Category: Love of Devotees

Ia Love every person & creature

  • Characteristic of Shirdi – Pilgrimage

    Characteristic of Shirdi – Pilgrimage

    Blessed is Shirdi and blessed is Dwarkamayi where Shri Sai lived and moved until He took Mahasamadhi.

    Blessed are the people of Shirdi, whom He obliged and for whom He came such long distance.

    Shirdi was a small village at first. It attained great importance due to His contact. It became a Tirtha, a holy place of pilgrimage.

    Equally blessed are the womenfolk of Shirdi, blessed is their whole and undivided faith in Him. They sang the glories of Baba while bathing, grinding, pounding corn and doing other house- hold work. Blessed is their love, for they sang sweet songs which calm and pacify the minds of the singers and listeners.

    One special peculiarity of Shirdi-pilgrimage was this, that none could leave Shirdi, without Baba’s permission;

    • and if he did, he invited untold sufferings,
    • but if any one was asked to quit Shirdi, he could stay there no longer.
    • Baba gave certain suggestions or hints, when Bhaktas went to bid good-bye and take leave. These suggestions had to be followed.
    • Accidents were sure to befall those who did not follow Baba’s directions. Problems occurred if they departed from them..

  • Baba is Omniscient, already in the ready to go Pandharpur

    Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who was a great devotee of Baba, was Mamlatdar at Nandurbar in Khandesh. He got an order of transfer to Pandharpur. His devotion to Sai Baba bore fruit, as he got an order to go and stay at Pandharpur which is regarded as the ‘BHUVAIKUNTHA’ – Heaven on earth.

    Nanasaheb had to take immediate charge, so he left, immediately, for the place, without even writing or informing anybody at Shirdi. He wanted to give a surprise visit to Shirdi – his Pandharpur, see and salute his Vithoba (Baba), and then proceed.

    Nobody dreamt of Nanasaheb’s departure for Shirdi, but Sai Baba knew all about this, as His eyes were everywhere (omniscient). As soon as Nanasaheb approached Neemgaon, a few miles from Shirdi, there was stir in the Masjid at Shirdi.

    Baba was sitting and talking with Mhalsapati, Appa Shinde and Kashiram, when He at once said, “Let us all four do some Bhajan, the doors of Pandhari are open, let us merrily sing.” Then they began to sing in chorus, the burden of the song being “I have to go to Pandharpur and I have to stay on there, for it is the house of my Lord.”

    Baba sang and the devotees followed Him. In a short time Nanasaheb came there with his family, prostrated before Baba and requested Him to accompany them to Pandharpur and stay with them there. This solicitation was not necessary, as the devotees told Nanasaheb that Baba was already in the mood of going to Pandharpur and staying there.

    Hearing this Nanasaheb was moved and fell at Baba’s Feet. Then getting Baba’s permission, Udi (sacred ashes) and Blessings, Nanasaheb left for Pandharpur.

    SSSC Ch-7

  • Hemadpant, The Author of “Shri Sai Satcharita”

    Hemadpant, The Author of “Shri Sai Satcharita”

    Govind Raghunath Dabolkar, called Anna Saheb Dabolkar, was Mamlatdar and first class resident Magistrate.

    His work ‘Sai Satcharitra’ in Marathi Ovi verse extends to a thousand pages. Maharashtra Sai bhaktas treat it as Sai Ramayana or modern Guru Charitra. They give it the respect due to ancient puranas. Even others respect it when they gain access through N.V. Gunjaji’s English adaptation or translations in Telugu, etc.

    This work is highly meritorious and has been the instrument for many people becoming Sai bhaktas. The verses are highly sonorous. The stories about Sai Baba collected from various individuals are based on actual experiences. These stories have great charm and are always fresh.

    On his first visit to Shirdi and Sai Baba in 1910, went to the mosque. He and his friend Bala Saheb Bhate prostrated before Baba. Baba pointed to Dabolkar and said, ‘What talk was going on there at the wada? And what did this Hemad Pant say (pointing his chin to Dabolkar)?’. Dabolkar’s name was not Hemad Pant at all.

    Hemadpant-“I began to think why Sai Baba should call me by the name Hemadpant. This word is a corrupt form of Hemadripant.

    This Hemadripant was a wellknown Minister of the kings Mahadev and Ramadev of Devgiri of the Yadav dynasty. He was very learned and good-natured. He authored good works, such as Chaturvarga Chintamani (dealing with spiritual subjects) and Rajprashasti. He invented and started new methods of accounts  and was the originator of the Ovi (Marathi Shorthand) script.

