Shri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 32 - English

Shri Sai Satcharitra - Chapter 32

Chapter 32 of Shrirdi Sai Satcharitra (English Version)

Complete English Playlist Link : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI6LdKwBZwGiaZfO_IEhX0ivQonA0FMSu
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This chapter of the Sai Satcharitra covers the following:
How Baba met His Guru in the woods, and thereby met God;
In the Quest for the Guru and God− Fasting Disapproved;
How Baba made Mrs. Ghokhale break her fast;
Baba’s Sircar
Preliminary

In the beginning, Hemadpant describes the visible world using the allegory of the Banyan tree which has, in the phraseology of the Gita, roots above and branches below. Its branches are spread both downwards and upwards, and are nourished by the qualities. Its sprouts are the objects of the senses. Its roots, leading to actions, are extended downwards to this world of men. Its form cannot be known in this world and nor can its beginning or end be seen. After severing these strong roots with the sharp weapon of non-attachment, one should seek the path beyond which there is no return.

To traverse this path, the help of a good guide (Guru) is absolutely necessary. However learned a man may be, or however deep he might study the Vedas and the Vedangas (sacred literature), he cannot get to his destination safely without a guide. If a guide is there to help him and show him the right path, he can avoid the pitfalls and the wild beasts on the journey and everything will be smooth-sailing.

Baba’s experience in this matter, a story which He Himself tells, is truly wonderful; when remembered, it will give you faith, devotion and salvation.

The Quest

“Once, the four of us were studying religious scriptures and other books and thus feeling enlightened, we began to discuss the nature of the Brahman. One of us said that we should raise the self by the Self and not depend on others. To this, the second replied that he who controls his mind is blessed, thus we should be free from thoughts and ideas, and there is nothing in the world without us. The third said that the world is always changing, the formless is eternal and thus we should discriminate between the Unreal and the Real. And the fourth (Baba Himself) urged that bookish knowledge is worthless and added, “Let us do our prescribed duty and surrender our body, mind and five pranas(life forces) at the Guru’s feet. The Guru is God and is all-pervading. To attain this conviction, strong and unbounded faith is necessary.”

While discussing this, we began to ramble through the woods in our quest for God. The three others wanted to make the quest with their free and unaided intellect. On the way, a Vanjari (a traveling vendor who sells things such as grain) met us and asked us, “It is hot now; where and how far are you going?” “To search the woods”, we replied. He inquired, “On what quest are you bound?” We gave him an ambiguous and evasive reply; Seeing us rambling aimlessly, he was moved and said, “Since you do not know the woods well, you should not wander at random. If you want to walk through forests and jungles, you should take a guide with you. Why do you exert yourselves unnecessarily at this hot noon-hour? You may not want to tell me about your secret quest, but you can still sit down, eat bread, drink water, rest and then resume your search. Always be patient at heart.” Though he spoke with so much affection, we discarded his offer and marched on. We thought that we were self-contained men and needed nobody’s help. The woods were vast and track-less and the trees therein grew so close and tall, and the sun’s rays could not penetrate through them; so we lost our way and wandered for a long time. Ultimately, through sheer good luck, we came back to the place from where we started.

The Vanjari met us again and said, “Relying on your own skills, you lost your way; a guide is always necessary to show us the right way in small or great matters and no quest can be successfully carried out on an empty stomach. Unless God wills it, no one meets us on the way. Do not discard offers of food; served dishes should not be thrust away. Offers of food should be regarded as auspicious signs of success.” Saying this, he again offered us food and asked us to be calm and patient. Again, the others did not like this hospitality and discarded his offer and went away. They were very obstinate.

I was hungry and thirsty and I was moved by the Vanjari’s extraordinary love; we thought ourselves very learned, but were strangers to pity and kindness. The Vanjari was an illiterate fellow and yet he had love in his heart and invited us to share his bread.

Bow to Shri Sai – Peace be to all

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