Day -100. “Om Shri Sai Adbhudananda Charyaya Namaha.”

          Shirdi Sai Ashtotramala –Meaning, Meditation and Miracle

         Day -100. “Om Shri Sai Adbhudananda Charyaya Namaha.”

Meaning:

Humble salutation to Him who is the performer of infinite marvelous deeds (Shirdi Sai Trust).

Meditation:

Irrespective of age, from the child to the old, everyone is excited seeing an impossible thing happen such as an act in the Circus or a performance by a magician. Why we are excited?  When a rare event happens, why there is a rush to be present or why many regret having missed the event? When a person causes something which defies the natural laws we call it a miracle and bow before him and call him a saint. Is there a difference between incredible performance, magic or miracle?

The answers to all these questions are very much related to the nature and craving of Self in every one of us. As per normal human expectation if a 100 metre race can have a best time of 10.00 seconds, Usain Bolt breaks that limitation to 9.58 seconds, becomes an incredible performer and a person looked upon with awe by the world. Houdini was tied with iron chains, put in a box and lowered into the sea.  He came out and became the all-time great Magician, admired all over the world. He broke the limitations of expectations of normal human body. We are thrilled invariably by such breaks of normal expectation because the Self within us is limitless.  It feels the burden of limitations imposed by the body. It gets excited and thrilled to see the self in another body indicates, even in a very small way, the possibility of achieving limitlessness.  This excitement is due to its true nature, being the part of Brahmam, God or Guru. But great athletes, circus artistes just only stretch the limitations. They still cannot become totally limitless in their performance.

When such a performance happens defying all limits, absolutely without any explanation, such as a person seeing an accident that shall happen in future to come, or healing an illness that eminent doctors lost the hope of being cured, blessing a lady to her first child after 20 years of married life, or preventing a devotee from getting a ticket for a train which gets involved in accident later, we call it a miracle.  The self in us, recognises the limitless nature of the incident and identifies the one who caused the miracle to happen as Brahmam, God or Guru. It is thrilled see the Power of Brahmam God or Guru over the limitations of the body which is part of the material manifestation, the Maya. It recognises itself, realises and feels one with Brahmam, God or Guru.

“Sai Baba was very fond of lights.  He used to borrow oil from shopkeepers, and keep lamps burning the whole night in the Masjid and temple.  This went on for some time.  The Banias who supplied oil gratis, once met together and decided not to give Him oil.  When as usual, Baba went to ask for oil, they all gave Him a distinct “No”.  Unperturbed, Baba returned to the Masjid and kept the dry wicks in the lamps.  The Banias were watching Him with curiosity.  Baba took the Tumrel (tin pot) which contained very little (a few drops) oil, put water into it and drank it, and then, forced it out to fall in the container. After consecrating the tin pot in this way, He again took the water from the tin-pot and filled all the lamps with it and lighted them.  To the surprise and dismay of watching Banias, the lamps began to burn and kept burning the whole night.  The Banias repented and apologised and Baba forgave them, and asked them to be more truthful in future. (Shri Sai Satcharita Ch: 5)

The simple Saint in Shirdi continues to perform miracles even today, nearly a century after Maha Samadhi in Shirdi.   They shed tears of joy on His miracles in their own lives. Shirdi is a Teerth since His feet touched it. He is Adbhudananda Charyaya. 

Day -99. “Om Shri Sai Venkatesha Ramanaya Namaha.”

         Shirdi Sai Ashtotramala –Meaning, Meditation and Miracle

            Day -99. “Om Shri Sai Venkatesha Ramanaya Namaha.”

Meaning:

Humble salutation to Him who is the embodiment of Lord Shri Venkatesha (Shirdi Sai Trust).

