Leela:
Mr. Deo was a Mamlatdar (public officer in charge of a district) at Dahanu, in Thana District. His mother had completed observation of more than 25 vows and a Udyapan (a Hindu ceremony performed on the closing and concluding of any religious observance) was planned. Mr.Deo set a date for the ceremony and wrote a letter to Bapusaheb Jog, asking him to request Sai Baba, on his behalf, to attend the ceremonial feast, as without His attendance the ceremony would not be complete.
Bapusaheb Jog read out the letter to Baba. Baba took note of the pure-hearted invitation and said, "I always think of him who remembers Me. I require no conveyance, not carriage, nor tanga (two-wheel horse buggy), nor train nor airplane. I rush to manifest myself to him who lovingly calls me. Write to him a pleasing reply that three of us, Myself, yourself and a third will be attending."
Mr.Jog informed Mr.Deo of
what Baba said. The latter was much pleased, but he knew that Baba never travelled
anywhere out of Shirdi in person, except for Rahata, Rui and Nimgaon. He also
thought that nothing was impossible for Baba, as He was all-pervading and that
He might come, in any form He likes, and fulfill His words.
A few days before the date, a Sannyasi in Bengali dress and professing to work
for the cause of the protection of the cows, came to the station-master at
Dahanu to collect donation subscriptions. The latter told him to go into town
and see the Mamlatdar (Mr.Deo) and use his help to collect donations.
Just then, the Mamlatdar
happened to show up at the station, and the station-master introduced the
Sannyasi to him. Both sat talking on the platform. Mr. Deo told him that a
subscription-list for another charitable cause had already been opened by a
leading citizen, Rao Saheb Narottam Shetti, so it was not a good idea to start
another subscription-list at this time, and it would be better if he would come
again after 2 to 4 months. Hearing this, the Sannyasi left.
Just a few days later, on the date of the Udyapan, the Sannyasi arrived in a
tanga and stopped in front of Mr.Deo's house at about 10 a.m. Deo thought that
he had come for donation subscriptions. Seeing him busy with the preparations
of the ceremony, the Sannyasi said that he had come, not for donations, but for
the feast.
Mr. Deo said, "Very happy to hear this. You are welcome, the house is yours."
The Sannyasi said, "Two young men are with me."
Mr. Deo replied, "Great, bring them with you."
As lunch was two hours away, Mr. Deo enquired where he should send for them.
The Sannyasi responded that it was not necessary as he would come himself at the appointed time.
Deo asked him to come at noon.
Exactly at twelve noon, the Sannyasi
arrived, along with two others, joined the feast, and after feeding themselves,
left.
After the ceremony was finished, Mr. Deo wrote a letter to Bapusaheb Jog
complaining of Baba's breach of promise. Bapusaheb went to Baba with the
letter, but before it was opened, Baba spoke, "Ah, he says that I promised
him that I would come but deceived him. Inform him that I did attend his feast
with two others, but he failed to recognize Me. Then why did he call me at all?
Tell him that he thought that the Sannyasi came to ask for subscription money. Did
I not remove his doubt in that respect, and did I not say that I would come
with two others, and did not the three of us arrive at the right time and take part
in the feast? See, to keep My word, I would sacrifice my life. I would never be
untrue to My words."
This reply gladdened Bapusaheb's heart and he communicated Baba’s reply in its entirety to Mr. Deo. As soon as Mr. Deo read it, he burst into tears of joy, taking himself to task mentally for vainly blaming Baba. He wondered how he was deceived by the Sannyasi's prior visit where he came asking about donation subscriptions, and how he failed to catch the significance of the Sannyasi's words, that he would come with two others for the feast.
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), p212
Based on Shri Sai Satcharita, The Life and Teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba, G. R. Dhalbokar, Translated by Indira Kher (Slovenia: Bird Publisher, 2009), p342
Teachings from Leela:
Via this leela, Baba wants us to know that, when we invite Him with love and devotion, He does manifest Himself. Baba said, “to keep My word, I would sacrifice my life. I would never be untrue to My words". Even though Baba was physically in Shirdi always, He would manifest Himself outside Shirdi, to either keep His promise or to be at the service of His devotees.
Even today, when Baba is not in His physical form, there are numerous instances whereby Baba has manifested Himself to fulfill His devotees wishes when they invite Him for any pooja performed in their home. I will share one such experience.
Once we had planned a pooja in our home and we had invited a small number of close friends and family. I really wanted Baba to join us in this pooja, so I prayed to Him to please come, and to give me an indication of his presence and the fulfillment of my wish, by having someone I had not invited come too.
Baba did fulfill my wish and one such person came who was not invited. Later, as she left, she said to me that she really liked the pooja and the food. I was overjoyed. I cannot thank Baba enough for His kindness and willingness to fulfill His devotees’ wishes and promises.
When Baba tells us in this leela, that he takes his word to his devotees very seriously, this applies to all the commitments he makes to them. As Sadguru to his devotees, he is committed to their welfare, and to seeing them to moksha. We can be sure that He takes this commitment just as seriously.
Putting into Practice
Here are some suggestions on how we could use this leela in our daily lives.
1) When a Sadguru makes a commitment to his devotees, He will do anything necessary to make good on that commitment
Once you are under the guidance of a Sadguru, if you need any reassurance that He will see you to your spiritual goal, just contemplate upon this leela.
Here are Baba’s Eleven Assurances to His devotees (note 1):
1. Whosoever puts their feet on Shirdi soil, their sufferings will come to an end.
2. The wretched and miserable will rise to joy and happiness as soon as they climb the steps of the mosque.
3. I shall be ever active and vigorous even after leaving this earthly body.
4. My tomb shall bless and speak to the needs of my devotees.
5. I shall be active and vigorous even from my tomb.
6. My mortal remains will speak from my tomb.
7. I am ever living to help and guide all who come to me, who surrender to me and who seek refuge in me.
8. If you look to me, I look to you.
9. If you cast your burden on me, I shall surely bear it.
10. If you seek my advice and help, it shall be given to you at once.
11. There shall be no want in the house of my devotee.
Take comfort in the fact that One who takes His commitments to you so seriously is making these commitments to you, and use this reassurance to deepen your own resolve to work towards your own spiritual development.
|
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:
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