Chapter 27 - Historical Commentary - a podcast by Sai Babas Devotee Speaks

The Leelas in chapter 27 give us a glimpse of Baba's love for Shama, and how He wanted to give Shama several religious texts so that he could benefit from them. The first story is about Kaka Mahajani, who comes to the Dwarka Mai with a copy of the Eknath Bhagvat, hoping that Baba would return it with His blessings. But, Baba gives the book to Shama instead. Shama protests, but to no avail. Mahajani then brings another copy, which Baba blesses and returns to him. The main story of this chapter is about a Ramdasi, who used to read the Vishnu Sahasranam every day. Baba lies to him, saying that He has a terrible stomach ache which would abate with Senna powder. The concerned Ramdasi immediately leaves to get the powder. Then, Baba comes down, steals his book and gives it to Shama. Shama is unwilling to accept it as he thinks that Baba is trying to cause a fight between them, and that is exactly what happens. But Baba pacifies the Ramdasi, and Shama gives him a copy of the Pancharatna Gita instead, which the Ramdasi gladly accepts. The next Leela is of Babusaheb Jog, who receives a copy of the Gita Rahasya written by Lokmanya Tilak. Baba blesses the book and returns it to Jog. These incidents show that Baba encouraged His devotees to read these texts and inculcate them into their lives. Finally, Baba gives Mantra Upadesh to Laxmibai Khaparde, and asks her to continuously chant the words "Raja Ram, Raja Ram."

I shall now talk about the importance of reciting the Vishnu Sahasranam Stotra, and give a brief introduction to it. The chanting of Nama, or the divine name, has an important place in the disciplines advocated in the Bhakti Marg. This adoration of the Divine by names takes two forms - Japa and Stotra. Japa is the silent repetition generally of a single Divine Name, or a Mantra, which may also have a long formula. The Stotra, however, is invariably uttered aloud and it may include the chanting of verses conveying the glory and attributes of the Divine. The Sahasranam is perhaps the most popular and holiest form of Stotras among devotees. The word 'Sahasranam' means the thousand names of the Lord. It may be asked, 'What devotional purpose can the elaboration of names serve?' Inward concentration is the essence of devotional practice, but inward concentration is also the most difficult to practise. Even a great man like Arjuna said to Lord Krishna in the Gita, "Today, of all Sahasranams, the Vishnu Sahasranam is known as The Sahasranam." The mind is fickle, turbulent, powerful and unyielding. To control and concentrate it is as difficult as controlling the wind itself. So aspirants treading the path of devotion are given practices of varying subtlety for communion with the Divine. Concentrated meditation is of the highest form of communion. Japa comes next, and Stotra, the external worship, comes after that. While meditation and Japa can be done only very imperfectly by the majority of men, Stotra and external worship can be practised much more successfully, and with greater devotional satisfaction. Hence, the importance of Stotra as a devotional practice.

A Stotra has six characteristics, viz., salutation, benediction, statement of the doctrine, praise of the deity and His attributes, description of His valour, form, deeds and prayer. In elaborate Stotras, like the Vishnu Sahasranam, that often take the shape of long, literary pieces, these features can be clearly seen. These are brought out through the selection of meaningful names that are strung together into verses. Vishnu Sahasranam is a part of the Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata. Tradition says that the Vishnu Sahasranam was composed by Sanaka, one of the Kumaras. When Yudhishthira posed the question: "Who is that Being who is Supreme Lord of all, the sole refuge of all, and by praising and worshipping whom, man gains what is good and attain salvation?" Bhishma responded to the question, in the presence of Lord Krishna, by narrating the Vishnu Sahasranam, the thousand names of Vishnu.

Shama and Vishnu Sahasranam

Just as Lord Krishna bestowed His grace upon Arjuna and Uddhav, so did Baba bestow His grace upon Shama. But the method was very different. Baba's method was unusual and inscrutable. Once a Ramdasi came to Shirdi, and took his Asan in the Sabha Mandap of Dwarka Mai. Every morning, he would read the Pothi. One day, Baba complained of stomach ache. Shama, who was nearby, asked Him what the matter was. Baba said that He had a terrible stomach ache, and asked the Ramdasi to go and fetch some Sonmukhi to relieve Him of the pain. As soon as the Ramdasi left, Baba left His seat and took the Vishnu Sahasranam from the bundle of books belonging to the Ramdasi. Baba then gave it to Shama and asked him to keep it. Shama was very upset and said, "I don't want your Pothi." However, Baba insisted that he keep it. Shama angrily said, "Deva, first you lied saying that you had a stomach ache. Then you went and stole his book. You steal the book and give it to someone and that person is thought to be a robber. You, on the other hand, talk sweetly to the onlookers so that your name remains unblemished. From where did you learn how to lie and steal?" To that, Baba replied, "Arre Shamya, is this lying or stealing?" This was just like Lord Krishna speaking sweetly to the Gopis, stealing their butter, and then lying that He had not done so. At that moment, Shama was very angry, and he said, "You are a great Lord. You lie and steal. But does anyone call you a liar or a robber? I must be mad because I listen to you, and do as you say. I tolerate whatever you do and say. To top it all, you talk sweetly, swear by my feet and neck, and use devious and cunning ways to get your work done. You say one thing and do another." At that very moment, the Ramdasi returned from the market, and seeing the Vishnu Sahasranam in Shama's hand, got very angry. He called Shama a thief. Baba pacified him and said, "Arre Ramdasya, you profess to be a Ramdasi, wear ochre and practise Bhakti. Yet, you cannot control your anger. You are so possessive of a book? Aren't you ashamed to wear ochre, not honour it and to know its significance? Shama, don't get upset at his outburst. Take this Udi and go."
(Reference: Shri Sai Satcharita, chapter 27)

