Shri Sai Sat Charitra-Chapter XX-Part IV

Add as a preferred source on Google

Unique Method of Teaching

From the above incident regarding Das Ganu and the maid servant, the reader will see that Baba's method was unique and varied. Though Baba never left Shirdi, He sent some to Machhindragad, some to Kolhapur or Sholapur for practising sadhanas. To some He appeared in His usual form, to some He appeared in waking or dreaming state, day or night and satisfied their desires. It is impossible to describe all the methods, that Baba used in imparting instructions to His Bhaktas.

Sai Ram. Baba used a method of instruction suitable for the particular devotee depending on the level of spiritual development. Being the in-dweller of all, He knew the stage of spiritual development, better than the individual ego. Sai Ram.

In this particular case, He sent Das Ganu to Vile Parle, where he got his problem solved, through the maid-servant. To those, who say that it was not necessary to send Das Ganu outside and that Baba could have personally taught him, we say that Baba followed the right or best course, or how else could Das Ganu would have learnt a great lesson, that the poor maid-servant and her sari were pervaded by the Lord.

Sai Ram. Theoretical instruction without a practical demonstration is not effective as a teaching method, as every teacher knows only too well. So, in this case too, Sai, the Sadguru, used a good practical demonstration to explain intricate theoretical concepts. I too have been blessed with Baba's practical teachings to make the theoretical knowledge sink deeper into my psyche. Sai Ram.

Now we close the Chapter with another beautiful extract about this Upanishad.

The Ethics of the Ishavasya Upanishad

"One of the main features of the Ishavasya Upanishad, is the ethical advice it offers, and it is interesting to note that the ethics of the Upanishad are definitely based upon the meta-physical position advanced in it. The very opening words of the Upanishad tell us that God pervades every thing. As a corollary from this metaphysical position, the ethical advice it offers is, that a man ought to enjoy whatever God bestows on him in the firm belief, that as He pervades everything, whatever is bestowed on him by God must be good. It follows naturally, that the Upanishad should forbid us from coveting another man's property. In fact, we are fittingly taught here a lesson of contentment with one's own lot in the belief that whatever happens, it is divinely ordained and it is hence good for us. Another moral advice is, that man must spend his life-time always in doing action, specially the karmas enjoined in the Shastras, in a mood of believing resignation to His will.

Inactivity, according to this Upanishad, would be the canker of the soul. It is only when a man spends his life-time on doing actions in this manner, that he can hope to attain the ideal of Naishkarmya. Finally, the text goes on to say that a man, who sees all beings in the Self and sees the Self as existing in all beings; in fact, for whom all beings and everything that exists have becomes the Self - how can such a man suffer infatuation? What ground would such a man have for grief? Loathfulness, infatuation and grief verily proceed from our not being able to see the Atman in all things. But a man, who realizes the oneness of all things, for whom everything has become the Self, must ipso facto, cease to be affected by the common foibles of humanity. (Page 169-170 of The Creative Period by Messrs. Belvalkar and Ranade).

Sai Ram. The above is not difficult to follow in the first few readings and contains some apparent contradictions but a closer reading several times and of course Sai's grace will show the truth in it. True surrender is possible only when one realises that God pervades every thing and the ego is but an illusion. So, the self has to submit to God's will and thus refine and finally annhilate the ego. Thus the true union with the Universal Consciousness is achieved and then only true liberation from the desires is possible. Sai Ram.