Day -63. “Om Shri Sai Sulochanaya Namaha.”

        Shirdi Sai Ashtotramala – Meaning, Meditation and Miracle

                     Day -63. “Om Shri Sai Sulochanaya Namaha.”

Meaning:

Humble salutation to the one with beautiful and auspicious Eyes. (Shirdi Sai Trust).

 

Meditation: 

At three of the most Holy places for Shakthi, the Mother, she is named after her eyes.  Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi, and Kasi Vishalakshi are named so, not by coincidence. When we go and pour our feelings in their Sannadhis, in words or in thoughts, we look up to them, not expecting a response through their voice, but we surely look up to them for a message from their eyes even if they are closed. Even we, ordinary mortals, can encourage a poor man or a sick man not necessarily by words, but by a kind look. The message from eyes transcends languages. Eyes can even communicate with animals. A Dolphin, a dog, an elephant, a tiger, a cat, a bird, a cow- all can understand our thoughts through our eyes. Because eye is the only organ in any animal through which cosmic energy that is light, can directly enter the body and interact with the seat of cosmic energy, that is brain. Our sages, whose understanding of the universe was as vast as the universe itself, knew the power of eye and recognised it in various ways. They recognised as the power of the third eye for Lord Shiva or by saying that the one who is realised as having “Gnana Dhrushti”. The Brahmam, God or Guru who can close the eyes and yet see the whole universe, can communicate knowledge and kindness to the creations, give blessings through those most beautiful eyes. Mother Parvathi is described as the one who is having the most affectionate eyes at Kanchi. The most beautiful eyes are those even when closed can communicate the peace , bliss, supreme knowledge and love. These eyes make tears roll down the cheeks of those who come, pray with closed eyes seeking the comfort of a Mother, a Guru, a God and surely leave with peace and bliss. 

Govind Raghunath Dhabolkar alias Hemadpant was a close devotee of Baba. He wrote the original Marathi book “Shri Sai Satcharita”  with Baba’s permission.  

Hemadpant writes  in Shri Sai Satcharita:  

“On the first day of my arrival in Shirdi, there was a discussion between me and Balasaheb Bhate regarding the necessity of a Guru, I contended, “Why should we lose our freedom and submit to others? Where we have to do our duty, why a Guru is necessary? One must try his best and save himself. What can the Guru do to a man, who does nothing but sleeps indolently?” Thus, I pleaded freewill, while Mr. Bhate took up the other side, viz. destiny, and said, “Whatever is bound to happen, must happen, even great men have failed, man proposes one way, but God disposes the other way. Brush aside your cleverness, pride or egoism won’t help you.” This discussion, with all its pros and cons went on for an hour or so, and as usual no conclusion was arrived at. We had to stop the discussion ultimately, as we were exhausted. The net result of this was, that I lost my peace of mind and found that, unless there is strong body-consciousness and egoism there would be no discussion, in other words, it is egoism which breeds discussion. 

Then, when we went to Masjid with others, Baba asked Kakasaheb Dixit the following:

What was going on in the (Sathe’s) Wada? What was the discussion about? And staring at me, Baba further added, “What did this ‘Hemadpant’ say?”

Hearing these words I was much surprised. The Masjid was at a considerable distance from the Sathe Wada, where I was staying and where the discussion was going on.  How could Baba know our discussion, unless, He be Omniscient and Inner Ruler of us all? 

I began to think, why Sai Baba should call me by the name “Hemadpant”. This word is distorted form of ‘Hemadripant’.  This Hemadripant was a well known minister of the kings, Mahadev and Ramdev of Devgiri of the Yadav dynasty.  He was very learned, good natured and the author of the work, such as Chaturvarga Chintamani (dealing with spiritual subjects) and Rajprashasti.  He invented and started new methods of accounts and was the originator of Moodhi (Marathi shorthand) script. But, I was quite opposite, an ignoramus and of mediocre intellect. So, I could not understand, why the name or the title was conferred upon me, but thinking seriously upon it, I thought that, the title was a dart to destroy my ego, so that I should always remain meek and humble. It was also a compliment paid to me for the cleverness in the discussion. 

He had Gnana Dhrushti to see and know whatever happens anywhere anytime. We get our peace and bliss just in His presence. He is Sulochanaya.