A Collection from Sri Sai Sat Charitra - 101 sayings

Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram 

Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram 

Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram 

1. Why fear when I am here?
2. I am formless and everywhere
3. I am in everything and beyond. I fill all space
4. All that you see taken together is Myself.
5. If one devotes his entire time to me and rests in me, he need fear nothing for body and soul.
6. If one sees me and me alone and listens to my Leelas and is devoted to me alone, he will reach God
7. My business is to give blessings
8. I get angry with none. Will a mother get angry with her children? Will the ocean send back the waters to the several rivers?
9. I will take you to the end.
10. Surrender completely to God
11. If you make me the sole object of your thoughts and aims, you will gain the supreme goal.
12. Trust in the Guru fully. That is the only sadhana
13. I am the slave of my devotee
14. Stay by me and keep quiet. I will do the rest.
15. What is our duty? To behave properly. That is enough
16. My eye is ever on those who love me
17. Whatever you do, wherever you may be, always bear this in mind: I am always aware of everything you do.
18. I will not allow my devotees to come to harm
19. If a devotee is about to fall, I stretch out my hands to support him or her.
20. I think of my people day and night. I say their names over and over.
21. My treasury is open but no one brings carts to take from it. I say, “Dig!” but no one bothers.
22. My people do not come to me of their own accord; it is I who seek and bring them to me.
23. All that is seen is my form: ant, fly, prince, and pauper
24. However distant my people may be, I draw them to me just as we pull a bird to us with a string tied to its foot
25. I love devotion.
26. This body is just my house. My guru has long ago taken me away from it
27. Those who think that Baba is only in Shirdi have totally failed to know me
28. Without my grace, not even a leaf can move
29. I look on all with an equal eye
30. I cannot do anything without God’s permission
31. God has agents everywhere and their powers are vast
32. I have to take care of my children day and night and give an account to God of every paisa
33. The wise are cheerful and content with their lot in life
34. If you are wealthy, be humble. Plants bend when they bear fruit.
35. Spend money in charity; be generous and munificent but not extravagant
36. Get on with your worldly activities cheerfully, but do not forget God
37. Do not kick against the pricks of life
38. Whatever creature comes to you, human or otherwise, treat it with consideration
39. Do not be obsessed by the importance of wealth
40. See the divine in the human being
41. Do not bark at people and don’t be aggressive, but put up with others’ complaints
42. There is a wall of separation between oneself and others and between you and me. Destroy this wall!
43. Give food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, and clothes to the naked. Then God will be pleased
44. Saburi (patience) ferries you across to the distant goal
45. The four sadhanas and the six Sastras are not necessary. Just has complete trust in your guru: it is enough
46. Meditate on me either with form or without form, that is pure bliss
47. God is not so far away. He is not in the heavens above, nor in hell below. He is always near you
48. If anyone gets angry with another, they wound me to the quick
49. If you cannot endure abuse from another, just say a simple word or two, or else leave.
50. What do we lose by another’s good fortune? Let us celebrate with them, or strive to emulate them.
51. That should be our desire and determination.
52. I stay by the side of whoever repeats my name
53. If formless meditation is difficult, then think of my form just as you see it here. With such meditation, the difference between subject and object is lost and the mind dissolves in unity.
54. If anyone offends you do not return tit for tat.
55. I am the slave of those who hunger and thirst after me and treat everything else as unimportant.
56. Whoever makes me the sole object of their love, merges in me like a river in the ocean.
57. Look to me and I will look to you.
58. What God gives is never exhausted, what man gives never lasts
59. Be contented and cheerful with what comes.
60. My devotees see everything as their Guru.
61. Poverty is the highest of riches and a thousand times superior to a king’s wealth.
62. Put full faith in God’s providence.
63. Whoever withdraws their heart from wife, child, and parents and loves me, is my real lover.
64. Distinguish right from wrong and be honest, upright and virtuous.
65. Do not be obsessed by egotism, imagining that you are the cause of action: everything is due to God.
66. If we see all actions as God’s doing, we will be unattached and free from karmic bondage
67. Other people’s acts will affect just them. It is only your own deeds that will affect you.
68. Do not be idle: work, utter God’s name and read the scriptures.
69. If you avoid rivalry and dispute, God will protect you.
70. People abuse their own friends and family, but it is only after performing many meritorious acts that one gets a human birth. Why then come to Shirdi and slander people?
71. Speak the truth and truth alone.
72. No one wants to take from me what I give abundantly
73. Do not fight with anyone, nor retaliate, nor slander anyone.
74. Harsh words cannot pierce your body. If anybody speaks ill of you, just continue on unperturbed
75. Choose friends who will stick to you till the end, through thick and thin.
76. Meditate on what you read and think of God.
77. I give my devotees whatever they ask, until they ask for what I want to give.
78. You should not stay for even one second at a place where people are speaking disrespectfully of a saint.
79. If you do not want to part with what you have, do not lie and claim that you have nothing, but decline politely saying that circumstances or your own desires prevent you.
80. Let us be humble
81. Satsang that is associating with the good is good. Dussaya, or associating with evil-minded people,
82. is evil and must be avoided.
83. What you sow, you reap. What you give, you get.
84. Recognize the existence of the Moral Law as governing results. Then unswervingly follow this Law.
85. All gods are one. There is no difference between a Hindu and a Muslim. Mosque and temple are the same.
86. Fulfill any promises you have made.
87. Death and life are the manifestations of God’s activity. You cannot separate the two. God permeates all.
88. Mukti is impossible for those addicted to lust.
89. Gain and loss, birth and death are in the hands of God.
90. When you see with your inner eye. Then you realize that you are God and not different from Him.
91. Avoid unnecessary disputation
92. The giver gives, but really he is sowing the seed for later: the gift of a rich harvest.
93. Wealth is really a means to work out dharma. If one uses it merely for personal enjoyment, it is vainly spent.
94. To God be the praise. I am only the slave of God.
95. God will show His love. He is kind to all.
96. Whenever you undertake to do something, do it thoroughly or not at all.
97. One’s sin will not cease till one falls at the feet of Sadhus
98. Be ashamed of your hatred. Give up hatred and be quiet.
99. The Moral Law is inexorable, so follow it, observe it, and you will reach your goal: God is the perfection of the Moral Law.
100. I am your servants’ servant.
101. Have faith and patience. Then I will be always with you wherever you are.

Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram 

Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram 

Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram Jai Sai Ram 

SAT CHARITRA-Chapter 50 & 51

Stories of (1) Kakasaheb Dixit (2) Shri Tembye Swami (3)Balaram Dhurandhar.
Chapter 50 of the original Satcharita has been incorporated in Chapter 39, as it dealt with the same subject matter. Now, Chapter 51 of the Satcharita has been treated here as Chapter 50.

This Chapter gives the stories of (1) Kakasaheb Dixit (2) Shri Tembye Swami (3) Balaram Dhurandhar.

Preliminary
Victory be unto Sai Who is the main-stay of the Bhaktas, Who is our Sadguru, Who expounds the meaning of the Gita and Who gives us all powers. Oh Sai, look favourably on us and bless us all.
The sandal-wood trees, grow on the Malaya mountains and ward off heat. The clouds, pour their rain-water and thereby, cool and refresh all the people.

The flowers, blossom in the spring and, enable us to worship God, therewith. So the stories of Sai Baba come forth, in order to give solace and comfort to the readers. Both, those, who tell; and those who hear the stories of Baba, are blessed and holy, as also the mouths of the former and the ears of the latter.

It is well-established fact, that though we try hundreds of means or sadhanas, we do not attain the spiritual goal of life, unless a Sadguru blesses us with his grace. Hear the following story in illustration of this statement

Kakasaheb Dixit (1864-1926)

Mr. Hari Sitaram alias Kakasaheb Dixit was born in 1864 A.D., in a Vadnagara Nagar - Brahmin-family, at Khandwa(C.P). His primary education was done at Khandwa, Hinganghat, and secondary education at Nagpur. He came to Bombay for higher eduaction and studied first in the Wilson College and then in the Elphinstone College. After graduation in 1883 A.D., he passed his LL.B. and solicitor's examination; and then served in the firm of the Govt. Solicitors, Messrs Little and Co., and then, after sometime started a solicitors' firm of his own.

Before 1909 A.D., Sai Baba's name was not familiar to Kakasaheb, but after that he soon becomes His great devotees. While he was staying at Lonavla, he happened to see his old friend. Mr. Nanasaheb Chandorkar. Both spent some time, in talking about many things.

