Thursday 20 March 2014

Day-32. “Om Shri Sai Antaryamine Namaha.”




        Shirdi Sai Ashtotramala – Meaning, Meditation and Miracle

                  Day-32. “Om Shri Sai Antaryamine Namaha.” 

Meaning: 

Humble salutation to the one who dwells in the subconscious of His devotees.(Shirdi Sai Trust)
 

Meditation:
 
“I”.
 This word is the force of existence for any living being. By coincidence “I” is also indicative symbol for being ‘First’. As long as we are conscious of this “I” , we are alive. Even in sleep, when this awareness of “I’ leaves us temporarily, we remember the dreams only when we feel “I” during our dreams. The anesthetist switches off the physical connection of this “I” to the body temporarily for any procedure in Operation Theatre.We suspend our existence. But” I” resumes its natural state once the drug’s effects are over.

“I”.

Where from it comes? When it comes? What is the shape? What is the location of this “I “in our body? Does nature of “I” differ depending on religious faith of the individual? What happens to the “I” when ‘I’’ leaves the body starting the decay of the body?

These are questions that lead us to find the real nature of ourselves. Whatever be the amount of clarifications, discussions, logic, from outside, the answer has to come from o within.

The answer is provided by the thought of the power that drives us. By searching the power that sustains us through challenges and frustrations, happiness, anger and all other emotions. This power we identify with God, Guru, or Brahmam. The ‘I’ of the devotee, going through these experiences, feels, the Guru who is constantly within him and identifies itself with Him. The Guru is the God or Brahmam for him, and is always within him and is one with his “I”.

Shama the close devotee of Baba, planned a trip to Kashi Ayodhya and Gaya. When asked to join, Baba said “After doing Benares and Prayag We would be ahead of Shama.” Shama went   to Kashi, and then to Ayodhya. He was well received in Jathar’s beautiful temple of Laxmi- Narayan at Kashi (Varanasi or Banaras). Then, they left for Gaya in the train they felt little uneasy on hearing that, Plague was prevailing in Gaya. At night they alighted at Gaya station and stayed in the Dharamshala. In the morning, the Gayawala (the priest who arranges for the lodging, and boarding of the pilgrims) came there and said,” The pilgrims have already started, you better make haste”. “Shama casually asked him, whether there was plague in Gaya.”No” said the Gayawala, “Please come without any fear or anxiety and see yourself”. Then, they went with him and stayed in his house, which was a big and spacious Wada. Shama was pleased with the accommodation provided to him, but what pleased him most, was the beautiful big portrait of Baba, fixed in central and front portion of the building. On seeing this portrait, Shama was overwhelmed with emotion. He remembered Baba’s words, viz.” After doing Kashi and Prayag, We would be ahead of Shama,” and burst into tears. His hairs stood on end, his throat was choked and he began to sob. The Gayawala thought, he was afraid of plague prevailing there, and therefore, was crying.

But, Shama enquired of him, how he got Baba’s portrait there. He replied that he had 200 or 300 agents working at Manmad and Puntambe, for looking after the convenience of the pilgrims to Gaya and from them he heard about Baba’s fame. Then about 12 years ago he had gone to Shirdi and took Baba’s darshan.  He had met one Shama and Shama had given the portrait to him with Baba’s permission.  

This was the same portrait. Shama then remembered, this incident. The Gayawala’s joy knew no bounds, that Shama was his guest now. Then they both exchanged love and service and were most delighted and happy. The Gayawala gave him a royal welcome. He was a very rich man. He sat in a palanquin, and made Shama ride an elephant and attended to all his comforts and conveniences.

Shama was thrilled his Guru, Baba who was always within him was at Gaya true to his words.

For the true devotee He is always within him, identified with the devotee. He is Antharyami.

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