Meditation:

They come in millions – by air, by road, by train, by bus and by walk chanting the name of the Lord of The Seven Hills, putting in all their efforts braving heat rain and physical disabilities just to trying to pay Him back what they owe through vows. From small coins, through bank note bundles to silver, gold diamonds and jewellery, the offerings are made as promised.  The flow never stops.  The offerings amount to billions.  The devotees are so happy that at least a small offering be made for untold boons they received, receive or will be receiving. The Lord continues to bless His devotees from the wealthiest and most visited place of worship, the Temple of Lord Venkateshwara in Thirupathi.  One of the many stories goes that He needs tons of wealth to repay the debt He incurred to Kubera, the Heavenly treasurer, while marrying Goddess Laxmi!

As the name taken by Him, Bhagwan Venkatesha (meaning in Sanskrit being the Lord who destroys sins) is the one who can be looked upon to remove the burden of sins committed knowingly or unknowingly.  Karma leaves unfulfilled desires in this birth and the soul takes birth again and the cycle continues. If the Self is to be freed from this cycle and be united back to Brahmam God or Guru, the heavy burden of Karma and the consequent desire to be involved in another cycle of birth and death should be destroyed.  This cycle can be broken only by the one who can destroy the sins by inculcating a sense of sacrifice or relinquish a desire by the devotee which is Dakshina, offer or vow.  Thus, the devotee gets into the practice of relinquishing material desires and on the way to freedom from desire breaking the cycle of birth. The Brahmam, God or Guru is destroyer of sins, is Venkatesha.

Hemadpant writes in Sai Sat Charita:

“Light Houses are constructed are constructed at various places in the sea, to enable the boatman to avoid rocks and dangers, and make them sail safely.  Sai Baba’s stories serve a similar purpose in the ocean of worldly existence.  They surpass nectar in sweetness, and make our worldly path smooth and easy to traverse.  Blessed are the stories of saints.  When they enter our hearts through the ears, the body consciousness or egoism and the sense of duality vanish; and when they are stored in the hearts, doubts will dissipate, pride of the body will fall, and wisdom will be stored in abundance.  The description of Baba’s pure fame, and the hearing of the same with love, will destroy the sins of the devotee and, therefore, this is the simple sadhana of attaining the salvation.  The Sadhana for Kritha Age was Sama-dama (tranquillity of mind and body); for the Treta Age, Sacrifice; for Dwapar worship; and for Kali (present) Age it is singing of the name and glory of the Lord.  This last sadhana is open to all people of the four varnas (Brahmins etc).  The other Sadhanas, viz., Yoga, Tyaga (Sacrifice) Dhyan (Meditation) and Dhyan Dharana (Concentration) are very difficult to practice, but singing and hearing the stories and glory of the Lord (Sai Baba) is very easy.  We have only to turn our attention towards them. The listening to and singing of the stories will remove the attachment to the senses and their objects, and will make the devotees dispassionate, and will ultimately lead them to self-realization. (Shri Sai Sat Charita Ch: 3)

Just singing His name and meditating on Him devotees enjoy inner bliss peace and self realisation taking them to a higher level of spiritual development away from senses and sins. He is Venkatesha Ramanaya.  

Day -98. “Om Shri Sai Dakshina Moorteye Namaha.”

          Shirdi Sai Ashtotramala –Meaning, Meditation and Miracle 

              Day -98. “Om Shri Sai Dakshina Moorteye Namaha.”

Meaning:

Humble salutation to Him who is the incarnation of Lord Shiva –One of the Trimurthies (Shirdi Sai Trust).

Meditation:

Ramana Maharishi wrote: “One meaning of Dakshina (in Sanskrit) is efficient, another meaning is ‘in the heart on the right side of the body’. ‘Amurthy’ means ‘formlessness’.  Dakshinamurthy Sthothram in Sanskrit means’ Hymns in praise of formlessness (Brahmam) sitting on the right side of the heart’.” (Letter 89)

