Hemadpant:

We as human beings have different paths to attain salvation but the goal is only one. The scriptures say that we attained this human form after so many past lives as different organisms. The scriptures also say that we have to take advantage of this opportunity. The supreme God himself came as Guru several times. Learning, reading about Guru and following Guru is one of the best methods to reach that goal. Those books about Guru helped so many people in the process and changed the lives of others. One such example is Sai Satcharita where Sai chose Hemadpant to write his story. Hemadpant’s past deeds helped him to be in that situation. Sai devotees saw the benefit of reading the Satcharita but people can imagine how blessed Hemadpant for writing this. Not only we have to do parayana (study) of these books but donate them to other people when possible. We spend so much money on our needs and luxuries, but this well spent money will accompany you as your good deed. Sri Sai Satcharita is not only a great book but also a way of life. We read several spiritual books, but Sri Sai Satcharita gives you methods to follow these scriptures. Baba was never about theory that much but he will provide you the experience.

Birth, family and Job details:

His full name is Anna Saheb Dabolkar. He was born in 1859 in Thana district. He belongs to Arya Gowda Brahmin family. His father, grand father and other family members were very pious and very spiritual family. He had his primary education in his own village. He studied up to 5^th standard (English) in Poona. Due to his poverty, he could not continue his school and had to take a job. He joined as a school teacher in his own village. Because of his extraordinary abilities, he was given a job as village officer. He worked hard and impressed every one in the higher ranks. He became well versed in English and Marathi. Then he becomes a clerk in the government and climbs the ladder up to retire as magistrate. How many people can do this kind of Herculean task with out proper education? He was married with one son and 5 daughters. They say that every one was in good situation and did not have many difficulties due to Sai’s grace.

Obstacles to first meeting with Sai:

 Some of us have more of Rajo guna (passion) when compared to other qualities in life. We want to reach to new heights in our goals and attain lots of success in our lives. When we do routine things in our lives, ego peeks out when ever possible. We go through feelings like “I did this with my own hands” and several other thoughts like that. In case of Hemadpant, he is no ordinary man. He became a Magistrate with out relevant higher education. These qualities might have created an obstruction for his first meeting with Sai. Only Sai will know the real reasons.

Hemadpant was definitely blessed to have the company of Sai devotees like Dixit and Nana Chandorkar. Dixit and Nana both told him several times about the greatness of Sai but Hemadpant was not convinced. Finally he agrees to go and see Baba at Shirdi. At the same time, one of his best friends son became ill. They tried every thing to save him and finally they take him to his friend’s Guru. His son dies there. Then Hemadpant thinks that it is of no use to go to a Guru. After Dixit and Nana’s intervention, he decided to try again. This time Dixit’s daughter dies in Shirdi itself. He feels that even Baba could not save her and what good is to have a Guru. He drops the idea of going to Shirdi.

The past impressions that we have are not just from one life but for so many past lives. We become slaves to these impressions. We think we are doing every thing in life perfectly but ego is hiding behind all the time. This will deceive us. There is so much passion (Rajo Guna) in some of the tasks and this quality creates obstacles in the path. You are running away from Guru’s grace with out your knowledge. We have to humble and surrender to higher power, only then you will get a step closer to this goal. Some times Guru wants to pull us from these problems but we become stubborn. We do not let Guru do his work. We make mistake after mistake. This rigidity and ignorance becomes a wall. Hemadpant was very pious and righteous. He was reading all kinds of scriptures and trying to live a meaningful life. He also read Guru Charitra several times but could not grasp the gist of the scripture yet.

Then third time was a charm. When Nana happened to come to Bombay and had some free time. They both met. Nana confronted Hemadpant about his inability and resistance to meet Baba. Here he reminds him of their pledge to meet a great guru and let others know when they meet one. Hemadpant told Nana that he felt that Guru could not do any thing when Dixit’s and other friend’s children died. Then Nana told him that Baba is different. He mentions all his experiences and all the Baba’s miracles. First of all we need to advance in spiritual life and Baba is the best Guru. When you are in presence of Baba you will feel some kind of peace.  Nana tells him that he should not hesitate this time and visit Baba some how. This was also Baba’s miracle to persuade Hemadpant.

