Sai Sat Charitra, Chapter 37-Part III (Continued)

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Nanasaheb Nimonkar held the Chhatra (umbrella) with its beautiful pendants which moved in a circle with its supporting stick. Bapusaheb Jog washed the feet of Baba in a silver dish and offered 'arghya' and worship with due formalities, then besmeared His arms with sandal paste, and offered tambul (betel-leaves). Baba sat on the asan (gadi), while Tatya and others kept standing and falling at His feet.

When Baba sat on the gadi supporting Himself against the bolster, devotees on both sides waved chamars and fans. Shama then prepared the chillim and handed it over to Tatyaba who drew a flame out of it by his breath and then gave it to Baba. After Baba had His smoke, it was given to Bhagat Mhalasapati and then it was passed round to all. Blessed was the inanimate chillim. It had first to undergo many ordeals of penance, such as being treated by pot-makers, dried in the open sun and burnt in fire and then it had the good fortune to get the contact of Baba's hand and His kiss.

Sai Ram. Like the inanimate chillim, our egos too go through a lot of refining before they become fit to reach God / Self from Whom they emanated first. Sai pulls us, His children and works on our egos and finally burns them in the fire of Jnana, knowledge. He then uses us as His instruments to carry on His work. Sai Ram.

After this function was over, devotees put garlands of flowers on His neck and gave Him nose-gays and bunches of flowers for smelling. Baba who was dispassion or non-attachment incarnate, cared a fig for all these necklaces of jewels, and garlands of flowers and other decorations; but out of real love for His devotees, He allowed them to have their own way and to please themselves.

Finally Bapusaheb Jog waved the arati over Baba, observing all formalities, the musical instruments playing their auspicious tunes. When this arati was over, the devotees returned home one by one saluting Baba and taking His leave. When Tatya Patil, after offering chillim, attar (scent) and rose-water, rose to depart, Baba said to him lovingly – "Guard Me, go if you like, but return sometimes at night and enquire after Me." Replying in the affirmative, Tatyaba left the Chhavadi and went home. Then Baba Himself prepared His bed. He arranged 50 or 60 white chadders one upon another and thus making His bed, went to rest.

Sai Ram. What Baba was telling His intimate bhakta and nephew Tatyaba, was very siginificant – To guard someone, one has to remain alert and equip himself with suitable weapons. Similarly to guard one"s true nature from falling into the delusions of ignorance, the sadhaka has to be awake, alert and equip himself with suitable weapons of sraddha, saburi, keen intellect, discrimination, devotion etc. 'Returning at night' means returning to light of the spirit from the ego state and 'enquire after Me' indicates self-inquiry, inquiry into nature of one"s true self! Sai Ram.

We shall also now take rest and close this chapter with a request to the readers that they should remember Sai Baba and His Chavadi procession daily before they retire and go to bed.

Sai Ram. Not only before we retire to bed but even in dreams, we should remember our Father and Protector, Sai. Even if we wake up in the middle of the night, we should wake up with Baba"s name on our lips. Let us now prostrate ourselves before Sai and seek His protection in every moment of our life. Sai Ram.

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all

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..