Previously Posted
| Chapter No. | Part No. | Content of the Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| NA | NA | Introduction (Preface, Foreword, A Devotee Speaks and A Thought) |
| Chapter 1 | Part 1 | In Moments of Ecstasy |
| Chapter 1 | Part 2 | In Moments of Ecstasy |
| Chapter 1 | Part 3 | In Moments of Ecstasy |
| Chapter 1 | Part 4 | In Moments of Ecstasy |
| Chapter 2 | Part 1 | The Heart Overflows |
| Chapter 2 | Part 2 | The Heart Overflows |
| Chapter 2 | Part 3 | The Heart Overflows |
| Chapter 2 | Part 4 | The Heart Overflows |
| Chapter 2 | Part 5 | The Heart Overflows |
| Chapter 2 | Part 6 | The Heart Overflows |
| Chapter 3 | Part 1 | Listen O’ Fellow Travellers |
| Chapter 3 | Part 2 | Listen O’ Fellow Travellers |
| Chapter 3 | Part 3 | Listen O’ Fellow Travellers |
| Chapter 3 | Part 4 | Listen O’ Fellow Travellers |
| Chapter 3 | Part 5 | Listen O’ Fellow Travellers |
| Chapter 4 | Part 1 | On The Wings Of Thought |
| Chapter 4 | Part 2 | On The Wings Of Thought |
| Chapter 4 | Part 3 | On The Wings Of Thought |
| Chapter 4 | Part 4 | On The Wings Of Thought |
| Chapter 5 | Part 1 | Sai Bhakti |
| Chapter 5 | Part 2 | Sai Bhakti |
| Chapter 5 | Part 3 | Sai Bhakti |
| Chapter 5 | Part 4 | Sai Bhakti |
(m) Baba’s Assurances
“Without some special bonds of past lives no one comes to us. May it be a dog, a pig or a fly. So do not repulse anybody. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 3, Ovi 81)
“How will anyone be longing for worldly pleasures, who thinks of my name, worships me, studies me, whose holy readings are of me, who meditates on me and who continuously thinks of me? – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 3, Ovi 16)
“I am under my devotees’ obligations. I am always beside them (standing close). I am always hungry for love. I am at their beck and call”.– Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 11, Ovi 76)
Hold on to the good company of the Guru and the virtuous. Disentangle from the worldly ties. Definitely herein is your fulfillment. Have no doubts. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 10, Ovi 134)
“He, who constantly remembers me after completely surrendering to me, I owe him a debt which I will repay by uplifting him.
“I am in bondage to him who does not eat or drink anything without offering it to me first and who constantly meditates upon me. I act according to his wishes.
“I constantly care for him who only longs for me and for him no one is equal to me. I act according to his wishes.
“He who has turned away from mother, father, kinsmen, friends and relatives, wife and son alone is attached to my feet”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 44, Ovi 151-154)
“He who abandons all pride, is ever grateful to Him (God), and places all his burden on Him (God), will achieve his objective”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 34, Ovi 131)
“None can come here unless I bring him”, was what Baba said.
“Unless I so desire who can cross his threshold? Who will get ‘darshan’ by his own volition or come to Shirdi?” – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 35, Ovi 153-154)
“If anyone has given me one rupee as ‘dakshina’, I have to give ten times more in return, accurately.
“I never take anything from anyone gratis. I do not ask all and sundry. I only take dakshina from those to whom the Fakir points out.
“The Fakir asks from only those to whom He is indebted.” – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 35, Ovi 129-131)
He will keep his hand of re-assurance on your head; will ward off bad omens; burn up heaps of all sins and anoint the forehead with ‘Udi’. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 17, Ovi 144)
“In the home of my devotees, food and clothing will never be lacking”. This is an assurance given by Shri Sai and the devotees were aware of this.
“Those who whole-heartedly worship me and lovingly always serve me, I look after their well-being. This I know to be my motto.”
This is also the affirmation of the Bhagvat Gita. Sai says to accept this as universal truth: “There will never be shortage of food and clothing. Therefore do not hanker after them.” – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 6, Ovi 33-35)
“Even when I pass away, believe in my words. From my tomb my bones will give you assurance.
“Not only I, but my tomb would be speaking, moving and communicating with those who surrender themselves whole heartedly to me.
“Do not worry that I shall be hidden from your eyes. You will hear my bones speak and discuss your welfare.
