Leela:
Once a pleader (lawyer) from Pandharpur came to Shirdi, went to the Masjid, saw Sai Baba, fell at His Feet, offered some dakshina (donation) without being asked, and sat in a corner eager to hear the talk that was in progress.
Baba turned towards him and said, "How cunning the people are! They fall at the feet, offer dakshina, but inwardly give abuses behind the back. Is this not wonderful?"
This accusation fit the pleader and he had to accept it. None of the others understood the remark. The pleader grasped it but kept silent.
When they returned to the Wada, the pleader said to Kakasaheb Dixit, "What Baba remarked was perfectly right. The dart was aimed at me. It was a hint to me that I should not indulge in reviling or slandering others. When the sub-judge or munsiff of Pandharpur (Mr.Noolkar) came and stayed here for the improvement of his health, a discussion about this matter went on in the lawyers’ lounge at Pandharpur (as it usually happens in many a bar-room). It was discussed whether the ailments from which the sub-judge suffered were ever likely to be resolved without medicines, by merely going to Sai Baba, and whether it was proper for an educated man like the sub-judge to resort to such methods. The sub-judge was taken to task, which is to say that he was criticized, as was Sai Baba. I too took some part in this affair, and now Sai Baba showed the impropriety of my conduct. This is not a rebuke to me, but a favour, advice that I should not indulge in any slander of others; and to not interfere unnecessarily in others' affairs".
Shirdi is about 100 koss (300 miles) distant from Pandharpur. Still Baba, by His omniscience, knew what transpired there in the lawyers’ lounge. The intervening places, the rivers, jungles, and mountains, were not a bar to His all-perceiving sight and He could see or read the hearts of all. There was nothing veiled or hidden from Him. Everything, far or near, was plain and clear to Him as broad as daylight. Let a man be far or near, he cannot avoid the all-pervading gaze of Sai Baba.
From this incident, the pleader took the lesson that he should never speak ill of others, nor unnecessarily criticize them. This evil tendency was completely eradicated, and he was set on the right path.
Though the story refers to a pleader, it is applicable to all. All should, therefore, take this lesson to heart and profit thereby.
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), p113
Based on Shri Sai Satcharita, The Life and Teachings of Shirdi Sai Baba, G. R. Dhalbokar, Translated by Indira Kher (Slovenia: Bird Publisher, 2009), p178
Teachings from Leela:
1) Your Sadguru takes care to improve each and every aspect of your personality for your spiritual growth
The leelas captured in the Sai Satcharitra are for the benefit all devotees. Baba uses every opportunity to teach, not just His devotees present in front of Him, but to all His devotees worldwide, for future devotees yet to be born.
Once a Sadguru has taken a devotee under His wing, He will work with them, to shape each and every aspect of their personality, even if it takes many lifetimes, to remove all their personality flaws, to help them complete their spiritual journey. Our Shirdi Sai Baba is one such Sadguru.
Here is a beautiful analogy of how your Sadguru will take care of your spiritual growth until you complete your spiritual journey, even if it takes you several lifetimes.
God will not release you as long as the slightest trace of your illness is left. You simply cannot leave the hospital if your name is registered there. As long as the illness is not perfectly cured, the doctor won’t give you permission to go.
The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, page 322, Originally recorded in Bengali, By M., a disciple of the Master
Sant Kabir (a saint from the
15th century), in this famous couplet, conveys an important message
regarding the quality of a good teacher.
गुरू कुम्हार शिष कुंभ है, गढि़ गढि़ काढ़ै खोट।
अन्तर हाथ सहार दै, बाहर बाहै चोट।।
Guru kumhar shish kumbh hai, Gadhi gadhi kadhai khot.
Antar hath sahar dai, Bahar bahai chot
Guru is like the Potter and the disciple is like the (unbaked) pot
Guru Shapes and cures the flaws of His disciple with care
Protecting (always) with His palm from inside
While pounding the pot from outside
In order to give it a beautiful shape.
Via this leela, Baba is sending this powerful message, not just to the lawyer from Pandharpur, but to all His current and future devotees, that they must stop gossiping about and passing judgment over other people’s lives. We all must work towards reducing and eradicating these negative tendencies within us.
In a different leela, Baba makes a similar point about not passing judgment over other people’s spiritual practices. Based on the Sai Satcharitra, the Indira Kher version, chapter 19, page 163, verse 206, Baba said:
He who fritters
away this precious human birth
which has come to him as a result of great past merit
and is thus bent on self destruction, to such a one,
what happiness or peace can this Shirdi give?
Baba said the above words to a devotee who was bad-mouthing someone behind his back. In that leela, Baba compared his conduct to that of a pig eating dung, Baba emphasised the disgust he felt for the bad-mouther’s actions, and conveyed how this conduct deeply offended Him. This should be sufficient indication for devotees to stay away from bad-mouthing or talking about others behind their back.
Via this leela, Baba wants us to be aware of these negative passions, stating that even Shirdi will not be able to help us if we continue with these negative passions. Let us work hard to remove them from our lives and stop talking about others behind their back.
2) When your Sadguru points out your mistake, take it as a blessing for it is for your own spiritual growth
When Baba pointed out the improper behaviour of the lawyer, he did not feel bad about it. In fact, he readily accepted the sharp disapproval and criticism by Baba. He considered the criticism as a favour. He took the advice to heart, that he must not indulge in any gossip or slander of others, and not interfere in other peoples matters, but mind his own business and focus on his own spiritual growth.
Putting into Practice
Here are some suggestions on how we could use this leela in our daily lives.
1) Your Sadguru takes care to improve each and every aspect of your personality for your spiritual growth
Remember this leela when you catch yourself talking about others behind their back. Baba is omniscient and knows all that is going on in your mind, so focus on yourself rather than others.
2) When your Sadguru points out your mistake, take it as a blessing for it is for your own spiritual growth
Sometimes your Sadguru will point out the impropriety of your conduct. Do not be disheartened but accept the teaching as a blessing from your Sadguru and remember never to repeat that same behaviour again. By correcting your conduct in this one instance, He has advanced you closer to your spiritual goal.
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.
2 comments:
beautifully explained. Thanks
Thanks Neeti, for your comments. Jai Sai Ram!
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