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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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Chapter 41
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Stealing the Rags and Reading of Jnaneshwari
Mr.B.V.Deo who was Mamlatdar of Dahanu (Thana District)
wished for a long time to read Jnaneshwari - (the well-known Marathi commentary
on the Bhagawad-Gita by Jnaneshwar), along with other scriptures. He could read
daily one chapter of the Bhagawad-Gita, and some portion of other books; but
when he took Jnaneshwari in hand, some difficulties cropped up and he was
precluded from reading it. He took three months' leave, went to Shirdi and
thence to his home at Pound for rest. He could read there other books but when
he opened Jnaneshwari, some evil or stray thoughts came crowding in his mind and
stopped him in the effort. Try however he might, he was not able to read even a
few lines of the book with ease. So he resolved in his mind that when Baba would
create love for the book and would order him to read it, he would begin and not
till then. Then in the month of February 1914 he went with his family to Shirdi.
There Jog asked him whether he daily read Jnaneshwari. Deo said that he was
desirous of reading it, but he was not successful and that only when Baba would
order him to read it, he would commence. Jog then advised him to take a copy of
the book and present it to Baba and to start the reading after it was
consecrated and returned by Him. Deo then replied that he did not want to resort
to this device, as Baba knows his heart. Would He not know his desire and
satisfy it by giving him a clear order to read?
Deo then saw Baba and offered one rupee as Dakshina. Baba asked for Rs. 20/-
which he gave. At night, he saw one Balakram and enquired how he secured Baba's
devotion and grace. Balakram told him that he would communicate everything next
day after arati. When Deo went for darshana next day, Baba asked for Rs.20/-
which he gave willingly. As the Masjid was crowded, Deo went aside and sat in a
corner. Baba asked him to come close and sit with a calm mind, which Deo did.
Then after the noon-arati was over and after the men dispersed, Deo saw again
Balakram and asked him his previous history, what Baba told him and how he was
taught meditation. Balakram was going to reply when Baba sent one Chandru, a
leper devotee to call Deo to Him. When Deo went to Baba, the latter asked him
when and with whom and what he was talking. He said that he talked with Balakram
and heard from him His fame. Then Baba asked again Rs.25/- as Dakshina which Deo
gladly gave. Then Baba took him inside and sitting near the post charged him
saying - "You stole away My rags without My knowledge." Deo denied all knowledge
of the rags, but Baba asked him to make a search. He searched but found none.
Then Baba got angry and said - "There is nobody here, you are the only thief, so
grey-haired and old, you came here for stealing." After this Baba lost His
temper, got terribly wild, gave all sorts of abuses and scoldings. Deo remained
silent and watching, and thought that he might get a beating also. After about
an hour or so, Baba asked him to go to the Wada. He returned to the Wada and
told Jog and Balakram all that had happened. Then in the after-noon Baba sent
for all and Deo also, and said that His words might have pained the old man
(Deo) but as he committed the theft, He could not but speak out. Then Baba asked
again for Rs. 12/- Deo collected the amount, paid it and prostrated himself
before Him. Then Baba said to him - "What are you doing?" "Nothing" replied Deo.
Then Baba - "Go on daily reading the Pothi (Jnaneshwari), go and sit in the
Wada, read something regularly every day and while reading, explain the portion
read, to all with love and devotion. I am sitting here ready to give you the
whole gold-embroidered Shella (valuable cloth), then why go to others to steal
rags, and why should you get into the habit of stealing?"
Deo was much pleased to hear the words of Baba, for He asked him to start
reading Pothi (Jnaneshwari). He thought that he got what he wanted and that he
could read the book with ease thenceforth. He again prostrated himself before
Baba and said that he surrendered himself to Him and that he should be treated
as a child and be helped in his reading. He realized then what Baba meant by
'stealing the rags'. What he asked Balakram constituted the 'rags' and Baba did
not like his behaviour in this respect. As He was ready to answer any question,
He did not like him to ask others and make unnecessary enquiries and therefore
He harassed and scolded him. Deo thought that He really did not 'harass and
scold' him but taught that He was ready to fulfill his desires, and there was no
use asking others in vain. Deo took these scoldings as flowers and blessings and
went home satisfied and contented.
The matter did not end here. Baba did not stop with only issuing an order to
read. Within a year He went to Deo and enquired about his progress. On 2nd April
1914, on Thursday morn, Baba gave him a dream-vision. He sat on the upper floor
and asked him whether he understood the Pothi. "No" answered Deo. Baba - "Then
when are you going to understand?" Deo burst into tears and said, "Unless You
shower Your grace, the reading is mere worry and the understanding is still more
difficult. I say this definitely." Baba - "While reading you make haste, read it
before Me, in My presence." Deo - "What shall I read?" Baba - "Read Adhyatma
(spiritualism)." Deo went to bring the book when he opened his eyes and was
awakened. We leave the readers to imagine what ineffable joy and bliss Deo felt
after this vision.
Bow to Shri Sai -- Peace be to all