Day-65. “Om Shri Sai Aroopa Vyaktaya Namaha.”

     Shirdi Sai Ashtotramala – Meaning, Meditation and Miracle

             Day-65. “Om Shri Sai Aroopa Vyaktaya Namaha.”

Meaning:

Humble salutation to Him who is formless and unmanifest.  (Shirdi Sai Trust).

Meditation:

 

The great Bhashyam on “Spanda Karikas” looks at the world as the manifestation of pure consciousness in the form of matter through Vibration of the consciousness. According to Kashmir Saivism, the consciousness when vibrates (Spanda) manifests the, space energy and matter.

This amazingly scientific origin of the universe by the Rishis is being rediscovered by modern cosmologists as Black holes, Singularity and Wormholes. According to modern Science, Black hole in the cosmos is the point which cannot be seen and where everything is absorbed and concealed.  It cannot be seen (i.e. “Aroopa”) just because even light cannot escape from them due to intense gravity. The presence of black holes can be understood only by the vanishing of stars and planets which approach them and get absorbed.

It is formless as mentioned in the Spanda Karika as being the status of Shiva before the manifestation of Shakthi-the energy and matter. This is realized as pure state of consciousness. The Brahmam God or Guru absorbs everything into it and becomes formless. It is where Energy, the Shakthi ends. And begins again, when it decides to manifest (Modern Science calls the process as Wormholes).  The Rishis and Saints who achieved this realization, transcending the time and space, defying the limitations of five senses saw the whole process.  The Singularity, i.e. the dimensionless point where the whole Cosmos is absorbed is worshipped as Aroopam, the formless, the unmanifested Brahmam. So great was their knowledge, vision and understanding of this Universe, going into themselves, they Unified the Self into the vast cosmos and found the relationship between Self and Brahmam God or Guru in the form of formless Aroopa.

Writing on the events after Baba shedding his mortal form Hemadpant writes in Shri Sai Satcharita Chapter 45:

“We have described in the last three chapters Baba’s passing away.  His physical or finite form has, no doubt, disappeared from our view, but the infinite or spiritual form (Spirit of Baba) ever lives.  The Leelas, which occurred during His life time, have been dwelt upon at great length, until now.  Ever since His passing away, more Leelas have taken place and are even now happening.  This clearly show that Baba is ever-living and helping His devotees as before.   The people, who got the contact of Baba, when He was living, were indeed fortunate, but if any of them did not a dispassion for the things and enjoyments of the world, and had not their minds turned to the Lord, it was their sheer ill-luck.  What was then desired, and is still desired is the whole hearted devotion to Baba.  All our senses, organs, and mind should co-operate in worshipping and serving Baba.  It is no use, in engaging some organs in the worship and deflecting others.  If a thing like worship or meditation is to be done, it ought to be done with our mind and soul. 

Kaka Saheb Dixit followed the order of Baba to read the two works of Eknath (1) Bhagwat and Bhavartha Ramayan daily, even after Baba’s passing away.  One day he had a doubt that as ordinary people we could not get salvation even after many births. Madhavrao whom Baba called affectionately as Shama disagreed and said that total devotion to Guru like Baba would give the salvation.  Kaka Saheb was not convinced and was worried. He was anxious and restless.

Next day one Anandrao Phadke came to the reading and was whispering something to Shama.  Kaka Saheb wanted to know what it was and Shama said “ Yesterday you expressed your doubt, now here is the explanation of it, hear Mr.Phadke’s vision explaining the characteristic of devotion and showing that, the devotion in the form of bowing down or worshipping of Guru’s feet is sufficient”.   All were anxious to hear the vision, specially Kakasaheb.  At their suggestion Mr.Phadke’s began to relate the vision as follows:

I was standing in deep sea in waist-deep water.  There, I saw Sai Baba all of a sudden.  He was sitting on a beautiful throne studded with diamonds, with His Feet submerged in water.  I was most pleased and satisfied with the Form of Baba.  The vision was so realistic that, I never thought that, it was a dream.  Curiously enough, Madhavrao was also standing there.  He said to me feelingly, “Anandrao, fall at Baba’s Feet”.  I rejoined, “I also wish to do so, but His Feet are in water, how can I place my head on them? I am helpless”.  Hearing this he said to Baba,”Oh Deva take out Your Feet, which are under water.”  Then, Baba immediately took out His Feet.  I caught them without delay and bowed down to them.  On seeing this Baba blessed me saying, “Go now, you will attain your welfare, there is no cause for fear and anxiety”.  He also added, “Give a silk-bordered Dhotar to my Shama, you will benefit thereby”.

In compliance with Baba’s order, Mr.Phadke brought the Dhotar, and requested Kakasaheb to hand it over to Madhavrao, but the latter refused to accept it, saying that unless Baba gave a hint or suggestion for acceptance, he would not accept it.  Then after some discussion Kakasaheb decided to cast lots.  It was the practice of Kakasaheb to cast lots in all matters in doubt, and to abide by the decision, as given in the picked up chit.  In this particular case, two chits, on one of which was written ‘To accept’ and on other ‘To reject’ were placed at the Feet of the Baba and a child was asked to pick up one of them. The ‘Accept’ chit was picked up and the Dhotar was accepted by Madhavrao.  In this way both Anandrao and Madhavrao were satisfied, and Kakasaheb’s difficulty was solved.

The Leelas continue to bless the devotees till today and will continue for those who seek His blessings though He left the physical form nearly 100 years ago.  He is Aroopa Vyaktaya.