For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts

Shri Sai Sat Charitra-Chapter XXVII-Part IV

By Super

Vitthal-Vision

One day, while Kakasaheb Dixit was in mediation after his morning bath in his Wada at Shirdi he saw a vision of Vitthal. When he went to see Baba afterwards, Baba asked him - "Did Vitthal Patil come? did you not see Him? He is very elusive, hold Him fast, otherwise He will give you the slip and run away". Then at noon a certain hawker came there, with 20 or 25 pictures of Vitthal of Pandharpur for sale. Mr. Dixit was surprised to see that the form of Vithal he saw in his mediation exactly tallied with that in the picture and he was also reminded of Baba's words. He therefore, bought one picture most willingly and kept it in his shrine for worship.

Sai Ram. Such mystic experiences served to strengthen the faith of devotees in God and Guru, who are One. Sai Ram.

Geeta-Rahasya

Baba always loved those who studied Brahma-vidya (metaphysics) and encouraged them. For instance, once Bapusaheb Jog received a post-parcel. It contained a copy of Geeta-Rahasya by Lokamanya Tilak. Taking it under his armpit he came to the Masjid and prostrated himself before Baba; when the parcel fell at Baba's Feet, Baba enquired what it was. It was opened then and there and the book was placed in Baba's hand. He turned some pages here and there for a few minutes and took out a rupee from His pocket placed it on the book and handed the same with the rupee to Jog and said to him - "Read this completely and you will be benefited".

Sai Ram. Why did Baba give One Rupee to Jog along with the copy of the Gita? He was trying to convey that God is One. Gita is known as the Advaitamritha Varshini (A downpour of the Amrit of Advaita). And Baba was showing that in a symbolic way. Sai Ram.

Mr. and Mrs. Khaparde

Let us close this Chapter with a description of the Khapardes. Once Dadasaheb Khaparde came with his family and lived in Shirdi for some months. (The diary of his stay has been published in English in the Shri Sai Leela Magazine first Volume.) Dadasaheb was not an ordinary man. He was the richest and the most famous advocate of Amraoti (Berar) and was a member of the Council of State, Delhi. He was very intelligent and a very good speaker. Still he dared not open his mouth before Baba. Most devotees spoke and argued with Baba off and on, but only three, viz. Khaparde, Noolkar and Booty kept always silent. They were meek, modest, humble and good natured.

Dadasaheb, who was able to expound Panchadashi (A well-known Sanskrit treatise on the Adwaita Philosophy by the famous Vidyaranya) to others, said nothing or uttered no word when he came to the Masjid before Baba. Really a man, however learned he may be even in Vedas, fades away before one, who had realised the Brahman and become one with it. Learning cannot shine before Self-realization. Dadasaheb stayed for four months, but Mrs. Khaparde stayed for seven. Both were highly pleased with their Shirdi stay.

Story first published: Thursday, May 3, 2012, 17:17 [IST]
Read more about: shirdi sai sai satcharitra