Sunday 11 March 2012
Sri Sai Babas Messages to M.K.Spencer .
Evil has no rigid place in God's universe.
Life is a tussle between a tear and a smile. Don't think of your tears but wipe the tears of others. Forget your own sorrow but ever keep in mind the suffering of others. Kiss those who kick you, love those who hate you. Sweeten the path of sorrow with the warmth of your heart, the fire of your soul, the kiss of your spirit. Why fume and fret and be frustrated ? Every load you carry, every harsh word you hear, the taunts and sallies of your wicked world - they are tour friends, not foes, for they redeem your soul and take you to God. Forget the evil doer and forgive him. Let not the fire of hatred burn in your heart. Replace it with the warmth of your love.
Be gentle as a dove, but stiff as a rhinoceros, when, you come to bay in your fight against unrighteousness. Forgive the evil doer but annihilate evil with the sledge hammer of virtue and piety. Be an angel in the garb of man and spread God's love and light with all the fire of your soul and spirit. Virtue shall triumph for it is the will of God. Evil shall be annihilated for it has no rigid place in the evolution of God's universe.
(5—11—1952)
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‘Sai Nath Daya Karke... by Rohit Pathak
1. ‘Sai Nath Daya Karke…’ from Album ‘Sai Sun Lo Meri Fariyaad’, written & sung by Rohit Pathak
Oh... Baba Ji...!! What a Great feelings of your Devotees...!! Baba, please bless us All... You know, we all are nothing without you... Please come & bless us with your blissful Darshan... Please come & hold our hands in your hands... Come & hug us... We all are your small children... :)
Sai Nath Daya Karke… Mujhe Daras Dikha Dena…
Sai Nath Daya Karke… Mujhe Daras Dikha Dena…
Sai Nath Daya Karke… Mujhe Daras Dikha Dena…
In Pyasi Aankhon Ki… Sai Pyas Bujha Dena…
In Pyasi Aankhon Ki… Sai Pyas Bujha Dena…
Sai Nath Daya Karke… Mujhe Daras Dikha Dena…
Tumhe Kaise Bataun Mein… Is Dil Ki Tadap Baba…
Tumhe Kaise Bataun Mein… Is Dil Ki Tadap Baba…
Tumhe Dhoondhta Rehta Hoon… Har Pal Har Chhan Baba…
Tumhe Dhoondhta Rehta Hoon… Har Pal Har Chhan Baba…
Kis Mod Miloge Tum… Kis Mod Miloge Tum… Bas Itna Bata Dena…
Kis Mod Miloge Tum… Bas Itna Bata Dena…
Sai Nath Daya Karke Mujhe Daras Dikha Dena…
Teri Yaad Mein Gaata Hoon… Aawaz Lagata Hoon…
Teri Yaad Mein Gaata Hoon… Aawaz Lagata Hoon…
Kab Aaoge Sai… Tumhe Ro Ro Bulata Hoon…
Kab Aaoge Sai… Tumhe Ro Ro Bulata Hoon…
Ab Tootne Wali Hai… Ab Tootne Wali Hai… Umeeid Bacha Lena…
Ab Tootne Wali Hai… Umeed Bacha Lena…
Sai Nath Daya Karke Mujhe Daras Dikha Dena…
Tum Bin Ye Jeevan To… Ek Bojh Sa Lagta Hai…
Tum Bin Ye Jeevan To… Ek Bojh Sa Lagta Hai…
Ise Kaise Gujarun Main… Kat-ta Hai Na Mit-ta Hai…
Ise Kaise Gujarun Main… Kat-ta Hai Na Mit-ta Hai…
Ya Saamne Aa Jao… Ya Saamne Aa Jao… Ya Mujhe Bula Lena…
Ya Saamne Aa Jao… Ya Mujhe Bula Lena…
Sai Nath Daya Karke… Mujhe Daras Dikha Dena…
Sai Nath Daya Karke… Mujhe Daras Dikha Dena…
Sri Sai Babas Messages to M.K.Spencer .
From darkness into light.
Man is a weary traveller on the earth plane. There s a load at his back and his mind is shrouded with thoughts of fear and frustration. Footsore and heartsore, he drags on, for he knows not his destiny. Bound in gnorance, he makes self his God and worsens his lot as he treks his way in the wilderness of dried and frustrated designs- Selfishness and sin into an endless chain of misery and suffering. Caught in the snare of maya, he loses sight of the Reality and sinks deeper and deeper into the pit of moral degradation. It is only when the sting of conscience bites him and remorse takes hold of him, he seeks freedom from this enslavement. Remorse and repentance open to him a new way to life. Behold,. his ways are changed. There is no more the cloud of darkness on his face. ;He awakens to a new consciousness. He is seized with a new force. It is the force of the spirit, which the sting of conscience has awakened and liberated. No longer a weary traveller, but a bright soldier, he forces his way and knows the destined goal that awaits him.
