Thursday, July 30, 2015

Baba and Others Saints

Baba and Others Saints

 


Keshav Naik of Tardev, when Akkalkote Maharaj was passing away (about 1878) thus addressed him: Maharaj, if you go away, what support have we?

 

Akkalkote Maharaj: (giving his shoes to be worshipped) My Avatar (spirit) will be at Shirdi in Ahmadnagar District. Go there always. Be devoted there. If you do so, you will not remember me. And you will be happy

 

When Akkalkote Maharaj passed away, Keshav Naik and his son Ramachandra Naik, accompanied by two orthodox Brahmins went to Sai Baba at Shirdi. On the way the Brahmins referred to Baba as a mad moslem fakir to whom no Brahmins could bow.

 

When all four reached Baba.

 

Baba (to Keshav Naik): You and your son may come and visit me, if you like.

(Pointing to the other two): These are Karmata Brahmins.

 

Baba to Ramachandra Naik: Fetch Margosa leaves.

 

Ramachandra Naik brought some leaves. Baba distributed the leaves to the four.

 

Baba: Eat the leaves. How do they taste?

 

Brahmis (with a wry face); Very bitter.

 

The two Naiks: The leaves are sweet. We ate plenty of the leaves.

 

Thus Baba parted his sheep from the goats, and confirmed the statement of Akkalkote Maharaj.

 

 

(Baba's Charters and Sayings, No. 74)

 




Guruvaar Prarthna

Guruvaar Prarthna

 


Our Beloved Sadguru Sainath, please accept our humble prayers on this Holy day of Guruvaar. Baba, we are immature and asking you materialistic things in the world. As we are living in a world where all materialistic things are valued to evaluate our life, we have no way but to come to you to fulfill our objects for a decent life. In this eventuality, please take us to a life what you want to be and guide us to lead a life of purity and piety. You are our Divine Father and savior to redeem our past deeds and keep us under your care for now and always. Baba, on this holy day we start our prayers by reading your divine words in Shri Sai Samartha Satcharita.

 


Since he had no children, he had made a lot of efforts. He had invoked Saints and Sages to get their blessings.

 

He danced attention on Saints and Sages for this purpose and to propitiate his planets he even tried astrology, to such a degree that he became an astrologer himself.

 

According to the stars in his horoscope, he had no children. This was the outcome of the knowledge of astrology. Anna knew this very well and had given up all hopes.

 

Yet, these were the words of assurance from the saint Sai. Hope dawned again as the Samartha was propitious.

 

Be it so. After some time, Baba's words came true. As the 'prasad' of the saint germinated and bore fruit, the children were born.

 

It happened as it was said. Anna's own forecast was proved to be wrong. Sai's words turned out to be fruitful. Sons were born as he had promised.

 

May it be whatsoever. This was Baba's speech when Baba was in body. Later even after he left the body, he had determined the greatness of his speech.

 

 "Even when I pass away, believe in my words. From my tomb my bones will give you assurance.

 

Not only I, but my tomb would be speaking, moving and communicating with those who surrender themselves whole heartedly to me.

 

Do not worry that I shall be hidden from your eyes. You will hear my bones speak and discuss your welfare.

 

Always remember me only. Believe in me heart and soul. Pray without selfish motives and you will attain your welfare ".

 

 "O Sai Sadguru, the wish-fulfilling tree of the devotees, let not Hemad forget and lose sight of your feet.




I bow down to Sree Ganesh

I bow down to Sree Saraswati

I bow down to the Guru

I bow down to the Family Deity

I bow down to Sree Sita-Ramachandra

I bow down to Sree Sadguru Sainath.

 

 

 

 

-(from Shri Sai Samartha Satchrita, Chapter  25, Ovi 98 - 109)

http://babaprayers.blogspot.in/






Thursday, July 23, 2015

When death is an advantage. Baba does not avert it.

When death is an advantage. Baba does not avert it.

 

(Sometime after Baba revived a kid that seemed to fall down dead in mid-day heat, a woman came and cried for Udhi to save her son who was bitten by a cobra. That was not given; and the boy died. She came again and cried)

 

H S Dixit: Baba, the woman's cries are heart rending. For my sake, revive her dead son.

 

Baba: Bhav, do not get entangled in this. Bhav, what has happened is for good. He has entered into a new body. In that body, he will do especially good work which cannot be accomplished in this body, which is seen here. If I draw him back into this body then the new body he has taken will die and this this body will live. I will do this for your sake. But have you considered the consequences? Have you any idea of the responsibility and are you prepared to take it up?

