Shri Sai Sat Charitra-Chapter 32-Part I

In Quest of Guru and God - Fasting Disapproved.

In this Chapter Hemadpant describes two things:- (1) How Baba met His Guru in the woods, and through him God; and (2) How Baba made one Mrs. Ghokhale, who had made up her mind to fast for three days, eat Puran-Polis.

Sai Ram. Fasting is one of the very sacred rituals in many religions. Baba respected all religions and all forms of God and saints. Then the question arises, why did He disapprove of fasting? The answer is very interesting and let us catch up with other spiritual gems as we go along in this journey. Sai Ram.

Preliminary

In the beginning, Hemadpant describes samsara (visible world) by the allegory of Ashvattha (Banyan) tree which has, in the phraseology of the Geeta, roots above and branches below. Its branches are spread downwards and upwards and are nourished by the gunas (qualities), and its sprouts are the objects of the senses. Its roots, leading to actions, are extended downwards to this world of men. Its form cannot be known in this world, nor its end, its beginning nor its support. Cutting this Ashvattha tree of strong roots with the sharp weapon of non-attachment, one should seek the path beyond, treading which there is no return.

For traversing this path, the help of a good guide (Guru) is absolutely necessary. However learned a man may be, or however deep his study of Vedas and Vedangas (sacred literature) may be, he cannot go to his destination safely. If the guide be there to help him and show him the right way, he would avoid the pitfalls and the wild beasts on the journey, and everything will be smooth-sailing.

Sai Ram. A reference to this was made in the early chapters of Sri Sai Satcharitra (Chapter 1?) where Shri Hemadpant was a witness to a dialogue between Sri Sai and Kakasaheb Dixit. The very Sai Satcharitra is like the 'banyan tree' which supports the Guru Bhaktas. When the sense of differentiation caused by ego and Avidya vanishes, the tree is cut by the jnana and disappears! Then there is only the Supreme Consciousness (Satchidananda). Sai Ram.

Baba's experience in this matter, the story which He gave out Himself, is really wonderful, which, when attended to, will give you faith, devotion and salvation.

Sai Ram. Baba told many stories, some of which are allegorical. They can be taken for their spiritually educative values. Sai Ram.

Swarna.Venkateswara Swamy, (also known as Venkateswara Swamy Swarna, S.V.Swamy or simply Swamy) is a physicist and a metallurgist by education. He considers Sai Baba of Shirdi as his Sadguru but respects all Gurus. He is an avid reader, a book reviewer and an editor. He has an abiding interest in holistic health systems..