Kakasaheb described to him, how when he was boarding a train in London, he met with an accident, in which his foot slipped and was injured. Hundreds of remedies gave him no relief. Nanasaheb then told him that if he wished to get rid of the pain and lameness of his leg, he should go to his Sadguru-Sai Baba. He also gave him all the particulars of Sai Baba and mentioned to him Sai Baba's dictum "I draw to Me My man fram far off, or even across the seven seas, like a sparrow with a string fastened to its feet." He also made it clear to him that if he be not Baba's man, he would not be attracted to Him and given a darshan. Kakasaheb was pleased to hear all this, and said to Nanasaheb that he would go to Baba, see Him and pray to Him to cure not so much his lame leg, but bring round his lame, fickle mind and give him eternal Bliss.

Some time after, Kakasaheb went to Ahmednagar; and stayed with sirdar Kakasaheb Mirikar in connection with securing votes for a seat, in the Bombay Legislative Council. Mr. Balasaheb Mirikar, son of Kakasaheb Mirikar, who was a Mamalatdar of Kopergaon, also came at that time to Ahmendnagar in connection with a Horse-Exhibition there. After the election business was over, Kakasaheb Dixit wanted to go to Shirdi and both the Mirikars, father and son were also thinking in their house about a fit and proper person, as a guide, with whom he should be sent there. There Sai Baba was arranging things for his reception.

Shama got a telegram from his father-in-law at Ahemdnagar, stating that his wife was seriously ill, and that he should come to see her with his wife. Shama with Baba's permission went there, and saw his mother-in-law and found her improving and better. Nanasaheb Panshe and Appasaheb Gadre happened to see Shama, on their way to the Exhibition Dixit there and take him to Shirdi along with him. Kakasaheb Dixit and the Mirikars were also informed of Shama's arrival. In the evening Shama came to Mirikars, who introduced him to Kakasaheb.

They arranged that Shama should leave for Kopergaon with Kakasaheb by the 10 O'Clock night train. After this was settled, a curious thing happened. Balasaheb Mirikar threw aside the veil or covering on Baba's big portrait and showed the same to Kakasaheb. He was surprised to see that He, Whom he was going to meet at Shirdi, was already there in the form of His portrait to greet him, at this juncture. He was much moved and made his prostration before the portarit. This portrait belonged to Megha. The glass over it was broken and it was sent to Mirikars for repairs. The necessary repairs had been already made; and it was decided to return the portarit with Kakasaheb and Shama.

Before ten O'Clock, they went to the station and booked their passage; but when the train arrived, they found that the second class was overcrowded; and then there was no room for them. Fortunately, the guard of the train turned out to be an acquaintance of Kakasaheb; and he put them up in the first class. Thus they travelled comfortably and alighted at Kopergaon. Their joy knew no bounds when they saw there Nanasaheb Chandorkar, who was also bound for Shirdi. Kakasaheb and Nanasaheb embraced each other, and then after bathing in the sacred Godavari river they started for Shirdi. After coming there and getting Baba's darshan, Kakasaheb's mind was melted, his eyes were full of tears and he was overflowing with joy. Baba said to him, that he also was waiting for him; and had sent Shama ahead to receive him.

Kakasaheb then passed many happy years in Baba's company. He buit a Wada in Shirdi which he made as his, more or less, permanent home. The experiences he got from Baba are so manifold, that it is not possible to relate them all here. The readers are advised to read a special (Kakasaheb Dixit) No. of 'Shri Sai Leela' magazine, Vol 12, No. 6-9. we close this account with the mention of one fact only. Baba had comforted hi by saying that in the end "He will take him in air coach (Viman)", (i.e., secure him a happy death). This came out true. On the 5th of July 1926 A.D., he was travelling in the train with Hemadpant and talking about Sai Baba. He seemed deeply engrossed in Sai Baba. All of a sudden he threw his neck on Hemadpant's shoulder, and breathed his last with no trace of pain and uneasiness.

Shri Tembye Swami
We come to the next story, which shows how Saints love aech other with fraternal affection. Once Shri Vasudevanand Saraswati, known as Shri Tembye Swami encamped, at Rajamahendri (Andhra Country), on the banks of Godavari. He was a devout, orthodox, Jnani and Yogi Bhakta of the God Dattatreya. One, Mr. Pundalikrao, pleader of Nanded (Nizam State) went to see him, with some friends. While they were talking with him, the names of Shirdi and Sai Baba were casually mentioned. Hearing Baba's name, the Swami bowed with his hands; and taking a coconut gave it to Pundalikrao, and said to him, "Offer this to my brother Sai, with my pranam and request Him not to forget me, but ever love me." He also added that the Swamis do not generally bow to others, but in this case an exception had to be made. Mr. Pundalikrao consented to take the fruit and his message to Baba. The Swami was right in calling Baba a brother, for as he maintained an Agnihotra (Sacred fire) day and night, in his orthodox fashion; Baba too kept His Agnihotra, i.e., Dhuni ever burning in the Masjid.

