Sainath is an ocean of mercy. He will protect his devotees and make them walk towards the goal of human life. He is always with us. Dixit was no exception. Until now Dixit proved his faith (Shradda) and devotion towards Baba. He did not even care about his own ego so called image when Baba asked him to kill the goat. If a seeker has to reach new heights in spiritual realm, he or she has to understand death also. Baba is trying to teach all of us that death is not a scary and monstrous thing. Here in the next story Baba is using Dixit to teach us this reality.
Death of an old lady’s son:
Once there was a lady whose son was bitten by a snake and he is about to die. She brings him to Baba and asks him to save him by giving some Udi (Sacred ash). But Baba refuses to give. She starts crying and leaves Dwarakamai. As soon as she leaves the premises her son dies. She brings the dead body and starts weeping with a heavy heart. Watching all this Dixit says, “Baba can you please do some justice to her and save her son”. Then Baba says, “Kaka don’t get entangled in this and whatever happened is good for her son. He is going to do amazing and great things in his new body, which he can not do in this body”. These were enthralling words that Baba spoke about death.
Death of Dixit’s daughter:
We all know that Baba saved his daughter (Vatsali) once in the past. But this story is an eye opener. Once Vatsali was in Shirdi with her father and had a fever. Fever was not subsiding and her situation became critical. Baba appears in her dream and says, “ Why are you here, come and sleep under neem tree”. Next day Baba asks Shyama whether Dixit’s daughter is dead or not. Then Shyama says, “Deva why you say those kind of
words”. Then the word comes out that his daughter did die. Dixit comes to Baba with Bhavartha Ramayana in his hand. Baba takes this book and opens a page and asks Dixit to read. That chapter is about a discourse Rama gives to Tara after Wali was killed. Baba exactly takes this page so that Dixit can understand this teaching about death and life. Dixit knows that he can trust Baba and he did not even talk about his daughter’s death.
Here Baba told Vatsali in her dream to come and sleep under neem tree, which means to come and join him. Baba later told Dixit about Vatsali that she was a special soul. She had to finish her remaining karma as a child and that’s why she died early. She attained salvation. For her to leave this body is a good thing. Baba taught so many intricacies and made Dixit experience the reality of life that is death. This helps any seeker to progress in their quest for higher meaning in their lives.
Baba guiding Dixit’s penance:
If our mind can not withdraw from worldly distractions and we do not have love towards God; what could be worse? We can say that we have real devotion when all organs of action, senses and other human aspects of life converging as one and be able to love god. What is the use if this devotion does not exist and still we do sit in front of Sai? A real devotee should not tolerate the separation from Sai even for a minute. If we can not get rid of intense passion towards worldly objects, how can we increase our love towards God? Parents might love their children, progeny will expect your material belongings, and wife wants the stability in life and in her family. But no one helps you in the quest for salvation. Then who can help us? If we can not help ourselves no body will. We have to cut down the expectations from other people, and start showing self confidence. We need to examine ourselves and this is the only path to freedom. We are in bondage and we have to realize the intensity of this maze. Guru is the ultimate answer and by reciting Guru’s name we will achieve this goal. We will be able to see God in all creatures.
Once Dixit was reading about Navanatha’s devotion in Bhagavat Puran and expressed to the people there that their mindset and will power is hard to fathom. He also says, “How difficult is this Bhakti (Devotion path) marga and for ignorant people like us it is even more difficult. This could not be achieved even in multiple lives. We are all sinners and these Navanathas are special souls. Then Shyama did not like the melancholy expressed
9 months Penance:
After 1912, Dixit almost gave up his worldly activities and spent most of the time in Shirdi. Once Baba asked him to stay in Dixit wada and start special penance. He told him to not come near Dwarakamai also. He said there are crowds and there is no solitude so stay in wada itself. Dixit was worried that he will not be able to see Sai and participate in his arathi. Then Shyama intervenes and gets permission to attend Afternoon and Shej arathis. In Dixit wada, Baba never allowed any females in upstairs quarters. Dixit’s wife visits him during this 9 months penance. Baba would not give permission to her also. Baba reassures his wife and sends her back home. Dixit’s daily routine was as follows; he read Eknath Bhagavat during day time and Bhavartha Ramayana in the night. Most of the time, he was doing meditation on Sai. Baba guided him time and time again to read different chapters and through his meditation. Dixit followed strict celibacy and followed Sai for 9 months. With this penance Dixit was able to attain new heights in spiritual world and progressed well in this path.
Here we can think that Dixit was so blessed to be guided by Sai. But lot of devotees had this opportunity but only Dixit came forward to forego his worldly activities and really wanted to change. If we can desire with same intensity, Baba will definitely guide us. If we have Shradda and Sabhuri (Faith & Patience), nothing is impossible.
Spiritual experiences and visions:
Vision of Siva Linga:
Once a Ramadasi Bhakta came to Shirdi and gave Baba a Siva Linga. At the same time, Megha came there and prostrated in front of Baba. Then Baba said “Megha look Shankara came and you have to take care of him from now on”. Megha was so excited and became ecstatic. Exactly at the same time Dixit had an extraordinary experience. He took shower and started doing Hari Nama Smarana (Praying Lord Vishnu). Then he started doing Sai chanting and sees a vision of Siva Linga. He wonders why he saw Siva Linga while doing Hari Nama smarana. Then Megha comes and shows him the Siva Linga that was given by Baba. That was the same Siva Linga that Dixit just saw in his vision. Later after Megha’s death, this Siva Linga was placed at Guru Sthan under Neem tree.
Vittal Darshan (vision):
Once Dixit took a shower and sat for meditation. He then sees Lord Vittal in his meditation. After that he went to see Baba. Baba immediately says, “Vittal Patil came to you. Did you meet him? But be careful, don’t let him go. He is very fluid and slips away easily”. Then Dixit goes to his wada. There comes a person selling Lord Vittal’s photo frames. One of the pictures resembled exactly the same as he saw in his vision. He remembers Baba’s words, immediately buys that picture. He keeps that in his pooja mandir (Altar).
Baba gave so many experiences to Dixit and advanced him in the spiritual path. Sai will always protect us if we show faith and patience.
OM SAI RAM!
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