, with thousands of people appearing before Baba for help and the Sadguru helping them every day.

Shri Sai renovated the mosque and the temples in Shirdi and got the village well cleaned. Baba planted trees with His own hands on a piece of land which is now known as Lendibagh garden. He created an atmosphere of mutual support covering all aspect of social life in the villages. He participated in all religious festivals, encouraged group dining and group worship to bring all the devotees together. He got built three rest houses called wadas with the help of His devotees. These rest houses, called Sathewada, Butiwada and Dixitwada were built for the convenience of the visiting devotees. At times Shri Sai even used to cook food Himself and serve the devotees, and cured their sickness by giving the sacred ash from his fireplace called the Udi. This practice continues even today and the people are getting the benefit. He even took care of the animals and birds in the village. He was the biggest social reformer of His time, because of which many of His devotees started similar humanitarian activities wherever they went. Nationalist leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and others used to visit Him for solace and direction.

Shri Sai left His bodily form on 15th October 1918. His body was entombed in a place called “Samadhi Mandir”. The Samadhi Mandir, Dwarkamayee Mosque, Chawdi, Lendibagh, the Gurusthan and the sweet neem tree, and the temples of Khandoba, Hanuman, Ganesh and Shani are the places visited by devotees.

During his lifetime Shri Sai never set up any institution or place of worship in His name. After His departure, Shri Shirdi Sai Baba Trust of Shirdi came into existence and also a magazine called “Sai Leela” which is being published regularly. These are the works of the devotees. Today in India, there are a few thousand temples of Baba and hundreds of trusts have been formed. A large number of books written by Indian and foreign authors, hundreds of magazines / journals and reading material in almost all Indian languages have been published.

Written by: Revered Guruji C. B. Satpathy ji

(These are excerpts of the article “The World of Shri Sai – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” Taken from the book Shirdi Sai Baba and other Perfect Masters.)

Sai Baba – Experiences of Devotees

Sugar Tea:

Das Ganu was once performing his Kirtan (religious discourse) and singing the gloryof Sai Baba, in the Koupineshwar temple in Thana. One Mr. Cholkar, a poor man serving as a candidate in the Civil Courts in Thana, was amongst the audience. He heard Dasganu’s Kirtan most attentively and was much moved. He there and then mentally bowed and vowed to Baba saying – “Baba, I am a poor man, unable to support my family. If by your grace, I pass the departmental examination, and get a permanent post, I shall go to Shirdi, fall at Your Feet and distribute sugar-candy in Your name.” As good luck would have it, Mr.Cholkar did pass the examination and did get the permanent post and now it remained for him to fulfill his vow, the sooner the better. Mr. Cholkar was a poor man with a large family to support; and he could not afford to pay for the expenses of a Shirdi trip. As Mr. Cholkar was anxious to fulfill his vow as early as possible, he resolved to economize, cut down his expenses and save money. He determined not to use sugar in his diet and began to take his tea without it. After he was able to save some money in this way, he came to Shirdi, took Baba’s darshan (sight of a holy person), fell at His Feet, offered a coconut, distributed it with a clean conscience along with sugar-candy as per his vow and said to Baba that he was much pleased with His darshan and that his desires were fulfilled that day. Mr. Cholkar was in the Masjid with his host Bapusaheb Jog. When the host and the guest both got up and were about to leave the Masjid, Baba spoke to Jog as follows:- “Give him (your guest) cups of tea, fully saturated with sugar.” Hearing these significant words, Mr. Cholkar was much moved, he was wonderstruck, his eyes were bedewed with tears, and he fell at Baba’s Feet again. Mr. Jog was also curious about this direction, regarding the tea-cups to be given to his guest. Baba wanted by His words to create faith and devotion in Cholkar’s mind. He hinted as it were, that He got the sugar-candy as per his vow and that He knew full well his secret determination not to use sugar in his diet. Baba meant to say, “If you spread your palms with devotion before Me, I am immediately with you, day and night. Though, I am here bodily, still I know what you do; beyond the seven seas. Go wherever you will, over the wide world, I am with you. My abode is in your heart and I am within you. Always worship Me, Who is seated in your heart, as well as in the hearts of all beings. Blessed and fortunate indeed, is he who knows Me thus.”

Bread and Onion Story:

Once it so happened, that a sadhak (disciple) of Yoga came to Shirdi with Nanasaheb Chandorkar. He had studied all the works on Yoga, including the Yoga-sutras of Patanjali, but had no practical experience. He could not concentrate his mind and attain samadhi (the highest meditative state) even for a short time. He thought that if Sai Baba be pleased with him, He will show him the way to attain samadhi for a long time. With this object in view he came to Shirdi and when he went to the Masjid he saw Sai Baba eating bread with onion. On seeing this, a thought arose in his mind, “How can this man, who is eating stale bread with raw onion, solve my difficulties and help me?” Sai Baba read his mind and said to Nanasaheb – “Oh Nana, he who has the power to digest onion, should eat it and none else”. Hearing this remark, the yogi was wonder-struck and then he fell at Baba’s Feet with complete surrender. With pure and open mind, he asked his difficulties and got their solution from Baba. Thus being satisfied and happy, he left Shirdi with Baba’s Udi (sacred ash) and blessings.