After one month Pundalikrao and others left for Shirdi with the coconut, and reached Manmad, and as they felt thirsty they went to a rivulet for drinking water. As water should not be drunk on an empty stomach, they took out some refreshments, i.e., Chivda (flattened rice mixed with spice). The Chivda tasted pungent and in order to soften it, some one suggested and broke the coconut and mixed its scrapings with it. Thusthey made the Chivda mare tasty and palatable. Unfortunately the fruit broken, turned out to be the same, that was entrusted to Pundalikrao.

As they neared Shirdi, Pundalikrao remembered the trust, i.e., the coconut and was very sorry to learn that it was broken and utilized. Fearing and trembling, he came to Shirdi and saw Baba. Baba had already received a wireless message, regarding the coconut, from the Tembye Swami, ad Himself asked Pundalikrao first to give the things sent by His brother. He held fast Baba's Feet, confessed his guilt and negligence, repented and asked for Baba's pardon. He offered to give another fruit as a substitute, but Baba refused to accept it saying that the worth of that coconut was by far, many times more, than an ordinary one and that it could not be replaced by another one. Baba also added- "Now you need not worry yourself any more about the matter.

It was on account of my wish that the coconut was entrusted to you, and ultimately broken on the way; why should you take the responsibility of the actions on you? Do not entertain the sense of doership in doing good, as well as for bad deeds; be entirely prideless and egoless in all things and thus your spiritual progress will be rapid." What a beautiful spiritual instruction Baba gave!

Balaram Dhurandhar (1878-1925)
Mr. Balaram Dhurandhar belonged to the Pathare Prabhu community, of Santacruz, Bombay. He was an advocate of the Bombay High Court and sometime Principal of the Governament Law School, Bombay. The whole Dhurandhar family was pious and religious. Mr. Balaram served his community, and wrote and published an account of it. He then turned his attention to spiritual and religious matters. He studied carefully Gita, and its commentary Jnaneshwari; and other philosiphical and other metaphysical works.

He was a devotee of Vithoba of Pandharpur. he came in contact with Sai Baba in 1912 A.D.. Six months previous, his brothers Babulji and Vamanrao came to Shirdi and took Baba's darshan. They returned home, and mentioned their sweet experiences to Balaram and other members. Then they all decided to see Sai Baba. Before they came to Shirdi, Baba declared openly that - "To-day many of my Darbar people are coming." The Dhurandhar brothers were astonished to hear this remark of Baba, from others; as they had not given any previous intimation of their trip. All the other people prostrated themselves before Baba, and sat talking to Him. Baba said to them- "These are my Darbar people to whom I referred before" and said to the Dhurandhar brothers- "We are acquainted with each other for the last sixty generations." All the brothers were meek and modest, they stood with joined hands, staring at Baba's Feet.

All the Sattwic emotions such as tears, horripilation, choking, etc., moved them and they were all happy. Then they went to their lodging, took their meals and after taking a little rest again came to the Masjid. Balaram sat near Baba, messaging His Legs. Baba Who was smoking a chillam advanced it towards him and beckoned him to smoke it. Balaram was not accustomed to smoking, still he accepted the pipe, smoked it with great difficulty; and returned it reverentially with a bow. This was the most auspicious moment for Balaram.

He was suffering from Asthma for six years. This smoke completely cured him of the disease, which never troubled him again. Some six years later, on a particular day, he again got an attack of Asthma. This was precisely the time when Baba took his Mahasamadhi.

The day of this visit was a Thursday; and the Dhurandhar brothers had the good fortune of witnessing the Chavadi, Balaram saw the lusture of pandurang on Baba's face and next morning at the Kakad-Arti time, the same phenomenon - the same lusture of his Beloved Deity- Pandurang was visible again on Baba's face.

Mr. Balaram Dhurandhar wrote, in Marathi, the life of the Maharashtra Saint Tukaram, but did not survive to see its publication. It was published, later on, by his brothers in 1928. In a short note on Balaram's life given in the beginning of the book, the above account of Balaram's visit has been fully corroborated therein (Vide page 6 of the book).

Bow to Shri Sai - Peace be to all