Chapter 24, Leela 3: Baba's Characteristics - His Dependency on Bhaktas

Leela:

Baba allowed His devotees to serve Him in their own way, and did not like any other persons interfering in this. On one occasion, Mavashibai was kneading Baba's abdomen. The other bhaktas (devotees) present, witnessing the aggression and force with which she massaged Baba, felt nervous and anxious. They said, "Oh mother, be more considerate and gentle. You might damage Baba's arteries and nerves". At this, Baba immediately got up from His seat, enraged. He dashed His satka (short staff) on the ground. None dared to stand before Him. He then took hold of one end of the satka with both hands and pressed it in the hollow of his abdomen. He placed the other end on a post and began to press His abdomen against it. The satka, which was about two or three feet in length, seemed all to go into the abdomen and the people feared that His internal organs would rupture in a short time. The post was fixed and immovable. Baba pushed closer and closer to it and clasped the post firmly. A rupture was expected at any moment and devotees were all dismayed. They did not know what to do and stood dumb with wonder and fear.

 

Baba suffered this ordeal for the sake of His bhaktas. The devotees wanted only to give a hint to the Mavashibai to be moderate in her service and not cause any trouble or pain to Baba. This they did with good intentions but Baba did not brook even this. They were surprised to see that their well-intentioned effort had resulted in this catastrophe and they could do nothing but to wait and see. Fortunately, Baba's rage soon cooled down. He left the satka and resumed His seat.

 

From this time on, the devotees learned the lesson that they must never meddle with how a bhakta chooses to serve and interact with Baba. He is quite capable of gauging the worth of the service rendered to Him.

 

Based on 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), p129

 

Teachings from Leela:

1)    When a devotee interacts with his God, you must not interfere no matter how odd it appears to you.   

The devotees present thought that Mavashibai was causing pain to Baba, and asked her to be gentle in applying pressure as it could rupture Baba’s internal organs.

Baba’s immediate displeasure to this interference of other devotees was profound and memorable. Via His displeasure, He conveyed to them that they must never interfere between Him and his devotees.

The intensity of His displeasure is also of note.  With it, He conveyed the deep importance of this instruction.

This immediate and impactful incident served as a life-long lesson to the devotees present, and to all of us even today, that we must never interfere between Him and his devotees.

Baba alone knows and appreciates the true intension behind the behavior and actions of his devotees, we are in no position to judge this on His behalf.

You must not interfere with others when they are serving or praying to God, even if you think the other person is doing something wrong. It is for God to judge. Concern yourself only with your own interaction with God.

Putting into Practice

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

1)    When a devotee interacts with his God, you must not interfere no matter how odd it appears to you.   

if you find yourself tempted to interfere with other devotees as they perform their prayers and services to God, use this leela as a reminder on why you must not do so.

Another way to control yourself from interfering is by gaining more control over your faculty of speech.  You can do this by practicing mouna vrat (silence). Set aside some time every day, or over a week, to practice a voluntary vow of silence. You will find this helps you to apply more discretion and gain better control over your urge to interfere.

 

 

 

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

 

This above mantra is from the Brihadaaranyaka Upanishad

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/seekingshanti/2015/09/hinduprayerforeveryone_globalgoals/

I would encourage all of you to please share your interpretations, learnings and experiences on how you have put this leela into practice.

 

Om Sai Ram.