Shiva, in His depiction as Dakshinamurthy, is the embodiment of “Gnan” or Total Awareness and is praised as the Greatest of all Gurus.  He is the Knowledge and thus can dispense Knowledge as Dakshinamurthy. Our ancient Rishis and Sages realised the Paramatman as the Great Guru. To materialise the concept, they adored Shiva as Dakshinamurthy, sitting under a banyan tree, facing south, on a seat covered by the skin of a deer, with His left leg crossed over the right leg resting on the Asura of ignorance, with A Gnana Mudra of the right hand and Abhaya Mudra of the left. We see the murthy of Dakshinamurthy while doing parikrama  on the south facing wall of KarbaGraham  of Lord Shiva almost invariably in all Shiva Temples.  Dakshinamurthy provokes us to the  thoughts of yogic meditation as shown in Gnana Mudra,(The symbol of wisdom) the Atman (Index finger) seeking Paramatman (Thumb), separating itself from “the Arrogance(Ego),Illusion (Maya) and past deeds (Karma)”.This  material depiction is indeed the extension of the spiritual concept of the soul seeking total wisdom or awareness thus realising and identifying itself with Brahmam, God or Guru, for whom it longs for and  whom it belongs to. What a great understanding and material presentation by Rishis!  It appears when Acharyas linked the prayers to Dakshinamurthy to Thursday (Guruwar) and Gurupoornima, they in fact emphasised the need of a Guru to devotee to achieve the state of Total Awareness by the Self and its identification with Brahmam, God or Guru.

Though, Sai Baba looked like a man, three cubits and a half in length, still He dwelt in the hearts of all. Inwardly, He was unattached and indifferent but outwardly, He longed for mass welfare. Though, inwardly, an abode of peace. He looked outwardly restless. Inwardly, He had the state of Brahma; outwardly He seemed engrossed in the world. Sometimes He looked on all with affection and at times He threw stones at them; sometimes He scolded them, while at times He embraced them and was calm, composed, tolerant, and well- balanced.  He always abided and was engrossed in the Self, and was well- disposed towards His Bhaktas. He always sat on one Asan and never travelled. His ‘satka’ was a small stick, which He always carried in His hand. He was calm and thought-free. He never cared for wealth and fame, and lived on alms. Such a life he led. He always uttered “Allah Malik” (God is the real owner). Entire and unbroken was His love for the Bhaktas. He was the mine or store- house for self-knowledge and full of Divine Bliss. Such was the Divine Form of Sai Baba, boundless, endless and undifferentiated. One principle, which envelopes the whole universe (from a stone to Brahma), incarnated in Sai Baba. The really meritorious and fortunate people got this treasure- grove in their hands, while those people, who not knowing the real  worth of Sai Baba, took Him to be a mere human being, were indeed unfortunate.( Shri Sai Satcharita- Ch:10).

Sitting in a simple Masjid in Shirdi, a small village, wearing a Kafni and the leg crossed, on His throne of stone, He taught the world the principles of total devotion to a Guru.  Sai Bhajans resonate across the world on Thursdays.  He is Dakshina Moortaye.

Day -97. “Om Shri Sai Sama Sarvamata Sammataya Namaha.”

          Shirdi Sai Ashtotramala –Meaning, Meditation and Miracle 

        Day -97. “Om Shri Sai Sama Sarvamata Sammataya Namaha.”

Meaning:

Humble salutation to Him who preached and practiced equality and oneness of all religions (Shirdi Sai Trust).

Reflection:

“Allah” is the only name of God recognised by Islam.  Many of the events, names, stories, places and peoples are shared by both Khuranic literature and Biblical literature, with the variations of dialect time and communication distortion over years. While Jehovah is the name of God in the Old Testament, New Testament often refers God as “Lord”, the Supreme Being. Many Arabic speaking Christians call God as “Allah”!

Islamic religious literatures describe “Allah” (The God) as the most compassionate, most merciful, and loving and He is the Creator, Sustainer, the Wisest and the Kindest. Allah (The God) is eternal and all powerful.

Bible starts:”In the beginning God created Heavens and Earth”. Bible says “God is Love”. God commands over His creation. God is eternal and all powerful.

Vedas and Upanishads of Sanatana Dharma and the literature of its different formats say the Universe is the display (manifestation) of the Brahmam who creates, sustains, absorbs, hides and shows again (by the illusion of mind- Maya).  From this understanding flow the concepts of God, spiritual and material forms, demonstration of universal energy, power, time and eternity.  Brahmam, God or Guru is eternal and all powerful.

