Leela:
Mrs. Khaparde, the wife of Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti, was staying at Shirdi with her young son for a few days. One day, her son got high fever, which further developed into Bubonic plague. Mrs. Khaparde was frightened and most uneasy. She thought of leaving for Amraoti and approached Baba, when he was out on his evening walk, to ask His permission to leave. She informed Him in a trembling tone, that her dear young son was down with plague. Baba spoke kindly and softly to her, saying that the sky was beset with clouds, but they would soon melt away and everything would be smooth and clear. He lifted His Kafni up to the waist and showed to all present, four fully developed buboes (swollen, inflamed lymph nodes, a symptom of Bubonic plague), as big as eggs, and added, “See, how I have to suffer for My devotees. Their difficulties are Mine.”
Witnessing this unique and extraordinary miracle, the people realized how the Saints suffer for their devotees. The minds of the saints are softer than wax. They are soft, in and out, as butter. They love their devotees and come to their help without any expectation of gain.
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, 20th Edition 2002), p44
Based on Shri Sai Satcharita, The Life and Teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba, G. R. Dhalbokar, Translated by Indira Kher (Slovenia: Bird Publisher, 2009), p58
Teachings from Leela:
1) Baba takes on the sufferings of his bhaktas
This leela is another example where Baba took on the karmas of a bhakta and suffered on their behalf. He showed the four buboes to everyone present and said that His devotee’s sufferings are His own. The karma of His devotee still existed, but Baba was able to divert some its suffering to Himself.
This leela indicates that Baba, being a Sadguru with great love for his devotees, also has the capacity to take on some of their suffering, or the suffering of someone dear to them (in this case, Mrs. Khaparde’s young son).
A true Sadguru has no selfishness, ego or desire for recognition. He helps His devotees just out of love for them and to see them progress in their spiritual path. He himself has reached Moksha and wants to guide his devotees on that path to success. He does not expect anything in return from them.
Putting into Practice
Here are some suggestions on how we could use this leela in our daily lives.
1) Baba takes on the sufferings of his bhaktas
This section, has been very well explained in a previous blog (note 1)
If you find yourself in an unhappy situation facing the advent of suffering, remind yourself that Baba will take on some of your suffering if it becomes intolerable. Remember him often.
It also becomes your duty to keep your deeds clean so that you do not create new bad karmas, the consequences of which Baba will have to suffer unnecessarily, as he is bound by his duty to protect you.
When you find yourself in a situation where it appears you have got away with less harm than potentially could have happened, consider the possibility that Baba took on some of the consequences. On contemplating this, you will realise that your faith in him deepens.
You will also realise that in taking some of the consequences, Baba has made some room for you. Instead of being fully occupied with the allotted suffering, you have been given the gift of time, which you should make the best use of, by applying it towards your spiritual growth.
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.
Notes:
1. At the feet of Baba: Chapter 7, Leela 4: Baba’s All-pervasiveness and Mercy
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