Friday, March 21, 2014

Mind and its power


The mind is the real culprit in misguiding a person on his spiritual progress. It makes a person forget who he is and what is his true identity. It always tries to provoke us into all ways/ methods of shortcuts and convenient ideas which are comfortable to us. For example, if a doctor says, dont eat sweets, and when we see sweets, the mind says, just for once, no problem, let us eat the sweets, the heart says, the doctor advised not to eat the sweets for our good health, please dont eat. So always there is a conflict going inside us between our mind and our heart. The wise and good always listen to their heart and the remaining listen to their mind. Even in case of our guru, if we listen to the words of our mind in following the footsteps of our guru, we may land into lot of troubles, though guru protects us, we will lose lot of time in getting realised and come back into the fold of guru.

Then the question arises, what is the best way to get the grace of guru and follow him. In simpler terms, guru resides in our heart, so we need to follow what our heart says, because it none other than our guru who is sitting in our heart and guiding us. He is the charioteer of  our life, like krishna was for arjuna. When this is the scenario and if we really handed over our steering to guru who is driving our life vehicle, then we can be sure and safe enough that we will reach our destination. But if we listen to our mind, and not listening to our heart, then we are bound to invite troubles. Even worse is the case when the guru cautions us in advance and still we consider our mind and our ego, then there is no one to protect us from the troubles which we are going to invite into our life. When the required damage had been done, then again we try to seek the help of our guru/god for protecting us.


Then what is the simple and easy method for not falling prey to our mind. The first thing, not acting immediately on what our mind says. Second take some time to rethink about the pros and cons about what the mind is suggesting. If the result is acceptable to our heart, then we can proceed ahead and act on that. In case we are still in dilemma and unable to come to a conclusion or take a decision. It is better to directly ask our guru. If our guru is having a physical form, then get clearance from him/her or get permission from him/her or get clarity on our doubts. If our guru had taken samadhi like baba or presently not in a physical form, then either his charitra/life history can be a guiding star to resolve our issue. Even we can refer to the life of great personalities and check what they have done under such circumstances and act accordingly. Even we can ask some great personality whom we can trust or who knows better about us and can guide us appropriately. If we really pray whole heartedly, our guru can/will guide us in any form, the only thing we need to develop is to have faith in our guru that he knows better about us, and whatever he does is always good for us, and we need to have patience till the result comes.

Sometimes, the results may not be visible immediately, but over a due course of time, we will realize that whatever had happened was for our good only, because guru is such an ocean of mercy that he can never cause harm to any of his disciples or followers. It is only our limited knowledge and the conclusions given by our mind which will take us away from our guru. But under any circumstances, we should not listen to our mind. If we start listening to our mind, the end result will be a miserable life. Because whatever the mind suggests is always a deceiving thing.



We need to train our mind to always follow our heart or the words of our guru. Upon training it slowly like a small kid who needs to be trained  for discipline, we can get control of our mind to make our life a happy one rather than a miserable one. The mind is the real culprit which tries to make us fall prey for all the things rather than realizing what is good for us. We need to understand the potential of our mind and use it for our betterment. We need to channelize the thoughts of our mind for the good of our individual self and for the good of the society. One who understand the power of mind, will use it in a proper way. We should try to become the master of the mind, not the slave of  the mind.

By the grace of baba, whoever is reading this understand the essence and not fall prey to their mind, rather follow the footsteps of their guru and have a blessed life.

Jai sagduru. Om Sai Sri Sai Jaya Jaya Sai.
Loka Samastha Sukhinobavanthu, Sarve jana sukhinobavanthu.
Om Santhi, santhi, santhi.





Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Places to visit in Shirdi


SAIBABA'S SAMADHI MANDIR
Baba's Sacred Body has been laid to eternal rest (Samadhi) here. The edifice of this main Mandir (Temple) was constructed by an ardent devotee Shri Gopalrao Butti of Nagpur with Baba's blessings. It is therefore also known as "Butti Wada". Baba's beautiful life-size idol is installed near His Samadhi in this shrine. All rituals, comprising of Pooja, Abhishek and the four daily Aartis, are performed here. The set of Baba's original 'Padukas' and 'Satka' are kept in the Samadhi Mandir which are used for Thursday Palkhi Procession. Since Baba Samadhi in 1918 till 1954, there used to be big life size photograph of Baba on Samadhi and later an idol of Baba, where he sits with one leg put on another leg, known as Veerasan is installed.