 

H.S. Dixit desisted from pressing his requests.

 

 

 

(Baba's Charters and Sayings, No. 321)

Guruvaar Prarthna

Guruvaar Prarthna

Our Beloved Sadguru Sainath, please accept our humble prayers on this Holy day of Guruvaar. Baba, every day millions of devotees coming to your shrine and praying for your grace, but you choose very few as you said that not all buds of blossom become flowers and fruits and many fall down due to wind etc., Baba, don't dump us as fallen flowers or unripe fruits in this world, but keep us at your Lotus Feet and save us against all odd winds. Baba, on this holy day we start our prayers by reading your divine words in Shri Sai Samartha Satcharita.

 

 

Faith and Patience – these were the two (pice) – and nothing else. I gave them immediately, by which, my Guru was pleased with me, who was like my mother.

 

Courage is itself patience, oh woman. Never let it leave you! In times of difficulties, it will stand you in good stead.

 

The valour of a human being lies in being patient. It wards off the sins, worries and miseries. The difficulties are cleared, in some way or the other; and fear and panic vanish.

 

Patience gains success ultimately. Difficulties run off helter-skelter. The thorn of evil thoughts have no scope.

 

Patience is a mine of virtues. She is the queen of pious thinking. Faith and she are true sisters and they dearly love each other.

 

A human being without patience becomes miserable. He may be a scholar or a virtuous person, but life without it is futile.

 

Though a Guru is very powerful, he expects only wisdom from his disciple, firm faith, lots of courage and patience at the feet of the Guru.

 

Just as a stone and a gem, if both are rubbed against a grindstone, both shine – but a stone is a stone and a gem after all, a lustrous and precious stone.

 

Both undergo the same process of polishing. But can a stone shine like a gem? A gem may become a luminous diamond– but the stone will remain the same, only it will become a little smoother.

 

I lived at his feet for twelve years. The Guru brought me up from childhood. There was never a dearth of food and clothing and he nurtured immeasurable love for me.

 

He was the embodiment of love and devotion and had genuine affection for a disciple. A Guru like mine would rarely be found. I cannot describe the rapturous joy.

 

How could I describe that love! When I looked at him he seemed as if he was in deep meditation and we both were filled with bliss. I could never look anywhere else.

 

I would go on looking affectionately at the face of the Guru, day and night. I knew no hunger or thirst. My mind would get restless without the Guru.

 

He was the only object of my meditation. I would have no other goal than him. He was daily the sole aim. The ways of the Guru are mysterious.

 

This was the only expectation of my Guru. He did not desire anything more than this. He never disregarded me and always protected me from difficulties.

 

Sometimes I would stay close to his feet and sometimes away from him. But I was never deprived of the closeness of his company. He looked after me with love and care.

 

Just as a female tortoise nurses her little ones by her look, my Guru did the same and looked after me.

 

Oh, mother, sitting in this Masjid, whatever I tell you please accept as the truth. The Guru never whispered a secret mantra in my ear. How can I whisper into yours?

 

The loving glance of the mother tortoise is enough to make the young ones happy. Oh mother, why do you unnecessarily trouble yourself? I do not know anything about upadesh.

 

The mother tortoise lives on one bank of the river and the children are on the other bank. Their rearing is done by the exchange of glances. Wherefor the trouble of a mantra?

 

Then, go and eat some food. Do not unnecessarily endanger your life. Just pay attention to me and you will achieve the spiritual life.

 

You should regard me as the whole and sole. I will also regard you in the same way. My Guru did not teach me anything else at all.

 

I bow down to Sree Ganesh

I bow down to Sree Saraswati

I bow down to the Guru

I bow down to the Family Deity

I bow down to Sree Sita-Ramachandra

I bow down to Sree Sadguru Sainath.

 

 

-(from Shri Sai Samartha Satchrita, Chapter  19, Ovi 52 - 73)

http://babaprayers.blogspot.in/

 

Thursday, July 16, 2015

God Will Help



In 1916 Vijayadasami Day (October) Baba was in a rage. He tore off all his clothes and threw them into the fire (Duni) before him and stood there stark naked.

 

Baba with red eyes shouted: "Fellows, decide for yourselves now If I am Moslem or Hindu."

