At the feet of Baba: Chapter 5, Leela 7: Turning Water into Oil

Leela:

Sai Baba was very fond of lights. He used to borrow oil from shop-keepers, and keep lamps burning the whole night in the Masjid and temple. This went on for some time. The Banias, who supplied oil gratis, once met together and decided not to give Him oil. When, as usual, Baba went to ask for oil, they all gave Him a distinct No. Unperturbed, Baba returned to the Masjid and kept the dry wicks in the lamps. The banias were watching Him with curiosity. Baba took the Tumrel (tin pot) which contained very little (a few drops) of oil, put water into it and drank it and forced it fall in the container. After consecrating the tin-pot in this way, He again took water in the tin-pot and filled all the lamps with it and lighted them. To the surprise and dismay of the watching Banias, the lamps began to burn and kept burning the whole night. The Banias repented and apologized. Baba forgave them and asked them to be more truthful in future.

Shri Sai Satcharita, The wonderful life and teachings of Shri Sai Baba, Translated by Nagesh Vasudev Gunaji (Mumbai: Shri Sai Baba Sansthan, Shirdi, 20^th Edition 2002), p28.

Teachings from Leela:

1) Perform charity without ego of doer-ship

The merchants initially did give the oil away for free for a few days. They did this from a sense of charity, but after a few days the sense of charity wore out and they probably thought to themselves “How long are we expected to keep giving our products away for free?”.

By performing the miracle, Baba made them rethink their role in performing charity. After all, what did it mean for ordinary people to give charity to a great spiritual being like Baba, who had the power to get whatever he wanted? Baba made them realize that the giver must not take self-pride in the act of giving, as what they’re giving is not even really theirs.

Consider the story of a young child wanting to give a gift to her mother. She looks around the house, picks something up, and runs to her mother to give the gift. The mother is happy just by the demonstration of giving, even though everything in the house belongs to the mother.

2) Do not take pleasure in the suffering of others

The merchants knew that Baba used the oil to fuel lamps to honour the house of worship, by keeping it lighted through the night. That day, they conspired to all refuse Baba at the same time as a prank, and then expected to have fun in watching Baba’s desperation. The merchants felt shame when they realized who they had pulled the prank on.

The leela teaches to not take pleasure from the suffering of the helpless and the needy. If we cannot provide the requested help, then we must politely refuse; we must not deprive others and then take pleasure in their desperation.

Putting into Practice

Here are some suggestions on how we could use this leela in our daily lives.

1) Perform charity without ego of doer-ship

The giving of charity must be done without any ego. Remember that everything belongs to God. If someone in need comes to you for charity and if you have the capacity to give, then consider yourself fortunate to be chosen to act as a medium through which the act of charity is taking place.

3) Do not take pleasure in the suffering of others

When presented with the opportunity to perform charity, you may find yourself getting annoyed, or perhaps you may feel pride in your own generosity. Neither feeling is warranted. If you cannot give, you should politely refuse. If you can, do the giving in all humility and empathy for the needy.

Mantra:

Om, Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ

Sarve santu nirāmayāḥ

Sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu

Mā kashchit duḥkha bhāgbhavet

Oṁ Shāntiḥ, Shāntiḥ, Shāntiḥ

Meaning:

May all be prosperous and happy

May all be free from illness

May all see what is spiritually uplifting

May no one suffer

Om peace, peace, peace