Not sin but virtue, not self but selflessness, not. desire but desirelessness, not pride but egolessness, not greed but renunciation, he knows now, as constituting his armour in the battle of life. Fortified in this manner, with burning love and devotion for God, he seeks the path of spiritual victory. He vanquishes his foe by self-masterv and wins the goal—God's own Kingdom of Light and Eternal BLISS-
(4-11—1952)
Sri Sai Babas Messages to M.K.Spencer .
SAI BABA’S
MESSAGES
TO YOGI M.K.SPENCER
(Extracts from the article of Pujya Sri C.S.Ramaswamy ‘THOUGHTS OF SRI SAI BABA AND UPASANA – Page 32 of Ist World Sai Convention Souvenir 1971)
Baba's way of transforming the Human to the' Divine is unique. He attracts ARTHAS (people in distress) ameliorates their suffering, kindles the spark of devotion aid then fans it into the flame, gives spiritual lessons in Mysterious ways. MINOCHEK.SPENCER, Parsee, a seeker of truth, used to receive instructions from a departed Saint RISHI RAM RAM. The Rishi one day revealed himself to Spencer and told him “I, have taken you so far. But for further guidance you must pray to BABA’. This Sadhaka has left a book entitled " HOW I FOUND GOD" and there narrates about the daily lessons .that he took from Baba who used to appear to the devotee in ASTRAL BODY.
From 3rd November 1952 to 18th February 1953, Sai Baba gave discourses to me in the altar room and they were written down, word by word, as I heard them, without making any change in compliance with His command. These discourses, it will be seen, embody exoteric and esoteric teachings of all "the prophets,—Zoroaster, Krishna, Buddha, Moses, Christ and Muhammad and the experiences of saints and sages, in all the countries of the world, from the most ancient time to date.
Religion is a matter of the heart. It has to be lived and transcended. The discourses, in the beautiful and lucid language, as dictated by Sai Baba contain so much of exoteric and esoteric material in them, that they should make a wide range of appeal, even though the truths adumbrated are as old as the hills and there may be nothing new or novel in them.
Discourse No. (1)
In the stilly silence of the Night.
The stars are shining. The sky is clear. The sea is murmuring, as its waters ebb and flow in rhythmic motion. There is deep silence, stealing its way and casting its mantle on the whole panorama of Nature hushed in sleep and rest. There is glamour in the landscape ; there is beauty in the moon, as it rises in all its glory and freshness, throwing its pearly radiance all around. In this exquisite quietness of Nature and the stilly silence of the night, what invisible work is being done ? The Alone seeks to greet those, who silently worship Him in the temple of their hearts, enkindling their souls with the fire of His Spirit. Silence is the language of the universe. Seek silence in the silent night and the fire, and flash of His Spirit would girdle you in all their transcendent glory.
(3-11-1952)
PEARLS OF WISDOM by Swami Kesavaiahji
Realising The Divine
Knowing Him who is the origin and dissolution of the universe, the source of all virtues, the destroyer of all sins, the master of all good qualities, the immortal and the abode of universe, as seated in one's own self, He is perceived as different from, and transcending, the tree of Samsara as time and form.
May we realise Him—the transcendent and adorable Master of the universe—who is the Supreme Lord over all the lords, the Supreme God above all the Gods, and the Supreme Ruler over all the Rulers.
He has nothing to achieve for Himself, nor has He any organ of action. No one is equal or superior to Him. His great power alone is described in the Vedas to be of various kinds, and His knowledge and strength and action are described as inherent in Him.
No one in the world is His master, nor has anybody any control over Him. There is no sign by which He can be inferred. He is the cause of all and the ruler of individual souls. He has no parent, nor is there any one who is His Lord.
PEARLS OF WISDOM by Swami Kesavaiahji
Pearls Of Wisdom
Thus spake sri sai baba of shirdi : If a person surrenders himself completely to Me and always remembers Me, his ego is destroyed and the Avidya, nescience, will vanish. He is freed from all worldly taints and maladies in an instant and is assured everlasting joy (bliss).
The mere utterance of My name as ' Sai Sai ' in good faith will remove sins of speech and also those of hearing.
If My stories are listened to with rapt attention and intense faith, one is cured of all diseases of mind and body.
Whatever you do, wherever you are, I am quite aware of everything you do. Bear this in mind always. I will be with you the instant you think of Me and need My help. Fear not.
If a person places his burden on Me and trusts Me in full faith, I bear his burden and protect him.
If a person considers Me his sole refuge withdrawing his mind from all worldly objects and pleasures, he gains Paramartha. He need not fear anything for body or soul. In the abode of My devotees there will be no dearth of food or clothing.
If a person trusts Me and leaves everything to Me, I will never let him fall. I will give My head to save him. I am Bhakta Paradheena—the bonded slave of My devotees.
