First Edition: 1939 Present Edition: 1999

Published by All India Sal SamaJ

AJamelumangapuram, Mylapore Chennai - 600 004

FOREWORD

By Mr. Justice M. B. Rege, B.A., LB

High Court Judge, Indore.

An attempt to write a foreword to Baba's Charters and Sayings may well be described as an effort to discover the Sun with a lighted taper. None is more conscious of this than myself but my revered brother B.V. Narasimha Swami whose privilege it has been to compile the "Charters and Sayings" would not brook my denial of the honour of writing this foreword. With Baba's divine grace, the lighted taper may perhaps dimly light the way out of the depth of theSamsaric Cavern to the Radiant Sun outside; and if it does so, it will be an addition to the Charters.

Self-realisation is the aim of Mysticism; but the means to the end must be suited to the needs of the individual. Baba in the flesh was, to his devotees, the embodiment of the Supreme Spirit lighting the Sadhakas'path by his every word and action. The mortal body has passed away but the "Baba" once in it now lives in the Spirit Eternal helping in the silent way he often did in the flesh the myriads of his devotees who seek solace in him. A Sadhaka however must need have something manifest and perceptible to the senses on which to pin his faith; and the 'Charters and Sayings' compiled by Swamiji will serve as a manifestation of that Supreme Spirit in words. As Lord Sree Krishna manifests Himself in the Bhagavad Gita, so does Baba in the 'Charters and Sayings'.

The compilation will doubtless be a beacon on the Sadhakas' path; but it would likewise transport persons like my humble self, who had the privilege of being at Baba's feet when He was in the body, back into the old times, and revive fond memories of the blissful moments spent with the Master.

The 'Charters and Sayings' are useful as precepts both in the world spiritual and the world material. Pervading them is the love of an ardent devotee who pictures Baba as the Body, the Jeeva and the Shiva. At one stage says Baba "I am your servant's servant"; next "I am a servant of Allah"; and yet again "I am He." Intellect fails here; but the spirit beyond the intellect and mind is manifest, In the body Baba was the insignificant human being; between it and the supreme Shiva, he was as "Jeeva" a wheel in the great machine; but transcending these He stood as Shiva Himself.

The onward march of Science may some day co-ordinate these phases in the frame of the Intelect. The miracles referred to in the book may cause a sceptic to stare. To the devotees in tune with the Infinite Baba they are only events in thfe process of evolution-mysterious to the mere man-but explicable in the light of Faith and Love.

One cannot be too greatful to Swamiji for the labour of love which has crystallised this phase of Baba's divine personality in the 'Charters and Sayings'. All I would say is All glory to the Master and to his "Vyasa" the Swamiji; and may the book serve to create and foster Faith and Devotion in all corners of the country!

M. B. rege

Foreword by Justice M.B.Rege

Sal Baba's Charters

Paras

A.         Baba's promises as Dwaraka Mayi(Masudi Ayi) 1 -8 B.   

B.         Magna Carta:

Baba's promises in his own name                                                              9-52

Baba's mission                                                                                             53-57

Baba's nature                                                                                                58-65-a

Baba's ubiquity                                                                                              66-73

Baba and other saints                                                                                  74-89

Baba's function                                                                                              90-100

Baba a surrendered instrument of God                                                      101 -104

Baba's Nature (Nirakara and Sakara)                                                        105-107

Atma Vichara                                                                                                108-109

Difference unreal                                                                                           110-112

Moksha Marga

Samsara                                                                                                        113

True Happiness                                                                                             114

True or joy happiness                                                                                   115

Conduct amidst samsara                                                                             116

Bhakti                                                                                                             117

Jnana and Bhakti                                                                                          118

Atma Vichara (i.e. Jnana)

(a)   Who are you? Whence? (b) Who am I?

Who are we?                                                                                                 119-20

(c)   Think who you are?                                                                               121

(d)   Who is God? etc. How are we to see God?

How to get Moksha?                                                                                     121 -23

Reaching God: The method.                                                                        124

1.    Nitya-Anityavastuviveka. 2. Vairagya-(a) Baba's vairagya.

(b) Advice to Madras! Swami. 3. Sama, Dama, etc.

4.Mumuk shuta

Moksha what it is and how to get it

Suddha chaitanya and Maya                                                                       125

Maya(cfSB Xl(II)                                                                                            126

God Realisation-Sakshatkara (Das Ganu)                                                127-29

What Is God

Sakshatkara ordinarily very transient: H.S.D.                                            130

Atmajnana-Adh ikari:

1.    Receptivity                                                                                              131

2.    Deserve before you desire                                                                   132

3.    Surrender five-if you want Brahman                                                     133

Do all visitors benifit                                                                               134

Baba wants complete surrender                                                           135

Anna Saheb Dabolkar                                                                            136

Radha Bai Deshmukin 137

Have Nisnta and Saburi and trust yourGuru                                         137-138

Do Dhyana (along with Sravana,

Manana, Nidhi Dhyasa and Smarana)                                                       139

 

Sadhanas

1. Faith

Baba's Test and development of faith-instances                          141 –43

Baba's regard for Hindu Gods-Maruti, Mohiniraj,

Rama and Krishna and Vittal                                                                       144-45,46

Baba and Hindu Gods: Avatars etc.                                                           147-48

God realisation and not talk                                                                         149-50,51

Decay of faith etc, in these days                                                                 152-53,54

II. Worship of Objects

(a) Images: (b) Paduka; (c)Coins: (d) Tomb worship:

(e) Picture Worship                                                                                       155

Baba strengthens faith in God etc.                                                  167-71

III. Guru

Image worship                                                                                               172-73

Conservatism: do not change images                                                        174

Sai's former Guru's  Mahima                                                                       175

Guru needed                                                                                      176-77

Baba on 'Venkusa" -the Guru of this birth                                      178-80

Former Guru-Kabir-Upasana                                                                      181

Guru God is by adoption by the Devotee                                       182

Nature of Jnana and how to get it through Guru                             183

BGIV34

All Jnanis are Krishna (i.e.God)                                                                  183

iv.(A) Books Pothi, Parayaju

Do not read but meditate                                                                             183.a-l 91

K. (B) Nama Japa

(1 )Rama and (2) Sai                                                                                    192-98

v. Worship Baba as God in All

(toN.G.C.)                                                                                                       199

vi. Sights of Nature

Baba approves of mystic experience of individual

self blending with Universal self                                                                   200

vi. Music

Baba aproves the use of Music for (Laya) absorption                  201 -02

Moral Teachings and Correction

Shadripus. Advice to jog                                                                              203

(1)   Lust to Devadas:N.G.C.Lust;H.V Sathe                                             204

(2)   Anger

Ramadasi; Jog;R,B. Purandhare;Mrs. Pradhan

Baba's control of Anger                                                                                212-18-A

(3)   Pride

Haji; H.V.Sathe; Das Ganu;

Caste Pride: S.A. Doctor; Mule Sastri;                                                      219-23

Bayyaji-Pride of strength

(N.G.C.Pride of Learning)                                                                            224

4   Jealousy (MatsaraJ-toN.G.C.                                                                 225

5.    Lobha (greed)                                                                                        226-230

N.G.C.; jaya Gudi; Attai; Jog

Bade Baba-Sadu chose the better part                                                     231

N.R-Sahasrabuddhe                                                                                     232

R(redpiantains)

(5) A. Kancluna. (a) Dakshina

1.    R.B. Purandhare                                                                                    233-35

2.    S.R.V. Jayakar                                                                                       236

3.    P.R.Avasti                                                                                               237

4.    Taking first fruits: S.B. Dhumal                                                             238

5.    S.D.Nimonkar                                                                                        239

6.    R.S.Dev. Dakshina as prophecy                                                          240

7.    SankarRao                  -do-                                                                    241

8.    Lele as first fruits                                                                                    242

9.    S.B.Dhumai.-Dakskhinatoenforceduty                                                243

10. M.W.Pradhan, -to give effect to intention                                             244

11. B.V.Dev.-Dakshina for teaching a moral                                             245

12. G.G.Narke                                                                                               246

13.  R.B. Purandhare                                                                                    247

14. Mrs.T,                                                                                                       248

15. Judge                                                                                                       249

16. Dakshina as basis for blessings etc.                           135,136,186,255

Baba's Indifference to    Wealth

1- B.G.Upasani: Giving is no loss                                                               250

2. H.S. Dixit to promote vairagya                                                                251

3. Palanquin                                                                                                   252

4.    Share in Profits                                                                          253

5.    Potful of Coins                                                                                        254

6.    Two Deccani Brahmins -Rs. 15 and Rs.35                                        255

(A) Property,

1.    Marwadi's Stack                                                                                    256

2.    Cow                                                                                                         257-59

Baba's inventory

3.    Ill-feted Property-Jayakar                                                                      260

B.    Poverty                                                                                                   261

C.    Providence                                                                                            262

VI. Moral Teachings

Baba as devotee of God                                                                              263-66

Contentment and surrender                                                                         267

Love all creatures                                                                                          268

Idleness                                                                                                          269

Non-hatred                                                                                                     270

Obedience to parents                                                                                   271

Courage in dealing with spirits                                                                    272-73

Meekness                                                                                                      274

Patience                                                                                                         275

Persevering faith in case of doubt                                                  276

Over-asceticism                                                                                            277

1.    H.S.Dixit'sfast                                                                                         278

2.    Mrs. Gokhale'sfast                                                                                 279

3.    S.B.Nachne's                                                                                         280

4.    Yoga and onion-Yoga student                                                  281

5.    Das Ganu and Onion                                                                             282

6.    Kusha Bhav' and Onion                                                                         283

7.     Dada Kelkar and Onion                                                                       284

 Hospitality

(a) D.V.Sambhare; (b) Anna Dabolkar; (c)N.G.C                                     285-288

Harmony                                                                                                         289

Industry and Patience                                                                                   290-92

Avoid drunkenness                                                                                       292-a

Baba's Tapas-plank vigil                                                                              293

Baba and Tapas-Advice to Sadhakas                                                       294

Advice toAbdul                                                                                              294-94-a

Scandal                                                                                                          295-96

Ahimsa

(a) Mahlsapathy and Bitch                                                                           297

(b) H.S.Dixit and Serpent; (c) Mad Dog                                                     298-99

Non-Resistance to Evil

(a) Attai:(b) Sathe; (c) Jawar Ali                                                                  300

Baba's Humility: Guru Baba is not and is God

(a) to Master T; (b) to other devotees in general

(c) Burtts Visit; (d) Jawar Ali; (e) Nana wall                                                301-05

Alms-giving

(a) With Suavity and Straightforwardness- N.G.C.                                    306

(b) Without Arrogance and Anger-N.G.C                                       307-08

(c) Without discrimination-Athiti N.G.C.                                                      309

Laws of Karma and Poorva Karma                                                            310-11,12

Satsanga; Yama, Niyamaetc.Prema Faith                                                313

Moral Teachings (A) Death

Death; Birth; selfishness of sorrow                                                             313.(A)-16 Death of a son, daughter, etc., (a) M. G.Pradhan;

(b) Bayyaji Patil                                                                                             317-18

Jnani's passing away                                                                                   319

Death-when Baba will not avert it

(a)   Bendre-fore warning of son's death                                                    320

(b)   Cobra bitten boy, when death is an advantage                                 321

(c)   Girl with slit lip-S.B.Mohile's girl                                                           322

(d) Appa Kulkarni                                                                                          323

Ineffectual attempt to prevent Death-Nigoj                                                 324

Consolation-Rampurkar and H.S.D.                                                           325-26

Baba averts death-Modern Markandeya                                                   327

(B) Baba's passing away

1. Attempt in 1886                                                                                        328

2. Attempt in 1916                                                                                        329

3. Passing in 1918                                                                                        330

4. Baba's Samadhi and Temple                                                                 331

(C) Sadgati

1. Blind man                                                                                                   332

2. L.K.Noolkar                                                                                               333

3. Vijayanandaswami                                                                                   334

4. Mrs.S.B. Dhumal                                                                                       335

5. Mrs. Upasani Maharaj                                                                              336

6. Sadgati to animals-She-buffalo                                                  337

BABA'S POWERS

Baba on Siddhi or Yoga Marga                                                                  337-A-38 A. Restores Sight.

