Shyama Part 3

Collection of Sacred books:

Baba gave some books to Shyama to save them for the future. Some of the devotees wanted to bring their books so that Baba can bless them. Sometimes Baba did not give the same book that they wanted. He gave some other book to their surprise. He knows what we need and when we should read a particular book. This way he gave few books to Shyama. He predicted that lots of people will come to Shirdi and they will do Jnaana Yagna (Recitation of sacred books). Then all these books will become handy. If we study these scriptures with devotion our minds will automatically think about Baba.

Books given to Shyama by Baba:

These are some of the books given to Shyama by Baba.

 Eknath Bhagavath, Vishnu Sahasranama, Viveka Sindhu, Santh Leelamrut, Bhakta Leelamrut, Pancha Ratna gita, Dasavatara Sthotras and Dasavatara pictures.

Vishnu Sahasranama – Ramadasi Sadhu Story:

Just as Shyama was an ardent devotee, so was Baba’s love for him. A desire, therefore, arose in Baba to put him to some regular practice for his spiritual progress.

The story from Satcharita goes as follows;

One day, in the masjid, there was a Ramdasi Bua. It was his regular practice to read the Ramayana. Early morning, after doing his ablutions, taking his bath and doing the Sandhya after applying the sacred ashes and wearing ochre robes, he sat at a fixed place to read.

He read the Vishnusahasranama and Adhyatma Ramayan6, thereafter. He read these books often and often. Madhavrao’s services had borne fruit. It was time now to put him into some regular practice and give him some prasad of the path of devotion, so that he would get relief in the worldly life. When Baba thought like this, he called the Ramdasi near him and said: “I have a shooting pain in my stomach. It is as if the intestines are tearing apart. Go, this pain in the stomach is not abating. Quickly bring some senna pods. Unless I take some small quantity, this vexing ache will not stop.”

After he left the Masjid, Baba took Vishnusahasranama book and gave it to Madhavrao (Shyama). Baba then said: “Shyama, you know this pothi. See it is very beneficial. Therefore, I am giving it to you. You should read it. Once I suffered intensely. My heart began to palpitate. I was restless and I had no hope for myself. Shyama what can I tell you of that experience? How that book proved useful! This life was saved by it. I hugged it to my heart for a while and immediately felt relief. It seemed as if Allah himself had come down and this life was saved by it. Therefore Shyama take it with you. Read it gradually. Every day, take one or two words. It will give you great joy.” Shama said: “I do not want it. The Ramdasi will be furious with me and he will say that I have behind his back, done this wrong. As it is, he is half-crazy, irascible, ill-tempered and ever complaining. Why, unnecessarily, pick up this quarrel with him? I do not want this annoyance. Besides, the pothi is in Sanskrit. My speech is crude and rustic. My tongue cannot twist round these joined words. I cannot pronounce them clearly”. Seeing all Baba’s actions, Shyama thought that Baba wanted to set him up against the Ramdasi but he had no idea of Baba’s heart-felt concern for him.

That Ramadasi returned soon bringing the senna-pods medicine. And found out what happened. The Ramdasi was, as it is, ill-tempered. Moreover, he had suspicions about Madhavrao. He said: “He made Baba the intermediary to snatch away my book”. He launched a vicious verbal attack on Madhavrao. His violent anger was uncontrollable and he showered a lot of abusive language on him. “The stomach ache was just a pretext. It was you who instigated Baba. You had an eye on my book. I will not tolerate it. I am a fearless Ramdasi, as my name itself suggests. If you do not return the book without creating any problems, I will dash my head in front of you and scatter my blood profusely. You coveted my book, planned out this insidious drama, and putting the whole blame on Baba, kept yourself aloof”. Madhavrao tried his best to make him understand but the Ramdasi would not be pacified.

Then listen to what Madhavrao said very calmly. “Do not falsely accuse me of being deceitful. Why are you fussing so much about that book of yours? It is not a rarity. Is your book decorated with gold and studded with gems? If you don’t have faith in Baba, despicable is your existence”.

Seeing the Ramdasi’s insistence, Baba very sweetly said to him: “Oh, Ramdasi, what is the problem? Why are you unnecessarily distressed?