The Daily Program in the Saibaba Samadhi Mandir
Program                                                                  Time
Bhoopali                                                                  04.15am
Morning Aarti (Kakad Aarti)                                    04.30 am
Holy Bath                                                                05.05 am
Darshan Starts                                                         05.40 am onwards
Madyan Aarti                                                          12.00 noon
Dhoop Aarti                                                            Sunset
Night Aarti (Shej Aarti)                                            10.30 pm
Abhishek Pooja                                                        07.00 am & 09.00 am
(Abhishek Hall)
Satyanarayan Pooja                                                 07.00 am, 9.00 am, 11.00 am & 01.00 pm

Dwarkamai (Masjid)
This was Baba's abode (located within the Samadhi Mandir Complex) continuously for sixty years till He took Samadhi. Baba blessed innumerable devotees here. The Sheela (Stone), on which Baba used to sit, is located in Dwarkamai. The sacred Fire (Dhuni) lit by Baba is also eternally burning here. Baba used to give Sacred Udi (Ash) from this Dhuni to His devotees to fulfill their wishes. Even now, Udi distributed to devotees is from this Dhuni. ('Grinding Wheel' and 'Chul' on which Baba used to cook food here and distribute it amongst his devotees. is also kept here for darshan)

Chavadi
The Chavadi is located close to the Samadhi Mandir Complex on the eastern side. On every alternate day, Baba used to proceed in a procession from Dwarkamai to Chavadi at night and sleep there. Even now, on every Thursday between 9.15 and 10.00 p.m., Baba's Photo, Holy Padukas (footwear) and Satka (baton) are taken in a palaquin procession to the Chavadi.

Gurusthan
Baba was first spotted here(behind the Samadhi Mandir) when He was a lad of sixteen. Baba used to refer to this spot as His Guru's (Mentor's) location and hence known as 'Gurusthan'. The famous Margosa (Neem) tree referred to in the Shri Sai Satcharitra stands here. Devotees believe that if they burn incense here on Thursdays and Fridays all their ailments get cured.

Lendi Baug
Baba used to go for a stroll in this Baug (Garden) located within the Samadhi Mandir Complex. Nanda-Deep (Sacred Oil Lamp) is continuously kept burning near the Peepal tree planted by Baba Himself in this Garden. A small Datta Mandir is also situated here. Baba's beloved horse Shyamsunder was laid to eternal rest here. There is also a well, called "Baba's Shivadi", in this garden.

Museum Hall
Personal items used by Baba during his lifetime like his drinking vessel (Tumbler), Padukas (footwear), Satka (Baton), Grinder, Gramophones, a Bowl of Hukka, Horse Bridle, the Kaphani and Sandals worn by Baba and the original photographs of Baba are all kept in the Museum Hall for all Sai devotees.

Khandoba Mandir
This Temple is located near the Shri Saibaba Hospital on the Nagar-Manmad Road. The story goes that the marriage party of Chand Patil's wife's nephew came to Shirdi and took shelter under the banyan tree located near this temple. When Shri Saibaba, who had accompanied this marriage party, alighted with others in the
open ground of this temple, the Pujari (Priest) of the temple welcomed this Young Ascetic with the words "Aao Sai" ("Come Sai").

Hanuman Mandir
This temple is renovated by Sansthan recently a few years back.