“Always remember me only. Believe in me heart and soul. Pray without selfish motives and you will attain your welfare”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 25, Ovi 105-108)
(n) Devotees Conduct
- Purity
“Such pious persons have become my followers whose sins have been destroyed and they have understood me.– Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 13, Ovi 11)
“Destroy from their roots evil tendencies and argumentative habits. Let our tongues get a passion for chanting the name, O’ pure, Sairaya!
“Grant to me the ability to love you so intensely that I may forget all my resolves, doubts, even my body and home. Take away my ego also.
“Make me ever remember your name and forget all other things. Remove the restlessness of the mind and make it steady and calm.
“If you just clasp us, the darkness of night of our ignorance will vanish and we shall live happily in your light. What more can we desire?
“That you made us drink the nectar of your life story and awakened us from our slumber is due to your grace. Isn’t this something extraordinary?”– Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 25, Ovi 117-121)
The human being should do penance and achieve purification of the mind whereby the Brahman is attained, completely. Such behaviour, in accordance with religion is needed, at the outset. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 37, Ovi 88)
“He who definitely wishes to escape the bonds of birth and death, should follow the path of righteousness very meticulously and be always tranquil.
“Such a person should abandon harsh words; should not pick on others’ weaknesses; remain engaged in good acts concentrating on one’s own duties.
“Surrender your mind and heart to me. Remember me continuously. Do not bother about your body and leave it to itself. Such a person need not fear nor have to concern himself about the three-fold purification.
“He who looks to me with undivided attention, praises me and listens to my praises is blessed. He, who has no other desire except me, he only will reach the Supreme Self”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 19, Ovi 216-219)
- Control of Ego & Mind
When the ego is completely surrendered at his feet, infinite bliss will ensue. The whole of worldly existence will be blissful when egotism vanishes. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 2, Ovi 64)
Without any hesitation give up your ego and pride, and prostrate yourself, bowing your head down at the feet of the Guru.
‘I am your humblest servant. I have always regarded your feet as my only solace’. Utter these words. Gather courage and have faith in him.
And then just see his marvel! Guru, the Ocean of Compassionate Love will be stirred to pity and he will hold you aloft, catching you up upon his bed of ripples. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 17, Ovi 141-143)
- Control of Senses
Unless the senses are under control and their very nature changes and turns within, the understanding of Brahman and experiencing it are impossible.
Initially one should be completely desireless. Then one should surrender totally to a Guru. In this way, he who develops firm and full faith deserves the knowledge of the Atman.
When the five sense organs, like the ears etc, abandon their respective pleasures, then the mind will give up doubts and desires.
Thus, disregarding the difference and being free internally, the intellect will be relieved of its burden of taking decisions. That itself is the supreme state of mind and the unchangeable Brahman is also the same.
When the intellect will not need the help of the sense of discretion, the mind will come alive. That is Pure Consciousness and nothing else. Blessed is the man who can gain it.
When the sense organs turn away from worldly pleasures and are introverted, Bliss of Self is experienced and everything else will mean unhappiness.
It is camouflaged by the senses and passions. It is extremely minute. Thus this knowledge of Atman is difficult to perceive. It is the means of supreme happiness. It is very mysterious in nature and unintelligible. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 17, Ovi 93-99)
“Now wrap up your fake Brahman. Till your greed is not destroyed, you will never realize Brahman”.
“He whose mind is attached to his family and possessions (sons, farm, animals etc.) how can he achieve Brahman till constant awareness of his wealth is not abandoned.
“The greed for money is very difficult. It is a deep whirlpool of pain, full of crocodiles in the form of conceit and jealousy. Only a desireless person can swim across these difficult waters.
“There is unending enmity between avarice and Brahman. How can he attain salvation and practice self–denial who has no time for meditation? A covetous man is a fallen man.
“Where there is greed, there is no peace, no contentment, nor restfulness. All means (of achieving Brahman) turn to dust when avarice takes hold of the mind.
“He who indulges in low, forbidden acts and stoops down to lowest behaviour, unacceptable to the Shrutis and the Smritis, and who is permanently leading that kind of life, can never have equanimity of mind.
“Such a man is called whimsical. He is always engaged in wicked deeds, permanently wallowing in worldly pleasures and he never understands what is good or bad.
“May be he has understood the nature of Brahman but if he is not detached from the fruits of his action, then his knowledge of the Brahman is futile and he is not self-realised.
“If anybody approaches a Saint and asks for anything, a Saint first judges whether he is worthy of it and then grants him his desire accordingly.
“One whose mind is engaged day and night in boasting about material achievements and seeking pleasures, for such a person the preachings of a Guru are of no use. For both, it is a sheer waste of time!