Is not Shyama our lad? Why do you quarrel loudly and vehemently, for no reason creating a scene? Why are you always ready to fight? Can you not speak soft and sweet words? Though you read these books regularly, your mind is still impure.

Every day you read the Adhyatma Ramayan and recite the Sahasranama. Yet you have not discarded your passions which are uncontrolled. And you call yourself a Ramdasi! What kind of a Ramdasi are you? You should be absolutely detached; but you are not able to overcome your intense desire to possess the book. What name can be given for this behavior? A true Ramdasi should have no attachment but look at the young and old with equality. You are harboring enmity for this boy and coming to blows for this book! Go and sit in your place. Books can be had in plenty for money but not men, till the end of time. Remember this well. Shyama has no knowledge about the worth of your book. I picked it up, on my own and gave it to him myself. You know the book by heart. I thought of giving it to Shyama who will read it, repeatedly recite it and obtain the utmost benefit”.

Ramdasi realized the situation. Yet he said to Madhavrao with anger: “Instead of this book, I will take Panch-ratni Gita from you. I am telling you clearly now”. Madhavrao was pleased that the Ramdasi was pacified. “Why one, I will give you ten copies of the Gita,        instead.” Be it so. The dispute was thus resolved. The Gita was accepted as security.

But why did a man unacquainted with the deity in the Gita demand it?

One who constantly read the Adhyatma Ramayan in front of Sai, why should that Ramdasi be rude to Baba and quarrel right in front of him?

Later on, Shyama’s faith was developed. Dixit and Narke taught him to pronounce the words correctly, by repeating and conning them over and over again and to know their meanings. He learnt the book by heart.

Here Baba gave us an important lesson and told us about the greatness of Vishnu Sahasranama.  

Baba said that he will tie the necklace of this Vishnusahasranama around Shyama’s neck to free him from the miseries of the worldly existence by giving him a fondness for reciting it.

God’s Name can break down mountains of sin.

The Lord’s Name breaks the shackles of the body.

God’s Name pulls out millions of ill desires from their roots.

God’s Name humbles the pride of death and ends the cycle of birth and death.

The Lord’s Name chanted with full intent is very effective but even an unintentional pronouncement can be beneficial. Its power is manifested even when it is uttered unawares.

For the purification of the Inner Self there is not another simpler means than chanting the Lord’s Name.

The Lord’s Name is the adornment of the tongue.

The Lord’s Name sustains spirituality.

It is not necessary to have a bath to say the Lord’s Name.

Taking the Lord’s Name is not regulated by the rules of the Shastras (Scriptures).

The Lord’s Name destroys all sins.

The Lord’s Name is always pure.

The continuous chanting of My Name itself will ferry you across the ocean of existence. No other means are necessary to achieve salvation.

Whoever frequently repeats My Name, his sins will be burnt. I consider him more virtuous than the virtuous, whoever constantly hums my name’.

  

Shyama’s Life after Baba’s Mahasamadhi:

After Baba's Mahasamadhi, Shyama was asked to manage the Dixit wada. He was looking after the welfare of the devotees and resided in Dixit wada itself. After the formation of Sai Sansthan Committee, the Committee demanded agreement from him for his residence in Dixit wada. Shyama first refused. But later, Shri S. B. Dhumal and Shri B. V. Dec intervened and Madhava Rao gave the agreement.

After some days, the committee had vacated Shyama from his residence in Dixit Wada. Whne he was leaving, he took Baba's silver Padukas, Baba's Photos etc. to his house from Dixit wada. After knowing this, the Committee asked Madhava Rao to hand over the above articles of Baba to the Sansthan. He refused to give it to them. He told them that Baba gave it to him with love and he cannot return them. But Shri S. B, Dhumal went to his house with a big procession of bhajan, band etc. On seeing this procession Madhava Rao handed over all the above articles of Baba to Shri S. B. Dhumal. These Baba's Padukas were placed before Baba's Photo in Dwarakamayee wherein millions of devotees are taking darshan these Padu­kas. In a similar way other articles were also preserved.

Shyama then lived in his home and used to worship Baba. He shared his experiences with visitors. He also had some udi which was given to him directly by Baba. He used to give it to people and helped them in difficulties. He lived in Shirdi until he died in April of 1940.   

OM SAI RAM!