Shama came to Shirdi from Nimongaon when he was two years old. He studied up to the seventh class in Marathi medium. As he lived in a remote village, he was not exposed to people who spoke correct and good Marathi. His way of speaking was like that of a rustic. Baba, out of mercy, gave him the Vishnu Sahasranam and asked him to recite it. This was an impossible task, because Shama could not read Sanskrit. But, by Baba's grace, he not only learnt it by heart, but could recite it correctly and explain its meaning. A time came when scholars, like Kaka and Professor Narke, came to him for an explanation of the complicated Sanskrit phrases.
(Reference: Shirdiche Sai Baba, K.B.Gavankar)

How Baba protected Ambarkar

A.G. Ambarkar, a resident of Dombivali, Mumbai, is devoted to Baba. He strongly believes that the universe cannot function without Baba's grace, and that we are able to breathe because of His benevolence. Each breath we take is because of Him. Yet we are filled with false arrogance. When we are unable to fully know ourselves, then how can we comprehend the greatness of Baba? Just hand over your life to Baba and then you will realise what He will do for you. On Bhaubeej, two days after Deepavali in 1999, terrorists had planted a bomb in one of the bogies of the Mumbai-Ambarnath train, which exploded at Kalyan Station. On that day, Ambarkar was working the night shift at the Transportation Department, which was close to the railway station. That night, around 11 p.m., his colleague suggested that they go and have a meal. They went to a restaurant, and Baba saved them from injury and death. They had hardly started the meal when they heard a loud earth-shattering sound of the explosion. Shortly after, they heard sirens of the police vans and the fire brigade. It was then that Ambarkar realised that there was an explosion in the Ambarnath train. The impact of the explosion had not spared the building where he worked, even though it was quite some distance away. The glass panes of the windows had shattered and there was debris all around, but by Baba's grace, no one was hurt in the building. Upon completing the night shift, while returning home, he saw the destruction caused by the explosion. The bogie was a mangled mass of soot-covered steel.

The next evening, he was apprehensive of travelling by train. Ambarkar's mind was in a turmoil. He had seen the devastation caused by the explosion. Nevertheless, he lit incense in front of Baba, applied Udi to his forehead, and set out. On the way, Ambarkar decided that he would board the train to Kalyan and avoid the Ambarnath train. He reached Dombivali station, and the Kalyan train arrived. But he was still a bit frightened. He finally boarded the train and found the bogie empty. Ambarkar looked around, and on the track outside, he saw bundles that were tied in a cotton sheet. His heart skipped a beat and he thought if those two bundles are filled with explosives, then he will be blown to smithereens. So, he decided to go to the rear of the bogie. At that very moment, he heard Baba's voice, loud and clear, "Arre Vedya, marnala beethos. Wah re! Kuthe pan gelas tari te yenarach. Tithech ubhi raha." Roughly translated, it is "You fool, you are afraid of death? No matter where you go, death will definitely come. Just stay where you are." Hearing Baba say this, Ambarkar was overwhelmed. He thought of how much concern Baba had for him, and his mind lost all fear. Ambarkar said to himself, "Fool, death is waiting behind your back. Death is inevitable, no matter where you go, but Baba is in front of you. Chant His name. Baba will help you cross this ocean of materialistic life and give you the strength to walk on the path of salvation." In chapter 27 of the Shri Sai Satcharita, Baba Himself extols the power and significance of chanting His name (Naam Jap). He spoke thus to Shama: "Naam can smash mountains of sin. Naam can sever bondage of the physical body. Naam can eradicate and destroy millions of evil passions. Chanting the name can break the neck of death itself. It avoids the pull of the birth-death cycle. Naam, when chanted with conscious effort, is excellent. Chanted without conscious effort is not bad either. Even if it comes from the lips unexpectedly, it will reveal its power. There is no easier means than Naam to purify the heart. It is the adornment of the tongue. Naam nourishes the spiritual life."
(Reference: Shri Sai Sagar magazine, Ram Navami edition, March-April 2000.)

Next is the incredible story of Baba giving Mantra Upadesh to Laxmibai Khaparde. What deep Rinanubandhik ties they had. Laxmibai Khaparde was a gentle, cultured, kind, affluent and devout lady. Gajanan Maharaj was her guru. Before he took Samadhi, he directed his devotees to go to Shirdi, assuring them that Baba would look after their Samsarik and Adhyatmik welfare very well. Many devotees like Khaparde, Dhumal and Booty came to Shirdi on Maharaj's advice.

The Rinanubandhik ties between Laxmibai and Baba were inscrutable. In 1912, Laxmibai came to Shirdi and stayed for seven months, while her husband stayed for four months. Every day, she prepared Bhog for Baba, and only after Baba accepted Naivedya and partook of it did she have her meal. On March 4th, 1912, she was rather late in bringing the Naivedya. Baba, perceiving her utter love and devotion, bent the rule of prohibiting females from entering the Sanctum Sanctorum after the curtain was drawn. He not only allowed Laxmibai to come up with her platter, but also let her do Charan Seva. The incident is beautifully described in the Shri Sai Satcharita, chapter 27.

Baba eagerly eats the food served by Laxmibai, while showing indifference to many a platter full of delicious savouries and Panch Pakwan. Shama becomes curious about this and asks Baba, "Why this partiality?" Baba says, "Shamya, how can I describe the excellence of this food?" Baba then describes four of her previous births. Each birth had a strong bond of love and devotion towards Him. Baba voraciously eats the food, and belches, expressing his satisfaction. Laxmibai then does Charan Seva. Baba, in turn, gently presses the hands that are massaging His feet. This is the transference of Shaktipat. He tells her softly to chant "Raja Ram, Raja Ram." This she said to the end of her life.

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