Devotees Houses
Laxmibai Shinde
Mahalsapati
Shama


Loka Samastha Sukhinobavanthu Sarve Jana Sukhinobavanthu
Om Santi Santi Santi





Discussion of Chapter VI - Shri Sai Satcharitra


Shri Sai Satcharitra

Chapter VI
RAMA-NAVAMI FESTIVAL AND MASJID REPAIRS

Efficacy of the Touch of Guru’s Hand - Rama-Navami Festival - Its Origin, Transformation etc. Repairs to the Masjid.
Before describing Rama-Navami Festival and Masjid Repairs, the author makes some preliminary remarks about Sad-Guru as follows:-

Efficacy of the Touch of Guru’s Hand
Where Real or Sad-Guru is the helmsman, he is sure to carry us safely and easily beyond the worldly ocean. The word Sadguru brings to mind Sai Baba. He appears to me, as if standing before me, and applying Udi (scared ashes) to my fore-head and placing his hand of blessing on my head. Then joy fills my heart and love overflows through my eyes. Wonderful is the power of the touch of Guru’s hand. The subtle-body (consisting of thoughts and desires), which cannot be burnt by the world dissolving fire, is destroyed by the mere touch of the Guru’s hand, and the sins of many past births are cleaned and washed away. Even the speech of those, whose heads feel annoyed when they hear religious and Godly talks, attains calmness. The seeing of Sai Baba’s handsome form, chokes our throat with joy, makes the eyes overflowing with tears, and overwhelms the heart with emotions. It awakens in us ‘I am He (Brahman)’ consciousness, manifests the joy of self-realization, and dissolving the distinction of  I and Thou, then and there, makes us one with the Supreme (One Reality). When I begin to read scriptures, at every step I am reminded of my Sadguru, and Sai Baba, assumes the form of Rama or Krishna and makes me listen to his Life. For instance when I sit to listen to Bhagwat, Sai becomes Krishna from top to toe, and I think he sings the Bhagwat or Uddhava Gita (song of teachings by Lord Shri Krishna to His disciple, Uddhava) for the welfare of the devotees. When I begin to chitchat, I am at once put in mind of Sai’s stories for enabling me to give suitable illustrations. When I myself start to write anything, I cannot compose a few words or sentences, but when He of his own accord makes me write, I go on writing and writing and there is no end to it. When the disciple’s egoism props up, He presses it down with His hand, and giving him His own power, makes him gain His object, and thus satisfies and blesses him. If any one prostrates before Sai and surrenders heart and soul to Him, then unsolicited, all the chief objects of life viz. Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (Desire) and Moksha (Deliverance), are easily and unsolicitedly attained. Four paths, viz., of Karma, Jnana, Yoga and Bhakti lead us separately to God. Of these, the path of Bhakti is thorny and full of pits and ditches, and thus difficult to traverse, but if you, relying on your Sadguru, avoid the pits and thorns and walk straight, it will take you to the destination (God). So says definitely, Sai Baba.
After philosophising about the Self-Existent Brahman, His Power (Maya) to create this world and the world created, and stating that all these three are ultimately one and the same, the author quotes Sai Baba’s words guaranteeing the welfare of the Bhaktas:-
"There will never be any dearth or scarcity, regarding food and clothes, in any devotees’ homes. It is my special characteristic, that I always look to, and provide, for the welfare of those devotees, who worship Me whole-heartedly with their minds ever fixed on Me. Lord Krishna has also said the same in the Gita. Therefore, strive not much for food and clothes. If you want anything, beg of the Lord, leave worldly honours, try to get Lord’s grace and blessings, and be honored in His Court. Do not be deluded by worldly honor. The form of the Deity should be firmly fixed in the mind. Let all the senses and mind be ever devoted to the worship of the Lord, let there be no attraction for any other thing; fix the mind in remembering Me always, so that it will not wander elsewhere, towards body, wealth and home. Then it will be calm, peaceful and care-free. This is the sign of the mind, being well engaged in good company. If the mind is vagrant, it cannot be called well-merged."
After quoting these words, the author goes on to relate the story of Rama Navami festival in Shirdi. As Rama-Navami is the greatest festival celebrated at Shirdi, another fuller account, as published in Sai Leela Magazine of 1925, page 197, is also referred to and a summary of the festival, as related in both these accounts is attempted here.

