Day - 16: “Om Shri Sai Marthya Bhaya Pradhaaya Namaha.”

Shirdi Sai Ashtotramala – Meaning, Meditation and Miracle  

Day - 16: “Om Shri Sai Marthya Bhaya Pradhaaya Namaha.”

                 

Meaning:

 

Humble salutation to the one who grants freedom from fear of death. 

Meditation: 

It is told that the fear of death is the greatest of all fears. The story goes that even the deathless Devas ran away fearing death when Vasuki spat poison during Samudra Mandan. Lord Shiva had to drink it and hold it in his throat, himself becoming “Neel Kant”!

What happens during and after death is a mystery. Many books have been written on, “Life after death”. Most religious beliefs are founded on assurance of a good life after death, if one lives a life defined by that religion before death. Experiences have been narrated by those who came back after death.

The undeniable fact and paradox is that those who have seen death have not explained death and those who have explained death have not seen death.

But death the most common thing that occurs every day, everywhere, every time to everything which is born and the most certain thing in every one’s  life, continues  to be the most feared and most mysterious phenomenon for all.

Except for the ones, who have understood the nature of Atman, Brahmam and identified themselves with the Brahmam.

Yama explained it to Nachiketa in Kathopanishad.

But without all these complicated understanding of Gnana Marg, those who surrender themselves in a simple and  total way to the “Prathyatsha Brahmam” when Brahmam, sometimes takes a physical presence, reach the fearless stage as the process of surrender removes the fear of death.

There are many instances in which simple faithful undoubting devotees came to Baba with the fear of death- of themselves or their near and dear ones. The ocean of love He was, in a way that it is beyond normal explanation and understanding, Baba removed their fear of death and brought them back to normal life.

One Doctor Pilley was an intimate devotee of Baba. He was much liked by Baba, who always called him Bhau (Brother). Baba talked to him off and on and consulted him in all matters, and wanted him always at His side. This Pilley suffered once very badly from guinea-worms. He said to Kakasaheb Dixit, “The pain is most excruciating and unbearable. I prefer death to it. This pain, I know, is for repaying past karma, but go to Baba and tell Him to cease the pain and transfer the balance or my past karma to ten future births of mine”. Mr.Dixit went to Baba and told Him his request. Then Baba, being moved by his request, said to Dixit, “Tell him to be fearless! Why should be suffer for ten births? In ten days he can work out the sufferings and consequences of his past karma. While I am here to give him temporal and spiritual welfare, why should he pay for death? Bring him here on somebody’s back, and let us work and finish his sufferings once for all.”

The doctor was brought in that condition and was seated on Baba’s right side. Baba gave him His bolster and said,” Lie down calmly here and be at ease. The true remedy is that the result of past actions has to be suffered and got over. Our karma is the cause of our happiness and sorrow therefore, put up with whatever comes to you. Allah (God) is the sole Dispenser and protector, think of Him always. He will take care of you. Surrender to Him with body, mind, and speech, and then see what He does”. Dr. Pilley said that, Nanasaheb had put a bandage over the leg, but he had no relief. “Nana is a fool”, replied Baba. “Take off that bandage or else you will die. Now a crow will come and peck at you, and then you will recover.”

While this conversation was going on, Abdul, who always cleaned the Masjid and trimmed the lamps, turned up while he was attending to his work, his foot accidentally fell upon the stretched leg of Dr.Pilley. The leg was already swollen, and when Abdul’s foot fell upon it and pressed it, all the seven guinea-worms were squeezed out at once. The pain was unbearable and Dr.Pilley cried out loudly. After some time, he calmed down and began to sing and cry alternately. Then Dr.Pilley enquired when the crow was coming and pecking. Baba said, “Did you not see the crow? He won’t come again. Abdul was the crow. Now go and rest in the wada, and you will be soon all right”.

By application of the Udi and by taking it orally with water, without taking any other treatment or medicine, the disease was completely cured in ten days, as assured by Baba.(Shri Sai Satcharita Ch:34)

He dispels the fear of death.

One who surrenders to Brahmam realizes that Atma never dies, the Self never dies, and it just discards the body. A true devotee is relieved of the fear of death.

To the devotee who was in death bed, He gave the assurance of Life and made him alright.  To the one who surrenders, He removes the fear of death. He is Marthya Bhaya Pradhaaya.