    But I was quite the opposite, an ignoramus, and have dull, mediocre intellect. I could not understand why the name or title was conferred upon me. However, after thinking seriously about it, I thought that the title was a dart to destroy my ego. This way, I should always remain meek and humble. It was also a compliment paid to me for the cleverness in the discussion#. (# before he started from Wada/Lodge to Sai Temple, he had some hot discussion with Bala Saheb Bhate about”Guru’s essential ” for 30 minutes)”.

    Looking to the future history, we think that Baba’s word (calling Mr. Dabholkar by the name Hemadpant) was significant and prophetic, as we find that he looked after the management of Sai Sansthan very intelligently, kept nicely all the accounts and helped greatly in the publications of ‘Sai Lila Masik (Magazine)’ also as the author of such a good work “Shri Sai Satcharita (SSSC)”, which deals with such important and spiritual subjects as Jnana, Bhakti and dispassion, self-surrender and self-realization.

  • Wise, avoid anxiety!

    Wise, avoid anxiety!

    “Stay, cast off anxiety. the wise avoid anxiety.

    Your sufferings for your past karma have come to an end, as soon as you put your feet on Shirdi. Persons in great trouble, sunk in their misery, rise to joy and happiness as soon as they climb the steps of this mosque (Dwarakamai)

    That Fakir (God) is very kind and will eradicate your disease. He will show his love. He is kind to all. “Baba

  • Sending Love is the Basis of all Services

    Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s most well-known teachings are:

    – Serve the needy.

    – Quiet the mind.

    – Expand the heart.

    Our group does a service project that integrates all these injunctions; we pray for missing children. This service came to us in a unique way, through a series of seemingly unconnected circumstances.

    First, while I was answering calls for assistance referred to me by a local help organization, I met a couple, both physically disabled, who particularly longed to do something to help return lost or abducted children to their rightful homes. Then while I was watching the television show There Is a Way, I found myself listening to a guest speaker who was not only an author and lecturer but someone who rejoices in her awareness of Sai Baba’s presence on the planet. Because of my experience with the couple, I was quite receptive to her message.

    During the show, she described how one day a friend had called her and asked for help in a frightening situation. The friend’s ten-year-old daughter had disappeared, and no one had a clue as to what might have happened. Although she was not a psychic, the speaker had decided to spend time in silence, listening for guidance on how she might be of service. After five days and five nights, she had still received nothing and was about to give up when she decided to continue a little longer. Within a few hours, she heard quite clearly the names of three men, the make of a car, and an instruction to call the child’s parents.

    As instructed, she asked the parents to think the most loving thoughts possible about those three men – to put them in the light of God. Both mother and father began immediately to do as asked [although that must have been the most difficult task these two people had ever undertaken]. The parents thought about the men the three names represented, declared them to be children of God, and recognized that in their true spiritual identity they were lovable and loving. After forgiving them for their mistaken behavior, the parents sent many loving thoughts their way.

    A Course in Miracles tells us that every attack is a plea for love. Those men were begging for love in the only way they knew how. In sending love, the parents gave them what they had so desperately needed. The results were truly miraculous.

    Before the police were able to find the men, the little girl walked into a police station and told the officers there her story.

    She said that she had been abducted by force, locked in a dark room, mistreated, and threatened. Suddenly, she said, the men unlocked the room, asked her forgiveness for the way they had treated her, and took her to the car. They drove to a corner just one block from a police station and told her to get out of the car. The police, they said, would return her to her parents. She just had to walk to the station and go inside. This she did, and the outcome not only corrected the immediate situation affecting one family but established a clear procedure useful for every discordant situation.

    After hearing this story, our group made a commitment to send loving thoughts regularly toward all the missing, hungry, and abused children in the world. We each participate in this “Bring Home the Children” project according to our own schedule and in our own way. However, many of us find it helpful to start by directing love toward a specific child. Hardly a day passes that we do not see a picture of a missing child, if not in our own mail, then in some public place. After we have surrounded the child with love and God’s light, we expand our hearts to include the child’s parents, friends, and relatives. We also include the abductors, if any are involved, recognizing that they are expressions of divine love, no matter how mistaken their behavior may be. Then we gradually broaden our love until it includes all children and all humanity in one embrace.