Why do you fear when I am everywhere? I have to think of My devotees. If a devotee is about to fall, lam bound to protect him. At every step, I have to take care of you. Else, what will happen to you ! God knows.
Trust in the Guru fully and wholeheartedly. Leave off all doubts. That is the only Sadhana. Guru is God. Guru is everything. He is your mother, father, well wisher, relative and true friend. Seeing all as Guru is the highest state and he who feels Him in every creature verily becomes Myself.
All the maladies arise because man does not shed, his ego, feels that his body is everything. It is ego that creates this world with all its transient joys and sorrows. The world is only a combination of different objects perceived by the sense organs. It is the kaleidoscopic effect of one's own mind and cravings of the senses. By self-introspection, one realises the truth about the all-pervading, secondless and Absolute Self and in that realisation the ego is destroyed, the world vanishes and indescribable eternal Bliss and Peace , Suddha Chaitanya, follows. In truth, this is the natural state of the " Self." All other states created by the mind and the senses are illusory and delude the real nature of the " Self." There is no such thing as realising the " Self." What a Guru does is only removal of the veil of ignorance that regards the ego with all its myriad appearances and feelings created by the mind and the senses as the real self. This done, what remains is the Self Absolute, Real and Eternal. It is the Self that existed, that exists and will exist for ever. The Self has no beginning and no end. The Self is formless and is not limited by shape, time or space.
Mind, body and the world have no existence of their own devoid of the "Self." They are like shadows. When there is self-awareness which is pure consciousness, Suddha Chaitanya, all the hallucinations caused by Avidya , ignorance, with the help of the mind, body and the senses on the imaginary screen called the world vanish automatically. The Self is beyond knowledge and ignorance. Knowledge is only a means and not an end by itself-To get over this illusion which is ever perplexing and bewildering, and to cross the miserable and all consuming whirlpool of existence, Samsara, one should get hold of a Guru as a person struggling for life and lost in an unfathomable rough sea catches a raft. Though wave after wave of temptation and delusion may try to upset him, every moment he should steadfastly stick to his Guru as the drowning man hugs the raft without losing his hold on it to save himself. Have firm belief in the Guru.
As long as a mirror is covered with dust and dirt, so long it cannot reflect the Sun. Once the dust and dirt is scrubbed away, the Sun shines forth. Similarly with our mind. As long as it is filled with evil thoughts and insatiable desires, so long it cannot reflect the self within. Once we cleanse our mind of all these ills and keep it pure, calm and serene, wisdom, Gnana, shines forth, exhibiting the real self. He who sees Me in every living creature and with pity feeds every creature, really feeds Me. There is none dearer to Me than he. You should not harm any creature. You should not be harsh to the poor and the forlorn. You should never despise those maimed and suffering from loathsome diseases. See Me in all these. If you do, you have no fear of births and deaths.
Those who are fortunate and whose sins are at an end seek Me and worship Me. No need for any big show or paraphernalia. Let My name —Sai, Sai—be uttered in wholehearted devotion and with a melting heart one-pointed. Your difficulties will vanish in an instant and I shall redeem you from all sins. Believe this.
Anything, however small that is offered to Me with full love and devotion, that I readily accept. Even if the world is offered to Me with pride and sense of ego, that I immediately reject. What I accept is love and not the object offered. Note that I do not accept from all. I have to give back a hundred times more than what I receive.
To attain the highest end, —goal— Dhyana is very important. By deep meditation the Vrittjs—thoughts—are calmed and made one-pointed. Quite desireless and with firm determination, you should meditate on the Lord who is in all creatures. If you cannot meditate on the formless, meditate keeping the Guru before your mind. The mother tortoise by mere glance feeds her young ones. The Guru's glance is nectar supreme for your sustenance, happiness, peace, redemption from Samsara, and everlasting bliss. May you taste this ambrosia sweet and divine waiting for you !
Give water to the thirsty, food to the hungry and clothes to the naked and whatever help you can offer to the sick and the desolate. Never bark like a dog whenever any person approaches you for help. Treat him courteously and with love. See Hari in him. " Allah Malik " i.e. God is our sole refuge. The Divine plan is mysterious, inscrutable and marvellous. Submit to His will. His will be done and if we seek Him in every creature surely He will bless us.
This Dwaraka Mayi (the mosque in Shirdi where Baba lived) is your Mother. Once you enter and sit on Her lap all your anxieties and worries cease and dangers are warded off.
This Mother is all-merciful and extremely kind to her children. That fortunate child who takes delight in resting on Her lap attains bliss.
You should give up the bad habit of eating alone without offering it to others. You should remember the Lord and offer things to Him first before partaking of anything. He who satisfies his senses without offering the object to the Source is asinner.