1.    V.Y. Despande                                                                                       339

2. Woman of Bassein-(temporarily)                                                            339

B. - Anticipates storm ; Controls storm                                                       340-41

C. - Controls fire: Kondaji's stack: (b) Fire in the dhuni;

C     Heat                                                                                                        341A-44

D. - Controls departed spirits and guides them                                        345

E. - Materialisation

1.    Gadgil-Udhi -                                                                                          346

2.    Kusha Bhav produces Udhi                                                                  347

3.    Das Ganu-Ganga from Baba's feet                                                     348

4.    N.G.C. -{power to give power]                                                  349

5.    N.G.C.- water on H.Hill                                                              350

6.    Produces seedless grapes out of seed grapes

Jethabai(l) Rationableof Dakshina                                                             351

(2) Sour and not Sour                                                                       351A

F-Appearance (Manifestation)

1.    To Mahlsapathy at Jejuri                                                                       352

2.    As Dholap Maharaj to Mule Sastri                                                       352

3. Baba assumes objector's father's voice                                                353

G-Baba appears as others or identifies himself with them:

1.    ToS.B.Nachne                                                                                        354

2.     Balakrishna G. Upasani                                                                       355

3.     Baba identifies with Anasuya and Datta                                            356

4.    To B.V.Dev as sanyasi                                                                         357

5.    To Adam Dalali as Marwadi                                                                 358

6.     Baba as Dog                                                                                         359

FUTURE

  H    Baba's Prophecy and Control

(a)   Baba-foretells coming glory of Shlrdi                                      360

(b)   L.V.Nadkar-trainlate                                                                              361

(c)   D.V. Sambhare; (d) N.G.C.                                                                  362

(d)   Mahlsapathy-feast-insult                                                                       363

(e)   Mahlsapamy-Pothi-Quarrel                                                                  364

(f)    Singvekar-passing examination                                                          365

(g)   N.A.Samant-Rs.5/-stolen                                                                      366

(h)   Sapatnekar's friend's law examination                                               367

(i)    Parsi's missing son                                                                               368

(j)    Parsi insane boy's health                                                                      369

(k)   Vakil's brother's insanity ,                                                                     370

(!)    Difference between Miracle and Prophecy                                        371

(m) Narayan Rao Jani                                                                                  372

(n)   Nachne-Bombay transfer and do not trust

mad man                                                                                                        373

(o)   Sankar Rao-Rs.64/-                                                                              374

(p)   Dixit'sboy                                                                                                375

(q)   Godavari water for Jog                                                                         376

(r)    Brahmana for Jog's Pitru Sraddha                                                      377

(s)   Debtors to repay Jog his loans                                                            378

(t)    Narke's appointment, issue and trusteeship                         379-80

(u)   Mrs.M.W.Pradhan's baby's fits                                                            381

(v)   Kalyan Karnik-a sowcar                                                                        382

(w) Shama's   sister-in-law's plague                                                           383

(x)   Balwant G. Khaparde's plague                                                            384

I.     Adam Daiali's criminal case                                                                 385

2.    H.M.Pense'sciminal appeal                                                                  386

3.     Death sentence on a Brahmin                                                             387

J.-Baba's help to Students                                                                           388

K.-Baba repeats Sanskrit Sloka and teaches Sanskrit                            389

L.-Baba's Recipes                                                                                        391-96

1.    Dr.C. Pillai-guineaworm                                                                        397

2.    Overcoming Karma for Saranagata                                                    398

3.    Granting son when Karma was against(Scindhe)                              399

M.-Baba's cure without Medicine                                                                400

1.         Mahisapatny's wife;

2.         2.H.S.D's brother                                                                              401

N.-Baba's forcing thought upon others or control of minds

1.    G.S.lCs prosecutioniB.V.Dev                                                   402-03

2.    Criminal appeal of Baba's servant                                                      404

3.    Dev Mamlatdar's obstacle to study removed                                     405

O.-Baba's Antarjnan or Ritambhara Prajna

1. Baba's avowal                                                                                           406

2. Baba's giving proof to H.S.D                                                                   407

3. Baba on Gajanan's passing away                                                          408

4. Das Ganu's sub-inspectorship                                                                409

5. ThembeSwami'scocoanut                                                                       410

6. Kaka Dopeswar Maharaj's passing away                                             411

7. Gadgil's first visit-from Bhimasanker                                                      412

8. Gadgil's presents                                                                                      413

9. Gadgil's worship of Baba as Ganapathy                                               414

10. R.S.Dev's ideas and Upadesh                                                             415

11. Dr.Mulky's mistakes                                                                               416

12. G.G. Narke-'BabaMad"                                                                         417

13. G.G. Narke-Baba's begging-bowl                                                        418

14. G.G. Narke-Baba's Kupni gift                                                               419     

15. S.B. Nachne-leave                                                                                 420       

16. S. B. Nachne and two annas                                                                 421

17. Date's oranges                                                                                       422

18. Rajaballi Mohamed's Bark                                                                    423

19. Megha's caste pride                                                                              424

20. N.Londa's caste pride                                                                            425

21. HariKanoba's sandals                                                                           426

22. Somadeva Swami &. Baba Standards                                               426-a

23. Gurjar and one rupee                                                                             427

24. Mankernotdelivering-Mrs. T'speda

25. Lizard's tick                                                                                             428

26. Cholkar's tea with sugar                                                                        429

27. Pandhari Vakil-scandalising                                                                 430

28. TakurB.A.'s Buffalo ride                                                                         431

29. Modak's friend-resiling from intended gift                                           432

30. N.R,S.'relationship                                                                                  433

31. Jaikar's doubts                                                                                       434

32. Dixit'sdakshinaof Rs.25                                                                         435

33. Dixit's Betel                                                                                             436

34. Khaparde'sdakshina                                                                              437

35. Uddavesa's loss of money and thirst                                                    438

36. Mulherkar-puccadevotee                                                                       439

37. Special Peda and Mrs.Mulherkark's life                                              440

38. D.D.Rasane-Money still left in his pocket                                            441

39. Babu Rao Boravke and the forgotten rupee                                        442

40. Device exposed of Printer N.V.                                                            443

41. Mr. T.'s mistake                                                                                      444

42. Lala Latchrnichand                                                                                 445

43. Lala Latchmichand' s Sanza-consideration

for hunger                                                                                                       446

44.  Rich Man's adopted boy                                                                       447

45. Police Officer's Rs.50/- and need for it                                                448

P. Baba and Black Magic

1.    To Theosophical lady                                                                            449

2.    To Kusa Bhav                                                                                         450

3.    To a Victim of Black Magic                                                                  451

4.    Evil spirits, (a) Hansraj. (b) Mrs.Tipins                                                452

Q.    Benefits from Knowledge of the Future-

Courage and Endurance                                                                              453,54

1.         to R.B.P.

2.    toH.S.D.

Baba's future : promises to be reborn

R     Baba on the Past

   Baba tracing Past Lives of others                                                      455-63

G. S.Kaparde                                                                                          464-66

Hangman Rebirth for revenge-fe-incarnation and reaping of results  467 N.G.Chandorkar                                                                                       468

Kishya or Pishya                                                                               469

Babu Pradhan                                                                                   470

Goats                                                                                                              471

Mrs. T.-Guru follows devotee birth after births                                           472

Baba's autobiographic Reminiscences of Past births

Snake and frog-rebirth for revenge-Development of Vasanas-

Justice of God                                                                                   473

Compulsory Labour;Sahasranama                                                 474-95

Baba's Sadhana in a former life                                                                  496

Self-sacrifice service always                                                                       497

Rinanubanda

(a) N.G.C. (b) Kshirsagar                                                                             500-02

(c) Do not drive away                                                                                    503

(d) Rinanubanda for animal                                                                         504

Baba's Reference to his Brahminism now                                                 505-06

Baba's Love of Devotees,

1.    Apperciation of Prema

(a)       Mrs.V.S.Giridhar; R.B.Purandhare:                                              507,508,09,

Nandaram Marwadi; Sai'sSabari;                                                        10,11,12,13,

Sai's Kuchela; Vakharkar's Plantains;                                      14, 15,16,17

Sankaranti halwa; Mrs. T's Brinjal; Mrs.T's Peda;

Mrs.G.S.K-'s Naivedya; Leper's peda

Garde's mangoes-gifts with pure mind-Pandits sesha (urlai)ladus         518

Bhikubai's flowers, melon and Peda-gifts

with impure mind                                                                                           519

Mrs.Kanitkar'grapes-dubious gifts                                                              520

2.    Baba's Sacrifice of Self for Devotees

(a)   BalwantG.Khaparde's plague,

drawn by Baba to himself                                                                             521

(b)   Baba's offer of his own throat                                                  522

(c)   Baba's sacrifice of his own health                                                       523

3.    Baba's consideration for feelings of Devotees

(a)   For a mother's prayer                                                                           524

(b)   Kusal Bhav's pious wishes                                                                   525

(c)   Mavushe's feelings;                                                                               526

(d)   Nachne's mother-in-law                                                                        526

(e)   Vadhavkar's hunger                                                                              527

(f)    Vaidya's health and safety                                                                    528

(g) Baby's cries {Mrs. M.W.P's)                                                                   529

(h) Purandhare's obstinacy;                                                                         530

(i) Varde's obstinacy                                                                                     531

4.    Baba's Watch and Care

1.    Bahalkar's boy's illness                                                                         532

2.    Mahlasapathy and snakes                                                                    533

3.    Mrs.Manager and Snakes                                                                    534

4.    Mirikar and Snakes-Abhayam                                                             535

5.     Buti and snakes-Abhayam                                                                  536

6.    Consideration for health of Bala Shimpi                                             537

5.     Baba towards Lepers                                                                          538

6.     Baba's Helps {or Blessings) for issue

i. D.S.Rasane;ii.Rao Bahadur H.V.Sathe; iii. Sapatnekar;

iv. Mrs Aurangabadkar; v. Chintamani Rao; vi. Mahlsapathy;

vii. Ratanji Salt                                                                                               539-45

viii N.G.Sindhe-Baba gave son against prarabdha                                  545-a

7.    Baba's Help in Domestic Affairs

(a) Mr. and Mrs. Nana Nimonkar                                                                 546

(b) Mr. and Mrs. H.V.Sathe                                                              547

