Shri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 11 - Part III

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Sai Ram. Let us continue with the Spirtual Gems from Sri Sai Satcharitra, Chaper 11. Sai Ram.

Haji Sidik Falke

There was no knowing, when Baba would accept a devotee. That depended on His sweet will. Sidik Falke's story is to the point. One Mahomedan gentleman by name Sidik Falke of Kalyan, after making a pilgrimage to Mecca and Madina, came to Shirdi. He lived in a Chavadi, facing north, and sat in the open court-yard of the Masjid. For nine months, Baba ignored him, and did not allow him to step into the Masjid.

Sai Ram. God or Guru grants their Grace only when the time is ripe. In the case of Haji Sidik Falke, Baba kept him waiting for a full nine months. It is almost as if the spiritual child of Falke was conceived in Mecca and Madina grew in the Spiritual Womb of Shirdi for the proper time before being delivered.

Falke felt much disconsolate, and did not know what to do. Somebody advised him not to be disappointed; but to try to approach Baba through Shama (Madhavarao Deshpande), a close and intimate devotee of Baba. He told him that as they approach Lord Shiva through his servant and devotee, Nandi, so Baba should be approached through Shama. Falke liked the idea and implored Shama to intercede for him.

Sai Ram. Baba pulled many devotees to Him through Shama. Shama's devotion to Baba was of the highest order and Baba sent His grace through Shama on many occasions. This is one of such many.

Shama agreed and on a convenient occasion spoke to Baba about him thus:- "Baba, why don't You allow the old Haji to step into the Masjid, while so many persons freely come and go, after taking Your darshan; why not bless him once?" Baba replied "Shama, you are too young to understand things. If the Fakir (Allah) does not allow, what can I do? Without His grace, who will climb into the masjid? Well, go to him and ask him whether he will come to the narrow footpath near the Barvi well."

Sai Ram. Baba always described Himself as a humble servant of God, Allah. The narrow footpath represents the path of Bhakti (Devotion) and Prapatti (Surrender). It is narrow and if one slips, one is likely to fall into the well of Samsara. And Baba was referring to Shama's spiritual youth, not his age on this earth in this birth.

Shama went and returned with an affirmative answer. Again Baba said to Shama,"Ask him whether he is willing to pay me the sum of Rs. 40,000/- in four instalments." Shama went and returned with the answer that he was willing to pay even 40 lacs. Again Baba said to Shama- "We are going to butcher a goat in the Masjid, so ask him, whether he would like to have mutton, haunch or testicles of the goat." Shama returned with the answer that the Haji would be happy to receive a small crumb from Baba's kolamba (mudpot).

Sai Ram. On the face of it, the learned Haji's answers appear to be very appropriate and demonstrates his spiritual sincerity. But were there a trace of egoism, pride in these answers, which even the learned Haji was himself not aware of? Possible. To Baba's Third Eye (refer to His description as Siva above), nothing is of course hidden.

Hearing this Baba got excited and with His hands threw away the earthen jars and kolamba and straightway advanced to the Haji and lifting His Kafni up with His hands said - "Why do you brag and fancy yourself great and pose yourself as an old Haji? Do you read Koran like this? You are proud of your pilgrimage to Mecca, but you do not know Me." Being thus scolded, the Haji was confounded.

Sai Ram. It does appear as if Baba is scolding the Haji for the pride of learning and the pilgrimage to Mecca etc. The Haji was confounded because he himself was probably not aware of this facet of his ego. It is also likely that Baba was testing His new Chela for his implicit obedience, for his willingness to accept all curses and abuses as Guru's prasad. It is after all easy to accept the praise of any one as deserving but it is not easy to accept the problems, vicissitudes and abuses in life as deserving. All of us need to go through similar tests and pass them before we can progress further on the spiritual path. Sai Ram.

Baba then went back to the Masjid, purchased a few baskets of mangoes and sent them to the Haji. Then again Baba went to the Haji and taking out Rs.55/- from His pocket, gave them to the Haji. From that time, Baba loved the Haji, invited him for meals and the Haji, thereafter, came into the Masjid whenever he liked. Baba gave him at times some rupees, and thus the Haji was enlisted in Baba's Darbar.

Sai Ram. It does appear that the Haji passed the spiritual test of Baba. The mangoes and the money represent the Guru's Grace. This incident underscores an important spiritual lesson. God tests the devotees and those who pass the test progress very fast on the spiritual path. Kunti Devi, the mother of Pandavas was reported to have asked her nephew Krishna the boon of constant troubles so that she can remember Him always.

Let us proceed after offering our Sashtanga Namaskar to Samartha Sadguru Sai Natha Maharaj. I am inspired by Sai to share one more aspect of the story of Haji Siddiq Falke. Outwardly the story appears as if Baba tested Falke, found a trace of ego and pride in him, abused those aspects and later accepted him in His Darbar. However, another aspect of the story came up. In Sai's Darbar, it is seen that before the full grace of Guru is bestowed, the disciple is tested for his implicit acceptance of Guru. The story is yet another example of that test. If the disciple is really interested in pursuing the spiritual path, he should submit with full faith and surrender to Guru. The disciple should not question any action or inaction of Guru. Falke's story and some more stories in Satcharitra illustrate this point well. Sai Ram.