    Anyone can do this spiritual exercise. It takes only a few moments and requires no financial resources. Since physical strength is not necessary, this service is not exclusive to the young or the healthy.

    All we have to do is LOVE. Sathya Sai Baba tells us, Love is the solvent for the hardest of hearts. He also says, See God in everyone, even in people you regard as enemies. Seen through the eyes of love, all beings are beautiful, all deeds are dedicated, all thoughts are beneficial, and the world is one vast family. Love is the best foundation for service. Think love. Send love. Be love. Love is the highest power. Love is God.

    — Joy Thomas of Sri Sathya Seva Organisation

  • What can the Snake do?”

    What can the Snake do?”

    Balasaheb Mirikar, son of Sirdar Kakasaheb Mirikar was Mamlatdar of Kopergaon. He was going on tour to Chitali. On the way he came to Shirdi to see Sai Baba.

    When he went to the Masjid and prostrated himself before Baba, usual conversation regarding health and other matters commenced, when Baba sounded a note of warning as follows:- “Do you know our Dwarakamayi?”

    As Balasaheb did not understand he kept quiet, Baba continued – “This is our Dwarakamayi, where you are sitting. She wards off all dangers and anxieties of the children, who sit on her lap. This Masjidmayi (its presiding Deity) is very merciful. She is the mother of the simple devotees. She will save them in calamities. Once a person sits on her lap, all his troubles are over. He, who rests in her shade, gets Bliss”.

    Then Baba gave him Udi, and placed His protecting hand on his head.

    When Balasaheb was about to depart, He again said- “Do you know the “Lamba Bava” (long gentleman), Viz. serpent?” And then he closed his left arm like a fist. He brought it near the right elbow. Moving his left arm like the hood of a serpent, Baba said, “He is so terrible. But what can he do to the children of Dwarakamayi? When the Dwarakamayi (its presiding deity) protects, what can the serpent do?”

    Everyone present there was curious. They wanted to know the meaning of all this and its reference to Mirikar. However, none had the courage to ask Baba about this. Then Balasaheb saluted Baba and left the Masjid with Shama. Baba called Shama back and asked him to accompany Balasaheb, and enjoy the Chitali trip.

    They reached Chitali at 9 P.M. and encamped in the Maruti temple. The office-people had not come; so they sat quiet in the temple, talking and chitchating.

    Balasaheb was sitting on a mat reading a newspaper. His Uparani (upper dhotar) was spread across his waist and on a part of it a snake was sitting unobserved. It began to move with a rustling sound which was heard by the peon. He brought a lantern, saw the snake and raised an alarm- ‘serpent, serpent’. Balasaheb was frightened and began to quiver.

    Shama was also amazed. Then he and others moved noiselessly and took sticks and clubs in their hands. The snake got down slowly from the waist and it moved away from Balasaheb; it was immediately done to death. Thus this calamity, which was prophesied by Baba, was averted and Balasaheb’s love for Baba was deeply confirmed.

  • What is the effect of Love

    What is the effect of Love upon the various thoughts, feelings, desires, aversions, capacities, incapacities, and the tendencies or impulses found to be the main features of various personalities?

    Self-love and self-assertion, resisting and overcoming the efforts of other selves adversely disposed are basic urges for ensuring the safe maintenance and progress of the physico-psychical organism in the ordinary individual.

    But altruism or care for others, even (for) adverse individuals, to the detriment of one’s own material interests but in promotion of one’s higher or nobler side is also found.

    It may be weak in many but in the saint it gets quickly developed and overshadows or overpowers the earlier self-love and self-assertion of the brute or lower level. This altruism and active care for others form the important facets of Love.

    Love grows stronger by exercise, by Abhyasa and Vairagya. By constant altruism one becomes Sarva bhuta hite ratah BG 5(25), ie. interested in the welfare of all creatures; all creatures get to be identified with oneself.

    Thus Love unifies, synthesises and strengthens one’s self or moral nature, especially by the perception of unity of one’s self with other selves.

    LoSB:P125

  • Baba grinding the sins, afflictions and miseries of His devotees.

    Baba grinding the sins, afflictions and miseries of His devotees.

    1–2 minutes

    Hemadpant asked the Shirdi people “What was this (ie. Preparing and taking the wheat-flour to the outskirts of Shirdi and throw it on the village borders) that Baba did?” They replied that as the Cholera Epidemic was spreading in the village and this was Baba’s remedy against the same.

