SHRI SAI SATCHARITRA.
CHAPTER 27/50 “Favour shown by giving Bhagwat and Vishnu-Sahastra-Naam. Dixit’s Vitthal Vision – Gita Rahasya – Kharpardes.”
When a man takes refuge at the feet of the Sadguru, he gets the merit of bowing to the Trinity, i.e. Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh and also Para-Brahma. Just like when a man takes plunge into the sea he gets the merit of bathing in all tirtha’s and sacred rivers.
The veda’s cannot take you across the ocean of Maya. It is only the Sadguru who can do so, and make you see God in all creatures.
The devotees, when they wanted to read religious books, would get them consecrated (touched) by Baba. He saw no difference between one devotee to the other. Baba believed in Oneness of all. In the first two stories of this chapter Sainath gave books brought by others to his favorite Bhakta, Shama. This sometimes created unpleasantness, which Baba resolved, very amicably. There was a lesson to be learnt from every situation.
According to Baba Vishnu-Sahastra-Naam is the broad & open way of purifying the mind. The efficacy of God’s name is well known. It saves us from all sins and bad tendencies, frees us from the cycles of births & deaths. There is no easier sadhna than this. It requires no paraphernalia & no restriction. It is so easy & so effective.
All the time Baba makes aware of His Omniscience. Kakasaheb during his meditation saw a vision of Vitthal. When later he went to the Masjid baba asked him, if he had seen Vitthal. Imagine when Baba is aware of even what we see in dreams & visions, then what about our awake stage, He knows fully what we say, do or think.
Some of Baba’s most learned and affluent devotees like Kharparde, Noolkar and Buti remained absolutely silent, in front of Baba .They were meek, modest, humble & good natured in front of Baba. A man no matter however learned he may be, even in Vedas, fades away before One who has realized Brahma. Learning cannot stand before self-realization.
At the end of the chapter, there are some unique observations about the relationship between Guru & Disciple. 1. Both should love & serve each other, as One. 2. There is no difference between them, both are One. 3. One cannot live without the other. 4. Even putting the head at Guru’s feet is an outward vision, internally they are both one & the same. Those who see any difference between them are yet unripe and not perfect.
Please listen with reverence for your Guru.
Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all.
OM TAT SAT.