“He who tries to penetrate the realm of divine life without the purification of his mind, his efforts appear like an exhibition of scholarship. It is all a futile effort.
“Therefore, one should speak only what one understands; and should eat what one can digest otherwise unnecessarily there will be indigestion. Everybody knows this.
“My treasury is full, I can give anything anyone asks for but I have to take into account the receiver’s capacity. I give that which one is able to receive only. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 17, Ovi 66-78)
‘Me and Mine’ – should be completely given up. Act without pride and enjoy the pleasure with an outlook of nonattachment. Have no desire for anything. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 20, Ovi 97)
He who looks at everything and at all creatures as Brahman itself, who looks upon friends and foes with equality and who does not discriminate the least,
He is without expectations and regards everything equally, showers nectar of blessing even on those who have done harm to him. His mind remains unperturbed in good times or bad times. He entertains no doubts.
Though living in this perishable body, he is not entangled in the bonds of the body. Outwardly, he looks a physical being but inwardly, he is without body. Such a person is truly liberated though with a body. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 10, Ovi 72-74)
- Giving and Sharing
Give with reverence and faith. Giving without faith is futile. One should respect the commands of a king and the dictums of the scriptures and should give something out of a sense of decency. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 14, Ovi 144)
“If anyone has given me one rupee as ‘dakshina’, I have to give ten times more in return, accurately.
“I never take anything from anyone gratis. I do not ask all and sundry. I only take ‘dakshina’ from those to whom the Fakir points out.
“The Fakir asks from only those to whom He is indebted. The giver sows the seeds, by giving, and later reaps the harvest. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 35, Ovi 129-131)
- Seeking honours
“One should seek honour at the door of God; and should beg only from God. Ask only for His Blessings. Worldly prestige should be left aside.
“Why are you satisfied by the honour given to you by society? And why are you infatuated by that? Rather seek through intense devotion to move your chosen deity to compassion and to express your joy through copious streams of satvik bhava.
“May you find joy in such striving. Let all the faculties be seized with such a devotional urge so that the passions of the senses may be transformed completely and sprout devotional worship. What desire will then remain?
“May such devotion be your constant pre-occupation leaving no relish for anything else. May the mind be engaged in constant chanting of my name and let everything else be forgotten.
“Then there will be no thought of body, home and wealth. The heart will be fixed on the infinite happiness. The mind will be balanced and serene; and it will find fulfillment in itself.
“A contented mind is the surest sign of association with the holy. How can a wandering mind be considered as being surrendered to God?”– Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 6, Ovi 36-41)
- Compensation for labour
“Nobody should take another’s labour, in any way, free of charge.
“One can accept work from a person but one should always evaluate a person’s efforts and repay. One should discipline oneself never to take free services from anyone”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 19, Ovi 246-247)
- Miscellaneous
“Can anyone become a saint by wearing dhoties with silken borders? To become a saint what is required is hard penance till the bones wear out thin and blood becomes water. – Gaulibuva (Chap. 4, Ovi 79)
People come running to Shirdi, only for the sake of temporal happiness and become the followers of a fakir like me. Nobody asks for Brahman ever. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 16, Ovi 41)
“Without having an association from some earlier life, no one, not just human beings but even animals and birds, come across one another. Therefore, do not rebuff any one.
“Respect the strangers who come to your doorstep. Offer water to the thirsty, give bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked and some space to rest in your verandah to the needy. This will please the Lord.
“If anybody is in need of money and you are not desirous of giving, do not give; but at least, don’t behave in an insulting manner and bark like a dog at him.
“Anyone may call you names in a hundred ways, never retort with bitterness. Tolerate it with patience. You will gain tremendous happiness.
“Even if the world turns topsy-turvy, you should remain still. Be steadfast and observe passively.
“Break down the wall between you and me. Then the way to approach each other will be clear and there will be no fear.
“The sense of duality between you and me is the wall between the Guru and the disciple. Till this wall is not completely demolished, the state of oneness is impossible to achieve”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 19, Ovi 141-147)
“If you are born as a human being, after doing a lot of good deeds in your previous birth, and if you thus waste the life, what good can Shirdi do for him, who is set to ruin himself?” – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 19, Ovi 206)
“If any one speaks insultingly to another, then he has hurt me only and pierced my heart.