First Meeting with Baba:

To have company of great people is not pure luck; you should have accumulated enough good deeds. Hemadpant after talking to Nana Saheb Chandorkar, was convinced this time. This time Baba himself is calling him so he can not avoid. Baba always says that no body can visit him with out his will. Hemadpant wanted to go to Dadar from Bombay and catch Manmad mail (train service). He took a ticket to Dadar. But he did not know that this train does not stop at Dadar. Then one Fakir came and asked where he is going. Then hemadpant tells him the details. He advises him to go to Bori bandhar. He follows this advise and was able to reach Shirdi with out any difficulty. This Fakir was no one other than Sai himself. But we can not recognize Guru when we are not vigilant. This was kind of first meeting but Hemad does not know that it was Sai.

Hemad reaches Shirdi where kaka Sahheb Dixit was waiting for him. This was in the year 1910. Then they only had Sathe wada to reside for visitors. After he got down from Tanga (horse carriage) he could not wait to see Baba. Tatya Saheb Noolkar came and told them that Baba was on his way to Masjid. He should go quickly and have a darshan (Vision) of Baba. Hemad runs immediately and falls on Baba’s feet. Hemadpant describes his feelings at his first meeting as follows;

My joy knew no bounds.  What I actually saw far exceeded what Nanasaheb had told me. I considered myself blessed. My eyes were fulfilled. I had never heard of nor seen such a personality. I experienced the gratification of seeing a much revered person. I lost my hunger and thirst. My senses stood still. By the touch of Sai’s feet, I achieved the highest plenitude of my life. A new life began thence. To those, through whom I attained this saintly association, I am entirely and inviolately under their obligation. Every fiber of my being was filled with joy. They are my real kith and kin, because of whom I attained the supreme spiritual riches. Beyond them there are no closer relations. This is what I believe in my heart of hearts. What a great obligation. I am unable to requite it. Therefore, I fold my hands to them and lay my head at their feet. I got the benefit of Sai’s darshan and all the doubts in my mind vanished. Moreover, I came in touch with Sai. It was exceeding joy that I experienced. Sai darshan is an exceptional experience. The whole nature changes with it. The memories of past deeds disappear and slowly a dislike develops for worldly pleasures. The sins accumulated from many past lives were destroyed by the benevolent glance. Hope awakened of unending joy being received at Sai’s feet. By my good fortune I reached Sai’s feet, which are as holy as the Lake Manas, which will transform a crow like me into a swan. Sai is a great ‘mahant’, foremost amongst saints, ascetic of highest order and a great yogi. He is the destroyer of sins, difficulties and miseries. By the darshan of such a person as Sai, I am greatly blessed by coming into contact with the treasure house of virtue. My meeting with Sai Maharaj is the outcome of the good deeds of all my previous births. If the eyes are filled with the form of Sai, then the whole world takes the form of Sai.

He narrated his blissful experience so beautifully. This is possible only with Sai’s grace. We all have to thrive for this kind of experience and ask Baba to give us this kind of experience. To have this we have to have eligibility. What did he ask us? Shradda and Sabhuri (Faith and Patience). We have to invite these two great qualities in to our lives. When we see Baba or when we go to Shirdi, we have to believe that he is in front of you and have complete faith in him. Then Baba will definitely shower his grace.

Baba giving the name "Hemadpant" to Anna Saheb Dabholkar:

Once Guru enters our life, our attitude and the way we live our life will change. Hemadpant will also experience this kind of feeling from now on. He went to his lodging (wada) after he visited Baba. After taking shower, they started having a discussion about necessity of a Guru. Balasheb Bhate was telling the groups that we need Guru in our lives and with out which the path of spirituality is difficult. Hemadpant arugued that self effort is so essential with out which even Guru can not do much. The arguments went back and forth and they became heated discussions. Then they could not decide either way. They all went to Dwarakamai. Baba immediately asked them about these discussions. Hemadpant was surprised that Baba knew about the discussions and they are not even close to the masjid. Why all these discussions? What this Hemadpant is saying? That was the first time this name was used. Hemadpant name was given by Baba to Anna Shaeb Dabolkar. Hemadpant realized why he was called by that name and wanted to control his passion. He also wanted to channel his ego properly. As long is this name is there, I will be reminded to be humble.

How to apply this in our life:

The same issue we also can apply in our daily life. We are slaves to our ego. In this universe there is no place for unnecessary arguments. We might feel that truth is what we speak. The past impressions from this life and past lives will dictate our thinking and ideology. These thoughts will always try to change our world around us and in the process we suffer. We can not change every thing every thing around us. This truth will be revealed to us when we have Guru’s blessing. That’s the reason why even supreme God when he takes life, he took the shelter of a Guru. Lord Krishna took Sandipa Maharshi as his Guru, and Rama‘s Guru was Vashista Maharshi and they became rolemodels for the humans. In Yoga Vashistam it was emphasized that self effort is also essential. We have to work hard and Guru will not do every thing. We have to take some crucial decisions about our life and how we want to live. Other wise path is not easy.