 

After two hours of this rage, Bagoji Scindhe, his leper companion tied a langoti to him and said: "Why all this? To day is the festival of Simolanagan". Baba striking the ground with his baton: This is my Simolangan (my going beyond the boundary of life.)

 

People could not understand his meaning then, but it was on the Vijayadasami day of 1918 that Baba crossed the boundary of life.

 

In 1916 before vijayadasami, Baba had been seriously unwell and the rumour got abroad that he was about to die. And the devotees conducted a sapta at Shirdi with mass feeding for the recovery of his health. Thereafter he recovered; but when Nana Saheb Nimonkar came there, on his way to Poona"

 

Baba: Nana, you stay here, bury me and then go.

 

Baba would not allow Nana either to go back to Nimon or proceed on to Poona.

 

Shama intervened on behalf of Nimonkar and asked Baba for leave for his going away.

 

Baba: Shama, do you want to kill my people. Is Kaka (Nana Nimonkar) eating your father's property?

 

Shama: But his daughter-in-law is pregnant and requires help.

 

Baba: (Addressing Nimonkar): Hallo Kaka, why are you anxious? God will help. Bury me and then go.

 

His daughter-in-law had no help. Suddenly at 10 p.m. one night, she felt that pains were coming and was at once taken in a tonga to the Poona Municipal Maternity hospital and left on a bed. The nurse went away to some other room at 11 p.m. and in the nurse's absence, she was delivered  of a male child without any help.

 

Baba said to Nana Nimonkar at that time at Shirdi: "There was a woman. She was taken to a place. There she was delivered safe of a male child."


(Baba's Charters and Sayings, No. 329)



Guruvaar Prarthna

Guruvaar Prarthna



Our Beloved Sadguru Sainath, please accept our humble prayers on this Holy day of Guruvaar. Baba, when we step into your abode, we feel a sense of serenity and security, when we see your face, our eyes dropping tears and our throat choking with your divine vibrations. We don't remember our list of requests and requirements in your presence, we solely merged with you. We surrender totally on to Your Lotus Feet for enjoying this endless flow of your blessing for now and forever. Baba, on this holy day we start our prayers by reading your divine words in Shri Sai Samartha Satcharita.

 

 

You have been lured away by illusions and temptations. Therefore, you have forgotten your own true self. Be aware and realize your real nature immediately.

 

Delusion creates more delusion; and thus the illusion about bodily pride takes place. Try to understand that the concept of 'I and Mine' is like a mirage. Therefore, why don't you become detached?

 

Oh, you! Think well, whether you should get entangled in this notion of 'I and Mine' in this worldly existence. Oh, parrot! leave the bar and fly high above in the sky.

 

Where there is liberty there is bondage; and bondage is accompanied by liberty. Ignoring both these conditions, you should live in the purest spirit within you.

 

This is subjective knowledge. Happiness and misery is total ignorance. Therefore, abandon that knowledge and acquire true knowledge, which is the knowledge of the Brahman, and which is with you.

 

As long as the discrimination between 'You and me' exists, it is not possible to perceive your own good. Give it up and then look at yourself by throwing away selfishness.

 

If a person as wealthy as Kuber, outwardly leads the life of a mendicant, he is not doing the right thing. It is a hypocritical behaviour and all due to false knowledge.

 

Regularly listen to the best of the scriptures; follow the advice of the Guru with faith; be always alert and lead a regulated life.

 

Those who follow this principle automatically follow the path leading to their salvation. Innumerable beings are thus liberated very naturally.

 

He, who constantly thinks, day and night, as to when he will be free of the bonds of this world, will be able to cut off this bond.

 

Securing as much solitude as one can, and bearing in mind that the worldly existence is ephemeral, one should always be engaged in studying and understanding the meaning of the Atman.

 

With mind full of devotion and faith, a disciple should completely and humbly surrender. Till such time, the Guru will not give the treasure of knowledge to him.

 

Serve the Guru with your whole being. Think of salvation and bondage, ponder upon the question of true knowledge and ignorance and leave the success only to the Guru.

 

Nobody else but a Guru can tell about the Atman and the Supreme Self. Guru also does not give even a particle of knowledge unless one surrenders completely.

 

If anyone else excepting the Guru imparts knowledge it will not be able to liberate you from the world; neither will it at all be possible of leading to the fruits of Moksha nor will it ever have the full impact on your mind.