8.     Baba's Help in Business

  1. D.S. Rasane and grain trade                                                           548

b. Bayyaji Patel and sugarcane                                                             549

c Rao Bahadur S.B.Dhumal and Public

Prosecutorship                                                                                              550

9.    Baba submits to worship out of love of Devotees

a. Baba and Rangari; b.Baba and Guru Purnima                                     551,52

10. Baba's Watch over Devotees                                                               553

a.      N.G.Chandorkar; b.Joshi of Kalyan                                                554

b. KakaMahajani 555

c. Rao Bahadur M.WPradhan's mother                                                556

d. Mr. Manager's servant                                                                        557

11. Baba's Watch and Fore-knowledge

  1. G.G. Narke and plague-house Halwa                                             558
  2. b. S.B. Dhumal's shiftings during plague                                        559

12.  Baba as Boss of Devotees

a. Kaka Mahajani; b. R.B,Purandhare;

c. a Devotee                                                                                                  560,61,62

13.  Baba's kindness even to criminals                                                      563

14. Baba's help in travel                                                                               564-74(a)

15   Baba's help in marriage

a. Adam Dalali; b. L.G.Munge

c. Damodar Rasane: d. S.B.Dhumal                                                          575,76,77

16.  Baba's Love to Mr.MBR.                                                                      578

17.  Baba's Saving Life

a. S.B.Nachne; b. Nimonkar's baby                                                            579,80

Baba's Independence

A   a. Dhulia Court Commission                                                                  581

b. Curtis Visit                                                                                           582

B   Baba's Fearlessness-Worship with Sandal Paste-

Moslems with Clubs                                                                                583,84

Baba's Justice and Equality                                                                        585

a. Cutting branch of Margosa Tree                                                             586

b. S. B. N's Mother-in-law's revenge                                                           587

c. Bala Patil Harijan; d. Chakra Narayan                                                    588,89

e. Peston Jamas(Parsi)                                                                               590

f. Tukeram Barku(Harijan)                                                                            591

Baba and Creatures                                                                                     592

Baba's Religious Tolerance and Catholicity –                                           593-94

Baba and Conversions                                                                                595

Baba's Prayers                                                                                             596-99

Baba's Practical Wisdom and Detachment                                               600-05

Baba's Conservatism                                                                                   606-607

Baba's Mystical Rites and Wisdom                                                            608

-grain powder to stop epidemics

-coin rubbing to ward off evil and promote welfare

Miscellania

1.    Baba's advice reg. His biography                                                       609

2.    His peculiar methods of talk-Parables,

Stories                                                                                                            610

3.    His peculiar humour, double entendre,

jokes                                                                                                               619-20

4.     Baba's peculiar method of teaching                                       621-25

5.     Baba and photography, uselessness of

Photography to understand him                                                                  626-34

6.     Baba's parables                                                                                   635-43

ADDENDA

 

51        A. Baba appearing on 23-8-1954 to C C Mankiwala at Ahmadabad, said, "write to B.V.N. Swami and tell him Baba is always present before His bhaktas. He is the guiding and all pervading power that shapes the ends of devotees and even of the Universe".

Lord Sal

Ah Blessed Lord, Oh High Deliverer!

Forgive this feeble script, which doth Thee wrong.

Measuring with little wit Thy lofty love.

I take my refuge in Thy name and Thee.

Edwin Arnold

Thou seemest human and divine,

The highest, holiest manhood, Thou.

Tennyson

Death

 

(Apantaratma) These men do never die; They become the Praised Ones, They shed mercy on the world with myriad hands. They help the helpless. They aid the depressed.

They leave not those that follow them when the time of

danger comes. They are men, only in name. In reality, they are God Himself, These solitary ones are marvellous.

Bedil, the Sufi of Sina

Faith

Faith is the sun of life

And her countenance shines (like the Hebrew's)

For she has looked upon God,

 


Sri Sai Babas Charters and Sayings

(Babas Promises)

(As Dwaraka Mayi)

1.         This is Dwaraka Mayi of ours on which you are setting. This wards off all dangers and anxieties from her children. Highly merciful is this Masudi Ayi. She is the mother of those who place their entire faith in her. If they are in danger, she will save them. Once a person climbs into her lap, all this troubles are over. He who sleeps in her shade attains bliss.

2.         What can the snake do to Dwarakamayi’s children ? They look on amused, when the snake appears.

            When Dwaraka Mayi protects, can the snake bite.

3.         We have no need to fear. Strike, le me see how you can strike and kill (ef,36,473)

4.         This is not a mosque. It is Dwaraka. Those who seek refuge in her will never be harmed.

5.         As soon as one climbs the steps of the mosque suffering due to Karma are at end and joy, begins. That Fakir (God) is very kind and will relive your troubles.

6.         When any one enters this Dwaraka Mayi, his goal (object) is achieved.

7.         This place (Dwaraka Mayi) is for Tarana i.e., saving people, and not marana ie., killing them.

(Meaning of Dwaraka Mayi)

Masudi Ayi i.e, Dwaraka Mayi is Sai.

8.         I do nothing. I receive nothing. Datta calls for his own. He has called for Rs.15/- his due and given it to Masudi Ayi. So the money has been received (by me)

MAGNA CARTA
(Baba’s promises in His own name)

9.         My eye (of vigilant supervision) is ever on those who love me.

Whatever you do, wherever you may be, ever bear this in mind, that I am always aware of everything you do.

10.       If one ever meditates on me, repeats my name, signs my deeds, and is thus transformed into me, one’s Karma is destroyed. I stay by his side always.

11.       You should have truth always with you. then I shall be always with you, wherever you are, and at all times.

12.       I will be with you, whenever and wherever you think of me. Do not fear.

13.       If one perpetually thinks of me, and makes me his sole refuge, I am his debtor and will give my head to save him.

14.       If, one ever dwells on me in his mind and will not even taste food before offering it to me, I am his slave. so also if he hungers and thirsts after me, and treats all else as unimportant.

15.       I am (Bhaktaparadeena) the bond slave of my devotees, I love devotion.

16.       He who withdraws his heart from wife, child and parents and loves me is My real lover and he merges in Me like a river in the sea.

17.       Saibaba: The key of my treasury is now placed in your hands. Ask for anything you want, Rs. 5 to 100 a month or what you will and I will give it to you.

Devotee (M B Rage) declines to ask.

SB:      Ask something, I am anxious to give you.

D:        Is it agreed that you will grant anything I ask for?

SB:      Yes

D:        Then, Baba, I want this. In this and in any future birth that may befall me, you should never part from me. You should always be with me.

SB: Yes, I shall be with you, inside and outside you, whatever you may be or do.

18.       My devotee feels Me in you, in himself and in all creatures and sees all as his Guru. He will become myself.

19.       If you make me the sole object of your thoughts and aims, you will gain Paramartha. (supreme Goal)

Look to me; I will look to you.

Trust the Guru fully. That is the only sadhana. Guru is all the Gods.

20.       If one devotes his entire mind to me and rests in me, he need fear nothing for body and soul. If one sees me and me alone and listens to talk about me and is devoted to me alone, he will reach God (Chaitanya). He who worships me as Nitya, Suddha and Buddha comes to me.

21.       Those who perpetually repeat repeat my name reach their goal.

22.       Simply say “Sai” “Sai” with heart overflowing. I care not for show of respect and forms, I rest in such devotees.

23.       Repeat my name. seek refuge in me. But to know ‘who I am” have Sravana and Manana.

24.       I am formless and everywhere.

25.       If anyone casts his burden on me and thinks of me, I look after all his concerns.

26.       Yes; you can place your burdens on me.

27.       In the abode of my devotees, there will be no dearth fo food and clothing.

28.       You devotees are my children. I am your father. You have to get everything from me. So you should not talk like that (and say Sai is not God).

29.       Why are you anxious? I take all care of you.

30.       Sit quiet, Uge Muge. I will do the needful. I will take you to the end.

31.       Go Everyhting will be provided, Babugir.

            I will provide for you, Ganu

            I will provide for Manker’s son.

32.       Why do you fear ? Am I  not here (where you go to ease yourself?)

33.       Stay here, treat it as yoru house

            Governor came with a lance to pierce Dada (G.S.K). I had a tussle with him and drove him out. Finally I conciliated him.

            Why should any fear, When I am here?

34.       When this baby sleeps we have to stand by, keep awake and watch or take trouble.

35.       I will not allow my devotees to come to harm. I have to take thought for my devotees. And if a devotee is about to fall, I stretch out my hands, and thus with four, four (i.e. a number of ), outstretched hands at time to support him, I will not let him fall.

36.       I am its (frog’s) Father, and am here. Will I let the snake eat it ? See how I effect its release…….. Hallo Veerabadrappa be ashamed of your hatred. Give up hatred. (The snake dropped the frog) I have kept my word and saved Basappa (the frog from Viradadrappa the snake). God has saved him by sending me.

37.       See I have to suffer for your sake, to remove your sufferings.

            I wil lnot let you die. I will die first ere I let you die (Nadram) (Nadram lived long after 1918)

Nana is about to die. But will I let him die ? (535-A)

Fakir (God) wishes to kill Dada Saheb (i.e., G.S.Khaparde) but I will not permit him.

O Anna ! if I had delayed a minute, this man (S.B.Nachen) would have indeed perished. The madman had seized him with his hands, even his troat. But I extricated him. What is to be done ? If I do not save my own son, who else will.

38.       He is mine, and mine alone.

I alone have to shoulder the responsibility for carrying him across. Whom has he got except me?

39.       You are now safe, Go.

40.       Night and day, I think and think of my people, I con their names over and over again.

            To S.B.Dhumal Bhau, the whole of last night, I had no sleep. I lay thinking and thinking of you.

At every step, I have to take care of you, Else, what will happen to you, god knows.

41.       I shall never forget him, I shall remember him even if he is 2000 miles away. I will eat nothing without him..

42.       I get angry with none. Will a mother get angry with her kiddies? Will the ocean send back the waters to the several rivers? I love devotion, I am the slave of my devotees, Bhakta Paradhina.

43.       How can I allow my children to fast or starve?

44.       Come, Sirs, carry away bags of udhi, Come, cart away the treasures of your mother.

Look here, People come and say Baba, give. I tell them to take. No one takes.

45.       My master told me to give bountlessly to all that ask. No one listens to me or wisdom. My treasury is open. Non brings carts to take from it. I say dig; none will take any pains. I said dig out the treasure and cart it away. be the real and true sons of the mother and fully stock your magazine. what is to become of us i.e. this body life? Earth will return to the earth; and the air (breath) will return to the air. this opportunity will not return.

46.       Place your entire faith in my words. Your object will be accomplished.

“Even from the tomb the voice of Sai Cries”

Baba’s survival as Apantaratma

47.       To Lakshman on 15-10-1918

            Jog thinks I am dead. I am living. Come and perform morning Arati

48.       (Give me) my 1¼  Rupee (Majya Savva Rupya)

           

49.       My tomb will speak and move with those who make me their refuge.

50.       I shall be active and vigerous from my tomb also.

51.       I will be with you, the moment you think of me, at any place.

52.       As soon as a devotee calls unto me with love, I will appear. I require no train to travel.

BABA’S MISSION

53.       Saints exist to give devotees temporal and spiritual benefits.

54.       I have come to give such good things to the devotees.

55.       My business is to give blessings.

56.       A devotee objected to people going to Baba for temporal benefit e.g., employment, money, children, cure of disease.

