Shri Sai Sat Charitra-Chapter XXVIII-Part III

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Sanza

At noon when Lakhamichand was sitting for meals he got some sanza (wheat-pudding) from a devotee as Prasad. He was pleased to have it. Next day also he expected it, but got nothing.

Sai Ram. The ego goes after sensual pleasures in such manners. When some thing good happens we are happy. So, we associate happiness with that good event. We try to recapture that happiness by going after similar things. Even mystical experiences are binding since it is the ego that experiences and it is the ego that goes after similar experiences over and over again. Sai Ram.

So, he was anxious to get it again. Then on the third day at the noon Arati time, Bapusaheb Jog asked Baba, what naivedya he should bring. Baba told him to bring sanza. Then the Bhaktas brought two big potfuls of sanza. Lakhamichand was very hungry and there was some pain in his back. Then Baba said to him - "It is good that you are hungry, take sanza and some medicine for the pain in the back." He was again wonder-struck to see that Baba again read his mind and spoke out what was passing therein. How omniscient was He!

Sai Ram. Till one experiences the oneness of Guru with the Universe and thus all other Gurus and Gods, one is bound to be surprised at the miracles and the mind-reading skills of Saints. Later, as the devotee realises that the Saint is God in human form, all doubts disappear. It is like a child realising that one day it will also grow up and be strong and wise like its parents. Then, the ego stops hankering after powers and mystical experiences. Sai Ram.

Evil eye

Lakhamichand once witnessed one night the procession to the Chavadi. Baba then suffered much from cough. He thought that this suffering of Baba might be due to somebody's evil eye. Next morning when he went to the Masjid. Baba spoke to Shama as follows - "I suffered last night from cough; is it due to some evil eye? I think that somebody's evil eye has worked on me and so I am suffering". In this case Baba spoke out what was passing in Lakhamichand's mind.

Sai Ram. Baba took many people's karma on Himself and suffered at the physical level but never allowed Himself (Spirit) to suffer. However, Lala Lakhamichand was in the early stages of discipleship and was probably attributing the human frailities to Baba. Like a fond parent apparently agreeing with the innocent child, Baba was playing with His Spiritual Child Lala. Sai Ram.

On seeing these proofs of Baba's omniscience and kindness to His Bhaktas, he fell prostrate at Baba's feet and said,"I am much pleased with your darshan. Ever be kind and merciful to me and protect me always. There is no other God to me in this world except your feet. Let my mind be ever rapt in your bhajan and feet. Let your grace protect me from the miseries of the world and let me ever chant Your name and be happy".

Sai Ram. Baba's playful words worked as mantra and see how Lala became wise! That is the grace of Guru. Through a smile, through a kind look, through a playful pat on back, no, just by His intention, He can dispel the ignorance and ignite the lamp of bhakti and jnana in us. Sai Ram.

After getting Baba' Udi and blessing he returned home with his friend, much pleased and contented and singing Baba's glory on the way. He remained a staunch devotee of Baba afterwards and always sent garlands of flowers, camphor and dakshina with any person of his acquaintance bound for Shirdi.

Sai Ram. Blessed is Lala to have got such stauch devotion in one visit. Let us in turn do our namaskar to this wonderful sparrow drawn to Shirdi, a sparrow which got the spark of bhakti and jnana in such a short time, because of his merits in earlier births and his complete faith in Sai. Sai Ram.

To Be Continued