Leela:
In Nanded, in Nizam’s kingdom, there lived Ratanji Shapurji Wadia, a Parsi mill-contractor and trader. He had amassed a fortune and had acquired fields and lands. He had cattle, horses and conveyances and was very prosperous. To all outward appearances, he looked very happy and contented, but inwardly, he was not so.
Providential dispensation is such that no one in this world is completely happy and rich. Ratanji was no exception to this. He was liberal and charitable, gave food and clothing to the poor and helped all in various ways. The people took him to be a good and happy man, but Ratanji thought himself miserable as, after twelve daughters, he had no male heir.
As Kirtan (singing glories of the Lord) without love or devotion, song without rhythm or music, a Brahmin without the sacred thread, proficiency in all arts without discriminating knowledge, pilgrimage without repentance and ornaments without the necklace are without beauty and joy, so is the household without a son.
Ratanji always brooded on this matter and said in his mind, “Will God ever bless me with at least one son?” He was sad and had no relish for food or drink. Day and night, he was depressed and full of worry.
He had great regard for Dasganu Maharaj (a famous devotee of Baba). He opened his heart before him. Dasganu advised him to go to Shirdi, take Baba's darshan, fall at His Feet, seek His blessings and tell Him in detail his secret wish. Ratanji liked the idea.
After a few days, Rattonji went to Shirdi, took Baba's darshan and fell at His Feet. Then opening a basket, he took out a beautiful garland of flowers and placed it lovingly around Baba's neck and offered Him a basket of choice fruit. With great respect he then sat near Baba in all humility and prayed to Him, saying, “Many persons who find themselves in difficult situations come to You, and You relieve them immediately. Hearing this, I have sought anxiously Your Feet. Please do not turn me away.”
Baba then said to him, “And so, after all these days, you have come to me today! But then, give me first, whatever dakshina you wish to give. Only then will you get your satisfaction”. He continued, “I know you have already given me three rupees and fourteen annas. Now give me the remaining money which you have brought with you, as dakshina”.
Hearing this, Ratanji was rather puzzled, and could not understand what Baba meant.
“This is the first time I have come to Shirdi, and I have never sent any gifts with anyone else”, he thought. But he gave the dakshina he had with him and bowed at Baba’s Feet. He then explained to Baba fully, why he sought His help, and prayed that Baba should bless him with a son.
Baba was moved and told him not to be worried, and that that time his unhappy days had ended. He then gave him Udi, placed His hand on his head and blessed him saying that Allah (God) would satisfy his heart's desire.
After taking Baba's leave, Ratanji returned to Nanded and told Dasganu everything that had taken place at Shirdi. He said that everything went well, that he got Baba's darshan and blessing with Prasad, but there was one thing which he could not understand. “Three rupees and fourteen annas you have given me, I know”, Baba had said. “Please explain as to what Baba meant by this”, he said to Dasganu, “What rupees and what annas? How could I have given anything to him before?”.
To Dasganu also, it was a puzzle, and he pondered much over it. After some time, he remembered that Ratanji had received, some days ago, a Muslim saint named Moulisaheb, in his house and had spent some money for his reception. Moulisaheb was a saint who worked as a porter, and was well known to the people of Nanded. When Ratanji decided to go the Shirdi, Molisaheb casually dropped in on Ratanji. Ratanji knew him and loved him, so had given a small party in his honour.
Dasganu asked Ratanji to have the list of expenditures for this reception brought, and everybody was amazed to see that the expenses totalled exactly three rupees and fourteen annas, nothing more, nothing less.
Ratanji was satisfied with this explanation and his faith in Baba was confirmed and increased. In due time, he was blessed with a son and he was filled with joy.
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), p77
Based on Shri Sai Satcharita, The Life and Teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba, G. R. Dhalbokar, Translated by Indira Kher (Slovenia: Bird Publisher, 2009), p114
Teachings from Leela:
What are the causes of a disturbed mind?
