The past Karmas (Deeds) will prevent us and keep us away from God’s grace. We tend not to believe our guru the way we supposed to. The material objects and worldly issues distract us more than anything. We don’t long for Guru’s love. Our mind will wander in different directions. Dasganu also had similar tendencies and could not have faith in Baba to a maximum possible level. Guru always shows his leelas (Miracles) to make us believe and have faith in his works. This will give us some sort of direction. To have the grace of guru we need to have accumulated good deeds. Dasganu visited so many sacred places and worshipped his God (Vittal) with utmost faith. Guru always wants us direct towards self-realization so that we can be freed from this birth death cycle. This is where a disciple needs faith. Guru does his miracles in different ways.
The sacred bath in Prayaga:
Once knowing that it was “Parva ” (holy time), Das Ganu wished to bathe at Prayag Tirth and came to Baba to take his permission. Baba, in return said: “You need not go that far for it. This itself, is our Prayag bank. Have strong faith in your heart”. Oh, how can I praise Baba’s greatness! As Das Ganu put his head at Baba’s feet, water trickled out from both his toes as if it was the water of Ganga and Yamuna, oozing out. Having witnessed this miracle, Das Ganu was overcome with emotion. What a great favour was bestowed on him by Baba! Tears sprang from his eyes. His speech was inspired. Love brimmed up in his heart. He felt satisfied only after describing Baba’s immeasurable greatness and wonderful deeds.
To gratify the eagerness of the listeners, I shall insert the sweet song composition here:-
O Sadgururaya, boundless is your power and marvellous your deeds, You are the kind one who is the ship which takes the animate and inanimate beings across the worldly ocean. (Refrain).
You transformed yourself into Venu-Madhav (Vishnu) and made your feet into prayag here. You showed the currents of Ganga and Yamuna flowing from your toes.
You are Brahma (born of the lotus), Vishnu (Lord of Kamala) and Shiva, the embodiment of the Trinity. And, on this earth, you manifest as Sai, the Samartha.
In the early morning, like Brahma you utter words of wisdom; And, sometimes, you exhibit your violent nature and frightening appearance of Rudra, resorting to the quality of Tamo guna.
Sometimes like Sree Krishna, you indulge in child-like pranks; And become the swan in the lake of the devotee’s heart.
If we call you a Muslim, then you have love for “Gandha” (sandalwood paste); If we call you a Hindu you always happily reside in the Masjid.
If we call you rich, you are seen going about begging alms; if we call you a fakir, then with your favors (your generosity) you have put Kuber to shame.
If we call your house a Masjid then fire is seen burning there; the dhuni (pit kindled with wood fire) always burns to distribute “U di” to the people.
From morning the devotees in their simplicity come and worship you; And when the sun is at its zenith at noon, your ‘arati’ is performed.
Devotees stand all around you, like attendants of Gods and holding whisks and swishes in their hand fan you.
Horns, Clocks, Shenai, Gongs, Bells resound; And attendants in Uniforms (mace bearers) wearing belts proclaim your glory at the gates.
At the time of the Arati you look like Vishnu; And at dusk, as you sit before the Dhuni, you appear as Shiva (the destroyer of Cupid). Such Leelas of the Trinity, manifested in you, are experienced by us daily, O Baba Sai!
Even when such is the case, my mind wanders idly. Now this is my request to you, Baba, make it steady.
The vilest of the viles, and a great sinner, I take refuge at your feet. Please ward off the three-fold afflictions of Das Ganu.
Be it so. To expiate the deadly sins, people take recourse to the waters of the Ganga. But Ganga herself resorts to the feet of the saints for washing away her own sins. Leaving the sacred feet, it is not necessary to go on pilgrimage to Ganga-Godavari. Listen to the sweet life and praises of Saint Sai with devotion.
7-Day Chanting and Vittal Vision:
In the age of Kaliyuga; we can attain salvation just by chanting God’s name. This was reiterated by so many great men. Baba always used to say “Allah Malik”. He asked his devotees to do the same. Whatever God they worship, repeating that God’s name was essential. When they recite this way Baba used to enjoy this day and night. Baba asked Dasganu also to do Nama Saptaha (7 day recitation). Then Dasganu asked Baba to give him darshan (Vision) of his Vittal. Baba laying his hand on his heart assured him with confidence and told him firmly “ Yes,of course, Vittal in person will appear. The devotee should be full of faith. Dankapuri of Dakurnath, or Pandhari of Vitthal, or Dwarka Nagari of Ranchod are here only, in search of which you need not go a long distance.Is Vitthal going to come from anywhere else, leaving his private quarters? He would appear here, springing up out of the intense devotion of the devotee. By serving his parents Pundalik captivated the God of Gods. Seeing Pundalik’s devotion, the Lord stood on the brick and waited” . After the seventh day of the chanting, Baba’s words came true and it is said that Das Ganu had darshan of Lord Vittal at Shirdi. Thus Baba’s prediction was experienced and verified.