I am not the five feet body you have been seeing. Though My body may vanish, My bones in the Tomb will ever remain active. Not only Myself but also my Tomb will talk and give solace, hope and cheer to those who seek Me as their sole refuge. This I speak in truth. Believe Me ! I am always with you, though I may not be in the physical body. Grieve not.
I want only two things, Nishta (intense faith) and Saburi (patience). Hari (The Lord) will protect him who has faith and patience.
Oh Shama! take this book—Vishnu Sahasranama—I present it to you. When I suffered intensely once I kept this book close to My heart and I cannot describe how it relieved Me of My pain and suffering. It is a wonderful medicine for all our afflictions and ailments and is very efficacious. So read this with devotion and love, and it will do you good.
What is the use of merely reading sacred works without shedding ‘I’ ness and 'My' ness and without keeping the mind pure and spotless and passions under complete check ? A true devotee should have no Mamata—attachment—but should have Samata —equal vision—towards all beings.
I would never be untrue to My promises. My word and even sacrifice My life to keep it.
Surrender does not mean mere prostration and service to the Guru. It means complete surrender of everything, including the body and mind, with the conviction that the body belongs to the Guru and exists merely to serve Him. Such total surrender, Saranagati, completely devoid of the' ego seme—and overflowing with sincere love and devotion, quickly leads one to attain Brahma Gnana, the key to Kaivalya, Immortality and Bliss. By the Guru's grace, the Timira, ignorance, in the spiritual eye of the devotee is removed and he perceives Divine Light. The Sadguru is Nirguna, Sat, Chit, Ananda in reality. The disciple in essence is of the same nature. But owing to Avidya, ignorance, the disciple is deluded birth after birth. When the Guru's grace at last descends on him, the dark clouds melt away into nothingness and the Radiant Sun, Suddha Chaitanya, shines forth in all its glory and pristine purity. The paths of Gnana and Bhakti lead to the same goal.
Gnana Marga is Ram Phal. Bhakti Marga is Sita Phal. The pulp of the Sita Phal is almost on the surface and can be assimilated quickly, whereas the pulp of Ram Phal is deeper within and is hard to get at.
He who indulges in criticism and slander really injures Me, but he who bears all this with patience and fortitude is extremely dear to Me. If you want My blessing, never injure others even in thought.
There is no need to go far to find Me. I am always in you. Forget your name and form. What remains ? That supreme consciousness is Myself. You see Me in yourself and in all beings. He who loves Me thus and meditates on Me surely comes to Me. This is the truth supreme. In fact, he is really Myself. The whole world without Me is a desert to him who always loves Me. So for your own benefit, leave off Ahamkara and Mamakara, which is the root cause of Ranga and Dwesha see Me who am seated in your heart and in the heart of every being. Blessed be thou !
It is my special characteristic to free any person who surrenders himself completely to Me, who worships Me faithfully and who remembers Me and meditates on Me constantly. I shall draw out My devotees from the jaws of death. If My stories are listened to, all the diseases will be got rid of. So, hear My stories with respect and think and meditate on them, assimilate them. This is the way of happiness and contentment.
If I take one rupee as Dakshina from anybody, I have to return it ten-fold to him. I never take anything gratis. I never ask anyone indiscriminately. I only ask and take from him whom the Fakir (my Guru) points out. If any one is indebted formerly to the Fakir, money is received from him. The donor gives, i.e., sows his seeds, only to reap a rich harvest in future.
Wealth should be the means to work out Dharma. If it is used for personal enjoyment, it is wasted. Unless you have given it before, you do not get now. So the best way to receive is to give. The giving of Dakshina advances Vairagya — non-attachment and thereby Bhakti and Gnana. Give one and receive ten-fold.
He who loves Me most always sees Me. The whole world is desolate to him without Me, he tells no stories but Mine. He ceaselessly meditates upon Me and always chants My name. I feel indebted to him who surrenders himself completely to Me and ever remembers Me. I shall repay his debt by giving him salvation, self-realisation. I am dependent on him who thinks and hungers after Me and who does not eat anything without first offering it to Me. He who thus comes to Me thinks as one with Me, just as the river gets to the sea and becomes merged with it. So leaving out pride and egoism and with no trace of them, you should surrender yourself to Me who am seated in your heart.
If a man utters My name with love, I shall fulfil all his wishes, increase his devotion. It is My special characteristic to free any person who surrenders himself completely to Me and who worships Me faithfully and who remembers Me and meditates on Me constantly. The simple remembrance of My name as Sai, Sai will do away with sins of speech and hearing.
I pledge that I would cross even the seven seas to help those who seek My protection. God runs to help devotees in times of danger.
One has to reap what one sows, and there is no escape unless one suffers and squares up one's old debts and dealings with others. Greed for money drags the greedy man to the lowest level and ultimately brings destruction on him and others.
First give bread to the hungry and then eat yourself. I am roaming in their forms. He who sees Me in all is My beloved.
