BABA'S ANKITA SISHYA'S SADGATI
As Mahlsapathy made no difference between Khandoba and Baba, and as all thoughts of men were known to Baba, Baba could not object to any of the ways adopted for worship at the Khandoba temple being applied to him. Baba's divine heart of love responded to the outpourings of Mahlsapathy's love; and so, Mahlsapathy became Baba's ANKITA SISHYA. Baba said (if not expressly at least by unmistakable utterance and conduct). `He is mine'. The Arati song says,
Jo Sanduchya ankita Jiva Jhala,
Tyacha Ase Bhara niranjanala.
This means, the devotee who is stamped as mine by a Sadhu, has no more burden or responsibility to bear, as all his burdens and responsibilities rest on the Saint (or the Guru God). Baba showed his assumption of responsibility in innumerable ways. Especially when he sent him in the evenings away from the Mosque, he would be saying `Go, I am with you' i.e., `I will protect you'. And he did.
Baba's cure of Mahlsapathy's wife's tumour at a distant place far off from Shirdi, and the cure of her children of their disease at other times are excellent instances of Baba's protection and love. When bhakta had no son, and yet refused to go and live with his family, it was Baba's repeated assurance that he would get a male child that induced him to and sleep at home and thus get a son. This son is named Martanda and is still living (at the time of writing this article by HH Pujyasri B V N Swamiji) and worshipping at his father's tomb. This is considered important, as dying without a son will take a man to Hell (Put Naraka).
Mahlsapathy's response to Baba's love was evidenced by Mahlsapathy's dedication of himself to Baba's service. Mahlsapathy not only shared his cloth bed with Baba every night at the Mosque and chavadi, butalso shared his night vigil. Mahlsapathy's help to rouse Baba when the vigil stopped and gave way to natural sleep was a special help to Baba, and through Baba to everybody. Mahlsapathy'' effort to keep the Baba body for three days in 1886 against the mischance of being buried on the compulsion of the officers was a signal service not only to Baba but to the entire Sai Bhaktas and the public at large. Baba's recognition of this attachment closely resembling Hanuman's attachment to Rama was expressed by Baba's calling him Bhagat i.e., Bhakta.
As Mahlsapathy made no difference between Khandoba and Baba, and as all thoughts of men were known to Baba, Baba could not object to any of the ways adopted for worship at the Khandoba temple being applied to him. Baba's divine heart of love responded to the outpourings of Mahlsapathy's love; and so, Mahlsapathy became Baba's ANKITA SISHYA. Baba said (if not expressly at least by unmistakable utterance and conduct). `He is mine'. The Arati song says,
Jo Sanduchya ankita Jiva Jhala,
Tyacha Ase Bhara niranjanala.
This means, the devotee who is stamped as mine by a Sadhu, has no more burden or responsibility to bear, as all his burdens and responsibilities rest on the Saint (or the Guru God). Baba showed his assumption of responsibility in innumerable ways. Especially when he sent him in the evenings away from the Mosque, he would be saying `Go, I am with you' i.e., `I will protect you'. And he did.
Baba's cure of Mahlsapathy's wife's tumour at a distant place far off from Shirdi, and the cure of her children of their disease at other times are excellent instances of Baba's protection and love. When bhakta had no son, and yet refused to go and live with his family, it was Baba's repeated assurance that he would get a male child that induced him to and sleep at home and thus get a son. This son is named Martanda and is still living (at the time of writing this article by HH Pujyasri B V N Swamiji) and worshipping at his father's tomb. This is considered important, as dying without a son will take a man to Hell (Put Naraka).
Mahlsapathy's response to Baba's love was evidenced by Mahlsapathy's dedication of himself to Baba's service. Mahlsapathy not only shared his cloth bed with Baba every night at the Mosque and chavadi, butalso shared his night vigil. Mahlsapathy's help to rouse Baba when the vigil stopped and gave way to natural sleep was a special help to Baba, and through Baba to everybody. Mahlsapathy'' effort to keep the Baba body for three days in 1886 against the mischance of being buried on the compulsion of the officers was a signal service not only to Baba but to the entire Sai Bhaktas and the public at large. Baba's recognition of this attachment closely resembling Hanuman's attachment to Rama was expressed by Baba's calling him Bhagat i.e., Bhakta.
The end of such a soul when life passes away must necessarily be a good end (sadgati). Baba made this assurance doubly sure and granted him the merit of dying on an Ekadasi day (with God in his mind and on his lips) just as he did this for several bhaktas of his. Dying on an Ekadasi day is conducive to departure in a holy mood from this life (through the bright and smokeless path) B.Gita VIII-6 says,yam yam vapi Smaran Bhavam
Tyajati ante kalebaram
Tam tam eva eti kounteya
Sada tad bhava bhavitah
That is, `Whatever a person thinks of (being in constant touch with it) at the time of death he reaches.' When Mahlsapathy's death was approaching, he retained full consciousness and control of his mind.That was on 11th September 1922 Monday (in the month of Badrapada, Ekadasi) Somavara, sacred to Shiva and Khandoba). Having finished all his pooja, he said to his family, '`Today is my father's'Shraddhaday. Finish cooking soon. Today I close my earthly life and go to Heaven." So, Laxman, the Brahmin, came and finished the Sraddha at once and finished the gift of balis to crows, cows, etc, and guestswere fed. Then the family meals were finished. Mahlsapathy took betel and nuts after his meal. After chewing a bit, he put on a kupni. Having near him, Bala Gurav, Ramachandra Kothe, etc., he told themall to do Ramachandra japa. Japa went on. His son was there, and he gave him his stick. Mahlsapathy said to his son, "Spend time piously in uttama Bhakti Marga i.e., in holy devotion. All that I told youwill happen." Then Mahlsapathy uttered the word `Ram' and breathed his last. Thus he passed away in calm faith and cheerfulness on the 11th September 1922. This death was a fitting termination to a pure,lofty and dedicated life – a life of Love, faith and total surrender- a death that may be envied by many who may not be prepared to adopt the rigorous course that led up to it and ensured it. His remains are interred in a tomb at Shirdi, which is still worshipped by many.
Courtesy: HH Pujyasri B. V. Narasimha Swamiji
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment