Shri Sai Sat Charitra-Chapter 32-Part II

Once four of us were studying religious scriptures and other books and, being thus enlightened, we began to discuss the nature of the Brahman. One of us said that we should raise the self by the Self and not depend on others. To this the second replied that he who controls his mind is blessed; we should be free from thoughts and ideas and there is nothing in the world without us. The third said that the world (phenomenon) is always changing, the formless is eternal; so we should discriminate between the Unreal and the Real. And the fourth (Baba Himself) urged that bookish knowledge is worthless and added, "Let us do our prescribed duty and surrender our body, mind and five pranas (life) to the Guru's feet. Guru is God, all pervading. To get this conviction, strong unbounded faith is necessary."

Sai Ram. Bookish knowledge is also a form of enlightenment as mentioned above but that is not the end. It is rather the beginning. Even without bookish knowledge, it is possible to get enlightened, as shown by Baba Himself. No one has seen Him studying or discussing literature, religious books etc. but He was wise beyond our comprehension. Sai Ram.

Discussing in this wise, we four learned men began to ramble through the woods in the quest of God. The three wanted to make the quest with their free and unaided intellect. On the way a Vanjari (a man who trades in certain things, such as grain etc. by carrying them on bullock) met us and asked us, "It is hot now, where and how far are you going?". "To search the woods", we replied. He enquired, "On what quest are you bound?" We gave him an ambiguous and evasive reply.

The Vanjari on seeing us rambling aimlessly, was moved and said, "Without knowing the woods fully, you should not wander at random. If you want to walk through forests and jungles, you should take a guide with you. Why do you exert youselves unnecessarily at this sultry noon-time? You may not give out to me your secret quest; still you can sit down, eat bread, drink water, take rest and then go. Be always patient at heart."

Sai Ram. Vanjari means one who moves through the forest and hence an Acharya, a Guru, who has traversed the path and is thus qualified to lead us, the seekers. He trades in by taking away our ego and giving us the knowledge about ourselves. Sai Ram.

Though he spoke so tenderly, we discarded his request and marched on. We thought that we were self-contained men and needed nobody's help. The woods were vast and trackless, the trees therein grew so close and tall, that the sun's rays could not penetrate through them; so we lost our way and wandered here and there for a long time. Ultimately through sheer good luck, we came back to the place from were we started.

The Vanjari met us again and said, "Relying on your own cleverness you missed your way; a guide is always necessary to show us the right way in small or great matters; and no quest can be successfully carried out on an empty stomach. Unless God wills it, no one meets us on the way. Do not discard offers of food; served dish should not be thrust away. Offers of bread and food should be regarded as auspicious signs of success."

Sai Ram. The ego has the limited perception and can"t see beyond. The seekers were in forest (literally and figuratively since the samasara is like a forest) and were in darkness, literally and spiritually too. The Guru, disguised as Vanjari was trying to seek out and help them. The food offered was not only physical but Brahna Jnana and He was suggesting that such offers come only because of our merits in past and should not be neglected. But our egos have their own destinies. Sai Ram.

To Be Continued

About the author

S.V. Swamy

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..