Shri Sai Satcharitra-Chapter XXI-Part II

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In the previous article Mr.Thakur visiting Saint Nischaldas and his prediction about him visiting a great saint in the later years was discussed. When he was transferred to Kalyan where he met Nanasaheb Chandorkar, he wished to meet Baba.

Sai Ram. This is called Subhechha, a good desire. Though all desires are to be finally given up, in the spiritual path, good desires help us move forward unlike the 'others' (materialistic, sensual, pleasure seeking which make a person selfish and make him forget that he is not the little self but is one with the Universal Self) . In a way, good desires and the consequent good actions help us to nullify the negative karma. Thus Thakur got the desire to see the Saint, whom he was ordained to meet years ago, but was not aware who it was. Sai Ram.

The next day, Nanasaheb had to go to Shirdi, and he asked Thakur to accompany him. He could not do so as he had to attend the Thana Civil Court for a civil case. So Nanasaheb went alone. Thakur went to Thana, but there the case was postponed. He then repented for not accompanying Nanasaheb.

Sai Ram. This is an example of most of us. We repent for lost opportunities (material or spiritual) without realizing that we cannot go back in time. But see the difference between a good Sadhaka and an ordinary one. Thakur did not give up his plan of going to Shirdi just because he could not go with Nanasaheb. Sai Ram.

Still he left for Shirdi and when he went there, he found that Nanasaheb had left the place the previous day. Some of his other friends, whom he met there, took him to Baba. He saw Baba, fell at His Feet and was overjoyed. His eyes were full of tears of joy and his hair stood on end.

Sai Ram. These are signs of bliss and transfer of energy / grace from the Guru silently. Sai Ram.

Then after a while the omniscient Baba said to him - "The path of this place is not so easy as the teaching of the Kanarese Saint Appa or even as the buffalo-ride in the Nhane Ghat. In this spiritual path, you have to put in your best exertion as it is very difficult". When Thakur heard these significant signs and words, which no one else other than he knew, he was overwhelmed with joy. He came to know, that the word of the Kanarese Saint had come true.

Sai Ram. At other places also, Sai indicated the difficulty of the spiritual path, which is compared to a knife edge, a thin rope tied between two poles and suspended over a raging river below etc. Sai Ram.

Then joining both hands and placing his head on Baba's Feet, he prayed that he should be accepted and blessed. Then Baba said - "What Appa told you was all right, but these things have to be practised and lived. Mere reading won't do. You have to think and carry out what you read, otherwise, it is of no use.

Mere book-learning, without the grace of the Guru, and self-realization is of no avail". The theoretical portion was read from the work Vichar Sagar' by Thakur, but the practical way was shown to him at Shirdi. Another story given below will bring out this truth more forcibly.

Sai Ram. The surrender of the ego is an important part in learning. And Thakur knew that the great Saint referred to by Saint Appa is none other than Sadguru Sai. The placing of his head on Baba's feet is to receive the grace, which is like the flow of Ganges that will wash out the dirt within and illumine the inner space. Theory and practice are two legs, two wheels or two bullocks to take us on the path, to help us plough the karmic fields . In this case, the spiritual education was started by Saint Appa and finished by Sai. The word Acharya, which is used to mean Guru, actually means One who treads the path. For example, seeing the road map of the route from Hyderabad to Delhi is needed but not sufficient to reach Delhi. We need to take a guide (Guru), who is familiar with the route. Or we need to enquire at important stages in the journey. In the case of Thakur, the Saint Appa indicated years ago that in future when he goes to the north, he will meet a great Saint who will guide him on the path. Sai then started showing him the path . Sai Ram.

We will continue with this chapter in the coming weeks. Sai Ram.