Chapter 21
Stories of (1) V.H. Thakur (2) Anantrao Patankar and (3) Pandharpur Pleader
It is our good luck in the form of accumulation of merits in past births, that enables us to seek the company of Saints and profit thereby. In illustration of this rule, Hemadpant gives his own instance.
He was a resident Magistrate of Bandra, A suburb of Bombay , for many years.
A famour Mahomedan Saint named Pir Moulana was living there and many Hindus, Parsis and many others who followed different religion used to go to him and take his darshan. His Mujavar (priest) by name Inus pressed Hemadpant many a time, night and day, for going to see him, but for some reason or other he was not able to see him. After many years his turn came and he was called to Shirdi where he was permanently enlisted in Sai Baba's Darbar.
Unfortunate fellows do not get this contact of the Saints. It is only the fortunate ones that get it.
Anantrao Patankar
Anantrao Patankar a gentleman from Poona wished to see Baba so he came to Shirdi, and took Baba's darshan. His eyes were appeased, he was much pleased. He fell at Baba's Feet.
After performing proper worship he said to Baba - "I have read a lot, studied Vedas, Vedants and Upanishads and heard all the Purnas, but still I have not got any peace of mind.Unless the mind becomes calm, all book-learning is of no avail. I have heard, from many people, that you easily give peace of mind to so many people by your mere glance, and playful word; so I have come here; please take pity on me and bless me". Then Baba told him a parable, which was as follows:-
It is our good luck in the form of accumulation of merits in past births, that enables us to seek the company of Saints and profit thereby. In illustration of this rule, Hemadpant gives his own instance.
He was a resident Magistrate of Bandra, A suburb of Bombay , for many years.
A famour Mahomedan Saint named Pir Moulana was living there and many Hindus, Parsis and many others who followed different religion used to go to him and take his darshan. His Mujavar (priest) by name Inus pressed Hemadpant many a time, night and day, for going to see him, but for some reason or other he was not able to see him. After many years his turn came and he was called to Shirdi where he was permanently enlisted in Sai Baba's Darbar.
Unfortunate fellows do not get this contact of the Saints. It is only the fortunate ones that get it.
Anantrao Patankar
Anantrao Patankar a gentleman from Poona wished to see Baba so he came to Shirdi, and took Baba's darshan. His eyes were appeased, he was much pleased. He fell at Baba's Feet.
After performing proper worship he said to Baba - "I have read a lot, studied Vedas, Vedants and Upanishads and heard all the Purnas, but still I have not got any peace of mind.Unless the mind becomes calm, all book-learning is of no avail. I have heard, from many people, that you easily give peace of mind to so many people by your mere glance, and playful word; so I have come here; please take pity on me and bless me". Then Baba told him a parable, which was as follows:-
Parable of Nine Balls of Stool (Nava-vidha Bhakti)
"Once a Soudagar (merchant) came here. Before him a mare passed her stool (nine balls of stool). The merchant, intent on his quest, spread the end of his dhotar and gathered all the nine balls in it, and thus he got concentration (peace) of mind".
Mr. Patankar could not make out the meaning of this story; so he asked Ganesh Damodar, alias Dada Kelkar, "What does Baba mean by this?" He replied - "I too do not know all that Baba says and means, but at His inspiration I say, what I come to know.
The mare is God's grace and the nine balls excreted are the nine forms or types of Bhakti
(1) Shravana (Hearing);
(2) Kirtana (Praying);
(3) Smarana (Remembering);
(4) Padasevana (resorting to the feet);
(5) Archana (Worship);
(6) Namaskara (Bowing);
(7) Dasya (Service);
(8) Sakhyatva (Friendship);
(9) Atmanivedana (surrender of the self).
These are the nine types of Bhakti. If any of these is faithfully followed, Lord Hari will be pleased, and manifest Himself in the home of the devotee.
All the sadhanas,
i) Japa (vocal worship)
ii) Tapa (penance),
iii)Yoga practice
studying the scriptures and expounding them are quite useless unless they are accompanied by Bhakti, i.e., devotion.
Knowledge of the Vedas, or fame as a great Jnani, and mere formal Bhajan (worship) are of no avail. What is wanted is Loving Devotion.
Consider yourself as the merchant or seeker after the truth and be anxious and eager like him to collect or cultivate the nine types of devotion. Then you will attain stability and peace of mind".
Next day, when Patankar went to Baba for saluation, he was asked whether he collected the 'nine balls of stool'. Then he said that he, being a poor fellow, should first be graced by Baba, and then they will be easily collected. Then Baba blessed and comforted him, saying that he would attain peace and welfare. After hearing this, Patankar became overjoyed and happy.
Mr. Patankar could not make out the meaning of this story; so he asked Ganesh Damodar, alias Dada Kelkar, "What does Baba mean by this?" He replied - "I too do not know all that Baba says and means, but at His inspiration I say, what I come to know.
The mare is God's grace and the nine balls excreted are the nine forms or types of Bhakti
(1) Shravana (Hearing);
(2) Kirtana (Praying);
(3) Smarana (Remembering);
(4) Padasevana (resorting to the feet);
(5) Archana (Worship);
(6) Namaskara (Bowing);
(7) Dasya (Service);
(8) Sakhyatva (Friendship);
(9) Atmanivedana (surrender of the self).
These are the nine types of Bhakti. If any of these is faithfully followed, Lord Hari will be pleased, and manifest Himself in the home of the devotee.
All the sadhanas,
i) Japa (vocal worship)
ii) Tapa (penance),
iii)Yoga practice
studying the scriptures and expounding them are quite useless unless they are accompanied by Bhakti, i.e., devotion.
Knowledge of the Vedas, or fame as a great Jnani, and mere formal Bhajan (worship) are of no avail. What is wanted is Loving Devotion.
Consider yourself as the merchant or seeker after the truth and be anxious and eager like him to collect or cultivate the nine types of devotion. Then you will attain stability and peace of mind".
Next day, when Patankar went to Baba for saluation, he was asked whether he collected the 'nine balls of stool'. Then he said that he, being a poor fellow, should first be graced by Baba, and then they will be easily collected. Then Baba blessed and comforted him, saying that he would attain peace and welfare. After hearing this, Patankar became overjoyed and happy.
Download Telugu Sai Satcharitra Book in Soft Copy .
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Embroidery work-Sister Lavanya's Mother
Sai Baba's Picture-Sister Lavanya.
© Shirdi Sai Baba Bhajans and Songs
Post details -Sister Lavanya
Embroidery work-Sister Lavanya's Mother
Sai Baba's Picture-Sister Lavanya.
© Shirdi Sai Baba Bhajans and SongsLoading
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