I have to suffer for My devotees, their difficulties are Mine.
To get self-realization, Dhyana is necessary. Quite desireless, you should meditate on the Lord who is present in all the creatures, and when the mind is thus concentrated and made singularly devoted the goal will be easily reached.
Look at Me wholeheartedly, and I in turn look at you sincerely. He who loves Me most always sees Me. I am dependent on him who thinks and hungers after Me and who does not eat anything without first offering it to Me. I feel indebted to him who surrenders himself completely to Me and ever remembers Me. I shall repay his debt by giving him salvation, self-realisation.
Sai knows fully the desires of His devotees and fulfils them. They get what they want and are grateful. So we invoke Him and prostrate ourselves before Him. Forgetting all our faults, let Him free us from all anxieties. He who, being overcome with all calamities, remembers and prays to Sai thus, will get his mind calmed and purified through His grace.
This ocean of mundane existence is very hard to cross. Waves of infatuation beat high there against the bank of bad thoughts and break down the trees of fortitude. The breeze of egoism blows forcibly and makes the ocean rough and agitated. Crocodiles in the form of anger and hatred move there fearlessly. Eddies in the form of the idea " I and mine " and other doubts whirl there incessantly and innumerable fish in the form of censure, hate and jealousy play there. Though this ocean is so fierce and terrible, Sadguru Sai is its Agasti, destroyer, and the devotees of Sai have not the least fear of it. Our Sadguru is the boat which will safely take us across the ocean.
Hearing the stories of saints is not so difficult as the other Sadhanas. The stories remove all fear of this Samsara and take you on to the spiritual path. So listen to these stories, meditate on them and assimilate them. If this is done, you will become pure and holy. You may attend to your worldly duties, but give your mind to Sai and His stories and then He is sure to bless you. Hearing the stories of the saints is, in a way, keeping their company. The importance of the company of the saints is very great. If you take refuge in the saints wholeheartedly, they will carry you safely across the ocean of worldly existence. It is for this reason that the saints manifest themselves in this world.
Sri Sai Baba of Shirdi is not finite or limited. He dwells even today in all beings. He pervades all and everything. He was well versed in the knowledge of the Vedas, as well as in the science of self-realisation. He came into this world for a specific purpose. He often said : " Let His man (devotee) be at any distance, a thousand koss away from Hjm, he will be drawn to Shirdi like a sparrow with a thread tied to its feet." His assurance is : Where ever you are, whenever you call me, I shall be with you instantly, whenever you need me, fear not. You shall be protected. Though the devotee loses sight of Sai, Sai never loses sight of him. Sai is ever present in everyone of His devotees watching over him and follows him everywhere."
The best course is to surrender our body, speech and mind to the Guru's feet and always chant His name for destroying our sins. This is called complete surrender to the Guru. The only sure sign of this is that our mind gets calm and peaceful. The greatness of this surrender, devotion and knowledge will come in its train. This is axiomatic truth.
PEARLS OF WISDOM by Swami Kesavaiahji
Baba's Promises
1. This is Dwarakamayi of ours on which you are sitting. This wards off all danger and anxieties from her children. Highly merciful is this Masidi Ayi. She is the mother of those who place their entire faith in Her. If they are in danger, She will save them. Once a person climbs on Her lap, all his troubles are over.
2. What can the snake do to Dwarakamayi's children? They look on amused when the snake appears. When Dwarakamayi protects, can the snake strike ?
3. We have no need to fear. Strike, let me see how you can strike and kill.
4. This is not a mosque. It is Dwaraka. Those who seek refuge in her will never be harmed.
5. As soon as one climbs the steps of this Dwarakamayi, sufferings due to Karma are at an end and joy begins. That Fakir (God) is very kind and relieves your troubles.
6. When any one enters this Dwarakamayi, his goal (object) is achieved.
7. This place (Dwarakamayi) is for Tarana, i.e., saving people, and not Marana i.e., killing them. (Meaning of Dwarakamayi) Masudi Ayi., i.e., Dwarakamayi is Sai.
8. I do nothing. I receive nothing. Datta calls for his own. He has called for Rs. 15 as his due and given it to Masudi Ayi. So the money has been received (by me).
9. My eye (of vigilant supervision) is ever on those who love Me. Whatever you do, wherever you may be, ever bear this in mind, that I am always aware of everything you do.
10. If a person ever meditates on Me, repeats My name, sings of My deeds, and is thus transformed into Me, one's karma is destroyed. I always stay by his side.
11. You should always have truth with you. Then I always shall be with you, wherever you are, and at all times.
12. I will be with you, whenever and wherever you think of Me. Do not fear.
13. If a person perpetually thinks of Me, and makes Me his sole refuge, I am his debtor and will give My head to save him.
