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SHRI SAI SATHCHARITHA
"Sada Nimbarvrikshasya mooladhiwasat,
Sudhasravinam tiktamapi-apriyam tam,
Tarum Kalpavrikshadhikam sadhayantam
Namameeshwaram Sadgurum Sai Natham"
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gopalraobuti
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Chapter XVII
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shrisitaramdixit
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Mrs. Radhabai Deshmukh
Then Baba spoke as follows:- "My method is quite unique. Remember well, this
one story, and it will be very useful. To get the knowledge (realization) of the
Self, Dhyana (meditation) is necessary. If you practice it continuously, the
Vrittis (thoughts) will be pacified. Being quite desireless, you should meditate
on the Lord, Who is in all the creatures, and when the mind is concentrated, the
goal will be achieved. Meditate always on My formless nature, which is knowledge
incarnate, consciousness and bliss. If you cannot do this, meditate on My Form
from top to toe as you see here night and day. As you go on doing this, your
Vrittis will concentrate on one point and the distinction between the Dhyata
(meditator), Dhyana (act of meditation), Dhyeya (this meditated upon) will be
lost and the meditator will be one with the Consciousness and be merged in the
Brahman. The (mother) tortoise is on one bank of the river, and her young ones
are on the other side. She gives neither milk, nor warmth to them. Her mere
glance gives them nutrition. The young ones do nothing, but remember (meditate
upon) their mother. The tortoise glance is, to the young ones, a down-pour of
nectar, the only source of sustenance and happiness. Similar is the relation,
between the Guru and disciples."
When Baba uttered these last words, the chorus of the Arati songs stopped and
all cried out loudly in one voice: "Victory be to our Sadguru Sai Maharaj, Who
is Existence, Knowledge and Bliss." Dear readers, let us imagine, that we are at
this time, standing amongst the crowd in the Masjid; and let us join them in
this Jayajayakar.
After the Arati ceremony was over, Prasad was distributed. Bapusaheb Jog
advanced as usual, and after saluting Baba, gave into His hand a handful of
sugar-candy. Baba pushed all this quantity into the hands of Hemadpant and said
to him, "If you take this story to heart and remember it well, your state will
be sweet as the sugar-candy, all your desires will be fulfilled and you will be
happy." Hemadpant bowed before Baba and implored, "Do favour me like this, bless
and protect me always." Baba replied - "Hear this story, meditate on it and
assimilate its spirit. Then you will always remember and meditate on the Lord,
Who will manifest Himself to you."
Dear readers! Hemadpant got Prasad of sugar-candy then; and we now get the
Prasad of sugar-candy or nectar of this story. Let us drink it to out heart's
content, meditate on it, and assimilate it, and be strong and happy by Baba's
grace. Amen!
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all
Devotees Experiences
TATYA’S REMINISCENCES OF SRI SAI BABA
Tatya says, “I used to
fast on the holy days of ekadasi, the Mondays of the month of Sravan, and on Shivaratri. However, Baba's opinion was
that there was no spiritual or material benefit whatsoever in fasting. He would
make me eat something or other on those holy days and make me break my vow of
fasting. One Shivratri day I said, ‘Baba please let me observe fast at least on
this day. Please do not make me eat anything today." Baba was relentless, “Eat”
he pressed. “What Shivratri
are you talking about?” Dada Kelkar who was near also told me to obey Baba and
not argue with him. I did not object any more and never fasted from that day
onwards.
In the same manner, we
have earlier seen how Baba discouraged Tatya from going on a pilgrimage to
Jujuri village one Mahashivratri day.
Having been very close
to him, Tatya had the opportunity of seeing Baba in some very rare spiritual
moods. Tatya recalls one such instance as follows: “Sometimes Baba was in a deep spiritual trance," said
Tatya. “During these rare occasions Baba would hold a tambura in his hands and dance in ecstasy, forgetting
himself and his body. The graceful, rhythmic movements of his feet, hands and
eyes would enrapture all those who witnessed his dance. He would sing with an
angelic voice and his song would charm all listeners.
Please send your experineces also to saivishnu@hotmail.com