Faith Secures Passing Grade:

There lived in Bandra, a suburb of Bombay, one Tendulkar family, all the members of which were devoted to Shirdi Sai Baba. The son of the family was studying hard day and night and wanted to appear for the medical examination. He consulted some astrologers. Examining his horoscope they told him that the stars were not favourable that year and that he should appear for the examination next year, when he would be certainly successful. This cast a gloom over him and made him restless. A few days afterwards his mother went to Shirdi and saw Baba. Amongst other things she mentioned the gloomy and morose condition of her son, who was to appear for the examination in a few days. Hearing this Baba said to her,”Tell your son to believe in Me, to throw aside horoscopes and predictions of astrologers and palmists and go on with his studies. Let him appear for the examination with a calm mind, he is sure to pass this year. Ask him to trust in Me and not to get disappointed”. The mother returned home and communicated Baba’s message to her son. Then he studied hard and in due course appeared for the examination. In the written papers he did well, but being overwhelmed by doubts he thought that he would not secure sufficient marks for passing. So he did not care to appear for the oral examination. But the examiner was after him. He sent word through a fellow- student, stating that he had passed in the written examination and that he should appear for the oral. The son being thus encouraged appeared for the oral examination and was successful in both. Thus he got through the examination that year successfully by Baba’s grace, though the stars were against him. It is to be noted here that doubts and difficulties surround us just to move us and confirm our faith. We are tested as it were. If we only hold on steadily to Baba with full faith and continue our endeavours, our efforts will be ultimately crowned with success.

Suicide Thwarted:

Mr. Gopal Narayan Ambadekar of Poona was a devotee of Baba. He served for ten years in the Abkari department, from where he had to retire. He tried to get some other job, but he did not succeed. He was overtaken by other calamities and his condition grew from bad to worse. He passed 7 years in this condition, visiting Shirdi every year and placing his grievance before Baba. In 1916 his plight became worst and be decided to commit suicide in Shirdi. So he came there with his wife and stayed for two months. One night while sitting in a bullock cart he resolved to end his life by throwing himself into a well close by. He proposed to do one way but Baba wished to do something else. A few paces from this place, there was a hotel and its proprietor Mr. Sagun, a devotee of Baba, came out and accosted him thus, “Did you ever read this Akkalkotkar Maharaja’s life?” Ambadekar took that book from Sagun and began to read it. Casually, or we may say providentially he came across a story which was to this effect. – During the life time of Akkalkotkar Maharaj a certain devotee suffered very much from an incurable disease and when he could endure the agony and pain no longer, be became desperate and to end his miseries threw himself one night into a well. Immediately the Maharaj came there and took him out with his own hands and advised him thus, “You must enjoy the fruit – good or bad – of your past actions; if the enjoyment be incomplete, suicide won’t help you. You have to take another birth and suffer again; so instead of killing yourself, why not suffer for some time and finish up your store of the fruit of your past deeds and be done with it once and for all?”

Reading this appropriate and timely story, Ambadekar was much surprised, and moved. Had he not got Baba’s hint through the story, he would have been no more. Seeing Baba’s all-pervasiveness and benevolence, his faith in Him was confirmed, and he became a staunch devotee. His father was a devotee of Akkalkotkar Maharaj and Sai Baba wanted him to walk into his father’s footsteps and continue his devotion to Him. He then got Sai Baba’s blessings and his prospects began to improve. He studied astrology and gained proficiency in it and thereby improved his lot. He was able to earn sufficient money and passed his after-life in ease and comfort.

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Greatness of Udi and its Importance in Healing

It is well-known that Baba took Dakshina from all, and out of the amount thus collected, He spent a lot on charity and purchased fuel with the balance left with Him. This fuel He threw in the Dhuni – the sacred fire, which he kept ever burning. The ash from this fire was called Udi and it was freely distributed to the devotees at the time of their departure from Shirdi. Udi or ash is the purest substance on earth having tremendous powers of doing and undoing and is the result of sacrifices offered to fire (agni) which purifies everything by destroying whatever is evil. Performing ‘Yagha’ (Dhuni) is the most pious ritual recommended. The ancient Vedic literature.

There is a deeper underlying significance behind Baba’s practice of for distributing Udi. Baba taught by His Udi that all the visible phenomena in the universe are as transient as the ash. Our bodies composed of wood or matter of the five elements will fall down, become inanimate after all their enjoyments are over, and will be reduced to ashes. In order to remind the devotees of the fact that their bodies will be reduced to ashes, Baba distributed Udi to them. Baba also taught by the Udi that the Brahman is the only Reality and the universe is ephemeral and that no one in this world, be he a son, father or wife, is really ours. We come here (in this world) alone and we have to go out alone. It was found and is even now found out, that the Udi cured many physical and mental maladies, but Baba wanted to din into the devotee’s ears the principles of discrimination between the Unreal and the Real, non-attachment for the Unreal, by His Udi and Dakshina. The former (Udi) taught us discrimination and the latter (Dakshina) taught us non-attachment. Unless we have these two things, it is not possible for us to cross over the sea of the mundane existence. So Baba asked for and took Dakshina, and while the devotees took leave, He gave Udi as Prasad, besmeared some of it on the Bhaktas’ foreheads and placed His boon-conferring hand on their heads. When Baba was in a cheerful mood, He used to sing merrily. One such song was about Udi. The text of the Udi song was, “Oh, playful Rama, come, come, and bring with you sacks of Udi.” Baba used to sing in very clear and sweet tones.

So much about the spiritual implication of Udi. It had also its material significance. It conferred health, prosperity, freedom from anxiety, and many other worldly gains. So the Udi has helped us to gain both our ends – material as well as spiritual.

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