Baba dragged Hemadpant to Shirdi so that he can extract the best out of him. This diamond has to be cut properly so that it can shine beautifully. The great Gurus can see through clearly what are the major obstructions in the life of a seeker. The seeker might not realize these hurdles by themselves. If they are not corrected, the seeker will sink to the new lows. Baba made his devotees stay in the family life and still was able to bring changes in them. He did not suggest renunciation. In a similar way he rescued Hemadpant. We have to take care of inner enemies.

Baba sending Hemadpant to Shyama's house:

A great business man by name Sathe lost every thing in his life. He became distressed and despondent about his situation. Some one suggested to him that if he goes to Shirdi he might feel better. He came and visited Baba, started reading Guru Charitra (Scripture). After seven days, he saw Baba in his dream and Baba was explaining the scripture that he was reading. He came and told Dixit about the dream and Hemadpant was also there. Hemadpant then felt in his mind that he read this scripture several times and Baba never appeared in his dream. He felt sorry for himself. Baba realized this and told him to go to Shyama’s house. He was supposed to ask for rupees 15 as Dakshina (offering) and stay with him little while to talk. Baba taught so many things by just sending him to Shyama.

Usually Hemadpant reads his daily scripture but he did not read that day. When he went to Shyama’s house, Shyama was busy and asked him to make himself comfortable. Then he saw Bhagavata scripture and opened the book. He exactly opens where he stopped earlier. He was surprised by this. Baba is teaching here that we need to have dedication in what ever we do. Our mind should not control us. Then Shyama talks about the story of Radhabai Deshmukh. Hemadpant goes and repeats the story to Baba during the afternoon arathi time. Then Sai gives a discourse which goes as follows. 

Teachings behind Radhabai Deshmukh story:

Then Baba said, 'Wonderful is the story. Did the story strike you, and did you catch its significance?' Anna Saheb said, 'Yes. The restlessness of my mind has vanished. I have got true peace and come to know the true path'. 

Then Baba said, 'My method is quite unique. Remember well this one story, and it will be very useful. To get knowledge (realisation) of the self, dhyana (meditation) is necessary. If you practise it continuously, the vrinis (thoughts) will be pacified. 

Being quite desireless, you should meditate on the Lord who is in all the creatures, and when the mind is concentrated, the goal will be achieved. 

Meditate always on my formless nature, which is Knowledge Incarnate, Consciousness and Bliss. If you cannot do this, meditate on my form from top to toe as you see here night and day. As you go on doing this, your vrittis will be one-pointed and the distinction between the dhyata (meditator), dhyana (act of meditation) dhyeya (thing meditated upon) will be lost, and the meditator will be one with the consciousness and be merged in Brahman. 

The mother tortoise is on one bank of the river and her young ones are on the other side. She gives neither milk nor warmth to them. The mere glance gives them nutrition. The young ones do nothing but remember (meditate upon) their mother. The tortoise glance is, to the young ones, a downpour of nectar, the only source of sustenance and happiness. Similar is the relation between the Guru 'and disciples.' 

Baba gave him sugarcandy and said, 'If you take this story to heart, remember it well, your state will be equally sweet. Your desires will be fulfilled and you will be happy. Meditate on the story; assimilate its spirit; then you will always remember and meditate on the Lord who will manifest himself to you.'

Great Gurus will teach us so many things but if we can not relate them to our daily life there is no use. By giving Radhabai Deshmukh story Baba gave us two great things in the form of Faith and patience. Even if we know different Upanishads, what is the use; if we can not change our lives and get rid of ignorance?

Preparing Hemadpant to write Sai Satcharita

Here Baba is trying to help Hemadpant and teach how to deal with the inner enemies, so that he can be purified. He was preparing him for future endeavors. Here he gave an intense discourse.

“Without having an association from some earlier life, no one, not just human beings but even animals and birds, come across one another. Therefore, do not rebuff any one.

Respect the strangers who come to your doorstep. Offer water to the thirsty, give bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked and some space to rest in your verandah to the needy. This will please the Lord. If anybody is in need of money and you are not desirous of giving, do not give; but at least, don’t behave in an insulting manner and bark like a dog at him.