When we overly attach ourselves to the sense objects by constantly thinking about them, even when it is difficult to acquire them, this causes great disturbance in our mind.
By controlling our senses and cultivating vairagya (detachment) from the sense objects, we can calm the restlessness and disturbance of the mind.
In Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 2, verses 58, Krishna clearly says (note 1):
G 2.58: One who is able to withdraw the senses from their objects, just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell, is established in divine wisdom.
Even though Ratanji had 12 daughters, he was disturbed and sad as he had no male heir. Baba Himself, well versed in Vedanta, knowing the difference between real and unreal, still helped Ratanji by fulfilling his worldly desires, which were based on ignorance.
As stated in several other leelas, Baba says that spiritual progress cannot be achieved on an empty stomach. Similarly, spiritual progress is not possible if our minds are agitated and restless with worldly desires.
Via this leela, Baba is letting us know that He is willing to help us with our worldly desires, if they help calm our minds, so that we can begin to pay attention towards our spiritual progress.
2) Your karma (actions) are tracked by the Law of Karma, which keeps exact accounting, and the results of your karma will be just as exact
Via this leela, Baba is teaching us that we all are governed by the Law or Karma.
What is the difference between karma and the law of karma
A karma is an action we perform. The Law of Karma is the universal law which governs the results of all our karma, ensuring that we receive the result of each karma we do, whether good or bad.
We need to understand this law, as the better we understand it, the better choices we will make about our actions. My Vedanta teacher, Rita Nayar, used to say that God put the Law of Karma in place, and then became hands free. It is this law which determines the results of all your actions, so God can remain impartial. Everyone is governed by the same law. With this understanding comes a greater responsibility for the choices we make and the actions we undertake.
The Law of Karma keeps exact accounting
All our karma (actions) are carefully recorded and the results match exactly to our deeds. Baba asked Ratanji to give Him dakshina and mentioned that He had already received the sum of three rupees and fourteen annas. Das Ganuji was able to solve the mystery of this amount, as it exactly matched the amount spent by Ratanji on the reception of Maulisaheb, a Muslim saint.
By asking for the exact amount, not only did Baba prove to Ratanji that, while rooted in Shirdi, He knew everything that was happening in his house and that nothing was hidden from Him. Baba also proved that we are exactly accountable for each of our actions. The Law of Karma keeps exact records of each karma, nothing more, nothing less, and the results will also be just as exact.
Putting into Practice
Here are some suggestions on how we could use this leela in our daily lives.
1) A Sadguru will fulfill a devotee’s worldly desires in order to help silence his disturbed mind, so that he can turn his attention to spiritual development
If you find yourself in a situation where something is bothering you and you cannot focus on anything except for the one desire to be fulfilled, remember this leela and ask your Sadguru for help. He will most assuredly come to your rescue and help you with your desire, thereby calming your mind, so you can give due attention to your spiritual progress.
Baba is constantly working on His devotees, helping them to make spiritual progress. He will guide us all the way to Moksha, no matter how many lifetimes it takes. Have shraddha in Him and seek His help when you need it.
2) Your karma (actions) are tracked by the Law of Karma, which keeps exact accounting, and the results of your karma will be just as exact
In your everyday life, practice living with awareness by getting into the habit of monitoring from moment to moment, the state of your mind, and the activities you are currently performing.
As you get proficient in this monitoring, you must use this ability to deflect bad karma (both thoughts and actions) even as they begin to appear. With practice, your reaction time to stop such karma will get better and better. Keep in mind that you are exactly accountable for all your bad karma.
We must practice this on a daily basis, as when caught up in the moment, we might get lost and carried away. By living with awareness, it gives us the ability to distinguish right from wrong action and the wisdom to avoid wrong actions.
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Listen
to the stories with reverence; Reflect upon them deeply. Shirdi Sai Baba Shri Sai Satcharita, The Life and Teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba, Chapter 3, verse 18 |
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) http://www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org/chapter/2/verse/58
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