14. If a person ever dwells on Me in his mind and will not even taste food before offering it to Me, I am his slave. So also if he hungers and thirsts after Me, and treats all else as unimportant.
15. I am the bond.slave of my devotees (Bhaktaparadheena.) I love devotion.
16. He who withdraws his heart from wife, child and parents and loves Me is My real lover and he merges in Me like a river in the sea.
17. Sai Baba: The key of My treasury is now placed in your hands. Ask for anything you want, Rs. 5 or 100 a month or what you will and I will give it to you.
Devotee declines to ask.
S. B. : Ask for something, I am anxious to give you, D : Is it agreed that You will grant anything I ask for? S. B.: Yes.
D : Then, Baba, I want this. In this and in any future birth that may befall to me, You should never part from me. You should always be with me.
S. B. : Yes. I shall be with you, inside you and outside you, whatever you may be or do.
18. My devotee feels me in You, in himself and in all creatures and sees all as his Guru. He will become Myself.
19. If you make Me the sole object of your thoughts and aims, you will gain Paramartha (Supreme Goal).
Look to Me, I will look to you. Trust in the Guru fully, ihat is the only Sadhana. The Guru is all the Gods.
20. If a person devotes his entire mind to Me and rests in Me, he need fear nothing for body and soul. If he sees Me and Me alone and Jistens tof talk about Me and is devoted to Me alone, he will reach God (Chaitanya). He who worships Me as Nitya, Suddha and Buddha comes to Me. QQ
SRI GURU CHARITRA by S.N.Huddar
Siddha Muni Guides Namdharak
Namdharak was greatly amazed to see the dream. He awoke and began to proceed further on his path. While going he was all the time thinking over the dream, he had seen in the previous night. He now observed that similar personality, alike that seen by him in the dream was coming from the front. He prostrated himself humility before him and said, "You are my mother and father. Kindly favor me, an orphan child. Kindly tell me your name and place of residence."
The Siddha Muni said, "I am a Yogi. I live on earth and in heaven also. I have been visiting holy places and now I have come here. I am a disciple of Shri Guru Narasimha Saraswathi, who resides at Gangapur near Sangam, the meeting place of the Bhima and Amaraja rivers. He is in the incarnation of Thrimurties and always found in meditation. He has come to this earth for the salvation of his devotees. His devotees get food, cows and other wealth in abundance"
Hearing this Namdharak asked him, "Though my forefathers have been devotees of Shri Guru for generations, why should be in such adverse conditions? Will you kindly satisfy me in this respect?"
Shri Siddha said,"You say that you worship Shri Guru and yet complain adversities. Then it seems that you are not worshiping Shri Guru wholeheartedly. Even if Shri Vishnu or Shri Shiva is angry with his devotee, Shri Guru can surely protect him. But if Shri Guru is enraged, even Shri Vishnu or Shiva cannot protect him."
Namdharak said, "Kindly tell me why Shri Guru is said to be the incarnation of Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. How is it that if Shri Guru is enraged none else can protect? Where can I find this reference? Kindly explain all this to me, so that my mind would become more firm in devotion"
Shri Siddha said, "Four Vedas came out as utterances of four headed Brahma. From the Vedas 18 Puranas were construed. Brahma Vaivarta is one of these and it is stated in it that in the Dwapara Yug, Vyasa, the Vishnu incarnate, spread the light of knowledge on Earth, through such volumes known as Brahma Sutras. Rishis and Munis listened to the tales from Vyasa, which I am narrating to you.
"Once upon a time, Kaliyug asked Brahma about the Greatness of Shri Guru".
Namdharak intervened asking, "Why did Brahma narrate this to Kali?"
Shri Siddha proceeded saying, "In the start of evolution Adinarayan, Shri Vishnu was lying on a leaf of Vat. He desired and lotus came out of his umbilicus. On it was seated Brahma, who looked to the four directions and he got four heads. He thought that he was all Supreme. Realizing this Shri Vishnu smiled and said "Ah, I am here, bow to me". Brahma bowed to him and praised him. Being pleased Shri Vishnu asked Brahma to create this Universe. Shri Vishnu gave him four Vedas and also told him to create this world according to the process given in the Vedas.
Brahma then created this World, which has several animate and inanimate things such as:-
1) Swedaj: those born of perspiration as bugs etc.
2) Andaj: those coming out of eggs as birds,
3) Jaraj: those begetting from placenta i.e., womb as human beings and
4) Udbhij: i.e. coming out of earth i.e. plants, creepers, trees etc. Similarly Brahma created three Lokas (Worlds.). This process of creation has been stated in the Brahma Vaivarta Purana in the following manner: -
Brahma called every Yug one after the other and asked him to go on Earth. First came Krita Yug, who did not speak a lie was learned and devoid of family attachments, had sacred thread and necklace of Rudraksha-beads around the neck. He said, "The people of Earth speak a lie, and are sinful. How can I go and stay there? Brahma said, "Stay there for some time. I shall be sending another Yug to follow you".