Anyone may call you names in a hundred ways, never retort with bitterness. Tolerate it with patience. You will gain tremendous happiness. Even if the world turns topsy-turvy, you should remain still. Be steadfast and observe passively.

Break down the wall between you and me. Then the way to approach each other will be clear and there will be no fear. The sense of duality between you and me is the wall between the Guru and the disciple. Till this wall is not completely demolished, the state of oneness is impossible to achieve.

‘Allah is the Master. Allah is the Master.’ There is no other protector than Him. His deeds are divine, invaluable and incomprehensible. It will be what He wills. He alone will show the path. When the time comes, without a moment’s delay, the wish will be granted.

People meet as destiny decides. We come together because of good fortune. We should, therefore nurture affection for each other and enjoy happiness and serenity. Who is immortal here? Blessed is he who has attained the supreme goal of life. Others only breathe to remain alive”.

When I heard these sacred words, my anxious mind was put to rest. My thirst was quenched. I was blissfully happy. One may possess incomparable intellect and also firm faith. But to have the support of a Guru like Sai, one’s luck must be in favor.

These are Baba’s sayings or charters. Whoever will accept these words as the truth, he will enjoy the mine of happiness in this world as well as the world beyond.  

A devotee should surrender unconditionally and observe the remarkable results of devotion. Each day will unfold a new miraculous deed of Sai. Be it so. 

If a good thought comes to your mind immediately on waking up in the morning, you should foster it. If such a thought continues to prosper, it will bring contentment, sharpen the intellect and please the mind.

Pledge to write about Great Sai:

After meeting Sai Maharaj, Hemadpant felt indescribable feeling with utmost mental peace. Baba knows our personalities and who should do what kind of service. In December of 1911 Hemadpant came to Shirdi again and he was unaware of the sweetness of this journey. Baba knows that this is the time to rescue all his devotees and world. At the same time Shirdi and other part of the country was worried about cholera. Hemadpant goes to Dwarakamai to see Baba. Baba was in front of a hand mill to grind wheat. When he was grinding the wheat, Hemadpant was going through some kind of special feeling.

By writing stories of great saints or even to talk about their holyness will dispel our ignorance. Lord will free us from worldly sufferings. Who ever resorts to Sai’s feet, will definitely reach their goals. These memorable thoughts made Hemadpant to take a pledge to write Sai’s story and his teachings. From this ocean of indescribable feelings, came the nectar of Sri Sai Satcharita.

Hemadpant did not tell any one about his intentions to write the story of Sai. After 5 years in 1916, he decided to put his thought to action. He took the help of Shyama to get permission from Baba. He starts this in 1917 and by 1918 October (Sai Mahasamadhi), he finished only 2 chapters. By 1929 he wrote 52 chapters. He declared that Sai himself was the writer and he was just an instrument. It was incredible that this Sree Sai Samartha’s Charita should have been written at my hands! If it had not been for Sai’s Grace, it would have been impossible for an insignificant person like me. My association with him was not of long standing. I had not the experience to know neither saints nor the discerning capacity. Moreover, I was always doubting and an unbeliever. I had never worshipped anyone exclusively and with singular devotion; I had never sat even for a moment to do ‘bhajans’. By getting his life story written at the hands of such a person, he demonstrated what he could do to the people.

In order to fulfill his own words, Sai himself reminds me about the incidents for this book and accomplishes his own aims. ‘Hemad’ is used only for name’s sake. Can a mosquito lift the Meru Mountain? Or can a lapwing empty out the ocean? But when the Sadguru’s support is there, the miraculous can happen.

Hemadpant’s life after Baba’s Mahasamadhi: 

Hemad retired from government service in 1916 and became immersed in Sai service. He was writing the Sri Sai Satcharita from his house which he built in 1912. His discipline was incredible. He was very pious and studying scriptures every day. In the morning he will recite Guru charitra and Vishnu Sahasranama. He loved to read Eknath Bhagavat. He was also involved in Sai Sansthan related issues and take part in Sai leela masik (magazine). He was very humble and did not turn any one down when some one came to meet him. He was caring and loving in his nature. He helped lot of poor students for their education. 

Even though he remained in worldly life, he was fully devoted and was able to give up every thing in his mind. On July 15^th 1929 he left his mortal body at his own house. His death was so peaceful, and it can only happen to great saints.

We are blessed to read about him and this can happen only if we have the blessing of our Great Sai Maharaj.

OM SAI RAM!