SB:      Do  not do that, My men first come to me on account of that only. they get their heart’s desire fulfilled; and comfortably placed in life, they then follow me and progress further. I bring my men to me from long distances under many pleas. I seek them and bring them to me. they do not come (of their own accord). I bring them to me.

However distance – even thousands of miles away- my people might be, I draw them to myself, just as we pull bird to us with a string tied to their foot.

57.       This is a Brahmin, a white Brahmin, a pure Brahmin. This Brahmin will lead lakhs of people to the Subra Marga and take them to the Goal-right up to the end. This is a Brahmin’s masjid.

BABA’S NATURE

58.       I am god (Allah)

I am Mahalaxmi; I speak the truth-sitting as I do at the Mosque.

(I am Vittoba of Pandari)- Go, I am at Pandhari (NGC)

(I am Ganapathi; Mother), all offerings you made to Ganapati have reached Me.

(I am Dattatreya); Are you puffed up? Where was male progeny in your destiny? (in answer to the prayer you offered before Datta at Gangapur) I tore up this body and gave you a son.

(I am Laxmi Narain); Why go for Ganga elsewhere. Hold your palm at my feet. Here flows Ganga.

What matters it whether in your meditation you see this (Sai) figure or the figure of Laxmi Narayana?

(I am Maruti); My father dedicated me to Maruti.

I make gestures before his temple telling him I am his brother.

59.       (I am Krishna); Saibaba (seated in Dwaraka Mayi) to Uddhavesa Bua: “Give me Rs.11 dakshina”.

U.B:     I have given my ten Indriyas and mind.

S.B:     No. Who are you to give them? They are mine already. Read Pothi i.e., do Parayana.

U.B:     Of what Purana?

S.B:     Of that in which I have spoken to you, and in which I still speak to you?

UB:      Is it Gita? Jnaneswari?

SB: Go and fetch what Bapu Saheb Jog is reading Uddhavesa brought XI skanda of Srimad Bhagavatha from Jog.

SB:      (slipped his finger into the book suddenly and said) Read this. [It  opened at Krishna Uddhava samvada] Daily read this, and sit at my feet and meditate on it.

[N.B: That meditation is the gift of 11 Rs. eleventh (Skanda) to Baba, Sai Krishna, seated in the heart.]

60.       All that (viz, other Gods) is Allah (to Rohilla)

61.       Q;Baba, who are you? whence?

SB: (in the absolute mood): I am the attributeless, Absolute, Nirguna. I have na name, no residence.

(Again in the mood of Duality)I got embroiled by Karma, and came to a body. (So) I got a name and abode. Dehi, i.e., the embodied, is my name; and the world is my abode, brahman is my father and Maya, my mother. As they interlocked, I got this body. The world is evanescent, mutable.

62.       I am Parvardigar (God). I live at Shirdi and everywhere.

My age is lakhs of years.

My business is to give blessings.

All things are mine.

I give everything to everyone.

63.       I am in Gangapur, Pandharpur and in all places. I am in every bit of the globe.

64.       All the universe is in me.

65.       Stick to the one whom you worship or rever. God will protect you soon.

65-A.   (To Shankar Rao Gowhanker) ; Baba: ‘”They had many giving them trouble. As they were with me, they did not suffer by that trouble. God punished the troublers. See, god rewards the doers of good and punishes evil-doers.

UBIQUITY

66.       I am formless and everywhere.

I am in everything.

I am in everything and beyond.

I fill all space. All that you see taken together is Myself. I do not shake or move.

67.       All that is seen is my form; ant, fly, prince, pauper.

68.       I am in the water, in dry places, in woods, amidst crowds, and in the solitary wilderness. I am in the fire and in ether. I am not limited to any place.

69.       Feeding the hungry bitch is feeding me.

I have the feeling of my hunger being satisfied, when hers is satisfied.

Baba to Laxmi Bai Scindhe: I am hungry.

LBS; Shall I go and bring food?

Baba; Do.

LBS; Then brought food; Baba took nothing from it and placed the entire plate before a hungry bitch.

LBS: Baba why do you do so?

Baba: Is not the bitch also a Jiva? We talk, bitches do not. She is hungry; she and I are one and the same. It is the same if I eat or she eats.

70.       I am still belching with the heavy feeding you gave the dog this morning. I am also in the mire besmirched pig

(that you did not feed, though it came to you).

To serve me, give up differentiation, (to Bombay Lady)

71.       ometimes I come as dog, sometimes as pig.

The devotee who recognises me in each form and treats me adequately is blessed.

72.       ou have been with me eighteen years Nana. Does "Sai" mean to you only this 3'/2 cubits height of body?

I am in the ant and fly.

Whenever you see this sign, remember that I am there and that I can eat food through ants, flies etc.

72-A.   Baba   :   This   body  is  but  my  house.   My guru Mourshad has long ago taken me away from this.

73.       I went as a cat to drink this man's Hansraj's curds to save him, despite his cussedness. But he beat me to day.

I was the black dog.

I was the sickly sudra. I am in everything, and beyond.

I was the fakir who begged of you at Bombay.

I was the spirit you saw at midnight under the tree.

[I am Akkalkote Maharaj.] I gave you Rs. 2, Pitale.

73-A.   Baba as a cat is beaten.

B. to Hansraj, an Asthma patient: Do not take curds or taste sour things. But Hansraj was daily preparing curds overnight to drink it at the noon meal. Daily a cat drank it off and one day he beat the cat.

Baba : to others, in the presence of Hansraj. "There is an Urphatia. a cussed, crossgrained man. I told him not to take curds. But he daily prepared it. Daily I went as a cat and drank it off, to save his life. Today 1 went again. Do you know what he did? He beat me over the shoulder. See here. (Hansraj looked and found a fresh weal on Baba's shoulder, though it was a cat he beat with a stick on the shoulder) cf. 359.

73-B.   Baba as a dog and sickly Sudra: Kasinath Govind Upasani Maharaj who lived at Shirdi in 1911-4, prepared his food which a black dog was watching. Offering nothing to the dog, K.G.U. went to the masjid and offered it to Baba. Baba: Why did you bring it here. I was there.

K.G.U. : Baba, there was none there, except a black dog. Baba :

I was that black dog.

Baba refused to accept food that day. Next day K.G.U. prepared his meal at his quarters and found no dog there. But a sickly Sudra was standing leaning on a wall and looking at the food. The orthodox K.G.U. drove him away from that place and brought the food to S.Baba.

S. Baba : Yesterday you did not offer me food. Today also you drove me away. Why bring the food here?

K.G.U.: Where were you there, Baba?

S.B.: I was leaning on the wall.

K.G.U.: What ! could you be in such a person?

S.B.: Yes I am in all things and beyond.

Purusha Sukta

i.e. He pervades the earth and transcends it.

Baba and Others Saints

74.       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 M. (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. R 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.

I am at Mirzgaon ('Fakir Bua') Why come here? (Kusa Bhav)

I am Bandra Moulana.

[I am Nanded Moulana] You have already given me Rs.3-14-0

75        I am with you wherever you may be.

I do not require conveyance to take me.

76.       S.B." (May 1914) addressing Mrs. T., a Bandra lady and her son Master T. : Mother, I have to go thrice a day to your house.

Mrs. T.: Yes, Baba

A local lady was astonished at this statement as she saw Baba daily at Shirdi, and said "Baba What is this strange thing you say?"

S.B.: I do not speak falsehood. I am Mahalaxmi. Mother I come to your house. You give me things to eat, is that not true?

B.L.: Yes, Baba

Shirdi Lady: Truly, does Baba go to you and do you feed him?

B.L.: Yes.

Baba, to Master T.: Do I not come to your house? Master T.: Yes, Baba.

S.B. to Shirdi Lady: Yes, mother, I go easily to Bhav's house (i.e., Bhav's house at Bandra). In the middle, there is a wall. Jumping over it, next comes the railway line, and then Bhav's house. (Here Baba described the crow's flight from Shirdi to the lady's house at Bandra).

I have to fly across walls and excavations.

77.       Mrs. Tendulkar of Bandra daily heaped up garlands of bakul over Baba's picture in her house at Bandra for two months and then went to Shirdi.

Baba : Hallo, Kaka (H.S. Dixit) these two or three months I have not been at Shirdi at all. This mother has smothered me with bakul flower and I was quite dizzy, and unconscious of myself. Now I am slowly coming around.

79.       Do you think of me, at meal ? Am I not present near you ? Do you give me a morsel ?

80.       I am not at Shirdi, but in all.

81.       He who thinks that (Sai) Baba is in Shirdi (alone) has totally failed to see (i.e., know) Baba.

82.       Why do you (weep and) behave so madly. Am I not there (at Bombay) by your side?

83.       He (Sai) who is at Shirdi now is also at Machandragad here. It is to teach you this I sent you here. (Manker)

84.       I have just been to Kasi and had a bath.

I was at Jejuri, Bagat.

I was at Dhulia, did you not see me ? (to Upasani’s son)

When you heard my voice, why doubt? Boldted doors do not bar access to me. (Megha)

85.       I will go with you (invisible). Do not worry. Mother, I take thought for your family. Well go. I am by your side.

86.       I am myself sitting there (invisibly) guarding you (Purandhare) and your wife.

87.       Whereever you may be, think of me, and I am by your side.

88.       Wherever you may be, whatever any of my devotee think, say or do, that very instant I am aware of it.

89.       I look equally on all. Not a leaf moves, except by my grace. I look on all with equal eye.

BABA’S FUNCTION

 90.      am the slave of God.

God is the Lord and Master.

91.       od has agents everywhere; they have vast powers. I have very great powers.

92.       od has helped his devotee (Basappa) through me, (a surrendered soul) I am his instrument.

92.A.   Appa Kulkarni, after seeing Mohiniraj (=Siva) by Bab’s order (cf 145) before going to the Dy.Collector at Nivas to answer charges brought against him and after a acquittal, said “Baba, you have saved me.”

Baba : God has helped you. Appa. He achieves the impossible for his devotees.

92-B:   God G.D. Pensare prayed to Baba and got a pass in his examination and then employment. When he came to Baba :

Baba : What is your profession ?

Baba: I can revive the dead boy and bring back his spirit from the new body it has entered, killing it and reviving this corpse. But that is marring the useful work the new body will do.

94.       She the deceased (Spirit) has come to me.

95.       I draw my devotee to me, at the time of his death, even though he may die a thousand miles away (from Shirdi)

96.       I will not allow my devotee to be lost.

I will account to God for all those that have been given to me.

97.       When (in 1918) Mrs. T. and her son Master T. visited S.B.

S.B.: Mother, now a days I have been much pestered. Some want wealth, some women, some sons, Hallo! what I have, none wants. I wait and wait; and one day I will suddenly disappear. I am quite disgusted.

Mrs. T'. Baba, why do you say so? Then, what is to become of us?

Baba: Why are you anxious? Is not God taking thought for your welfare? I am very much pleased when my children come to me, and then I take my two morsels of food with gusto and put on more flesh.

Master T. : We come to you to ask just what you have got. You know that?

Baba: Yes. You will get it.

M.T.: Yes, we are quite sure of it. But when?

S.B. : Very soon.

