Shri Sai Sat Charitra-Chapter 18-19, Part 3

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In the previous chapter Hemadpant mentally craved for Baba's blessings reacting to Baba's immediate response to Mr.Sathe. The merciful Baba who had read Hemadpant's mind ordered him to Shama's house, get Rs.15/- as dakshina, chitchat with him for sometime and then return.

Hemadpant immediately left the Masjid and came to Shama's house. He had just bathed, and was wearing a dhotar (dhoti). He came out and asked Hemadpant - "How is it that you are here now? It seems that you have come from the Masjid. Why do you look restless and dejected? Why are you alone? Please sit and rest, while I shall just do my worship and return; in the meanwhile you please take pan-vida (leaves and betel nuts etc.). Let us then have a pleasant chat." After saying this, he went inside and Hemadpant sat alone in the front verandah.

Hemadpant then saw on the windowsill a well known Marathi book named 'Nath-Bhagwat.' This is a commentary by the Saint Ekanath, on the eleventh Skandha (chapter) of the bigger Sanskrit work, the Bhagwat. At the suggestion or recommendation of Sai Baba, Messrs. Bapusaheb Jog and Kakasaheb Dixit read daily in Shirdi, BhagwadGeeta with its Marathi commentary named Bhawartha-Deepika or Jnaneshwari (A dialogue between Krishna and His friend devotee Arjuna) and Nath Bhagwat (A dialogue between Krishna and His servant devotee Uddhava) and also Ekanath's other big work, viz. Bhawartha Ramayana. When devotees came to Baba and asked Him certain questions, He sometimes answered them in part, and asked them to go and listen to the readings of the above-mentioned works, which are the main treatises of Bhagwat Dharma. When the devotes listened, they got full and satisfactory replies to their questions. Hemadpant also used to read daily some portions of the book Nath-Bhagwat.

That day, he did not complete the daily portion of his reading, but had left it unfinished in order to accompany certain devotees, who were going to the Masjid. When he took up the book from Shama's window and casually opened, it, he found, to his surprise, that the unfinished portion turned up. He thought that Baba sent him very kindly to Shama's house for enabling him to complete his daily reading. So he went through the unfinished portion and completed it. As soon as this was over, Shama, after doing his worship came out, and the following conversation took place between them.

Hemadpant :- I have come with a message from Baba. He has asked me to return with Rs. 15/- as Dakshina from you, also to sit with you for a while and have a pleasant chitchat and then return to the Masjid with you.

Shama (with surprise):- I have no money to give. Take my 15 Namaskaras (bows) in lieu of rupees as Dakshina, to Baba.

Hemadpant:- Alright, your Namaskaras are accepted. Now let us chitchat. Tell me some stories and Leelas of Baba, which will destroy our sins.

Shama:- Then sit here for a while. Wonderful is the sport (Leela) of this God (Baba). You know it already. I am a village rustic, while you are an enlightened citizen. You have seen some more Leelas since your coming here. How should I describe them before you? Well, take these leaves, betel nut and chunam and eat the pan-vida; while I go in, dress myself and come out.

In a few minutes Shama came out and sat talking with Hemadpant. He said - "The Leela of this God (Baba) is inscrutable; there is no end to His Leelas. Who can see them? He plays or sports with His Leelas, still He is outside of (unaffected by) them. What do we rustics know? Why does not Baba Himself tell stories? Why does He send learned men like you to fools like me? His ways are inconceivable. I can only say, that they are not human." With this preface Shama added, - "I now remember a story, which I shall relate to you. I know it personally. As a devotee is resolute and determined, so is Baba's immediate response. Sometimes Baba puts the devotees to severe test; and then gives them 'Upadesh' (instructions).

Sai Ram. A strong blow of a big hammer breaks the stone in one or two blows. A small hammer may need a series of blows before the stone develops micro cracks and then break into pieces. Similarly as already mentioned above, a strong willed sadhana will get quicker results. Sai always asked for Sraddha and Saburi. Sraddha in a way translates into strong will and powerful resolution on the part of the sadhaka. Saburi is not giving up by failure and continuing the efforts with the faith that the good efforts are bound to yield results sooner or later. Sai Ram.

As soon as Hemadpant heard the word 'Upadesh', a flash of lightning crossed his mind. He at once remembered the story of Mr. Sathe's Guru-Charitra reading and thought that Baba might has sent him to Shama, in order to give peace to his restless mind. However, he curbed this feeling, and began to listen to Shama's stories. They all showed how kind and affectionate Baba was to His devotees. Hemadpant began to feel joyful while hearing them. Then Shama began to tell the following story.

Sai Ram. We will continue with this nectar of the story next week. Sai Ram