Invariably all groups of humans across all continents while organising themselves into a society, demonstrated the awareness of a Super Power. This awareness was exclusive to humans, not even to their immediate predecessor in the process of evolution. Other animals had and have some extraordinary awareness limited to their survival, like the four stages of a butterfly being created.  But this awareness does not relate to a Super Power beyond the limitations as humans have.  Because humans understood the relationship between cause and effect and could also trace the cause for an effect. Consequently, when saw the Universe and admired it as an effect, they wanted to see the cause and found Brahmam, God or Guru. It is amazing that at different times and locations, almost every group, independently was attracted to this Super Power and tried to identify itself with the Super Power and adored it in different names and sought blessings. Depending on the immediate necessities of the society, capacity to accumulate and pass on the research and knowledge, the knowledge of Super Power took different forms in the form of different religions.  Over a long period Sanatana Dharma recognised the fact that the thought on Super Power – Brahmam, God or Guru can have different names forms, procedures, mythologies, beliefs and approaches depending on the seeker’s spiritual development and needs. Sanatana Dharma perceived any religion or religious procedure as a way to understand and unite a seeker to the Creator- Brahmam God or Guru. Sanatana Dharma recognised and facilitated this unification with the Super Power- Brahmam, God or Guru by recognising any of the three ways, Gnana Marg, Bhakthi Marg and Karma Marg.   

“Sai Baba knew all Yogic practices.  He was well versed in the six processes including Dhauti ( Stomach cleaning, by a moistened piece of linen 3’’ in breadth and 221/2’  feet in length), Khandyog, i.e. separating His limbs and joining them again and Samadhi etc. If you though that He was a Hindu, He looked like a Yavan.  If you thought Him to be a Yavan, He looked like a pious Hindu.  No one definitely knew whether He was a Hindu or Mohammedan.  He celebrated the Hindu festival of Ram Navmi with all due formalities, and at the same time permitted the ‘Sandal’ procession of the Mohammedans.  He encouraged wrestling bouts in this festival.  When the Gokulashtami came, He got the ‘Gopalkala’ ceremony duly performed, and on Id festivals, He allowed the Mohammedans, to say their prayers (Namaz) in His Masjid.  Once during a Moharrum festival, some Mohammedans proposed to construct a Taziya or Tabut in the Masjid, keep it there for some days and afterwards take it in procession through the village.  Sai Baba allowed the keeping of the Tabut for 4 days and on the fifth day got it removed from the Masjid, without the least compunction.  If we say that He was a Mohammedan, His ears were pierced (i.e., had holes, according to Hindu custom).  ...    If you call Him Hindu, He always lived in the Masjid; if Mohammedan, He had always the Dhuni sacred fire-there, and the following things, which are contrary to Mohammedan religion, i.e. grinding on the hand mill, blowing of the conch and bells, oblation in the fire, giving of food and worshipping of Baba’s feet by means of Arghya (Water) were allowed there.  If you think He was a Mohammedan, the best of Brahmins and Agnihotris, leaving aside their orthodox ways, fell prostrate at His feet.  Those who went to make enquiries about His caste were dumbfounded and were captured by His darshan.  So, none could definitely decide, whether Sai Baba was a Hindu or a Mohammedan.  This is no wonder for he who completely surrenders himself to the Lord, by getting rid of his egoism and body consciousness, thus becomes one with Him, and has nothing to do with any questions of caste or Nationality.  Baba saw no difference between any two castes and even between beings.  He took meat and fish with Fakirs but did not grumble when dogs touched the dishes with their mouths.

He belonged to all His devotees irrespective of their religion when He walked in the Masjid in Shirdi. Today His Samadhi is the Mandir for millions belonging to all religions.  He is Sama Sarvamata Sammataya.

Day -96. “Om Shri Sai Abedhananda Anubhav Pradhaya Namaha.”