M.T.: Baba, I must have an assurance from you how many more births I will have to take before getting it. cf 113. S.B.:

Three more lives will be sufficient.

M.T.: But Baba, will you not be always with us?

Baba : Hallo! During how many births have I already been with you! We shall meet again and again. I have to take care of my children night and day, and give an account of every pie to God.

98.       I put the Rohilla, Pishya and Rao Sahib Galwankar each into his mother’s womb.

99.       (To Akkalkote Sapatnekar). The soul of your deceased son. I shall bring back to your wife’s womb.

(Next year A.S.got a son)

100. I will take my Kaka (H.S.Dixit) in Vimana

(HSD had a happy blessed ending).

BABA A SURRENDERED INSTRUMENT OF GOD.

101.    Without God’s permission, nothing can be done by me.

102.    G.G.Narke. Do not blame me for not giving you a Kupni. “That Fakir” (God) has not permitted me.

103.    Hallo. Do I demand dakshina of every one ? I demand only from those whom “The Fakir” points out to me.

            I do nothing. I receive nothing. Datta calls for his own. He had called for Rs.15 his due and given it to Masudi Ayi. So, the money has been received (by me).

104.    If Gods, like Datta, are easily accessible on the way and if one does not take darshan of them how can I help him ?

104-A. Baba is but a Phaladata; you must do good.

Baba: If you do good and surrendered it to God, good will come to you. God the Lord of them that do good. Both wicked and virtuous want good things from me? How (or whence) can I give? (i.e. If they have not put forward the good karma warranting the gift)

105.    I am the Progenitor of God. Mediate on me as pure Ananada Nirakara : but if you cannot do so, meditate on this this Sai Body eaxtly as it is.

106.    I am not the body or the senses. I am the sakshi, witness of all these.

I do nothing. I receive nothing.

107.    Devotee. Baba burn on your hand to be treated. It must pain you so much.

Baba : what fun will it be (for me) to stand by and see the whole of this (Sai Baba) body burning on a funeral pyre of cow dung cake fuel ?

Atmavichara

108.    To know me, constantly think ‘Who am I? by Sravana and Manana.

Who are we?  What are we? Where am I? Where are you? Where is all the world?

Think, think on all your husband said (viz., that, in reality, you are not different from God).

109.    We must see our Self.

DIFFERENCE UNREAL

110.    Do not say of anyone that he is inimical. Who is whose enemy? Do not entertain ill feeling towards anyone. All are one and the same.

111. People differentiate between themselves and others, their properties, and others’ properties. This is wrong. I am in you and you in me. (Purandhare)

This is the Teli’s wall that parts you from me; pull down this wall; and then we see each other clearly face to face.

(N.B. ; A teli i.e., oil monger lived next to the Mosque.)

Saints do not recognise this differentiation. To serve me, remove this differentiation. Continue to think in this way and then you will realize it.

Search the scriptures. See if Atma is one or many.

112.    “What am I”? asks Upasani Maharaj

SB replies: I am you, You are I. There is no diffeerence between you and me. That which constitutes me constitutes you.

            Narain Asram of Wai, Satara (then Mr.Toser) was, about 1914, made by Baba to feel that differences do not exist; and NA had the blissful feeling of non-difference while at Shirdi. Sai encouraged (Krishna) Bhmisma, in the bliss of experiencing the cosmic self at the view of his own shadow at sunrise.)

MOKSHA MARGA

Samsara

113.    N G Chandorkar bowed to Sai and said: Enough of this Samsara for me. As the Sastras describe it, samsara is really nissara i.e., worthless. Break its fetters off from me, Baba. What first seems to be joy here is seen to be sorrow at the end. Fate leads us a nice dance here and there. I cannot discover even a bit of happiness in this Samsara. I am  quite disgusted, I do not wish to touch it, Baba, any further.

Baba: What crazy and delusive talk is yours! There is some truth in it – mixed up with error. As long as the body remains, samsara remains. None escapes it. How can you? Even I am caught up in it. Samsara is various sorts. It is like the surface of the body. Kama (desire) Krodha (anger) etc., and any mixture of these is samsara. All mental and bodily processes are samsara. The contact of any two things is samsara. By going away to a forest you cannot  escape samsara. Your present condition, has been brought about by yourself. What is the use of irritation at it? This Deha Prarabdha is result of the karma done by you in former births. This body was, therefore, born. The jiva takes birth in body to work out former Karma. Without suffering the results of Prarabdha Karma, you cannot get rid of it. All persons, all creatures differ in form etc., Why? Because of previous karma of each. Difference between species, like difference between individuals is due to the same cause. see the difference between the rich man’s dog lolling on sofa and the poor man’s running about in search of crumbs. That is  due to Deha Prarabdha.

True Happiness

114.    Question by N G Chandorkar: Joys and sorrows of samsara disturb one so much. Should we not renounce samsara therefore?

Answer by Baba: Joy and sorrow are mere delusion. Mere appearance of worldly joy is not true happiness. The worldly man is forcibly drawn to it, as he believes it to be true happiness. According to the Prarabdha of each, one gets delicacies (Panchamrita), one, stale crumbs, and one, mere bran-gruel. the latter fancy themselves unhappy at that, and the former fancies he lacks nothing. But the result of eating any of these is merely the satisfaction of hunger. some cover themselves with laced shawls, others with barks. Both serve only one purpose, covering the body. This joy and this sorrow is due to opinion, which is mere illusion and is ruinous. Whenever any idea of joy or sorrow arises in your mind, resist it. Do not give room to it. It is pure delusion.

The ‘Shadripus’ i.e., Lust, Anger, Covetousness, Delusion, Pride and Jealousy) are all delusive. they make the unreal appear as real. if a rich man wears a gold ornament, the poor man gets jealous, and thinks he must have one. This is Lobha.

All are like this. so one must conquer the six enemies. if they are conquered, waves of passion will not arise. Else they will enslave you. If they are sub-ordinated and reason made the commandant, then the delusive pressures and pains will no longer hold sway over you.

TRUE JOY OF HAPPINESS

115.    Mukti (Release) is true joy or happiness. Coursing through births and deaths is unhappiness. All the joys and sorrows of samsara are unreal.

CONDUCT AMIDST SAMSARA

116.    I will tell you how to conduct yourself in samsara. The wise should be cheerful and contented with their lot in life, as it is the result of Deha Prarabdha. Do not kick against the pricks.

If wealthy, be humble. Plants bend, when they have fruits. But humility is not towards all. Severity is needed in dealing with the wicked. But towards saints, be humble. Respect them.

Spend money in Dana (charity) and Dharma (piety) – but be not extravagant. The world perishes no doubt. But not obsessed by the importance of wealth. Do not be entangled in it, ot be misery. Be liberal and munificent – but not lavish or extravagant.

Get on cheerfully with your worldly round of activities but do not forget God. Remember God. “This samsara is not mine but God’s”. Think thus all the time you are awake. Have consideration for the poor and wretched. Do not persecute and tease them. Inquire always, “Who am I”?

BHAKTI

Navavidha Bhakti

117.    Anant Row Patankar. Baba, I have read a good lot of Sastras, etc., but I have no peace of mind.    Prary, grant me your blessing.

Baba: Once a merchant came here. In his presence, a quadruped passed its stomata, i.e., nine balls of stool. The merchant anxious to attain his quest spread his cloth beneath its tail, gathered all the nine balls and took them away. He got concentration and peace of mind.

Anant Row, unable to make out this parable, questioned Data Kelkar, "What does Baba mean?"

Data Kelkar. God's grace is the quadruped. The nine balls excreted are the nine forms of Bhakti. You are to be in the position of the merchant. If you follow Nava Vidha Bhakti, you will attain peace.

Again Ananta Row went to Baba.

Baba: Have you gathered the nine balls?

Anant Row. For that I must have your grace.

Baba: God will bless

Jnana and Bhakti

118.    Baba: Gnana marga is like Ramphal. Bhakti marga is like Seethapal (custard apple), easy to deal with and very sweet. The pulp of the Ramphal is inside and difficult to get at. Rampal should ripen on the tree and be plucked ripe. If it falls down, it is spoiled. So if a Gnani falls, he is ruined, even for a Gnani there is the danger of a fall, e.g., by a little negligence or carelessness.

ATMA VICHARA (i.e. JNANA)

119.    (Q): Baba, who are you? Whence?

A.: (S.B. in the mood of Absolute). I have no residence. I am the attributeless Absolute-Nirguna, (again, in the mood of Duality). By the action of Karma I got embroiled and came to a body. My name is "The embodied-Dehi". The world is my abode. Brahman is my father, and Maya my mother. By their interlocking I got this body. The world is mutable, evanescent.

(To Appa K) Allah or The Nirguna (Parabrahma) became saguna Parabrahma (known as) Mohiniraja at Nivas. Go and bow before him. God manifests all his powers for the benefit of his devotees, (cf.145)

B

Who am I? Who are We?

120.    Baba often said, "Who are we? Night and day think on this."

About 1915 R.A Tarkhad, Managing Director of a mill, got into a compartment at Manmad in the dark and was fighting for a seat with a police constable, who was there. When R.A.T. arrived at Shirdi.

Baba: With whom were you persisting in contest this morning? Bhav (brother), we should not engage in contest with such people! "Who are We?" This we must enquire into.

R.A.T saw first, Baba's reference to the social inequality of the disputing parties, and later on, the Vedantic meaning of the words, i.e., the unity of those parties in Brahman.

C

Baba (to Bala Bhav i.e., Sitaram Dev) : We have only to see (i.e., know) our self.

D

121.    In October 1917 ? Baba spoke to a Bombay Lady.

Baba : Mother, what do you want? Ask for it.

Lady: Let me be free from the whirl of births and deaths.

Baba (laughing): Is this all you want? What! have you come to die?

Lady (shocked): Baba, I do not at all understand you

Baba: Think who you are.

Lady: I do not understand.

Baba (pointing to her husband): He will tell you.

Then the lady went with her husband to her lodgings and asked him what Baba meant.

Husband: Baba's words are mysterious. I cannot be sure I have made out his meaning. Probably he means something like this. The Jiva goes on reincarnating any number of times till it gets Sakshatkar i.e., sees or realises God. Baba is God. But people seing him do not get full faith and do not see him i.e., feel him to be God; and hence they do not get Mukti.

One must learn from the sastras, that essentially Jiva and Siva are one. You think yourself to be a Jiva is it not?

Lady: Yes.

Husband: Baba and the Sastras want you to regard youself as Siva or God.

Lady: No. No. I am a petty sinner-a Jiva and not the great God Siva.

Husband: No doubt that is your feeling. But Baba means that by constantly regarding youself as God, your deeply ingrained belief that you are only a finite Jiva will be removed. This process continued, may be through numerous births and strengthened and helped by contact with saints will give you the firm belief that you are Brahman. That must be Baba’s meaning.

(The pair agian returned to Dwaraka Mai)

Baba: Mother, I have listened (from here) to all that your husband told you. Keep that in mind.

E

WHO IS GOD

122.    N G Chandorkar to Baba    

(1)   Who is God?

(2)   What is He like?

(3)   Where is He?

(4)   How are we see Him?

Baba: I will tell you later on.

Baba: (later)

Baddhas, (the very worldly) do not know or observe the difference between right and wrong or what God is. They have no moral tendencies.