 

Therefore, knowledge is not possible to be obtained without a Guru. All the learned men are aware of this that the capable feet of the Guru can solve the mystery of the Brahman and the Atman.

 

Without any hesitation give up your ego and pride, and prostrate yourself, bowing your head down at the feet of the Guru.

 

'I am your humblest servant. I have always regarded your feet as my only solace'. Utter these words. Gather courage and have faith in him.

 

Then you should see his miracle. The ocean of mercy, in the form of the Guru, will be moved and will take you in his bed, swaying you lightly on the waves of kindness.

 

He will keep his hand of re-assurance on your head; will ward off bad omens; burn up heaps of all sins and anoint the forehead with 'udi'.



I bow down to Sree Ganesh

I bow down to Sree Saraswati

I bow down to the Guru

I bow down to the Family Deity

I bow down to Sree Sita-Ramachandra

I bow down to Sree Sadguru Sainath.

 

 

-(from Shri Sai Samartha Satchrita, Chapter  17, Ovi 125 - 144)

http://babaprayers.blogspot.in/



Thursday, July 9, 2015

WHY DO YOU GRIEVE

WHY DO YOU GRIEVE



Baba: Why do you grieve, men are born to die. One day each one of us will die.

 

Baba: (to Appa Kulkarni's wife) Death and life are manifestations of God's activity. You cannot separate the two. God permeates all. However, (in fact) none is born. None dies.

 

See with your inner eye, then you realize that you are God, and not different from Him.

 

Like worn-out garment, the body is cast away by God. Appa wants to change his dress (kupni) before I do. Let Appa go. Do not stop him. Do not ask for Udhi.

 

Gain and loss, birth and death, are in the hands of God. But how blindly do these people forget God! Look after life just so long as it lasts. When death arrives, do not be grieved. The wise ones do not grieve for death; the fools do.

 

Behold! The five pranas were lent for use till now. Now the lender claims back his own; and they are returned.

 

Air goes back to air, fire to fire. Every one of the five elements thus goes back to its place.

 

The body (is made up) of earth. See, really they are the same. Therefore its return to the earth is not a thing to bemoan.

 

(Baba's Charters and Sayings, No. 314)

 

Guruvaar Prarthna

Guruvaar Prarthna



Our Beloved Sadguru Sainath, please accept our humble prayers on this Holy day of Guruvaar. Baba, bless us to uphold purity in our life, in our action, in our prayers. Our thoughts are getting contaminated on our dealings in this world, right from the moment we wake up, until we retire in the bed. When we feel  everyone in this world is selfish, self centered, wicked, cunning, corrupt, alcoholic, we forget to analyze ourselves honestly. Baba, make our hearts pure so as You will seat conveniently without any suffocation. While we determine to cleanse our life right from this Guruvaar, we uphold Your divine words Shraddha and Shaburi to achieve this object. Baba, on this holy day we start our prayers by reading your divine words in Shri Sai Samartha Satcharita.

 

 

A person who always indulges in evil deeds, is perturbed, unsteady, and whose mind is unable to concentrate – for such a person, though learned, it is impossible to acquire.

 

He who discards that which is wrong, and practises that which is right, in accordance with the Vedas and Upanishads, and whose mind is always in control, the Atman is at his command.

 

He who keeps himself away from the sinful life, who humbles himself at the feet of the teacher and the Guru, who has given up the longing for the fruits of his action, can only attain the Atman.

 

Without being desireless, and being only interested in the Atman and without giving up all passions, Self-realisation is unattainable.

 

When the Atman witnesses the hardships undergone by seeker, it will on its own take pity and it will appear before the seeker. But this is not easy without a Guru.

 

Therefore for the sake of Self-realisation, the student should listen and meditate and bear in mind non-duality – then only will he easily achieve the Atman.

 

This material world is full of ignorance. It is based and flourishes on ignorance. Understand that salvation is not possible without true knowledge.

 

Analysis and inferences only deal with the words of the scriptures. When the materialistic attitude is destroyed then only true knowledge arises. Otherwise, it is not possible.

 

He who considers a pious person or a sinner as the same, he who considers the soul residing in the body as God, and he who behaves accordingly, such a person is great and does not discriminate.

 

When the realisation dawns that Brahman and the Soul are one, that is the ultimate goal of knowledge. Once this Selfrealisation takes place, all ignorance vanishes.