Origin
One, Mr. Gopalrao Gund, was a Circle Inspector at Kopergaon. He was a great devotee of Baba. He had three wives, but had no issue. With Sai Baba’s blessings, a son was born to him. In the joy that he felt regarding the event, an idea of celebrating a fair or ‘Urus’ occurred to him in the year 1897, and he placed it for consideration before other Shirdi devotees, viz. Tatya Patil, Dada Kote Patil and Madhavrao Deshpande (Shama). They all approved of the idea, and got Sai Baba’s permission and blessings. Then an application for getting the Collector’s sanction for celebrating the urus was made, but as the village Kulkarni reported against holding the fair, the sanction was refused. But as Sai Baba had blessed it, they tried again, and ultimately succeeded in getting the Collector’s sanction. The day for the Urus was fixed on the Rama-Navami day, after having consultation with Sai Baba. It seems, He had some end in view, in this, viz., the Unification of the two fairs of festivals, the Urus and the Rama-Navami and the unification of the two communities - the Hindus and the Mahomedans. As future events showed, this end or object was achieved.
Though the permission was obtained, but other difficulties cropped up. Shirdi was a village, and there was scarcity of water. There were two wells in the village, the one in use, dried up soon, and the water from the second was brackish. This brackish water was turned into sweet one by Sai Baba, by throwing flowers into it. The water of this well was insufficient, so Tatya Patil had to arrange to get water, from a well by fixing Moats (leather sacks) thereon, at a considerable distance. Then temporary shops had to be constructed, and wrestling bouts arranged. Gopalrao Gund had a friend, by name Damu Anna Kasar, of Ahmednagar. He also was similarly unhappy in the matter of progeny, though he married two wives. He too was blessed by Sai Baba with sons, and Mr. Gund prevailed upon his friend to prepare and supply one simple flag for the procession of the fair; he also succeeded in inducing Mr. Nanasaheb Nimonkar to supply another embroidered flag. Both these flags were taken in procession through the village, and finally fixed at the two ends or corners of the Masjid, which is called by Sai Baba as Dwarkamai. This is being done even now.

The ‘Sandal’ Procession
There was another procession which was started in this fair. This idea of ‘Sandal’ procession originated with one Mr. Amir Shakkar Dalal, a Mahomedan Bhakta from Korhla. This procession is held in honour of great Muslim Saints. Sandal i.e. Chandan paste and scrappings are put in the THALI (flat dishes), and these are carried with incense burning before them in procession to the accompaniment of band and music through the village and then after returning to the Masjid, the contents of the dishes are thrown on the ‘Nimbar’ (nitche) and walls of the Masjid with hands. This work was managed by Mr. Amir Shakkar for the first three years, and then afterwards by his wife. So on one day, the two processions, the ‘Flags’ by the Hindus and that of ‘Sandal’ by the Muslims, went on side by side, and are still going on without any hitch.

Arrangement
This day was very dear and sacred to the devotees of Sai Baba. Most of them turned out on the occasion, and took a leading part in the management of the fair. Tatya Kote Patil looked to all outward affairs, while the internal management was entirely left to one Radha Krishna Mai, a female devotee of Baba. Her residence was full of guests on the occasion, and she had to look to their needs, and also to arrange for all the paraphernalia of the fair. Another work, which she willingly did, was to wash out and clean and white-wash the entire Masjid, its walls and floor, which were blackened and were full of soot on account of the ever-burning Dhuni (sacred fire) of Sai Baba. This work, she did during the night, when Sai Baba went to sleep every alternate day in the Chavadi. She had to take out all the things, including even the Dhuni, and after thorough cleaning and whitewashing replace them, as they were before. Feeding the poor, which was so dear to Sai Baba, was also a great item in this fair. For this purpose, cooking, on a grand scale and preparing various sweet dishes, was done in Radha-Krishna Mai’s lodging, and, various rich and wealthy devotees took a leading part in this affair.