Ever immersed in the world, (and impure in heart), having no faith in Scriptures or saints, they do not get to God-but go to Hell.

The Mumukshus, disgusted with the baddha state, begin vichara and viveka and thirst for the sight of God. They are devoted to God and observe the Moral Law.

They become sadhakas, by adopting sadhanas e.g., repetition of God’s name (Japa) and (Dhyana) meditation on god, in solitude, withdrawing their minds from objects of senses. they love to move with Saints.

These, when perfect are called Siddhas. At that stage, God becomes the same as man; praise, the same as blame etc., They have no desires. They are past the notion that the body is their home or their self. They feel their self to be identical with God. “I am Brahman” is their feeling.

To know God, see how God is viewed by each of these, at each stage. Then ultimately, God is seen as manifested in all forms – moveable and immovable.

God is everywhere. there is no place from which he is absent. But behold the power of Maya that does not allow Eswara to be seen and recognised (in all). I, you and all the world are Amsa i.e., parts of the Lord.

Therefore let none hate others, Forget not that God is in every place.

Thereby Love (Non-hatred) is there, of itself. when that springs up, everything is achieved.

HOW ARE WE TO SEE GOD?

123.    The mind is turbulent. efforts must be made to make it steady. Just as a fly flies and sits on all objects but turns back when it approaches fire, so the mind longs after sense objects, rejoice in them and merges in them. When it sees i.e., approaches are twice to see Brahman, it turns its face away. When thus the unruly mind does not merge in God (Brahman), samsara, i.e., rebirth is inevitable. till the mind is conquered, one is reborn. But among births, human birth is most precious.

There fore do Moortipooja – i.e., worship God in form, in his images, to make the mind steady and concentrated. Even the image is got (Paramaswara). Do not reject images. When an image is worshipped with deep devotion, the mind attains concentration, without which there is no steadiness of mind.

Next practice Manana and Dhyana i.e., recollection and meditation; and study spiritual works, practice what is mentioned in them. Atma Vidya, the science of the self, is the highest wisdom. If that is mastered, salvation (Mukti) is achieved; and Hari (Personal God) is one’s slave. The easy steps to get to that wisdom and to moksha (i.e., to real seeing or knowledge of God Brahman) are:-

HOW TO GET MOKSHA:

Have sadhana chatushtaya i.e., nitya Anitya viveka, i.e., Inquiry into what is real and what is unreal. Vairagya i.e., dispassion, sama i.e., quiet of mind and other five qualities and mumukshutwa i.e., desire for mukti. Have Navavidha Bhakti i.e., ninefold devotion etc., Practice these. Surrender yourself to God (Atma Nivedan) Prapatti.

Nine steps of devotion are (1) Listening to sacred works or accounts of God, Avatars and saints; (2) reciting the name of God,
(3) remembrance and meditation; (4) prostration to god’s feet; (5) worship of objects representing him; (6) paying respect to saints; (7) service; (8) fellowship and (9) self surrender.

Daily take darsan of Sidhas, i.e., perfect saints. Live a moral life. Then you will be pure even at death. At the time of death, have no desire at all. Concentrate on God, i.e., your Ishta Devata (GOD), Mukti (salvation) is attained.

REACHING GOD: THE METHOD:

124.    NG Chandorkar: Baba, again I am asking you for the third time, who God is, what he is like and where he is?

Baba: I have already told you. If you act upon what I have said, you would be equipped with Sadhana Chatushtya i.e., the four helps.

NGC: What are they.

Baba:

1.      Viveka

2.      Vairagya

3.      scama

4.      Mumukshuta

I. First is (Viveka)

Nitya-Anitya Vastuviveka i.e., discriminating between the real and unreal. Some people make others believe that they are such vivekis and become varkaries i.e., pilgrim to Pandharpur, without however, knowing who hari really is, what he is and where he is. But this pilgrimage is not real devotion, but a mere device to get respect from others.

Persons who merely read and memorise many works without making their hearts pure, pour out precepts at debates, cavil at others and are full of self adulation. These are not vivekis and they do not attain Brahma Jnana.

II. Vairagya is second.

The real vairagi cares not for the good things of this world or of the next.

Baba’s Vairagya.

(1)   When Damia Rasane offered Baba a share in the profits of his proposed business Baba said ‘I am not to be entangled in anything.

(2)   Baba’s advice to a Madrasi Swami. : If you are so fond of your mother, why did you assume the garb of a sanyasi. Kashaya and mamata (attachment) cannot go together. Go and stay at your quarters. Tehre, you have many thieves who will carry away everything. Bolt your doors and be on your guard. The inevitable must happen. Wealth, kith and kin are all transient, attended with fear. Utter renunciation alone leads to bliss. Do Bhagavatha Sapthaha thrice with intended meditation. that will quench all vasanas. all illusions will end. (The Swadi did so. On 22nd day, he passed away like Parikshit)

Scama, the third.

Scama is preventing the mind from going into the objects of the senses. Dama is the withdrawal of the mind, when it does go in, by control of external activity.

Titiksha is putting up with pain that results from prarabdha karma, without murmur.

Uparati is looking upon wealth, women, children, friends etc., as unreal and thus escaping the meshes of Maya.

Sraddha is faith (Viswasa of the mind)

Samadhana is equanimity i.e., looking on pain and pleasure equally unexited and with firmness of mind.

Mumukshuta is the fourth help

Moksha, what it is and how to get it

Mumukshuta is strong desire for Moksha (with dislike of joys and sorrows of phenomenal existence), accompanied by the idea that Aparoksha jnana i.e., realisation of Brahman alone is the solution. Moksha is not Heaven, Kailasa or vaikunta. It is subtle and not gross. It is the invisible origin of the universe-pure consciousness, pure being-Suddha chaitanya. Being or becoming that is moksha. That is immortality and that is the goal of human life. All other alms are worthless.

125.    N G Chandorkar: Pray, tell us about Suddha Chaitanya, what it is.

Baba: That is the origin, the essence, the foundation and the permeator of the entire universe, sentient and insentient, as also the end of it. The source is Suddha Chaitanya. You cannot exactly describe ‘Chaitanya’, but every moment it exists in your existence. There is no place without it but it has no form or name. In that it resembles air, which has no colour or form to be seen, and whose existence however is unquestionable, Suddha Chaitanya is called Brahman. The wise do upsana of it under the name ‘Brahman’ and then, are called Brahmavit. Vegetable, animal, human and all other lives are contained within it. It is the original cause of all appearance, perceptions and knowledge. It is the one root of the many. It pervades everything. It may be characterised as Sat-reality, Chit-consciousness, Ananda-bliss and Ekatva-unity. All of us are that. We are not distinct from it.

N G Chandorkar: Baba, you say Brahman is bliss, i.e., without pain and that, it is unity, i.e., without multiplicity. Yet you say the same Brahman is all and everything in the world, wherein there is not merely multiplicity but also suffering. How can bliss appear as pain and suffering? How can the one appear as many, How can the real appear as the unreal, Again, it each of us consider ourselves as Chaitanya as Brahman there must be many Brahmans (and not one) because we are so many. Further, if all of us are the one and same Brahman, each man must feel the pain and pleasure felt by others; but he does not. Just as our bodies are different, our souls must be different and not one. Please explain.

Baba: You are wrong. Just listen red, black, white, blue, yellow, etc., are different colours. Add them to water. Is not water still one and the same water, despite the different colours. That, you will see by separating the colour from the water. The result will be that you get water in each case. Just like that, the Atman or Brahman is one. But the hearts it occupies, are different. It is one and the same Atman that runs through all the hearts. As far pain and pleasure, these are not the functions of Brahman or Atman, but only of the hearts. To make the heart, a heart, is the function of the Atman or Brahman.

I will further explain the matter. Chaitanya appear through three gunas and is classified further as Paramarthika-Satya, Vyavaharika-Satya and Pratibhasika-Satya just as one body has three stage, childhood, manhood and old-age, so Satya has these three stage. A person in Paramartik stage (called a sage) sees truth as truth and acts according to sastras, i.e., without differentiation. One in the Vyavaharik stage (called the Good) tries to follow the sastras but goes on differenciating at every step selecting the good and rejecting the evil. One in the Pratibasik stage (called the ignorant) does not see the truth either entirely as it is or with the addition of differentiation merely, but sees it quite inverted i.e., in the way quite opposite to the Vyavaharik person’s view. He sees good as evil and evil as good.

But Atman or Brahman is common to all these three stages.

I will give one more illustration. There is (1) the King, (2) the King’s deputy and (3) the King’s messenger. You see the common point running through all the three i.e., Kingliness; yet the three are different. It is just like that, Brahman runs through all the three classes, which appear different.

N G C: How can you divide Regality? It is indivisible.

Baba: Right. Regality is one and indivisible; but in point of fact we note the division of Regality in the above three and their difference between them. Similarly Chaitanya (Brahman) is unlimited but each limited ego partakes of it, i.e., to the extent of its capacity and exhibits it, i.e., this chaitanya or kingship. Take another example, viz., space or Akasha. Aksaha though illimitable is in a small pot (then call Ghatakasha), in a big pot then called kumbhakasha and so on. All have Akasha in degrees. Just like that Brahman appears in different forms in this world which is the play of Maya. It is the union of Brahman with Maya that causes Bramanda, the univese.

126.    N G C: Who is this Maya? Who created her? What is she likes? You Just now said that the root of the whole world is Chaitanya. Then where does Maya come in.

Baba: I will describe to you where and how she comes. Maya is the name given to the Shakti or Power of Chaitanya which makes chaitanya appear in different forms. Can you separate Chaitanya from its Shakti? You cannot – just as you cannot separate jaggery from its sweetness and the sun from its brilliance. The separation comes only at the end of maya. Maya ends when Chaitanya is released. Chaitanya is endless. Both chaitanya and Maya are beginningless. Maya and chaitanya are also named Prakriti and purusha, which are fully described in the Jnaneswari from which you must get your Atma Jnana.

Chaitanya is a cave and he who enters into that cave never returns but becomes the cave.

Maya is Karya and has wonderful quality. I am such and such a person, you are such and such etc., - all this is the result of maya. All these of unreal differences. You see, it you are under maya, (undifferenced) reality does not appear. Maya has two aspects. (1) The Avarna covering up the consciousness of the soul of atman and (2) Vikshepa, producing illusory appearances over that covering. Here is an illustration.

A cooly dreamt that he became a king. Thereby he forgot his coolyship. That coolyship was covered up (avarna) by Maya, and kingship was produced by Maya over that cover. Similarly maya covers up Brahman and produces worldly appearances. In reality, the world does not exists. Only one Real (Sat) exists but these appearances are taken to be real. That causes the mischief (akalyan). So kick out Maya and regain Brahman how? regard yourself as pure Chaitanya. Water when relieved of impurity is pure water. Similarly remove impurity of Maya from this world of appearances. Then that appearance becomes reality. This is the upasana of the Real sadvastu. Think of this always. This is my advice to all. This constant thought of the sadvastu or Atman is the Adhyatma. You should release this atman as yourself and become Mukta in this life.

GOD-REALISATION SAKSHATKARA

What is God?

[Sakshatkar. Ideas of God and consequently ideas of sakshatkar of God vary widely. To those who believe in God as a person with form and never without form a, darshan or vision of that form is called sakshatkar and is the highest rung of the spiritual ladder. Those who disbelieve in forms which are said to be divine, use the term sakshatkar to denote a mystic merger of their own personality in the impersonal absolute.