           Shirdi Sai Ashtotramala –Meaning, Meditation and Miracle 

   Day -96. “Om Shri Sai Abedhananda Anubhav Pradhaya Namaha.”

Meaning:

Humble salutation to Him who grants undivided bliss (Shirdi Sai Trust).

Meditation:

“Let us go and enjoy the beautiful sunset in the beach”. 

We went, enjoyed the evening breeze, saw the incredible play of colours, shapes and shines on the infinitely large blue canvas in the background, and admired the painter who daily creates the dynamic painting never to be repeated. Gradually the painting vanished with the setting of the Sun. It was getting dark.

A child asked “Why that colourful sky can’t be there always?”  

“It will come again tomorrow” answered the mother.

Almost all our happy experiences, let them  be a concert, a journey, joy of a promotion in work, functions, meeting relatives, festivals, new clothes, have  a few things in common which are  a beginning, a happening and an end, sudden or gradual. They all interact with one or more of our five senses leaving some consequences that  may be good or bad.  Our great Rishis and Sages enjoyed all material pleasures and identified that these have the common feature of being external, affecting through one or more of the five senses and have the limitation of a beginning and end.

They did not stop with that.

They went further internally in search of happiness that has neither a beginning nor an end i.e., endless unlimited happiness.  They realised that this unlimited endless ultimate happiness or “Parmanand” is beyond our five senses and should come from within, not from outside. They realised that the “Self” within us enjoys the Anand through senses in a limited way and it enjoys Parmanand by becoming one with Brahmam God or Guru. At this stage of unity, the Rishis found that the Brahmam, God or Guru is the form of ultimate bliss having neither a beginning nor an end. This Parmanand comes from within, fills the heart for no cause. Therefore it does not vanish  as in the case of short lived external happy experiences through the five senses, like the evening sunset, the music concert, the end of a beautiful innings and so on.

Once a Mamlatdar came to Shirdi, with a doctor friend of his.  The doctor said that his Deity was Ram and that, he would not bow before a Mohammeden and so, he was unwilling to go to Shirdi.  The Mamlatdar replied, that nobody would press him to bow down.  So, he should come and give the pleasure of his company.  Accordingly, they reached Shirdi and went to the Masjid for Baba’s darshan.  All were wonderstruck to see, the doctor going ahead and saluting Baba.   They asked him how he forgot his resolve and bowed down to a Mussalman.  Then, the doctor replied that, he saw his beloved Deity, Ram, on the seat and therefore, prostrated before Him.  Then as he was saying this, he again saw, Sai Baba there.  Being dismayed, he again said, “Is this a dream? How could He be a Mohammedan?  He is a great Yogasampanna (full of Yoga) Avatar”

Next day, he made a vow and began to fast. He absented himself from the Masjid, resolving not to go there, until Baba blessed him.  Three days passed and on the fourth day, a close friend of his, from Khandesh, turned up, and with him, he went to the Masjid for Baba’s darshan.  After the salutation, Baba asked him, whether anybody had gone to call him that he had come.  Hearing this vital question, the doctor was moved.  The same night he was blessed by Baba and he experience Bliss supreme, in his sleep.  Then he left for his town where he remained in the same state for a fortnight.  Thus, his devotion for Sai Baba increased manifold. Shri Sai Satcharita-Ch: 12).

He had given darshan to the devoted devotees as Ram or their own Guru, he being an Antharyami. He gave them Supreme Bliss in the form they understood Brahmam, God or Guru. He is Abedhananda Anubhav Pradhaya.

Day-95.“Om Shri Sai Kamadhi Sarva- Agyana Dhwamsine Namaha.”

      

        Shirdi Sai Ashtotramala –Meaning, Meditation and Miracle 

  Day-95.“Om Shri Sai Kamadhi Sarva- Agyana Dhwamsine Namaha.”

Meaning:

Humble salutation to Him who destroys the six foes- Desire, Anger, Greed, Hatred, Pride and Lust. (Shirdi Sai Trust).