Transformation of Urus into Rama-Navami Festival
Things were going on in this way and the fair was gradually increasing in importance till 1912 A.D., when a change took place; That year one devotee, Mr. Krishnarao Jageshwar Bhisma (the author of the pamphlet ‘Sai Sagunopasana’), came for the fair with Dadasaheb Khaparde of Amraoti, and was staying on the previous day in the Dixit Wada. While he was lying on the verandah, and while Mr. Laxmanrao alias Kaka Mahajani, was going down with Puja materials to the Masjid, a new thought arose in his mind and he accosted the latter thus - There is some providential arrangement in the fact that the Urus or fair is celebrated in Shirdi on the Rama-Navami day; this day is very dear to all the Hindus; then why not begin the Rama-Navami Festival - the celebration of the birth of Shri Rama here on this day? Kaka Mahajani liked the idea, and it was arranged to get Baba’s permission in this matter. The main difficulty was how to secure a Haridas, who would perform ‘Kirtan’ and sing the glories of the Lord on the occasion. But Bhishma solved the difficulty, by saying that his ‘Rama Akhyan’ (composition on Rama’s birth) was ready, and he would do the ‘Kirtan’ himself, while Kaka Mahajani should play on the harmonium. It was also arranged to get the ‘Sunthavada’ (ginger-powder mixed with sugar) as Prasad prepared by Radha-Krishna Mai. So they immediately went to the Masjid to get Baba’s permission. Baba, who knew all things and what was passing there, asked Mahajani, as to what was going on in the Wada. Being rather perturbed, Mahajani could not catch the purport of the question and remained silent. Then Baba asked Bhishma, what he had to say. He explained the idea of celebrating Rama-Navami festival, and asked for Baba’s permission and Baba gladly gave it. All rejoiced and made preparations for the Jayanti-festival. Next day, the Masjid was decorated with buntings etc., a cradle was supplied by Radha-Krishna Mai, and placed in front of Baba’s seat and the proceedings started. Bhishma stood up for Kirtan and Mahajani played on the harmonium. Sai Baba sent a man to call Mahajani. He was hesitating to go, doubting whether Baba would allow the festival to go on; but when he went to Baba, the latter asked him as to what was going on and why the cradle was placed there. He answered that the Rama-Navami festival had commenced, and the cradle was put on for that purpose. Then Baba took a garland from the ‘Nimbar’ (nitche), and placed it round his neck and sent another garland for Bhishma. Then commenced the Kirtan. When it came to a close, pound sounds of "Victory to Rama" went up; and Gulal (red - powder) was thrown up all round, amidst band and music. Everybody was overjoyed, when suddenly roaring was heard. The red-powder thrown promiscuously all round, went up, somehow entered Baba’s eyes. Baba got wild and began to scold and abuse loudly. People got frightened by this scene and took to their heels. Those intimate devotees, who knew Baba well, took these scoldings and outpourings of Baba, as blessings in disguise. They thought that when Rama was born, it was proper for Baba to get wild and enraged to kill Ravana; and his demons, in the form of egoism and wicked thoughts etc. Besides they knew, that whenever a new thing was undertaken at Shirdi, it was usual with Baba to get wild and angry, and so they kept quiet. Radha-Krishna Mai was rather afraid; and thought that Baba might break her cradle, and she asked Mahajani to get the cradle back. When he went to loosen and unfasten the cradle, Baba went to him, and asked him not to remove it. Then after some time, Baba became calm, and that day’s programme, including Mahapuja and Arati was finished. Later on, Mr. Mahajani asked Baba, for permission to remove the cradle, Baba refused the same saying, that the festival was not yet finished. Next day, another ‘Kirtan’ and Gopal-Kala ceremony (an earthern pot containing parched rice mixed with curds is hung, only to be broken after the ‘Kirtan’, and the contents distributed to all, as was done by Lord Kri shna amongst His cow-herd (friends), were performed, and then Baba allowed the cradle to be removed. While the Rama-Navami festival was thus going on, the procession, of the two flags by day and that of the ‘Sandal’ by night, went off with the usual pomp and show. From this time onwards, the ‘Urus of Baba’ was transformed into the Rama-Navami festival.