Then came Treta Yug. Fat in body possessed articles of sacrifice in his hands. In this Yug people performed sacrifices and abode by the rules of religions and rituals and most of them were Brahmins.
After the Treta Yug, Dwapara Yug is approached Brahma. He had arrows and other weapons in his hands. He was both kind and wicked. Virtue and sin were both visible in him.
Lastly Kali Yug was called for ghost like appearance, thoughtless heart, old age, struggling and despising mentality were his characteristics. He came before Brahma and began dancing and uttering childish words. At one moment he laughed, at another he welted and then abused anybody. Seeing him in such strange mood, Brahma asked, "Why are you naked and abusing so fifthly?"
Kali replied, "I shall win over people by these two means. I am not afraid of anybody."
Brahma smiled and told me to go the Earth and show the influence of his evil intentions.
Kali said, "I selfish, destroyer of Dharma, I like quarrel, despising and I long for the wealth and wives of others. I am a friend to those who pretend to be a saint and I am an enemy of all the virtuous."
Brahma told him, "In Kali Yug the span of life of the human beings would be only hundred years. In the former Yugas, as the life span was too long people followed the path of penance and devotion in order to attain supreme knowledge. In Kali Yug, a man can attain salvation, the observing penance and devotion for less time. You should help such virtuous persons."
Kali said,” Such virtuous men are my enemies. I am afraid of such persons. How should I then go to the Earth?" Brahma said, "Take Kal and Atma with you. They will destroy the religious mindedness and even induce virtuous persons to commit sins."
Kali said, "They are enemies, who abide by the religion and are devotees of Vishnu and Siva, who listen to Puranas, give charities and who have peaceful hearts. But on the contrary, I love those who love their wives and children, dishonor their parents who despise Vedas and Sastras, who see separateness in Vishnu and Siva and despise them. " Brahma said", You are clever. People will follow you and act as per your wishes as soon as you go there. If a few persons are virtuous, you do not trouble them."
Kali said, "I am cruel. Please tell me how I should help the virtuous? Please direct me as to how I should behave on the Earth."
Brahma said, "I am sending Kal and Atma also with you who will direct you. The virtuous only can will you, all others will soon be your slaves."
Kali asked, "How a Sadhu (Saint) is to be known?" Brahma said "Please do not harass the learned and those who worship Hari, Har, who serve parents, Gods and Brahmins, cows and plants as Tulsi, you need not affect these". Kali again asked, "What is the importance of Guru? How he is to be known?"
Brahma said 'Alphabet (gu ) means Siddha and (R) and (U) imply Shri Ganesh who is Guru. Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, parents are all Gurus of this Earth. Knowledge imbibed with devotion and rational thinking (Viveka) is seen in the heart of the Guru. Study of Dharma and Shastras without Guru is futile. He directs in action, thought, devotion and disintegration. One cannot surpass worldly miseries without the help and guidance of Guru. He throws a flashlight on the dark illusionary path. Service to the Guru makes one pure in body, speech and thinking.
I shall just tell a tale as an example.
On the bank of Godavari, there was the Ashram of Angiras Rishi. Many disciples were being trained in this Ashram. One disciple named Sandeepak served his Guru, Veda Dharma, with great devotion. Once Veda Dharma Muni gathered his disciples together and said, "If you really love me, do as I bid you."
All replied, "Gurudev, we shall act as per your command, for one who doesn't obey his Guru, goes to hell and cannot get salvation."
The Guru said, "I have committed sins in my previous births. The effect of many of them has been wiped off by my penance, but still some of them are persisting. I will not get salvation unless I suffer the evil effects of these sins with my body. I, therefore, wish to go to Kashi, stay there and get rid of these sins. You have to attend on me and serve me during this period. One who is strong enough should undertake this hard task".
Sandeepak accepted this bid. Veda Dharma said, "It is better to get rid of the sins so long as one has sound health, otherwise they spread like poison. So I should go to a holy place and suffer the bad effects myself. Even Gods have to suffer, then how can a human being like myself avoid the same".
Sandeepak said, "Kindly tell me what I should do. I shall spare no pains in serving you."
Veda Dharma said, "I shall become blind, lame and a leper, you will have to serve me for 21 years in such condition. If you are resolute, then only you should accept this job."
Sandeepak said, "Gurudev, I resolve that I shall also be blind, lame and a leper and serve you devotedly and see that you get rid of all the sins".
Veda Dharma was much pleased with his words. He further said, "One should suffer the evil effects of one's sins oneself and should not allow the son or the pupil or anyone else to suffer for him. The sins will not be wiped off unless they are borne by one's own body. It is very taxing to serve a diseased person. So you will have to take troubles even more than myself. Please take me to Kashi and do serve me there."