Meditation:

Seeking and identifying oneself to Brahmam, God or Guru, elevates the behavioural pattern of one to a higher level of social acceptance. The failure to seek and identify or the failure to realise that the Self in us is part of the Universal self, creates the individuality, ego and the desire. Desire is followed by the concept of possession and owning. Failure to own is followed by disappointment and anger. The temporary satisfaction on feeling of possession and ownership is followed by greed, which is replication of the temporary satisfaction of ownership. Disappointment due to inability to own creates frustration and hatred. Ownership without realising that any ownership is temporal (since the body is temporal), creates pride, followed by contempt for those who could not own and admiration or jealousy for those who own more.

 These sequences and states of psyche are effectively broken when one surrenders oneself to Brahmam, God or Guru and says,” I exist because of Him. Whatever I possess is part of the creation which is owned by the creator the Brahmam, God or Guru.”  While, surely for a practical day to day mundane life in this world the total abdication is not possible, the sincere effort to surrender to the Brahmam, God or Guru, effectively moderates the intensity of the feelings of possession. When a disappointment overtakes, it is possible to say easily,” He has not desired me to have it. Let His Will happen”. When an achievement is made, it is  possible to say easily,” It is all His blessings” and one doesn’t go overboard with pride and feel superior to the ones who have not achieved.  It appears one need not renounce all worldly life, go to a forest and do penance in a forest or ashram.  One can lead a normal life going through the ups and downs, but with an approach of total surrender to Brahmam God or Guru to make the journey comfortable.

Hemadpant writes in Shri Sai Satcharita:

“Baba’s words were always short, deep, full of meaning, effective and well-balanced.  He was ever content and never cared for anything.  He said, “Though I am a Fakir, have no house or wife, and though having all care, I stay at one place, the inevitable Maya teases Me often.  Though, I forgot Myself, but she cannot forget Me.  She always envelops Me.  This Maya (illusive power) of the Lord (Shri Hari) harasses even Lord Brahma and others, then what to speak of a poor Fakir, like Me?  Those, who take refuge in God, will be freed from Her clutches with His grace.

In such terms Baba spoke about the power of Maya.  Lord Shri Krishna has said to Uddhava in the Bhagwat that the saints are His living forms and see, what Baba said for the welfare of His devotees, “Those, who are fortunate and whose demerits have vanished, take to My worship.  If you always say “Sai, Sai”, I shall take you over the seven seas believe in these words, and you will certainly be benefitted.  I do not need any paraphernalia of worship – either eight fold or sixteen fold.  I rest there, where there is full devotion. (Shri Sai Satcharita Ch: 13).

He destroys the effects of Maya in the minds of devotees. He promised to take them across the seven seas (of the life) in response to their calls “Sai, Sai”.  He is Kamadhi Sarva- Agyana Dhwamsine.  

Day -94. “Om Shri Sai SatyaTatwa Bodhakaaya Namaha.”

         Shirdi Sai Ashtotramala –Meaning, Meditation and Miracle

          Day -94. “Om Shri Sai SatyaTatwa Bodhakaaya Namaha.”

Meaning:

Humble salutation to Him who teaches the principles of Truth. (Shirdi Sai Trust).

Meditation:

Knowing the importance and absoluteness of the entity we call as “Time” Hinduism gave the same name to Time and God. “Kaal” meant both Time and Lord Shiva, who manifests the creation, maintains, absorbs, conceals and manifests. The frame of reference of any creation is time. Existence of living and non living things from atomic particle to galaxies is measured in terms of time. If existence is truth, Satyam, then non existence is absence of truth. Our scriptures emphasise the temporal nature of the whole creation and found that they are all without exception change, may be over billions of years, but certainly change. Any statement that changes with time is not absolute truth. It may be true for that particular period. The concept Brahmam, God or Guru, is based on the power of the Brahmam, God or Guru, to be independent of time and thus becoming absolute truth, Satyam. The Self which has no death, and is part of the universal Self, goes from birth to birth independent of time and is immortal. It is truth and thus our scriptures say.” Aham Brahmasmi”. The one who can transcend time truly realising and invoking the power of self is absolute truth and thus becomes Brahmam, God or Guru, which is Satyam, the absolute truth. What happens to time? With manifestation the time starts and with absorption time stops.  The frontiers of science today, trying to understand the entity of time is just at the door steps of this realisation.

