Shri Sai Satcharitra-Chapter XXIII -Part I

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Preliminary

Really this Jiva (human soul) transcends the three qualities, viz. Sattwa, Rajas and Tamas, but being deluded by Maya, he forgets his nature which is 'Existence-knowledge-bliss', and thinks that he is the doer and the one who enjoys and thus entangles himself in endless miseries and does not know the way of deliverance. The only way of deliverance is loving devotion towards the Guru's feet. The great player or actor Lord Sai has delighted His bhaktas and transformed them into Himself (His nature).

Sai Ram. The Jiva is a part of the universe and universal soul and is thus at the core, of the same quality as the one, who caused the universe to come into existence. While the one knows that He / She / It, is the Karanam (action), Kaaranam (Cause of action), Karta (Doer) and Vikarta (Non-Doer too) (Pl. see Sri Vishnu Sahasra Nama Stotra), the part (Jiva) forgets the non-doing part! The part (Jiva) forgets the oneness with the one because of the sense of separation and that is the Maya (Illusion / Delusion). Only if the Jiva realizes that He is not the mind, intellect, ego (Doer), etc He will realize that He is none other than Siva, the One with Existence – Knowledge and Bliss (Pl. see Nirvana Shatka by Sri Adi Sankara). Sai Ram.

We regard Sai Baba as an incarnation of God for reasons already stated, but He always said that He was an obedient servant of God. Though an incarnation He showed the people the way, how to behave satisfactorily and carry out the duties of their respective stations (Varnas) in this life. He never emulated others in any way, nor asked others to have something done for Him. For Him, who saw the Lord in all movable and immovable things of this world, humility was the most proper thing. None He disregarded or disrespected; for He saw Narayan (Lord) in all beings, He never said, "I am God," but that He was a humble servant and He always remembered Him and always uttered - "Allah Malik" (God is the sole proprietor or Owner).

Sai Ram. Humility is the natural attribute of the one who has no ego or no sense of separation. So, the whole universe is God to Him who has no ego. Once a person becomes totally egoless, he or she becomes one with the one who pervades the universe and probably beyond. The sense of separation caused by Maya disappears and the disciple becomes one with the Guru and sees the Guru in the whole universe. After it is lit, the flame of the lamp becomes one with the flame of the lamp that lit it and both of them can now light other lamps. Thus a Guru chooses a few disciples and after judging their suitability, gives upadesh to one or more of them and they in turn spread the knowledge further. This Guru Sishya Parampara is going on unbroken from time immemorial. Sai is a great lamp in that lineage and humility was His hallmark. Let us see how He helped the sadhakas on the spiritual path. Sai Ram.

We do not know the various kinds of indian saints, how they behave, what they do and eat etc. We only know, that by God's grace they manifest themselves in this world to liberate the ignorant and bound souls. If there be any store of merits on our account, we get a desire in listening to the stories and Leelas of the indian saints, otherwise not. Let us now turn to the main stories of this chapter.

Sai Ram. Liberation includes liberation from all notions of what is right and what is not right. While the sense of right and wrong (Dharma) is needed for the day-to-day running of the society, God / Guru / Saint is beyond such attributes and restrictions. Sai was showing that and is beyond attributes through the following enlightening story. Sai Ram.