Das ganu Maharaj belonged not to the latter class but rather to the former. He is a varkhari of Pandharpur and the idea of Pandarinath, standing on bricks with arms akmbo is the idea of God, which is uppermost in his mind.)-Editor

127.    Das Ganu to Baba: I want sakshatkar, Baba you ask me to read saptha of Bhagavata: but will you grant me sakshatkar as a result of it?

Baba: Vittal will appear, but there must be intense devotion
(Bhava ).

Das Ganu read his saptha of Bhagavata; but failed to get sakshatkar.

D. G. to Baba you promised me sakshatkar ; but I have not got it.

Baba:   Wait, you will have it.

[Baba was evidently waiting for development of the requisite faith and earnestness in D.G.]

128.    In 1916, Bhadrapad, D G was keen on going to Pandharpur; but N.G.C took him to Shirdi and made him perform keertans and was for detaining him there even for Asvin, evidently with Baba’s assent. D.G.then taught within himself without saying “How is He a Guru who blocks my way to my God at Pandharpur” (D.G had a Brahmin Guru. He did not deem Baba as his guru)

Baba to Nana : Nana do not stop him from going to Pandharpur.

Baba to Ganu : Go to Pandarpur.

So D.G.gladly went to Pandharpur for asvin, as vittal of Pandari alone was God to him and not Baba. Later he returned to Shirdi.

129.    D.G.   : Baba, you have been long putting off request.  When will you give me sakshatkar?

Baba: You see me, That is Sakshatkar. I am God.

D.G.: I expected you would say so.   But I am not satisfied with that.

D.G. considered that it was not in his destiny (Prarabdha) to have sakshatkar of God vittal, as that was what he evidently wanted.

* cf. God in human body ; St John XIV 8 to 14.

8 Lord, show us the father and it sufficeth us.

9 Jesus saveth unto him, have I been so long time with you and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that have seen me hath seen the father and how sayest thou, show us the father?

10 The father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

11 Believe me that I am in the father and He is in me. or else believe me for the very work's sake.

M If ye shall  ask  anything in my name,   1  will  do  it.

20 I am in my Father and you in me and I in you.

 


Ordinarily # Sakshatkaras are very transient

130. H.S.D., one day had a vision of vittal. But he was not sure what the God or figure was that appeared to him. He went to Baba.

Baba: Did not Vittal Patil come? Have you not seen Him? That Vittal is very elusive. Tie Him fast. If by inadvertence you lose sight of him, he will vanish in a second.

ATMAJNANA ADHIKARI

(1) Receptivity

131. Baba was washing pots and placing them mouth downward.

Kopergaon station master who had no faith in Baba asked: What is all this ?

B.: Every pot coming to me comes with mouth down wards, i.e., in an unreceptive fashion.

(#) cf. Sakshatkara

What's that which ere I  spake was gone!

so joyful  and intense  a spark

That,  whilst   o'erhead the  wonder  shone.

The  day,  before  but  dull,  grew dark?

I do not know; but this I know.

That, had the  splendour  lived  a  year.

That truth that  I  some heavenly  show

Did see,  could not  be  now more clear.

This know I too  :  might mortal breath

Express  the  passion  then   inspired,

Evil would die  a natural  death,

And  nothing  transient  be   disired;

And error from the  soul  would pass.

And leave the  senses  pure  and  strong

As sunbeams,  but the  best,  alas,

Has  neither memory  nor  tongue!

Coventry Patmore: Life of Life


(2) Deserve before you desire

132.    A visitor: Baba, What is God like?

Baba: (Not addressing the visitor but addressing a devotee X ) Go to Bagchand Marwadi and tell him Baba wants Rs.100/- and bring the money.

X (returning in a minute): The Marwadi says he has no money and sends his namaskars.

Baba: Go to the next money lender and ask him for a loan of Rs.100/- for me.

X (returning in a minute): He says he has not got the money.

Baba: Fetch Nana Saheb Chandorkar (and when Nana came)

Baba: Nana, I want Rs.100/-

Then Nana wrote a chit to Bagchand Marwadi for a loan of Rs.100.

The money was at once sent by the Marwadi.

Baba: All is like this in the world.

Visitor later on to Das Ganu Maharaj: Why did not Baba answer my question?

D.G: He has.

Visitor: How?

D G: When others asked for money, it was not forthcoming. Nana Saheb asked for it and got it at once. Similarly the man who merely wants to know Brahman does not get it. It is he who is qualified to know it that gets it. Baba’s answer is, “Deserve, before you desire ( Brahman)”.

Surrender five – if you want Brahman

133.    A rich man came to Baba with plenty of money in his pocket and very anxious to avoid the extra expenditure resulting from the cabman's demand for prolonged stay at Shirdi. He said to Baba, "Baba" show me God (Brahman). It is for this I come all this long way. People say that Shirdi Baba reveals Brahman quickly.

B.: O, do  not  fear Immediately  and  clearly  I  will show you.     This is not a matter that can be put off.     It is  hard  to  get   questioners   seeking  illumination  like   vou. Most people seek wealth, cure of disease or trouble, honour, position   or  perpetual   pleasure   and   other  earthly   objects. None   wants   God.      Oh,   I   long   to   see   those,   who   long to see God.   Now, Brahman is the root cause of the Universe: That   which   accounts   for   Solar   and   Planetary   motions, variations of seasons, division of functions between God etc. One must know i.e. realise Brahman before death.   Else there will be an ever recurring cycle of births and deaths.   Realisation gives 'Kevala Advaita Sukham'.    A Guru gives it and only a Guru can.

Baba then turned to some others and then sent a boy out with these words:     "Go,  tell  Nandalal  Marwadi,  Baba urgently   wants   a   hand-loan   of  Rs.5/-   and   bring   the money."     The  boy  went  and  found  the  Marwadi,   absent. Baba sent  more  messages  to  absent  men. The rich man was  getting impatient at Baba's omission to give  him Atmajnan or  sight  of God, more  especially because  delays would  mean   extra   payment  to   the   tongawalla  whom   he had  engaged   for   the   return journey   also. He saw, of course, that  Baba wanted Rs.5/- and he could   stop  the repeated requests of Baba for Rs.5/- by paying it out of the Rs.250A he had in his pocket; but he was oppressed with the fear that if he advanced the loan, it might prove irrecoverable.

R.M.: Will you help me to grasp Brahman? Baba: You see what I  have been doing all this while, is to enable you to see God-Even as you are now seated. Have you understood nothing? I want five. One must  surrender  the five  to  get  at  Brahman.  One   must surrunder i.e.  even the five senses (indriya) the five Pranas and manas, Buddhi,   Ahankar   (Mind, Intellect  and  Ego)-(all of which involve Vairagya i.e., detachment). The road to  Brahma  Jnana  is  hard  to  tread. All  cannot  tread  it. When   it dawns, there will be light. One who feels unattached to things   terrestrial and celestial is alone; competent to have Brahmajnan.

The man found that Baba had read his strong Attachment to Rs.5/- which he considered more important than getting Brahmajnana Upadesa.

Do all who go to Baba, get benefit?

134.    Damodar S.Rasane, thought of this question in his mind and sat before Baba.

Baba: Look at the mango tree in blossom. If all flowers turned fruit, what a splendid crop it will be? But do they? Most fall of (either as flowers or, as unripe fruits, by wind etc.) Very few remain.

VII. Baba wants complete Surrender

135.   Baba   (to   Buty):   Curly   locks,   Give   me   16   1/2 Rs.Dakshina.

Buty: I have not got the money here now.

B: Go to Kaka and ask him for 16 1/2 Rs. and be listening to the Pothi, he is reading.

Buty accordingly came to H.S.D. and asked for Rs. 16 1/2.

H.S.D.: I have got only Rs. I/- and cannot pay Rs. 161/2.

Buty: Baba asked me however to listen to your Pothi.

Then H.S.D. read on his Bhagavatam and the first Stanza that came there was “Kayan vacha” etc., which refers to complete surrender of all acts to God. So Baba wanted complete surrender to him as he was God. But where is 16 1/2  in that stanza? For one thing, there are 17 phrases in it. For another thing, the objects for surrender are 16, but "Chitta has been omitted, in the text, "says the commentary. That will make it 17, but Chitta is only ½ . So 161/2 objects mentioned there had to be surrendered to Baba, as amounting to complete Surrender.

Anna Saheb Dabolkar

136.    Anna Saheb Dabolkar anxious to have Sakshatkara sat before Baba and thought "Will not Baba give me Upadesha some day?"

B.: Get up, go to Shama Bring from him Rs.15/- Sit with him for a while, have a chat and then bring me Rs.15/-dakshina, he will give you.

Dabolkar went and told Shama the facts.

Shama: Instead of Rs.15/- convey to Baba my fifteen namaskaras and tell him that is the dakshina.

D: But Baba has asked me to sit and chat with you and then bring the dakshina you will give. This was because   I   sat   before  Baba   thinking   he   should  give me Upadesha. ;

S.: Baba never give Upadesh as is ordinarily understood i.e., he never utters mantra in the ear of any devotee. Here is an instance of his refusal.

137.    Radha Bai Deshmukin   came to Baba   for Upadesh, got none and  resolved   upon  satyagraha.  She started fasting,   which   should   only  end   with   either  death or   with   Upadesha   from  Baba   whichever   occurred   first After   three   days   of her  fruitless   fast   I  interceded  with Baba   on   her   behalf and   requested   Him   to   utter  some i divine   name   in   her  presence.      Baba   sent for her and addressed her thus.

Mother, why do you think of dying and torture youself? Take pity on me, your chilld. I am a beggar. Look here, my guru was a great saint and highly merciful.   I fatigued myself in trying to serve him and yet he did not utter any mantra in my ear.   Instead, he first shaved me clean and then begged of me, two pice.    What he wanted was not metallic coin-he did not care even for gold, but only Nishta and Saburi i.e., faith and courageous patience. I gave these to him at once and he was pleased.

Mother, Saburi is courage, do not discard it, It ferries you across to the distant goal. It gives manliness to men, eradicates sin and dejection and overcomes all fear.

For   12  years  I  waited  on  my  Guru,   who is peerless and loving.     How can I describe his love to me?     When he was Dhyanasta (in love trance) I sat and gazed at him;    I and  we  were  both  filled  with  Bliss.   I  cared  not  to  turn   my eye upon anything else.    Night and day I poured upon his face with an ardour of love that banished hunger and thirst.      The   Guru's   absence,   even  for  a   second,   made me  restless.      I   meditated   upon   nothing   but   the   Guru and had no goal or object other than the Guru.    Unceasingly fixed   upon   him,   was   my   mind.      Wonderful   indeed that art of my Guru!    I wanted nothing but the Guru and he  wanted   nothing  but   my  love.      Apparently  actionless, he never  neglected   me;   but   always  protected  me  by  his glance.

That Guru-I tell thee true, sitting as I do in this Masjid-never blew any mantra into my ear; nor do I blow any into yours. Go thou and do likewise.

If you make me the sole object of your thoughts and aims, you will attain Paramartha, the supreme goal. Look at me with undivided attention; so will I look at you. This is the only truth, my Guru taught me. The four sadhanas and the six sastras are not necessary. With entire confidence, trust your Guru. That is enough.