Hemadpant in Shri Sai Satcharita narrates an incident of how to get Brahma Gnan:

There was a rich gentleman (unfortunately his name and whereabouts are not mentioned), who was very prosperous in his life. He had amassed a large quantity of wealth, houses and lands, and had a many servants and dependents.  When Baba’s fame reached his ears he said to a friend of his that  was not in want of anything, and so, he would go to Shirdi and ask Baba give him Brahma gnyan which if he got , would certainly make him more happy.  His friend dissuaded him, saying,” It is not easy to know Brahma and especially so for an avaricious man like you, who is always engrossed in wealth, wife and children.  Who will in your quest of Brahma gnyan satisfy you, who does not give away even a paisa in charity?”  Not minding his friend’s advice the fellow engaged a return journey Tonga and came to Shirdi.  He went to the Masjid, saw Saibaba fell at His feet and said, “Baba, hearing that, you show Brahma to all who come to you, I too have come here all the way from my distant place.  I am much fatigued by the journey and if I get Brahma gnyan from You, my troubles will be well paid and rewarded”.  Baba then, replied, “Oh, my dear friend do not be anxious, I shall show you Brahma.

Saying this Baba started to show him Brahma.  He made him sit there and engaged him in some other talk and thus, made him forget his question for the time being. Then he called a boy and told him to go to one Nandu Marwadi and get from him a loan of Rupees Five. The boy left and returned immediately, saying that Nandu was absent and his house was locked.  Then, Baba asked him to go to Bala grocer and get from him the said loan.  This time also the boy was unsuccessful.  This experiment was repeated again twice or thrice with the same result.

Baba seemed to have adopted this procedure as a test for the seeker of Brahma.  That gentleman had a roll or bundle of currency notes in his pockets and if he was really earnest he would not have sat quiet and be a mere onlooker when Baba was frantically trying to get a paltry sum of Rupees Five.  Still he could not make up his mind and advance the sum.

Such a man wanted from, Baba, the greatest thing in the world, viz., the Brahma gnyan!  Any other man who really loved Baba would have given to Baba Rs.Five at once, instead of being a mere on looker.  It was otherwise with this man.  He advanced no money nor did he sit silent but began to be impatient, as he was in a haste to return and implored Baba, saying, “Oh Baba, please give me Brahma gnyan soon!”  Baba replied,” Oh my dear friend did you not understand all the procedure that I went through, sitting in this place for enabling you to see Brahma?  It is in short this: for seeing Brahma one has to give five things, i.e., surrender five things, viz., 1-five Pranas (Vital forces), 2-five senses, 3-mind, 4-intellect and 5-ego.  This path of Brahma gnyan or self realization is as hard as treading on the edge of a razor.

Sai Baba then gave a long discourse on the subject.

After the dissertation was over, Baba turned to the gentleman and said, “Well sir, there is in your pocket the Brahma in form of 50 times of five (Rs.250/-) rupees, please take that out”.  The gentleman took out from his pocket the bundle of currency notes, and to his great surprise, found on counting them, that there were 25 notes of 10 rupees each.  Seeing this omniscience of Baba, he was moved and fell at Baba’s feet and craved for His blessings.  Then Baba said to him, “Roll up your bundle of Brahma, viz., currency notes.  Unless you completely got rid of your avarice you will not get the real Brahma……..My treasury is full and I can give anyone what he wants, but I have to see, whether he is qualified to receive My gift.  If you listen to me carefully, you will be certainly benefitted.  While sitting in this Masjid, I never speak any untruth.”(Shri Sai Satcharita-Ch: 16 & 17).

Great truths were taught in simple and effective way in that small Masjid in Shirdi by that Great Guru.  He is Sathya Tatwa Bodhakaaya.