“He hurts me immediately who speaks a volley of hard words to another; while I am immensely pleased for a long time if one bears an insult patiently”.– Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 44, Ovi 174-175)
God dwells in everyone, therefore, do not hate or envy anyone. See God in each and every form. There is not an iota of space without Him. – Vedas (Chap. 45, Ovi 55)
“Wherever there is the mentality of contentiousness, ignorance and illusion will exist in abundance. There is no purification nor one’s own benefit. There are always skeptical and ignoble thoughts. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 2, Ovi 87)
“People meet as destiny decides. We come together because of good fortune. We should, therefore nurture affection for each other and enjoy happiness and serenity.
“Who is immortal here? Blessed is he who has attained the supreme goal of life. Others only breathe to remain alive”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 19, Ovi 150-151)
“Without the slightest doubt, worship the Gods and then they will take pity on you”.
“You should take pains but give up worrying about the results completely. I am present, standing behind you and carrying the pot of milk (to give you the fruits). Thus I am always backing you.
But, if you think that I should exert and you should only drink the milk abundantly, I will not agree with this. On the contrary, you should be alert and perform the actions. Be active and work for it”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 19, Ovi 157-159)
Nearby, next to a hedge, a village sow was eating excreta with great relish. Baba pointed out that to him and said:
“Look how its (pig) tongue is enjoying the taste of the human excreta! A person who reviles his own brethren to his heart’s content is similar to it.– Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 19, Ovi 204-205)
(o) Baba’s ways of Teaching
To some he prescribed the Adhyatma Ramayan; to some the recitation of Dñyaneshwari; to some he suggested reciting the Harivarda and to some to read Gurucharitra.
He would keep some near him; ask some to go to Khandoba’s temple; to some he keenly suggested to study and memorise the Vishnu Sahasranama.
To some he suggested the Ram Vijaya; to some meditation; to some the power of the name of the Lord; to some he suggested the Chandogya Upanishad and Gita Rahasya and told them that through faith only they could understand the essence of all.
His ways of teaching were exceptional. Some were taught in a particular way, some in a different way. To some he taught directly and appeared in the dreams of others.
Many people from different castes came for his darshan and help. He even appeared in dreams to those who were fond of liquor.
He would sit on their chest pressing with his hands and feet and making them take a solemn vow never to drink again.
Like the pictures that are drawn by an astrologer on the walls of a house where a wedding is to take place he would write the mantra “Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu” etc. in a dream vision on the walls of the house of another devotee.
If a person tried to practise the yogic aasana and also the difficult Hatha Yoga without Baba’s knowledge, Baba would come to know about it because of his extra-sensory powers and then he would rightly penalise.
He would catch hold of someone, whom he did not even know, and send a message: “Can you not sit quietly, and patiently eat your bread?” – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 19, Ovi 222-230)
To some he would give an ultimatum and tell him that: “I am a very strict person by nature. I will tell you mildly only once or twice and if inspite of that you don’t listen, at the end it will be very difficult for you. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 19, Ovi 232)
I will try to tell once, to tell twice, but if a person does not care to listen to my words, even if he be my kith and kin, I will not hesitate to tear him apart and throw him away”.– Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 19, Ovi 232)
- On Enjoyment of Senses
“Before the mind, the intellect and other senses enjoy their objects, remember me first so that they become an offering to me, slowly.
“The senses can never remain without their objects; but if these objects are first offered to the Guru, the attachment for them will naturally vanish.
“If you desire anything, desire me only! If you are angry vent your anger on me only! Offer me your pride and obstinacy. Be devoted only to me.
“Whenever desire, anger, pride arise strongly make me the object towards which to direct them.
“In this way, one by one, the Lord will help you in eradicating all the ‘Vrittis’. The Lord (Govinda) will certainly calm the strong waves of these three venomous qualities.
“In fact, this disturbed mental state would be absorbed in my form or would become one with me. A state of peace will be yours at my feet”.– Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 24, Ovi 46-51)
“Such a person (ignorant and confused) is not fit for Self-knowledge. False knowledge will overpower him. For him there is nothing in this world and in the next. For ever and everywhere, he is miserable.
“There is no point in establishing one’s own school of thought. And there is no need to refute the thinking of others also. There is no need to debate and prove someone wrong. These are baseless efforts”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 2, Ovi 87-88)
A disciple should be modest, able, free from envy, unselfish or disinterested, always ready to serve the Guru, eager to have spiritual knowledge and of steadfast temperament.