From next year (1913), the items in the programme of Rama-Navami began to increase. Radha-Krishna Mai started a ‘Nama-Saptah’ (singing the glory of God’s name continuously day and night for seven days), from 1st of Chaitra, For this, all devotees took part by turns, and she also joined it, sometimes early in the morning. As Rama-Navami Festival is celebrated in many places all over the country, the difficulty of getting a Haridas was felt again. But 5 or 6 days before the festival , Mahajani met accidentally Balabuva Mali, who was known as modern Tukaram, and got him to do the ‘Kirtan’ that year. The next year (1914), another Balabuva Satarkar of Brihadsiddha Kavate, District Satara, could not act as a Haridas in his own town, as plague was prevailing in his town, and so he came to Shirdi; With Baba’s permission, which was secured through Kakasaheb Dixit, he did the Kirtan; and was sufficiently recompensed for his labour. The difficulty of getting a new Haridas every year was finally solved from 1914 by Sai Baba, as He entrusted this function to Das Ganu Maharaj permanently, and since that time, he has been successfully and creditably conducting that function uptill now.

Since 1912, this festival began to grow gradually year by year. From the 8th to 12th of Chaitra, Shirdi looked like a bee-hive of men. Shops began to increase. Celebrated wrestlers took part in wrestling bouts. Feeding of the poor was done on a grander scale. Hard work and sincere efforts of Radha-Krishna Mai turned Shirdi into a Sansthan (State). Paraphernalia increased. A beautiful horse, a palanquin, chariot and many silver things, pots, buckets, pictures, mirrors etc. were presented. Elephants were also sent for the procession. Though all this paraphernalia increased enormously, Sai Baba ignored all these things, and maintained His simplicity as before. It is to be noted that both the Hindus and Mahomedans have been working in unison in both the processions, and during the entire festival, there has been no hitch or quarrel between them at all so far. First about 5000-7000 people used to collect, but that figure went up to 75000 in some years; still there was no outbreak of any epidemic or any riots w orth the name during so many past years.

Repairs to the Masjid
Another important idea occured to Gopal Gund. Just as he started the Urus or fair, he thought that he should put the Masjid in order. So in order to carry out the repairs, he collected stones and got them dressed. But this work was not assigned to him. This was reserved for Nanasaheb Chandorkar, and the pavement -work for Kakasaheb Dixit. First, Baba was unwilling to allow them to have these works done, but with the intervention of Mhalsapati, a local devotee of Baba, His permission was secured. When the pavement was completed in one night in the Masjid, Baba took a small Gadi for His seat, discarding the usual piece of sack - cloth used till then. In 1911, the Sabha - Mandap (court - yard) was also put in order with great labour and effort. The open space in front of the Masjid was very small and inconvenient. Kakasaheb Dixit wanted to extend it and put on it a roofing. At great expense, he got iron-posts, and pillars and trusses and started the work. At night, all the devotees worked hard and fixed the posts; but Baba, when he returned from Chavadi next morning, uprooted them all and threw them out. Once it so happened that Baba got very excited, caught a pole with one hand, and began to shake and uproot it, and with the other hand caught the neck of Tatya Patil. He took by force Tatya’s Pheta, struck a match, set it on fire and threw it in a pit. At that time, Baba’s eyes flashed like burning embers. None dared to look at Him. All got terribly frightened. Baba took out a rupee from his pocket and threw it there, as if it were an offering on an auspicious occasion. Tatya also was much frightened. None knew what was going to happen to Tatya, and none dared to interfere. Bhagoji Shinde, the leper devotee of Baba, made a little boldly advance, but he was pushed out by Baba. Madhavrao was also similarly treated, he being pelted with brick pieces. So all those, who went to intercede, were similarly dealt with. But after some time, Baba’s anger cooled down. He sent for a shopkeeper, got from him an embroidered Pheta and Himself tied it on Tatya’s head, as if he was being given a special honour. All the people were wonderstruck to see this strange behavior of Baba. They were at a loss to know, what enraged Baba so suddenly and what led Him to assault Tatya Patil, and why His anger cooled down, the next moment. Baba was sometimes very calm and quiet and talked sweet things with love, but soon after, with or without any pretext, got enraged. Many such incidents may be related; but I do not know which to choose and which to omit. I, therefore, refer them as they occur to me.
In the next Chapter the question whether Baba was a Hindu or a Mahomedan will be taken up; and His Yogic practices and powers, and other matters will be dealt with.

Bow to Shri Sai Baba - Peace be to all




Sai Prerna