Catechectics is an Art of teaching by Question and answer (as a Part of ‘How emotional investments shape our behaviors and thoughts’). Baba is in very advanced stage in this science. This is an example:-
It was in the year 1916, a Chennai Bhajani Mela (Party of the Ramadasi Panth) started on a Pilgrimage to the holy city of Kasi/Banaras. The Party consisted of a man, his wife, daughter and sister-in-law; and they had come to Shirdi to get Gift of money from Baba. There the husband got a wonderful vision in his dream one night as follows :-
He was in a big city, the police there had arrested him, tied his hands with a rope, and put him up in lock-up. As the police were tightening the grip, he saw Sai Baba standing quiet outside, near the cage. On seeing Baba so near, he said in a plaintive tone – “Hearing Your fame, I came to Your Feet, and why should a calamity befall me, when You are standing here in person?”
- Baba said – “You must suffer the consequences of your action”
- He said – “I have not done anything in this life, which would bring such a misfortune on me.”
- Baba said – “If not in this life, you must have committed some sin in your past life.”
- He replied, “I do not know anything of my past life, but assuming that I did commit some sin; then why should it not be burnt and destroyed in Your presence, as dry grass before fire? “.
- Baba – “Have you got such faith?”
- He – “Yes.”
- Baba then asked him to close his eyes.
- No sooner did he shut them, than he heard a thumping sound of something falling down, opening his eyes,
- he saw that he was free and the police had fallen down, bleeding.
- Being much frightened, he began to look at Baba who said – “Now you are well caught, officers will now come and arrest you.”
- Then he begged – “There is no other saviour except You, save me anyhow.”
- Then Baba again asked him to close his eyes. He did so and when he opened them,
- he saw that he was free, out of the cage and
- that Baba was by his side.
- He then fell at Baba’s Feet.
- Baba then asked him –
- “Is there any difference between this namaskar (Hello) and your previous ones? Think well and reply.”
- He said “There is a lot of difference; my former namaskaras were offered with the object of getting money from You, but the present namaskar is one offered to You as God”
- Then a desire arose in his mind, to get the darshan of his Guru Ramdas;
- when Baba asked him to turn back and see. And when he turned,
- lo, Ramadas was in front of him.
- No sooner did, he begin to fall at His Feet, Ramadas vanished.
- Then he inquisitively asked Baba,”You look old. Do You know Your age?”. Baba – “What! Do you say I am old! just run a race with Me and see.” Saying this, Baba began to run and he too followed. Baba disappeared in the dust raised by His foot-steps while running, and the man was awakened.
- After awakening, he began to think seriously about the dream-vision. His mental attitude was completely changed and he realised the greatness of Baba. After this, his grabbing and doubting tendencies disappeared and true devotion to Baba’s Feet sprang in his mind.
- The vision was a mere dream, but the questions and answers therein were most significant and interesting.
- Next morning, when all the persons assembled in the Masjid for the Arati, Baba gave him as prasad two rupees’ worth sweetmeats and also two rupees from His pocket and blessed him.
- Baba made him stay there for a few more days and gave him His blessing, saying, “Allah (God) will give you plenty and He will do you all good”. He did not get more money there, but he got far better things viz. Baba’s blessing, which stood him in good stead all along.
- The party got plenty of money afterwards; and their pilgrimage was successful: as they had not to suffer any trouble or inconvenience during their journey.
- They all returned home safe and sound, thinking of Baba’s words and blessings and the Anand(Bliss) they experienced by His grace.
In SSSC Ch-29
