Shri Sai Satcharitra-Chapter XXI-Part I

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Stories of (1) V.H. Thakur (2) Anantrao Patankar and (3) Pandharpur Pleader.

In this Chapter, Hemadpant relates the stories of Vinayak Harishchandra Thakur, B.A., Anantrao Patankar of Poona, and a pleader from Pandharpur. All these stories are very interesting which if very carefully read and grasped, will lead the readers on to the spiritual path.

Preliminary

It is a general rule, that it is our good luck in the form of accumulation of merits in past births, that enables us to seek the company of Saints and profit thereby. In illustration of this rule, Hemadpant gives his own instance. He was a resident Magistrate of Bandra, A suburb of Bombay, for many years. A famous Mahomedan Saint named Pir Moulana was living there and many Hindus, Parsis and many others who followed different religions used to go to him and take his darshan. His Mujavar (priest) by name Younus pressed Hemadpant many a time, night and day, for going to see him, but for some reason or other he was not able to see him. After many years his turn came and he was called to Shirdi where he was permanently enlisted in Sai Baba's Darbar. Those unfortunate do not get this contact of the Saints. It is only the fortunate ones who get it.

Sai Ram. The same is expressed at several other places in Satcharitra (Chapter 8 for example) and also in other texts such as Viveka Chudamani, attributed to Sri Adi Sankara. Apparent exceptions to this rule, like the hunter/robber who got the benefit of Saint's company and became Sri Valmiki, the first poet who wrote Sri Ramayana are because of the good deeds of the past births that bloom at the right time due to Divine Grace. Exceptions don't reduce the value of the rules.

Sai Ram. This holds the same for us as well engaged in the Satsangh of the spiritual gems found in Sai Satcharita due to Baba's grace.Even the desire to visit a temple or a Saint's place will not arise and even after it arises, may not get fructified till many years. And even after visiting the holy place, the full benefit of the visit may not be obtained immediately.

The ego has to go through many experiences and has to be ready for further instruction and then only the call comes, just as a child has to be of certain age and mental maturity before it can enter school and then college etc. Shri Hemadpant could not see that particular saint because he was to belong to Sai Baba's folk. Baba mentioned clearly that He will pull His devotees wherever they are. And we are really fortunate to be enjoying the nectar of this enlisting of Shri Hemadpant in Sai's Darbar. We too are members of Saidarbar! When we read these articles, we get the benefit of reading the Satcharita and also delving deeper into it to get the gems hidden. Thus we are doubly blessed. Sai Ram.

Institution of Saints

There have been institutions of Saints in this world, from time immemorial. Various Saints appear (incarnate) themselves in various places to carry out the missions allotted to them, but though they work in different places, they are, as it were, one. They work in unison under the common authority of the Almighty Lord and know full well what each of them is doing in his place, and supplement his work where necessary. An instance illustrating this is given below.

Sai Ram. Since the Saints are one with God / Universe, it is not strange that they are able to keep in communication with each other through a sort of telepathy. Instances of such communication are given at many places in Sai Satcharitra and many other holy books. Sai Ram.