Shama: The lady bowed, accepted the advice and gave up her satyagraha.

Then Dabolkar returned to Baba and narrated his talk and what happened.

137-A. Mantropadesa: Baba and his gurus never gave Upadesa of mantra in the ear of the initiated (623-4). But he recommended Rama mantra often for Japa e.g. to Sri M.W.Pradhan: see 192 to 198.

138.    Baba : Our art is unique. Remember this. To get Atmajnan, dhyana is needed i.e., the Atma-anushtana that pacifies and carries the mind into Samadhi. So give up all desires and dwell in your mind upon God in all. If the mind is thus concentrated, the Goal is achieved.

For Dhyana, meditate on me either as in form or as formless, mere Ananda. If such formless contemplation is hard, then think of my form, just as you see it here. Think of it night and day. With such meditation, the mind dissolves into unity (i.e., attains Laya). The difference between subject, and object, (me and you) and the act of contemplation will be lost. This results in Chaitanya Ghanata, Brahma Samarasata. The Guru's glance is bread and milk for the pupil.

139.    Then Baba gave sugar-candy prasad to Dabolkar and said: "If you keep this instruction in .mind, it will be as sweet as this sugar-candy." Baba then recommended the study or Sravana of the Katha followed by Manana Nidhi Dhyasa, Smarana and Dhyana, all of which will lead to realisation of Ananda Ghana. That which is seen is the manifestation of Brahman through Maya and will dissolve again into Brahman. Look into the six sastras to see if the Atman is one or as many as there are jivas. The crown of Jnana is the realisation of the one Atman, from which everything has issued.

1490.  By Rinanubandha, you have come to me. Have regard to Rinanubandha. Whoever or whatever creature comes to you, do not drive away but receive with due consideration. Give food to the hungry, water to the thirsty and clothes to the naked. Then God will be pleased, Do not bark at people. Be not pugnacious. Bear with others' reproach. Speak only gentle words. This is the way to happines. Let others and the world turn topsy-turvy but do not mind that. Keep on to your own course straight. The world maintains a wall-the wall of differentiation between oneself and others between you and me. Destroy this wall. God is the supreme Lord. Allah Malik. Wondrous, precious and long-enduring are his works. Your object will be fulfilled in the due course. We shall both attain bliss by mutual love.


SADHANAS
Sadhana I - Faith

(I) Faith

141.    (Baba calls for faith, as his Guru did from him.) My Guru, after  depriving me for everything asked me for two pice. I gave them to  him. He did not want metallic gifts.    What he asked for was (1) Faith (Nishta) and (2) Patient, cheerful endurance, (Saburi).

142.    Purandhara, Give me two rupees dakshina. It is not this rupees I call for.   I ask for Faith and Patient contentment.

143.    Baba's Test and development of Faith, e.g.

(1)       Nana (GC), take your meal and go to the train. There is time.

(2)       Nana, do not go to Kopergaon to-day (to meet the Collector. (Collector was absent & had wired).

(3)       Dada (Kelkar), do not allow Saheb (HVS) to go to Manmad, to meet his superior officers. (Officers had cancelled the engagement).

(4)       Kaka (Dixit); do not start for Bombay, to depose in the will case. (Case, not take taken up).

(5)       Kaka, do not send your boy for the examination now. (Examination postponed due to ratfall).

(6)       Moulana,  do not go to-day to the Magistrate's Court, for the case against you. (Case adjourned).

(7)       Tatya, do not go to the bazaar to-day.

(8)       Tatya, do not go to the Court to-day.   (Case adjourned).

(9)       Rangari Thanakar, do not start back.    (He did Jutka broke).

(10)     Manager, Sadashir Tarked, return to your Poona at once.

*(11)    Hansraj,  do  not take any medicines for your Asthma.

(12)     Babugir (Gosavi), go (to Jalgaon).    Everything will be provided.   (For journey to Jamere N.G.C.'s Minathayi).

(13)     Bhav (Purandare, though late for the usual train) go to Kopergaon. (Train late).

[1](14)    Bere, drive to Kopergaon at once, do not halt on the way, or delay.    Bere thus escaped robbery).

Baba's Regard for Hindu Gods

144.    Once when rain was beating inside a chavadi wherein Baba sat, he was asked to move up into a higher place where an image of Maruti was kept.

144-A. 175. Baba's order of secrecy. Taibai Jog had eye trouble. The eyes were sinking deeper and deeper. Baba gaver her a simple and easy prescription, adding "keep this secret. Do not apply the medicine in the presence of other." She followed the advice and was cured.

Baba: How can we be seated on the same level as God?

145. Baba (to Appa Kulkarni): Mohiniraj at Nivas is Saguna Brahma. Go and take darsan of him before going to the Deputy Collector. (A.K. did so and was acquitted)

Syama and others to Baba: Are the Puranas true?

Baba: Yes.

Syama: What about Rama and Krishna?

Baba: They were great souls. Gods they were; Avatars.

Baba's Regard for Vittal

146. When Balwant Rao Kshirsagar came to Shirdi;

Baba: This son never worships or gives Naivedya to Vittal as his father did. He starves Vittal and me. His father was my friend. So I have drawn him here. I now remind him to renew the father's pooja.

Baba and Hindu Gods, avatars etc.

147. Baba spoke in Abdul Bhai's presence thus:

(Cosmogony?)

First was Omka

From

Omkar

Was

Bhavakar

From

Bhavakar

Was

Adh

From

Adh

Was

Alek

From

Alek

Was

Niranjan

From

Niranjan

Was

Nirakara

From

Nirakara

Was

Nil

From

Nil

Was

Anil

From

Anil

Was

Sumne

From

Sumne

Was

 

From

Keshava

Was

 

From

Amru

Was

 

From

Uttara

Was

 

From

Purva

Was

 

From

Raksha

Was

 

From

Matsyavatar

Was

 

From

Manayat

Was

 

From

Asmitra

Was

 

From

Jamrid

Was

 

From

Bhagarid

Was

(Bhagirat)

From

Uchchayat

Was

(Dekhayat)

From

Bhalintar

Was

(Bali)

From

Tirmakra

Was

(Trivikramar)

From

Kacchavatar

Was

 

From

Uchayat

Was

Dekhayat

From

Prajapat

Was

 

From

Ugrasen

Was

 

From

Kadin

Was

 

From

Dalbharakshar

Was

 

From

Varahavatar

Was

 

From

Khalepat

Was

 

From

Gotram

Was

 

From

Vishnu

Was

 

From

Haritak

Was

 

From

Narasimhaavatar

Was

 

From

Sejbar

Was

 

From

Rebak

Was

 

From

Bandopast

Was

 

From

Bailchad

Was

 

From

Kasip

Was

(Kasyapa?)

From

Vamanavatar

Was

 

From

Saam

Was

 

From

Jann

Was

 

From

Myan

Was

 

Was

Myan

From

 

Was

Noor

From

 

Was

Tej

From

 

Was

Kamal

From

 

Was

Kadram

From

 

Was

Adbud

From

 

Was

Gustatva

From

(kavil)

Was

Hariparva

From

 

Was

Anardh

From

 

Was

Jayav

From

 

Was

Avi

From

 

Was

Athastha

From

Dharma

Was

Mandhata

From

 

Was

Vishran

From

 

Was

Jamadagni

From

 

Was

Parasumram

From

Avatar

Was

Rajaji

From

Jati

Was

Kavadik

From

 

Was

Raja

From

Dasartha

Was

Ramachandraji

From

Avatar

Was

Ankus

From

 

Was

Bhadmapurush

From

 

Was

Hirpal

From

 

Was

Bajal

From

 

Was

Pirthu

From

(Prithu)

Was

Iduratha

From

(yadu)

Was

Surasen

From

 

Was

Vasudev

From

 

Was

Sri Krishnaji

From

 

 

Then Pratimadan (Pradyumna?) Anurudhas (Anirudha?) Isithar Baddha (-Buddha?) Jah Avatar (=Kalika Avatar).

Brahman was: Rajput (Kshatriya) was: Gowli (Vaisya) was; next Mussulman was.

Four Avatars arose in Chaturyug (Krita Yuga), 3 in Tirta (Treta Yuga), 2 in Dwapara, 1 in Atharvan (Kali Yuga?)

Next follows Dasavatar naming Matsya, Kaccha, Varaha, Narasimha, Vaman, Parasuram, Krishnaji, Boddha, Me, Kalaki.

Ibrahim prepared 4 Vedas. To establish this, Kalam Sharij were produced. God knows the divine plan.

In each Veda, 1000s of Avatars came out. But for (i-e.life or age) the manifestation is different and new 8 Yube Emperors will rule in Hindustan.   This is the 18th Puran (or Kuran)

Baba's regard for Hindu Gods and Hindu form of worship

148.    (Baba to Sagun Meru Naick): Put ghee in your boiled rice (Annahuti), offer it to Dhuni-fire, and then offer it to me*'

148A   (Rohilla) All that (Vittal etc.) is Allah

148B   (to DG&upasani); Khandoba & Vittoba are the same.

God Realisation and not talk

149. Baba said to one, who was talking of God: Why do you say, "God" "God." God is in my pocket.

150. "He that slays, saves.   He that saves, slays."

151. Baba (to T.A.Karnik): Is God so distant?

I (Brahmananda's Songs)

(He is not above the Heavens nor below Hell. He is always near you. To search for him, where are you going?) See the Divine within the human personality.

Decay of Faith etc. in these days

152. Baba: The times are degenerating. People mostly think ill and talk ill of others. But I do not retaliate, I do not care to listen to such talk.

People become more and more sceptical; they are disposed to look more at the evil side of things.

Fakirs also are seldom dispassionate.

It is hard to find a good fakir.

153.I have been considering long and thinking day and nights. All are thieves, but we have to deal with them. I pray to God night and day for their improvement or removal. but God delays and does not approve of the (i.e., my) attitude and grant the prayer. I will wait for a month or two and then see. But living or dead I will have what I have been praying for. I will not go to Teli or Vani nor beg of them. people are not good and devoted. They are unsettled in mind. A few friends will gather and talk divine wisdom, and sit and comtemplate.

154. (1918) People have got bad and give trouble . They are pestering me for money. More over they become shameless. Now I am disgusted.

Sadana II - Worship of objects

(a) Images

155. If Gods like Datta are on the way, easily accessible, and if one does not take darshan of them, how can I help him?

At Nivas, there is Mohiniraj. That is Allah, who had become saguna. Go and bow to Him first, Appa Kulkarni, and then go to the D.P. for the case against you. (Appa did so & was acquitted) cf 119 & 145.

156. God exercises all power for the benefit of devotees.

157. Megha, take this linga for worship.

158. Megha, why did you come here for my worship omitting to worship at one temple (Khandoba's)? Go and worship at Khandoba's now; it is open.

(b) Paduka

159. Nachne, keep this (Paduka) and do puja.

160. Atmaram H. Chaubal took silver padukas to Baba Baba placed his feet on them and returned them saying, "They are nice. Keep them in puja." Once they were lost and very miraculously restored.

161. Baba when allowing Mrs. W. Pradhari to place two silver padukas on his feet and worship them said (in handling them over to her): Nana, see, mother has cut off and carried away my feet. (i.e. Baba is in Paduka)