 

Once the Self Knowledge is complete, nothing more remains to be understood. It enables one to understand the material world as well as the palm of the hand. This is because of Self-realisation.

 

 

I bow down to Sree Ganesh

I bow down to Sree Saraswati

I bow down to the Guru

I bow down to the Family Deity

I bow down to Sree Sita-Ramachandra

I bow down to Sree Sadguru Sainath.

 

 

-(from Shri Sai Samartha Satchrita, Chapter  16, Ovi 143 - 153)

http://babaprayers.blogspot.in/

Thursday, July 2, 2015

INTERPRETATION OF ATHITI

INTERPRETATION OF ATHITI.

 

N G Chandorkar found that though he waited for athities, i.e., guests, for a few minutes, after the daily vaiswadeva, none ever turned up and he intended to ask Baba, if the direction in the Vedas to wait for guests was a worthless direction. But when he went to Baba, the latter anticipated the query and thus spoke. 


Baba: Yes. Yes. Guests will come! The devil, they will.

 

N G Chandorkar: True, Baba. I daily offer the Kakabali and go out and wait for guests. they never come.

 

Baba: Nana, the sastras are not in fault. Nor are the Mantras wrong. But their true importance you have not caught.. You get into your head a worthless interpretation and then stand and wait for guests. They will not turn up. Hallo! Does the term 'Athiti" denote a man 3 ½ cubits high and of the Brahmin caste? Athithi is what ever creature is hungry and comes on to you, at that time, whether it is human or a bird, beast or insect, all these seek food. The real Athiti that you get, you do not regard as such. These have come to you in lakhs. Nana, give up your rotten interpretation. At kakabali, take plenty of boiled rice outside the house and leave it there. Do not shout or call for any nor drive away. Whatever the creature that comes to eat, let not that disturb your mind. You get thus the merit of feeding lakhs of guests.

 

 

(from Baba's Charters and Sayings, No. 309)

Guruvaar Prarthna

Guruvaar Prarthna



Our Beloved Sadguru Sainath, please accept our humble prayers on this Holy day of Guruvaar. Baba,let us not feel overburdened with the state of our being. But let us wake up with a song of love and gratitude in our heart. Let us consciously be aware of a greater protecting power around us and hand over our life in trust, so You can go before us and prepare the way, take care and guide us at every step and hold our hand and chaperon us through our daily tasks, work office, and wade us through every difficult situation that arrives. Let us be assured that You will never let anything happen that is not for our ultimate good. And let us allow You work through us and bring relief and good to the world. Baba, on this holy day we start our prayers by reading your divine words in Shri Sai Samartha Satcharita.

 

To ward off the sufferings of the world, Baba, the cloud in the form of the Supreme Spirit, showered that water in the form of contentment to quench the thirst of the devotees, who were like the chataks  (birds).

 

Baba said: "Mother, tell me the truth. Why do you torment yourself? I am a mere fakir who begs for alms. Look at me kindly.

 

Really speaking, I am like a son and you the mother. Now pay attention to me. I will tell you about an amazing thing, which will make you very happy.

 

I had a Guru who was a great Aulia, an ocean of kindness. I served him, as much as I could, but he would not whisper any mantras to me.

 

I too had a great longing to receive a mantra from his lips, whatever efforts I may have to put in. I resolved never to leave him.

 

In the beginning he had my head shaved and asked for only two pice, which I gave immediately. I ardently prayed for him to give me those magical words of a mantra.

 

My Guru was a person who had fulfilled all desires. Why did he need two pice? and how could I call him desireless who asked money from a disciple?

 

Never have such doubts. He did not wish for the coins of the realm. That was not his idea at all. What use did he have for bullion?

 

Faith and Patience – these were the two (pice) – and nothing else. I gave them immediately, by which, my Guru was pleased with me, who was like my mother.

 

Courage is itself patience, oh woman. Never let it leave you! In times of difficulties, it will stand you in good stead.

 

The valour of a human being lies in being patient. It wards off the sins, worries and miseries. The difficulties are cleared, in some way or the other; and fear and panic vanish.

 

I bow down to Sree Ganesh

I bow down to Sree Saraswati

I bow down to the Guru

I bow down to the Family Deity

I bow down to Sree Sita-Ramachandra

I bow down to Sree Sadguru Sainath.

 

 

-(from Shri Sai Samartha Satchrita, Chapter  19, Ovi 44 - 54)

http://babaprayers.blogspot.in/