    It was not wheat that was ground but the Cholera itself was ground to pieces and pushed out of the village. From this time onward, the Cholera Epidemic subsided and the people of the village were happy.

    Hemadpant began to ask himself – “What earthly connection was there between wheat flour and Cholera? What was the casual relation between the two? And how to reconcile them? The incident seems to be inexplicable. I should write something on this and sing to my heart’s content Baba’s sweet Leelas (play). Thinking in this way about this Leela, my heart was filled with joy and I was thus inspired to write Baba’s Life – The Satcharita.”

    Philosophical Significance of Grinding :
    Apart from the meaning that the people of Shirdi put on this incident of grinding wheat, there is, we think, a philosophical significance too.

    Sai Baba lived in Shirdi for about sixty years and during this long period. HE did the business of grinding almost every day. He ground not, however, the wheat alone. He also ground the sins, the mental and physical afflictions, and the miseries of His innumerable devotees.

    The two stones of His mill consisted of Karma and Bhakti, the former being the lower and the latter the upper one. The handle with which Baba worked the mill consisted of Jnana. It was the firm conviction of Baba that Knowledge or Self-realization is not possible, unless there is the prior act of grinding of all our impulses, desires, sins; and of the three gunas, viz. Sattva, Raja and Tama; and the Ahamkara, which is so subtle and therefore so difficult to be got rid of.

    SSSC -ch1

  • How one have to Love Baba?

    The great question in the case of lovers of Baba is, how can we possibly describe the extent of love and its intensity.

    Love is not a thing measured by thermometer or by quantity of goods or sacrifices rendered, though all these do count. We may roughly begin a statement of how love works.

    When two persons are greatly attached to each other, we find that no other expression would describe the situation than love. Friendship, admiration, gratitude, loyalty, faithfulness, regard, worship, all these blend together in many a case.

  • Conversion of the heart, which makes a man lose his sinful and bestial nature and climb up to Godhood

    Conversion of the heart, which makes a man lose his sinful and bestial nature and climb up to Godhood

    Unity of God is the central principle in both Hindu and Muslim religions,  and the one God has always to be revered and adored by prayer for protecting  oneself and one’s dependants and country. For this purpose, therefore, Hindus  and Muslims can always join, and in fact have often joined.

    In national calamities  and crises, differences of opinion have not prevented people from joining  together. They pray to a common God for relief from great distress and peril. 
    Similarly when an emperor ordered, people were able to join together and pray to  a common father. For some time Akbar’s experiment proved to be practical and  successful.     Unfortunately, his ideas and practice did not take root, and his  successors had widely different ideas from his. Aurangazeb’s policy was  extremely opposite to his.

    When we  discover a mistake committed in the past, it is our duty to discover and adopt the  correct policy.  “Live and let live.” Freedom to all people to adopt their  ideas of approach to God as far as possible  must be the basis on which society must be founded.  Any compulsion in religion will destroy religion and society also.

    This cardinal  principle is noted to be one of the main features of Sai Baba’s dealings with his multifarious devotees. These include Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis, and others.  Anything like compulsion or for that matter any attempt for conversion is  absolutely destructive of the work of religion. We can have neither religion nor  unity where compulsion is adopted.

    Conversion is very often the result of either  compulsion or low motives. Baba knew this fact very well. On one  occasion, a Hindu convert to Islam was brought by Bade Baba to him. Saying, ‘Baba, this man has been converted to Islam’. He struck the convert on  the cheek and asked, ‘Have you changed your father?’ Changing one’s father is  absolutely unthinkable, and an absurd idea.

    Each religion makes God the father of its followers. When one has got a useful, accredited father, it looks absurd to think of changing either the physical father who begot one. It also seems absurd to change the Universal Father that is adored in religion. So, Baba always dissuaded people from changing their religion. It did not matter if it was from Hinduism to Islam or from Islam to Hinduism. Baba also discouraged changing from Christianity to Hinduism, and vice versa.

    What is most important is not mere external conversion. Conversion of the heart makes a man lose his sinful and bestial nature. It helps him climb up to Godhood. That real conversion is not called conversion by people because it generally has no external marks to denote it. Baba’s object was that all people should be really converted and should have God in their hearts. They should get firmly attached to God so that all of them will be soaked through and through with the idea of God. In consequence, there will be no friction between one person soaked in God and another person soaked in God.