Sandeepak assured his Guru and soon he took him to Kashi. They lived there at Kambaleshwar to the North of Mankarnika. The Muni took a bath in Mankarnika and worshiped Vishweshwar and began to suffer the pangs of diseases. As the time passed on, leprosy developed all over his body and he became blind losing his eyesight. His body was petrified and pus, blood and germs flowed out of it. He began to have fits also. Still Sandeepak took all pains to nurse his Guru with great devotion. He used to bring alms daily for his Guru, fed him and served him, thinking him to be Kashi Vishweshwar.
Veda Dharma being in a diseased condition became peevish by nature and often was enraged and spoke harsh words to his disciple, Sandeepak. Some day he would not take food, some day he would abuse him cruelly for bringing insufficient for undelicious alms. Some day he would throw away the food in anger and despair. Sometimes he would even beat him severely. Another time he would complain that he did not clean his body, wounds, clothes smeared with stool and urine and consequently he was much troubled by flies. When Sandeepak was attending on him, he would say why did he not go out for alms. In this way Sandeepak was harassed every now and then.
Yet Sandeepak tried his best to bring good delicious food and vegetables as directed by his Guru. Though he was living in Kashi, he never went to the Vishweshwar temple to worship and see the most holy shrine of Vishweshwar. Similarly he did not think of any other thing but he solely devoted himself to the nursing and giving best service to his Guru, whom he respected as God Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Though the Guru got enraged off and on, he did not retort harshly.
Seeing his such devoted service to his Guru, Kashi Vishweshwar was so pleased that he appeared before him and told him to ask for some favor or blessing. Sandeepak replied, "Without the approval of my Guru, I cannot ask for your blessings". He then came to his guru and said "Kashi Vishweshwar is pleased to offer me some blessing. If you permit me, I shall pray him to remove your physical pangs and give you sound health."
Hearing this, Veda Dharma was enraged. He said to Sandeepak "Do not pray Vishweshwar for my health. If I do not suffer these pangs, I will have to suffer in the next birth and this would abstract my path of salvation."
Sandeepak returned to Kashi Vishweshwar, and told him, " My Guru doesn't like me to accept any blessings from you." Being amazed Kashi Vishweshwar went to Shri Vishnu and reported this wonderful incident to him.
Hearing this, Shri Vishnu and Shri Kashi Vishweshwar desired to see this disciple and his Guru and so they both came to Kashi and approached Sandeepak. Shri Vishnu said, "Oh Sandeepak, I am pleased with your devotion to your Guru. You may ask for what ever you desire. I shall fulfill your wishes."
Sandeepak said, "Oh Narayan, even after undertaking penance in dense forest for infinite period, you disappoint your devotees. But when neither did I worship you, nor recite your name, why should you be pleased with me and ask me to have a boon from you?"
Shri Vishnu said, "Whatever devoted service you have rendered to your Guru, has been received by me. I love such disciples very much. I am under his influence and I willingly offer him my blessings. I like wife's devotion to her husband, bowing to Brahmins. Ascetics and Sanyasis, and such persons come to my place in the end."
Sandeepak said, "Oh Mahavishnu, I have full faith that I shall attain all knowledge of Vedas and Shastras from my Guru. As Guru is my God, Trimurties (Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh) are within my reach, whatever blessings you give me; I shall be getting the same easily from my Guru. I am, therefore, serving my Guru devotedly."
On this Shri Vishnu said pleasingly, "Sandeepak, you are the best amongst all the disciples. You are my loving child. Shri Shiva and myself are pleased with your devotion. Ask for a boon."
Sandeepak said, "If you are so keen to favor me with your blessings, kindly give me such guidance as would enable me to serve my Guru with still more devotion."
Shri Vishnu said, "Amen! We offer you what you desire. You have known Guru and also experienced Par-Brahma in yourself. The word Guru contains only two alphabets; still it is the ocean of nectar. One, who dips into it even for a moment, will cross this worldly ocean. One who always remembers Guru is respected in all Lokas."
When Sandeepak went to his Guru, the Guru asked him, "What did Mahavishnu give you?"
Sandeepak replied,” I asked him to guide me to serve my guru with more devotion and he was pleased to give me this blessing. I wish I should serve you well and incessantly".
Hearing this Veda Dharma too was extremely pleased. He said,” You are the best of all the disciples. You should stay in Kashi. What ever you say will be true. You will receive the wealth of Kuber (God of Wealth), the miseries of those who remember you will come to an end".
The same moment, the body of Veda Dharma muni became healthy and bright. He had suffered from leprosy and other pangs only for testing his disciple.
In this way, Brahma told Kali this tale of Sandeepak, Oh, Namdharak, you should also worship Shri Guru with such devotion and then only, you shall easily pass over the worldly miseries. Control your sense, Karma, Dnyan and also heart and other by you will win even the Great God i.e., Parameshwar."
