Shri Sai Sat Charitra-Chapter 18-19, Part- 2

Add as a preferred source on Google

There was a gentleman named Mr. Sathe, who had attained some publicity many years ago during Crawford Regime, which (the publicity and fame) was put down by Lord Reay, the then Governor of Bombay. He suffered severe losses in trade. Other adverse circumstances gave him much trouble, and made him sad and dejected. Being restless, he thought of leaving home and going out to a distant place. Man does not generally think of God, but when difficulties and calamities overtake him, he turns to Him and prays for relief.

Sai Ram. In a way difficulties are God's ways of changing the direction of a soul's journey. Just as a river needs to be blocked by building a dam across it so that the water builds up and then can be diverted to high level lands, a devotee has to go through troubles and tribulations to turn towards God and Saints, Who are His representatives. That is why Mother Kunti, asked Sri Krishna for more troubles through out her life so that she can always remembered Him . Sai Ram.

If his evil actions have come to an end, God arranges his meeting with a Saint, who gives him proper directions regarding his welfare. Mr. Sathe had a similar experience. His friends advised him to go to Shirdi, where so many people were flocking to get Sai Baba's darshan, for getting peace of mind and the satisfaction of their wants. He liked the idea, and at once came to Shirdi in 1917. Seeing Baba's Form, which was like Eternal Brahma, Self-luminous, spotless and pure, his mind lost its restlessness and became calm and composed. He thought, that it was the accumulation of merits in his former births, that brought him to the holy feet of Baba. He was a man of strong will.

Sai Ram. A man of strong will power is blessed since he can focus his will for any action that he decides to take up, good or bad. Tapas requires a strong will and if we see the Puranas, we find that both Devas and Asuras, who had strong will power only could succeed in doing Tapas and getting boons. Then what about weak minded people like us? We can only take refuge at the feet of Sai Sadguru and hope for mercy. See how He helps such people also. Sai Ram.

He at once started to make a parayana (study) of Guru-Charitra. When the reading was finished in the saptaha (seven days), Baba gave him a vision that night. It was to this effect: Baba with Guru-Charitra in His hand was explaining its contents to Mr. Sathe, who was sitting in front and listening carefully. When he woke up, he remembered the dream and felt very happy. He thought that it was extremely kind of Baba, Who awakens souls like his that are snoring in ignorance, and makes them taste the nectar of Guru-Charitra.

Next day, he informed Kakasaheb Dixit of this vision, and requested him to consult Sai Baba regarding its meaning or significance -- whether one saptah (week's) reading was sufficient or whether he should begin again. Kakasaheb Dixit, when he got a suitable opportunity, asked Baba - "Deva (Oh God), what did you suggest to Mr. Sathe by this vision? Whether he should stop or continue the saptaha? He is a simple devotee, his desire should be fulfilled and the vision explained to him, and he should be blessed." Then Baba replied - "He should make one more saptah of the book; if the work be studied carefully, the devotee will become pure and will be benefited, the Lord will be pleased and will rescue him from the bondage of the mundane existence."

Sai Ram. Mr. Sathe got the idea of doing the saptah of Sri Guru-Charitra and that he could successfully complete it were indeed due to his past merits and the grace of Sadguru Sai. It is my experience that unless a level of mental purity is achieved and maintained through regular sadhana, one cannot take up such saptah parayana. And of course, further purification is achieved through such satkarmas (nobe acts).Sai Ram.

At this time, was present there. He was shampooing Baba's Legs. When he heard Baba's words, he thought in his mind as follows - "What! Mr. Sathe read for a week only and got a reward; and I am reading it for forty years with no result! His seven days' stay here becomes fruitful while my seven years' stay (1910 to 1917) goes for nothing. Like a Chatak bird I am ever waiting for the Merciful Cloud (Baba) to pour its nectar on me; and bless me with His instructions. No sooner did this thought cross his mind, Baba knew it then and there.

It was the experience of the Bhaktas that Baba read and understood all their thoughts, and that He suppressed the evil thoughts and encouraged the good ones. Reading 's mind Baba at once asked him to get up, go to Shama (Madhavrao Deshpande), get from him Rs. 15/- as Dakshina, sit and chitchat with him for a while and then return. Mercy dawned in Baba's mind, and so he issued this order. And who could disobey Baba's order?

Sai Ram. Jealousy is an evil trait but here, it is used by Sadguru Sai to bring a good reform in His disciple, . Sai Ram.