Shri Sai Sat Charitra - Chapter 12 - Part V

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Moolay Shastri Continued

He was speechless for some time. He pinched himself and thought again, but could not reconcile to the fact of his late Guru Gholap being in the Masjid. Ultimately, leaving all doubt, he went up; fell at his Guru's feet and then getting up stood there with folded hands. Other people sang Baba's Arati, while Moolay Shastri chanted his Guru's name. Then casting off all pride of caste and ideas about sacredness, he fell flat at his Guru's feet and closed his eyes. When he got up and opened his eyes, he saw Baba asking for Dakshina. Seeing Baba's blissful form, and His inconceivable power, Moolay Shastri forgot himself.

Moolay Shastri was extremely pleased; his eyes were full of tears of joy. He again saluted Baba and gave the Dakshina. He said that his doubt was removed and that he saw his own Guru. On seeing his wonderful Leela of Baba all the people, including Moolay Shastri, were much moved, and they realized the meaning of Baba's words, "Bring Geru, we shall don saffron-coloured garment." Such is the wonderful Leela of Baba.

Sai Ram. Baba always used cryptic messages to convey profound truths, so that only those who were blessed enough will understand the meaning and others will not. Many times, devotees realized only much later the significance of Baba's remarks. So, it was not surprising that people did not understand the meaning of Baba saying, "Take some Geru (i.e. a red miry substance, to dye clothes in saffron-colour), we shall today don saffron-coloured cloth." See how the story proceeds further.

When Booty, the millionaire devotee of Sai came and gave the message to Moolay Shastri that Baba was asking dakshina from him, he said, "I am a pure Agnihotri Brahmin, why should I pay Dakshina? Baba may be a great Saint. I am not His dependent." Sai Ram. This is the working of Moolay Shastri's ego, which divided him from his Guru and from Sai. I am pure, I am a sinner.... all these are the workings of the ego, which wants to stay, separate from the One from whom it came, not realizing the unity of the whole.

Sai organized such dramas and helped us to realize our true nature, which is not different from that of Sai. Leave aside all pride and prejudice and surrender to Guru. In Sri Bhagawad Gita too, Sri Krishna tells His disciple Sri Arjuna, "Sarva dharman parityajya, maamekam saranam vraja..." meaning Arjuna, leave all dharmas (that I am a kshatriya, I am a noble, ...and surrender to me alone). All qualities and attributes of caste, creed, sex, piety, evil etc. are working of maaya and the ego. While needed to live in the normal world, they are obstacles for Brahma Jnan. Such wonderful stories as this help us see beyond the diversity of attributes to the unity of the nirguna Para Brahma. Sai Ram.