He should have no hatred, nor engage in loquaciousness. These are the qualities required to please the Gururaya. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 42, Ovi 124-125)
One whose conduct is always correct and good, who eats just enough to sustain his body, and is not attached to home or wife – such a person is blessed and a sage.– Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 37, Ovi 90)
- On Fasting
“Food and the one who eats it are the embodiments of Vishnu. Fasting, austerities, unsullied food, going without any food or water – Why indulge in this?
What is the need for us to practice fasting and austerities?”– Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 32, Ovi 142-143)
You do not need ceremonies to complete the rituals, you do not need fasting to torture the body; you do not need to visit the tirthas. It is sufficient to listen to the story. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 3, Ovi 182)
- Food to Hungry
“Oh mother! You fed me to-day, because of which I am full upto my throat. I was overcome with hunger and you satisfied me.
“You must act like this always. Truly only this will prove useful, ultimately. Sitting in the Masjid, I do not ever speak an untruth. This is the universal truth.
“Know that this is the kindness which I preach. Give food to the hungry first and then eat yourself. Remember this clearly in your mind”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 9, Ovi 120-122)
“When you sat down for your meals, you suddenly saw a dog come to the door, which was suffering from extreme hunger. I am one with that dog.
“Similarly, I am one with that pig bespattered with mud, which was also hungry and miserable”.
When she heard Baba’s words, the lady was very much surprised. Dogs, pigs, cats which wander – Are they one with Baba?
“Sometimes I am a dog, sometimes a pig, sometimes I am a cow, sometimes a cat, sometimes an ant, a fly or fish. I move about in different forms.
“That person who sees me in all the creatures, you must understand is my beloved one. Give up the belief in the two-fold nature, and worship me in this manner”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 9, Ovi 126-130)
“Why do you fret unnecessarily? Satisfying the hunger of this dog is the same as giving me appeasement. Bear this in mind.
“Isn’t this dog a living creature? All beings experience the same hunger. Though it is dumb and I can speak, is there any difference in the hunger that both experience?
“He who feeds those distressed by hunger really serves me with food. Know this and regard it as an axiomatic truth”. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 42, Ovi 103-105)
- Dancing
He (Baba) behaved ordinarily with all people, witnessed the dance and frolic of the Muralis, listened to the songs and ghazals, swaying to them (with great relish) but his inner state of samadhi was absolutely undisturbed. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 4, Ovi 49)
Before moving into the Masjid, Baba stayed at the takia. He stayed there long, peacefully and untroubled by anyone.
Here, tying jingling bells around his feet, he would dance gracefully and sing melodiously with devotion to the accompaniment of a tambourine. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 5, Ovi 99-100)
- Advice to Kirtankars
Where are you going so dressed up? Baba asked Das Ganu. He replied: “I am going to perform kirtan”.
Baba said to him, further: “Why have you taken so much trouble over dressing up? Why do you have long coat, uparna and pheta? We do not need all these things.
“Take them off in front of me. Why burden your body with them?” As per his orders, he took them off and laid them at his feet. – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 15, Ovi 24-26)
- Reading of Books
Mere reading is a waste of time till the meaning is not experienced, for which the blessings of a Guru, who has the knowledge of the Brahman, is required. Mere bookish knowledge is futile. – Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 21, Ovi 73)
(p) Humility of Baba
For the love of his devotees, Baba’s words spoken with great humility: “I am the humblest of your servants. I am your debtor. I have come here to have your darshan.
“This is a great favour of yours that I have been able to reach your feet. I am a maggot in your excreta. I consider myself blessed thereby”.
What humility on the part of Baba! Oh how much he desired to be humble. What height of complete abandonment of ego! He was equally modest too! – (Chap. 10, Ovi 90-92)
(q) Parayan (Regular Reading) of ‘Shri Sai Satcharitra’
Where the Sai Charitra is regularly recited, Sai resides there always. If the ‘Charitra’ is repeatedly read with full faith, it pleases him, in all respects.– Govind Raghunath Dabholkar alias Hemadpant (Chap. 35, Ovi 22)
“Let your intellect meditate on the Guru, who is God; let your ears hear his stories; let your mind concentrate on him and let your tongue chant his name.
Let your feet take you to the abode of the Guru; let your nose inhale the fragrance of the flowers that have been offered to him; let your hands touch his feet in obeisance and let your eyes take his darshan.
In this manner when employing all the senses for the Lord with love, the state of those devotees is blissful. What else is devotion to God?” – Shri Sai Baba (Chap. 39, Ovi 95-97)
© Author – Late Shri. Suresh Chandra Gupta – Explicit Rights To Publish To Shirdi Sai Baba Books.com (Member of SaiYugNetwork.com)