Baba used the above incident to show us the greatness of chanting of God’s name. The name of Ram is powerful than Lord Rama himself, and this statement was proved to us by the great Hanuman. No matter how many bad deeds we have accumulated, by just repeating God’s name, we will be freed from all this. The name “Ram” changed Valmiki in to a great saint. Dasganu was asked by Baba to chant Vishnu Sahasra nama al the time. He did not let him stay at Dwaraka Mai with the crowds, instead he was asked to go to Vittal temple in Shirdi. There he used to recite Vishnu Sahasranama. Even Shyama was asked to do this also. Baba started Rama Navami festival at Shirdi and during his last days in flesh, he was listening to RamaVijaya.
Dasganu adored his Pandharpur Vittal. He believed that God means Vittal only and he is in Pandharpur. To get rid of this fixed thought from the mind of Dasganu, Baba did so many miracles. Once he was asked to do Bhagavat Saptaha (Reading of sacred book in 7 days). Then Dasganu again requested the vision of Vittal. Then Baba told him “If your intensity is strong enough you will have his vision”. He did the recitation for 7 days but no vision of Vittal. In that poor mental state he approaches Nana Saheb Chandorkar and told him that he was disappointed. Baba is not letting him go to Pandharpur. Then Baba realizes this and tells Dasganu to go to pandharpur. When he comes back he again asks Baba about the vision. Then Baba says “You are looking at Vittal by showing himself”. Baba wanted him to realize the concept of universal visualization of God but not limit himself to one statue or place”.
Baba similarly tried to save Dasganu from being attacked by the inner enemies (Kama, Krodha) also. Baba set before him the ideal of being totally free from those six enemies. That, however, was no joke. Like so many other devotees, this apostle also had his slips. But Baba very kindly pulled him up and corrected him off and on. For instance, on one occasion there was a feast at Shirdi where sira was prepared and distributed. Baba asked Ganu, "Did you get sira at that person's house?" "No, Baba" said Ganu, "that man is my enemy and did not invite me." Baba, at once rebuked him and said, "What is this sira and who eats it? Do not say of anyone that he is your enemy". Baba wanted him to realize that he is the soul which neither eats nor has any other physical function and that all souls are in essence one and the same, viz., Paramatma. To one who has realized himself as Paramatma, there can be no enemy at all.
The truths taught by Baba are so peculiar to each and applicable and intelligible only in special circumstances. Hence, we must content ourselves with only one more illustration and stop. Dasganu Maharaj was a very severe critic and occasionally uttered words that wounded the hearts of others and produced other evil effects. On one occasion, he had used hard words and defamatory language against a devotee living at Shirdi, who had done splendid work to make Sai Samsthan highly attractive and who drew numerous influential and other people to Baba's feet. When Dasganu vented one of his frequent abuses against that devotee, Baba sent for him and pointed out that the work of attracting devotees to Baba's feet was rightly prized and practised by Dasganu himself on a vast scale and yet he was defaming a person who carried on the same work and he thereby hindered that work. Baba thus made him acknowledge his error and insisted on his prostrating himself before that devotee and begging pardon. So Dasganu adopted that advice and prostrated himself before that devotee and prayed for pardon. He thus gained more self-control and more humility, and also noted with appreciation the value of the lesson taught in Bhagavata llth Skanda.
Na stuvita na nindeta kurvatah saadhu asaadhu vaa
Vadato guna doshaabbyam varjitah samadrik munih"
Meaning:”The sage must have equal vision and should neither eulogize the doers or utterers of good nor decry the doers or utterers of evil.”
Lesson about simplicity:
Once, Ganu Das was going to do a ‘Katha’ at Shirdi. So he set off properly dressed with a long coat, uparna, and pheta on head. According to custom, he happily went to Baba to bow at his feet. On seeing him, Baba said: “Oh, now you have adorned yourself like a bridegroom! Where are you going so dressed up? ” Baba asked him. Das Ganu replied: “I am going to perform kirtan”. Baba said to him, further: “Why have you taken so much trouble over dressing up? Why do you have long coat, uparna and pheta? We do not need all these things. Take them off in front of me. Why burden your body with them? ” As per his orders, he took them off and laid them at his feet.
Since then, till this day, Ganu Das wears no upper garment and makes no show. He carries ‘chiplis’ in his hands and a ‘mala round his neck at the time of kirtan. Though this is not generally accepted, it is of a pure origin. This was the tradition of Narada, the most enlightened of enlightened sages. This is the original school of ‘Naradiyan kirtan’ from which the Haridasas originated. They did not bother about the outward glamour but stressed purification of soul. Only the lower half of the body is covered. Chiplis are used and the veena is played. Hari’s name is loudly chanted. Such is the well-known and pure image of Narada.
With the grace of Sai Samartha, Das Ganu composed stories describing the saints and performed kirtans free. Thus, he became famous. He was truly instrumental in spreading the zest of Sai devotion. He brought to high tide, the ocean of Sai love and self – contentment.
OM SAI RAM!
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